The last few years have seen many of us welcome a new four-legged friend into our homes, as the Kennel Club saw dog ownership soar to record levels.
But with 221 different breeds of pedigree dog to choose from, there’s plenty of thinking to do before you select your perfect pup.
Those with active lifestyles might want to consider a larger dog, while somebody with allergies will be looking for a hypoallergenic dog.
There’s even academic guidance to seek out, with Psychologist Stanley Coren’s book ‘The Intelligence of Dogs’ ranking breeds by instincts, obedience, and the ability to adapt.
One dog that often appears at the top of people’s canine wishlists is the Pomeranian – they are one of the UK’s most popular small dogs and have a range of positive attributes that make them a great family pet.
Here are 10 fun and interesting facts about the breed.
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5. Another regal connection
Queen Victoria was also a fan of the Pomeranian and bred the dogs, leading to an explosion of popularity in Britain. She particularly liked smaller dogs and by the end of her reign the average size of a Pomeranian had decresed by around 50 per cent. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
6. Musical muses
Mozart dedicated one of his finished arias to his pet Pomeranian, called Pimperl. Meanwhile, Frederic Chopin wrote the song 'Waltz of the Little Dogs' after being inspired by a Pomeranian chasing his tail. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
7. Survivors
Two Pomeranians were among only three dogs to survive the sinking of the Titanic in 1912. Lady escaped with her owner Margaret Hays in lifeboat number seven, while another unnamed Pomeranian owned by Elizabeth Barrett Rothschild found a space in lifeboat number six. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
8. Famous fans
Celbrity Pomeranian owners include Paris Hilton, Sharon Osbourne, Sylvester Stallone, LeAnn Rimes and Nicole Richie. Photo: Canva/Getty Images