I want a Pom pup!

Question
Hi there! I was wondering if you could give me some advice. I decided I want to buy a Pomeranian puppy, preferably a Toy Pom. I'm having the hardest time finder a breeder! I live in Massachusetts and the furthest south I could travel would be North Carolina and the furthest west I could go would be New York. Do you know of a good Toy Pom breeder in that chunk of the country? And I must admit- I know next to nothing about Poms, other than that they're adorable and loyal. Could you please brief me on their behavior and what I'll need to care for a pup, as well as *how* to care for one? And I've heard they're at prices from $300 to $1200. What is the average price of a good breeder who doesn't cut corners? Oh, and another quick question- I have two cats, but I heard tell Poms are great with other animals- is that true or am I begging for angry kitties? Any info you could give me would be wonderfully appreciated. Thank you so much for your time and help!
~Laura

Answer
There is no such thing as a Toy Pom.  There is only one standard for all Poms.  They are to be 3-7 lbs.  Anything above or below is objectionable.  Feel free to check out my links page to get tons of info on the breed.  You are also welcome to email me personally for any questions you might have.
A good place to find breeders in your area is to go to the Amercian Pomeranian Club web site or the AKC web site and look up breeders or clubs.  If you find a club in your area I highly recommend that you go to some meetings.  That will be the best place to find breeders and for them to get to know you.  Even if you have no interest in showing, they are a wealth of knowledge about the breed for you to tap into.  There are several breeders that will be willing to ship a puppy to you as well, if you find one that you like but they are too far to go to yourself.  Although I recommend seeing the dogs in person, it is not always possible when there is a certain type, color... whatever, so many people will have a pup shipped to them or even fly to pick it up.  There are lots of deals right now with airlines. :)
Prices are determined by quality, not by what someone may be looking for.  So, at 8 weeks old a reputable breeder will evaluate their pups and decide then which they will be keeping to show or add to their breeding program and then which they are willing to part with because the pup either doesn't have the qualities they are looking to add or they are not suitable for breeding and they will price them accordingly.
I have 10 Poms and 3 cats (plus 4 kids) the ability of the Pom to acclimate to a new envirnment is all about where it was raised, what it was exposed to and how well it was socialized.  
Good luck with your search!
-Trish
Gemini Poms
www.geminipoms.com