Q.-Do males and females have different personalities?

A.-No-they do not. Gender does not directly determine intelligence, affection,
sociability, submission, dominance, aggression, activity level, ability to be
housetrained, willingness to learn-or much else in a dog. If left unaltered males will
develop secondary sex characterisitics causing them to lift their leg to mark territory
and females will piddle in tiny amounts throughout their environment to mark
territory. Pets need to be altered BEFORE sexual maturity. Usually between 5 and 9
months of age.

Q.-Do females shed more than males?

A.-In UNALTERED animals the females shed more often than males due to hormonal
changes due to estrus. Spayed females do not shed more than males. ALL DOGS
SHED-(at least twice per year) but curly coated breeds such as Poodles have a "tangle
effect" whihc holds onto the hair until it is combed out. Short-coated breeds shed also-
and the hair is often difficult to pick up even with a vacuum cleaner due to it's texture.

Q.-Are females or males easier to housetrain and train in general?

A.-The answer for an ALTERED dog is-NEITHER.
Each dog is an individual and has different learning curves and responds to different
methods of training differently. High intelligence doesn't always make a dog more
trainable-sometimes just more wily in ways to thwart you! HUMAN BONDING is the
single most important factor in your dog's trainability. You must be bonded to your
dog for it to want to please you. Can you blame it? I don't have much desire to please a
stranger-or someone I don't like very much-so I can't blame the dogs too much. For
unaltered dogs-see below.

Q.-Should I alter (spay or neuter) my pet?

A.-Absolutely you should alter your pet. Some of the major reasons animals are
abandoned have to do with housebreaking. The scent of estrus is noticeable to dogs as
much as five miles away! Instinct causes your dog to respond to this scent by urinating
in their surroundings to mark their territory. Females piddle in small amounts-and do
not lift their leg while doing so-and therefore it is less noticeable-but both genders
mark their territory when left unaltered. Since the scent of urine is present-it can cause
problems with defecation in the house as well. Since sexual maturity occurs in toy
breed dogs before the age of one year old-this makes it advisable to alter your pet
between the age of five and seven months of age. Most vets recommend this age as
well. One of the leading causes of death in pet animals is mammary gland and
testicular cancers. Early altering will prevent the sexual maturation-and greatly reduce
(almost eliminate) the incidence of these cancers. TWO very good reasons to alter
your pet.

Q.-Will spaying/neutering make my dog fat?

A.-No. The ACTIVITY LEVEL and DIET of your pet determine it's weight.
After altering the absence of sex drive may make your pet less active-and you must
structure it's daily routine to include an activity level that keeps it healthy. If unusual
weight gain happens-then thyroid testing may be in order-or check for outside sources
of food not under your control. Kitty food left for the kitty, or well-meaning neighbors
who like to feed your little beggar for instance.

Q.-Should I breed my dog to settle it down?

A.-ABSOLUTELY NOT! There are good reasons to breed an animal that is not major-
faulted, but this certainly isn't one of them. You are jeopardizing the future behavior
and health of your pet by doing so. As soon as the dog's energy returns after the ordeal
of the whelping (in a female) and within one hour of the mating (in a male) their
youthful exuberance will return-and now you have a young dog who is not a pet
anymore-but a BREEDING ANIMAL-with all the accompanying instincts and
problems. Professional intervention and training will probably be required to correct
the problems you've unwittingly created. A garage or basement is not the proper place
for a family pet! Many pets who aren't surrendered or euthanized end up there after
their owner wants "just one litter" from them. You'll sacrifice way more than you'll
ever gain from that litter. If you do breed for the right reason-to carry on a wonderful
lineage from a wonderful example of the breed-be prepared to deal with the many
problems that surface after the arrival of the litter. Can you take off work for at least
the first four weeks to ensure the survival of the litter? Do you have firm buyers-and
deposits for all the possible puppies? Will they make good homes for the dogs? (Hint-
make sure they have references.) Then how do you deal with the probable behavior
problems your dog will develop due to mating instincts in the future?

Q.-Should I breed for just one litter to give my children the experience of "the miracle
of birth"?

A.-Birthing is a miracle-but not one I would ever want my children to witness! It is
bloody, agonizing and potentially very dangerous for the female. MANY Pom females
have Caesarean sections-and MANY of them die. That is not something I would wish
to subject my children to. They are usually very involved with their pet-and it is a
potentially traumatic experience for them-far from the "miracle" we hoped it would
be.

Q.-How often do I bathe and brush my Pom-and with what?

A.-The Pom has dry skin and coat-and requires bathing approximately every other
month-according to their lifestyle. You can bathe as frequently as every week-but take
special care to use only shampoos that do not dry the skin and coat. Protein and
lanolin shampoos are ideal for the frequently bathed dogs. Use baby powder in
between bathings for a fresh dry cleaning that keeps them sweet-smelling. Make sure
not to get the powder in the Pom's nose. Brush with a pin brush and slicker brush and
detangling or two-level moulting comb thoroughly at least once per week-for example-
while watching television. Keep the tools handy near your chair or sofa.
Pomeranians are considered a "medium" maintenance breed for a long-coated breed.
They do not have the tendency to "mat or tangle" such as the breeds-Shih Tzu, Lhasa
Apso, Maltese or Havanese. Those breeds are considered "high-maintenance" breeds
due to the coat care. Beau James puppy book has complete grooming instructions for
grooming your Pom and is available to Beau James customers only.

Q.-Why should I buy from a show breeder instead of a local puppy mill or backyard
breeder?

A.-The first and most obvious reason is the overall quality of the animals they produce.
Puppy mill & backyard breeder puppies are often gentically defective as well as
temperamentally unsuitable as a companion animal-and will cost you much money,
time & heartache to prolong their life with you. If you're lucky- -you won't invest
hundreds or even thousands of dollars at your vet's and trainers trying to correct the
problems of your $200 puppy.

B.-Yet another reason to buy from a show breeder is the support and expertise they
give you in the ownership of your Pom. Puppy mills and backyard breeders don't have
websites with helpful answers to your most-asked questions-and are not available for
telephone or e-mail consultations for helpful advice regarding your puppy. Their
emphasis is on producing a puppy for sale-not giving you good information. If you
support them-you don't have the right to expect a positive experience regarding your
dog's ownership from them. You got what you paid for. "Bargain" dogs don't usually
end up being much of a bargain.

Q.-If I buy a female from you-can I breed it to one of your males?

A.-Only if you purchased a breeding quality female. ALL pet puppies of either gender
have limited registration and no puppies from them can ever be registered with the
AKC. If you purchased a breeding quality female-then the answer is yes-but please
read the cautionary statements above regarding breeding your dog. then decide if you
want to be a breeder. For instance-Do you know how to tubefeed a weak puppy? If
you are committed to becoming a breeder-then I will help you succeed to the best of my
ability. Even dog breeders like company in this often heart-breaking profession-and we
often need a shoulder to cry on-or someone to share a triumph with. If you like roller-
coasters-you just might like this profession.

If you are a Eden Pomeranians customer and you have further questions or need support
regarding your Eden Pomeranian please don't hesitate to e-mail or call us. If
you are not a Eden Pomeranians customer we hope you will be someday-in the meantime-call
or e-mail your breeder for support regarding any Pom owned by yourself and I'm sure
they will be happy to help you with any questions you may have. If you are inquiring
about a puppy from Eden Pomeranians and your questions haven't been
answered please e-mail us and we will do our best to answer your questions.