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The breed’s name derives from its homeland of Pomerania, a former duchy on the Baltic, between eastern Germany and western Poland. The Pomeranian was a descendant of European working dogs. Such dogs were also held in high esteem in Greece and Rome, where they were prized as ladies’ pets. In classical Grecian times, the Pomeranian was called the “Maltese Dog,” which has on occasion led to some confusion.

The earliest record of the name “Pomeranian” is found in Voyage of Discovery Around the World, written by George Vancouver. He reported that on May 24, 1792, he had visited an Indian village where he had found a number of dogs “resembling those of Pomerania, though somewhat larger.” They were, he said, shaven close to the skin and the people had clothing and blankets made from their coats.

The Deutscher Kleinspitz, the smallest of the German Spitz breeds, resembles the Pomeranian, and in some places is still regarded as the same breed.