Buying

Question
Are there any key things I need to look for when buying a pomeranian?

Answer
It is a great idea to do what you are doing and that is to try to be an informed buyer.  Too many pups are being produced by people trying to make a buck with no concern to the quality of the breed they are producing.
So, first off, do your best to find reputable breeders.  They are often at your local dog shows and can (thanks to the internet) be found quite easily online.  :-)  A reputabel breeder produces pups for themselves first- this way you KNOW they are making good choices of the parents they are breeding and think they are good enough representations of their breed to keep and show themselves.  Steer clear of breeders who have a firm "no show" policy.  STAY AWAY FROM PET STORES-they are supporting puppymills who are breeding for quantity not quality.  If you have a specific "look" find it through pictures breeders display on their sites.  Find a local breed club in your area where you will find nice folks who can help you find a reputable breeder.  If you just know you want a Pom and don't care about size, sex or color think of a rescue or a shelter Pom.  There are lots who need loving homes.
If you have any qeustions you are welcome to email me and I can give you more info. geminipoms@peoplepc.com
Here is some info I found online that might be helpful :-)
There is no excuse for ignorance in today's world- that goes for the breeder and the buyer!
Over 50% of the puppies raised in the U.S. are raised by people who NEVER have another litter. Relatively few of these people are well informed prepared for the experience and do a good job. They don't usually stand behind their puppies. Very few are equipped to take adequate care of all puppies until they can be placed in good homes, regardless of how long that takes. Another LARGE PERCENTAGE of puppies are raised by "PUPPY FARMS" that sell numerous litters of many breeds, or sell to retailers for resale. A RESPONSIBLE BREEDER NEVER SELLS TO PET SHOPS OR BROKERS!!!  
That leaves relatively small percentages of puppies being raised by experienced people who are dedicated to one or two breeds and raising puppies for reasons other than maximum profit. Not all of these breeders are knowledgeable and conscientious.
Be aware that AKC registration does not mean quality. It only means that your dog is a purebred. "Pet quality" puppies should be considered as just that! Even litters from very well bred parents usually contain only a few "show or breeding" quality pups.
The rest of the litter sold as pets can well supply the pet-buying public, providing that the buyers realize that, while pure-bred, these puppies are not breeding stock.  
We often hear a lot about responsible breeders today and I certainly agree buying from a responsible breeder only serves to benefit the new owner, breeder, and the pup or dog involved in the purchase. There are many responsible breeders to choose from in all the given breeds and just as many irresponsible ones too!
I go over pretty extensively what I classify as a " RESPONSIBLE BREEDER" below. You are welcome to skip directly to that section, (By Clicking Here) but PLEASE take the time to scroll back up here and to find out about responsible ownership and what I expect from a "RESPONSIBLE  BUYER".
TEN COMMANDMENTS FOR PUPPY BUYERS
1. Don't hurry. If getting a dog, any dog, right now, is your goal, then you are not serious, and you will get what you ask for: just any dog!
I for one am not interested in selling to buyers who decided this morning they need a puppy! When I offer a dog or pup for sale believe me it is not "just any dog"!! In most cases the puppy I have for sale will be between 4-6 months old, it has lived with me in my home and YES I  spend numerous hours,days, and weeks working and playing with the puppy, I have become attached to it and I only want the best home I can find for that individual dog. I would rather keep a dog or pup than place it with some one who has no knowledge of this breed or does not have knowledge of what it takes to be a responsible dog owner.
2. Read more than one breed book.  
Do not base your whole understanding on generic breed descriptions -no two dogs of any breed are exactly the same. Do your homework!  
3. Narrow your breed choice to only one or two breeds . If neither one works out, beginning research on a third will be easier.
Once you have narrowed down your breed choices and you have done some research via book or the internet it will be easier for you to know what to ask breeders when you phone,visit, or email.
4. Contact the national breed club. Basic information on the breed is usually free, and in-depth resources are available for moderate sums. A local club representative can often handle specific questions.
The national breed club for the breed you are interested in usually will have a contact person for you to talk to via phone and/or email.
5. Request names of club members in your area you may visit, talk to and from whom you can learn.
6. Attend dog shows or performance events in which the breed participates.
Dog shows are a wonderful place to see almost every given breed there including the breed you are researching. How ever it is also a very stressful place for the breeder who is paying to show there dog that day and trying to acquire champion points, so please be considerate and wait until after the breed is Judged before approaching a breeder, they are often very stressed and busy grooming there dog(s) when preparing to go in to the ring.
7. Be honest when you contact a breeder about who you are and your level of knowledge.
I for one like to know right up front - what you already know! I love to talk to people either in person or via the telephone.; I do not mind answering all the questions and concerns you may have on my dogs or the breed in general. Each conversation takes a different turn and what I may wish to discuss with a total novice wishing to purchase there first pet puppy would not be the same conversation I would be having with a veteran breeder who is looking for a show dog. Let me know right up from if you are looking for a certain; quality (pet or show) size,color,and sex. It often saves time for both of us. You may be looking for a chocolate parti male or cream female.. in which case I am more than happy to refer you to another breeder since neither of these two things I would have available now or in the near future.
8. Inform the breeder if you are ready to buy, have changed your mind or are still researching.
Most breeders including myself like to know at what stage you are at in your purchasing decision; be considerate! I would rather be told you have changed your mind or you are still researching the breed than to be left hanging after you initialized interest in buying a pup I may have available, this allows me ample time to start screening the next person on the waiting list.
9. Do not ask to be on the active list or expect special consideration unless you are ready to put down a deposit.
Once you have made connections with the right breeder for the ideal pup, send a deposit to reserve your dog. Keep in mind that deposits show earnest intent and are rarely refundable.
We do require deposits on pups and dogs- this shows me your are serious you want this particular dog/pup or a particular pup from a certain litter.  
10. If you are no longer interested, or have purchased a dog from someone else, contact the breeder and remove your name from the waiting list.
 
 
In no way should price ever be the determining factor on what dog you buy and from whom. The old adage "You Get What You Pay For" holds true in the dog world in most cases.
We have all seen the ads for dogs for sale; they usually read something like;
"POMERANIAN: teacup 8 wk. old female, great w/children, all shots, $300(Anytown ,NY) (321)321-1234"
-There is no such thing as a teacup, miniature, pocket baby ect... Do your homework!
Please do not email me or call me looking for such things as a teacup... the answer will always be the same "WE HAVE NOTHING AVAILABLE!"  
I do not care to place any of my puppies with someone who has not even attempted to research the breed. Poms have one standard that being 3-7 pounds ( anything over or under that is objectionable ).
-The poms we offer are with in that standard 3-7 pounds with the average pom being  
4 to 5 1/2 pounds.
-As To Price- if you are looking for a certain price range be up front and honest with the breeder as far what your price expectations are. I do not advertise my pups/dogs in local newspapers ect... and I do not offer dogs for sale at $300.00... you can expect to pay on average  600.00 + for pets and $1500.00 +  for show quality dogs.
 
 
If you are in the market for a dog, consider carefully what appeals to you not only aesthetically but also in terms of what type of canine pet will fit comfortably into your lifestyle. Talk to vets and owners you meet at dog shows and look for your future companions through breed magazines such as The Pom Reader or Pomeranian Review. Many times, the ideal dog, even among the more easy-to-find breeds, cannot be found next door or even in the same city. For instance, I sell most of my puppies to people who come from farther than 200 miles away, and I rarely meet the new owners before they pick up their little guy or gal.  
Exercise patience when looking for your special dog. You may need to make several contacts before finding a breeder who currently has puppies or who will soon have a litter. If none of the breeders you contact is expecting a litter within your desired time frame, ask for a referral to another breeder. Take notes, and watch for the same name to pop up from various sources.  
If you would like more information on purebred dogs, or would like a free AKC Dog Buyers Education or Responsible Dog Ownership packet, write to the AKC at 5580 Centerview Drive, Suite 200, Raleigh, NC 27606-3390;  
call (919) 233-9767; fax (919) 233-3627; or E-Mail to info@akc.org.
What to look for in a puppy and a breeder-
MOST BREEDERS WILL EVALUATE ALL OF THE PUPPIES IN A LITTER AND THEN BASED ON EXPERIENCE, WILL PLACE THEM IN ONE OF THREE BASIC GROUPS.
THE PET PUPS DO NOT MEET THE STANDARD FOR THE BREED IN SOME WAY. OFTEN IT TAKES AN EXPERIENCED EYE TO DETECT THE REASON THE PUP HAS BEEN PLACED IN THIS CATEGORY. PET POMERANIANS ARE IN NO WAY ANY LESS BEAUTIFUL OR LESS HEALTHY DOGS, HOWEVER, THEY ARE NOT QUITE WHAT THE BREEDER WOULD LIKE THEM TO BE IN TERMS OF THE STANDARD OF PERFECTION. REPUTABLE BREEDERS WILL INSIST ON A "SPAY NEUTER AGREEMENT" WHEN SELLING THEIR PET POMS. THIS IS A CONTRACT WHICH STATES THAT OWNERS AGREE TO HAVE THEIR POM PUP ALTERED AT AN APPROPRIATE AGE. REGISTRATION PAPERS ARE ON LIMITED REGISTRATION ONLY, THE OWNER MUST SEND A VETERINARIANS CERTIFICATE CONFIRMING THE ALTERING, THIS INSURES THAT ONLY THE BEST DOGS ARE ALLOWED TO CONTINUE THE BREED.
BY FOLLOWING THIS AGREEMENT, YOU ARE INSURING THAT  
THE POMERANIAN  BREED WILL CONTINUE TO IMPROVE.
THE SECOND CLASS OF PUPS ARE THE BREEDING QUALITY DOGS. THESE POMERANIANS MATCH THE STANDARD CLOSELY ENOUGH TO BE USED TO IMPROVE THE BREED.
THE LAST CLASS OF PUPS ARE THE SHOW DOGS. THESE PUPPIES ARE WHAT EVERY GOOD BREEDER STRIVES FOR. THEY MATCH THE STANDARD SO CLOSELY THAT THEY CAN COMPETE WITH THE MANY BEAUTIFUL POMS CURRENTLY BEING SHOWN AT THE DOG SHOWS, WITHIN THIS CLASS IS THE TOP QUALITY, THAT IS THOSE DOGS THAT HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO POSSIBLY BECOME CHAMPIONS!
Good luck with your search!
-Trish
Gemini Poms
www.geminipoms.com