Then and Now: What Dogs Looked Like a Century Ago

5. Pomeranian

It’s the smallest dog of the spitz canine family, a tinier version of the Samoyed and Keeshond sled dogs in the Arctic. Modern Pomeranians have a dense coat, pointed, erect ears, and a tail that curves over their back. They seldom weigh more than seven pounds as an adult. But in the 19th century, the Pom was a 30-pound sheepdog. While there is some disagreement among dog historians, many say it was Queen Victoria’s breeding efforts that resulted in the dog’s lapdog size.