The origins of this breed hail from European herding spitz dogs. When the first specimens were brought to England from the German province of Pomerania, they were larger (up to 30 pounds), usually white and less profusely coated than our modern specimens. Litters often included smaller pups, and soon the smallest species was preferred.

Queen Victoria fell hi love with the tiny ball of fluff, bringing it home with her in 1888. She exhibited Poms extensively at British shows, and hers were generally in the 12-18 pound range. Large by modern standards, hers made the Poms of that day look monstrous by comparison. This encouraged an upsurge throughout England, where they were exhibited at that time as "spitzdogs." British breeders systematically bred them for smaller and smaller size, and more and more coat. Modern show specimens are usually four to five pounds! So, although they have been named for their homeland, they are considered to be an English breed, developed in Britain to their modern form. The FCI, however, does not separately register the Pomeranian, considering it the same breed as the German Zwergspitz. The Pomeranian came to North America around the turn of the century and quickly gained favor on that continent as well.