 |
Poshies |
|
He is not recognized by the F.C.I. |
Origin |
Germany <> Great Britain -> U.S.A. | |
Translation |
Francis Vandersteen |
A brief presentation of the Poshies |
| A cross between a Sheltie (Shetland Sheepdog) and a German Toy Spitz / Pomeranian, the Poshies is a highly energetic, independent and loyal hybrid breed that's sure to steal your heart. The Poshies is a small to medium-sized dog with a thick double-coated coat like the German Toy Spitz / Pomeranian, small black eyes, a curly tail and a long muzzle that ends in a delicate black button nose. Taking on the loving nature of the German Toy Spitz / Pomeranian, Poshies are wonderful companion dogs who want nothing more than to be with their owner all day long. But don't let their cuddly nature fool you. Poshies also take after the Sheltie, which is a very energetic and impatient type of dog, meaning it can have a high, independent energy that makes it slightly wary of strangers, making Poshies an excellent watchdog for you and your family. They're an easy breed to train due to their eagerness to please, but they do have a slight stubborn streak, so it will be necessary to rehearse when teaching a new trick. Despite this fact, Poshies learn very quickly and once they've understood something, they'll master it in no time. |
History of the Poshies |
| As a more recent hybrid developed over the last century, few details explain why the hybrid was created. To learn more about what makes Poshies useful and special to us as humans, we'll need to take a look at the Sheltie and German Toy Spitz / Pomeranian origin stories. In doing so, we can learn more about their individual traits and why they are, and always have been, so popular. |
A little of the German Toy Spitz / Pomeranian |
||
| The German Toy Spitz / Pomeranian is native to the northern region of Europe, on the coast of the Baltic Sea. Unsurprisingly, the name German Toy Spitz / Pomeranian comes from this specific region, which goes by the name of Pomerania. This plucky little dog was originally bred from the Spitz and typically weighed between 9 and 14 kilos as an adult, which is much bigger than the little balls of fluff we know today. One day on vacation in Florence in 1888, Queen Victoria of England came across the German Toy Spitz / Pomeranian and fell in love. She brought one back to England with her, and from then on, the breed's popularity exploded. It wasn't long before the Pom made its way to America, and soon afterwards began appearing at the American Kennel Club. Today, the German Toy Spitz / Pomeranian is still a showman at heart and an excellent companion dog for people all over the world. | ||
 |
||
| Standard of the German Toy Spitz / Pomeranian |
A little of the Shetland Sheepdog |
| The adorable miniature sheepdog known as the Shetland Sheepdog is native to the Shetland Islands. Much of the livestock there is smaller, so it makes sense that the dogs created to look after livestock and warn owners of potential intruders are also small. Although the exact origin of the Sheltie is unknown, many people believe that its heritage is made up of breeds such as the German Toy Spitz / Pomeranian itself, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and perhaps a plus the Great Collie. Such a cute dog was a total magnet for those who came to visit the islands and the Sheltie was often taken as a souvenir, so he made the rounds pretty quickly. Because people liked to mix the breed with other dogs from all over the world, the Sheltie today varies greatly in size and color. The American Kennel Club recognized the Sheltie as an official breed in 1911, and it is now one of the AKC's top 20 registered breeds. |
 |
| Standard of the Shetland Sheepdog |
Appearance of the Poshies |
| Combining the beauty of the German Toy Spitz / Pomeranian and the Sheltie, the Poshies is a small breed with a big coat and a lovely face. Its ears are erect and high, with feathers all around, just like the German Toy Spitz / Pomeranian. The eyes are small and black with a bright mischievous nature inside that reveals your hybrid's love of life. His long muzzle ends in a perfect black nose that complements his face very well and accentuates the lighter-colored fur in a very attractive way. Small legs, a big curled tail and light feathering around the back and legs complete the Poshies' magnificent appearance. When you see one of these little dogs coming your way, get ready to grab your heart, because it's going to melt. |
Temperament of the Poshies |
| With their sharp intelligence and love of life, Poshies are playful, fun-loving little dogs. He may be small, but his loyal spirit makes him the ideal watchdog for a small family or, perhaps, for an older person who doesn't want to look after a bigger dog. Poshies do wonderfully well with children and other pets, but can become a little temperamental if handled too roughly. This most likely comes from the German Toy Spitz / Pomeranian side, but the good news is that if Poshies are socialized young, this shouldn't be a problem that persists forever. Because Poshies have a breeding background, another trait that might appear from time to time is a desire to gather things such as smaller children or other animals. Again, this is a trait that will most likely be rare and can be managed with early socialization, training and firm guidance. This breed is a perfect addition to any family and will do well in any size home as long as it has somewhere to exercise every day. |
Needs and activities of the Poshies |
| Although Poshies are primarily a cuddly dog by nature, thanks to the German Toy Spitz / Pomeranian, they have that energetic herding nature that comes from the Sheltie. For this reason, daily playtime and training sessions will be essential to keep Poshies well-behaved and happy. Long walks, outings to the park and playing fetch in the yard are excellent ways to keep Poshies entertained. Even if the weather outside is bad, Poshies have a well-insulated coat that keeps them from getting too cold or too hot. So, whatever the weather, you can always give your dog the exercise he needs. And best of all, as soon as your Poshies has finished squirming, he'll happily curl up next to you or on your lap for a nice nap. |
Maintenance of the Poshies |
| Due to the silky nature of Poshies' fur, frequent brushing will be necessary to keep it smooth and tangle-free. A quick brushing a day with a simple metal comb and pin brush will be more than enough to keep the fur looking gorgeous, but if you want to go the extra mile, a visit to the groomer can be a great way to keep your Poshies looking chic, so to speak. Bathing should only take place about once a month, as this breed doesn't have a bad dog smell, unless you have a lighter-colored dog that easily shows dirt. In addition to brushing and bathing, the last two steps in the maintenance routine would be ear cleaning and a good nail trim every few weeks or so. This will keep ears and feet healthy and free from snags or debris. |
English (United Kingdom)