The Pomston is a combination of a Boston Terrier and a Pomeranian. Originating in the United States, the Boston Terrier, nicknamed “American Gentleman” was bred to be a fighting dog in the late 1800s in Boston, Massachusetts. They were much bigger originally, weighing up to 44 pounds. The breed has its ancestry in a Bulldog/English Terrier cross named Judge belonging to Bostonian Robert C. Hooper. They were later crossed with French Bulldogs which formed the foundation for the smaller variety today. Early names for these dogs included bullet heads, round-headed bull-and-terriers, American terriers, and Boston bulldogs. In 1889 the American Bull Terrier Club, was formed but after objections changed its name to the Boston Terrier Club. In 1893, they were admitted to the American Kennel Club. A Boston Terrier named “Sergeant Stubby” served in World War 1 for 18 months and was later brought back to the United States to a heroes welcome. The dogs are popular with actors like Rose McGowen and Jake Gyllenhaal while Joan Rivers also owned one. Early Pomeranians were also much bigger than they are today and weighed around 30 pounds. It is hard to imagine the fox-like, fluffy Poms today pulling sleds and herding animals but that is what their ancestors were bred for. Poms are the smallest members of the Spitz group of dogs and take their name from the Pomerania region in Germany and Poland. Closest relatives include the Norwegian Elkhound, the Schipperke, the American Eskimo Dog and the Samoyed. Queen Victoria loved the breed and at one stage had 35 Poms in her kennel and is credited with breeding the smaller variety. Among the luminaries who owned Poms are Mozart, Michelangelo and Isaac Newton, whose Pom is said to have chewed up many of his manuscripts. The American Kennel Club recognized the breed in 1900.
