A Note from the APC President

2024 – Cathy Driggers

March 2024

Just a couple weeks ago Mark and I once again participated in a Meet the Breed in our local community with our Mardi Gras Dog Parade. Every year we are always amazed at how many people we meet that really don’t know very much about our breed. Events like this are a great opportunity to not only share responsible dog ownership but to share our breed. Educating the public on what a Pomeranian should look like, what a Pomeranian’s personality is and to highlight the hallmarks of our wonderful breed. It is an opportunity to let other people know why we love our breed the way we do. These sort of opportunities are also a way to counteract the damage put out by animal rights groups who are constantly seen and heard. I would encourage you to look for events where you can get involved with your Poms. Also, taking them into stores, your local downtown, city parks, schools and nursing homes, where you will find the public, are also great ways to represent our breed. If you have any questions or would like to chat about ideas or need help looking for something in your area to do with your Poms, please do not hesitate to reach out. Remember, we are all in this together.

It’s great not only talking about community service in theory but actually doing it……Adam Gardner

January 2024

It was great seeing so many of you in Orlando at our APC Specialty. Thank you to everyone who helped make our show a success. 

As we enter 2024 I would like to encourage each of you to take a look at your involvement in our breed and what can be improved. Whether you are a breeder, exhibitor in conformation and/or performance or if you are just a Pomeranian lover there is something you can do or get involved in. As breeders, we all have to take a step back from time to time, do health testing, see what can be improved or changed. Ask yourself if the decisions you are making are in the best interest of the breed and are you improving the breed.

If you have been around long enough, please share your knowledge with new people that want to learn. We all know it can be frustrating to share our time and knowledge with people who don’t listen. That can make us jaded and not want to help. However, there are new people eager to learn and they are struggling to find ethical mentors with the years of experience and knowledge to develop successful breeding programs. It could even be ring experience or grooming that could be shared with others. Whatever your talent is, I encourage you to be willing to share it with someone in 2024. Find someone to mentor. For the new ones, I encourage you to do your research before taking advice from people online or even at shows. Find someone who has experience at being successful in the area you are looking to be mentored. Recently I have seen quite a few new people taking advice from people who haven’t been successful themselves or from people who don’t follow the standard that has been set by APC. If you haven’t read the standard lately then I would encourage you to refresh yourself with it. That is also the first thing I tell people that want to learn. Start by reading the standard. Become familiar with the standard first and we can go from there.   

We are also kicking into gear with plans for the 2024 APC National in Des Moines. I encourage you if you haven’t already made arrangements to be there to get your reservations in. Roxie has some exciting things planned that you won’t want to miss. Also, if you are going to be there, please let Roxie know if you are available to volunteer. It takes a village to make a show of this size a success.We look forward to seeing you all there!

2023 – Cathy Driggers, President

September 2023

I hope everyone has had an amazing summer. By the time everyone reads this we will be heading into fall even if it doesn’t feel like it for those of you that live in southern states like we do. I want to thank everyone who has donated time or money in support of the APC Summer Specialty. It certainly takes a village to put on a successful show. We will be having both Designated and a stand alone specialty in Orlando in conjunction with the AKC National Championship. We will be looking for people to help whether it is donations or coming to help at the show. We will post more information soon. We look forward to seeing everyone and your beautiful dogs.

May 2023

I remember a time when I used to travel to shows with friends and sit up late in the night grooming
dogs, talking about breeding and pedigrees. Then we all go to the show, compete against each other,
congratulate the winner, have lunch together and support each other in groups. All while having lots of
laughs and creating memories. I am not seeing this near as much these days. Yes, there are still groups
of people that do but many times we are rushing in and rushing out. Sometimes not talking to other
exhibitors at all much less congratulating the winners or supporting them in group. I would like to
encourage everyone to take the time to speak to other exhibitors, be willing to help the new ones and
even when we don’t agree or are disappointed with the judges selection, say congratulations. I would
like to see all of us out there supporting other Pomeranian exhibitors and absolutely supporting the
Pomeranian in the Toy Group. Let’s show everyone just how much we love our breed!

Sincerely,
Cathy M. Driggers

“Individually, we are one drop. Together, we are an ocean.” Ryunosuke Satoro

April 2023

Now that we are all back to our homes and settled after the whirlwind of Nationals, I would like to say how thankful I am to everyone who played even the smallest part in making our show a success. Roxie and her team made it a wonderful time for everyone! It was nice to have so many Board members attending the various events and being willing to help. Simply having the Board visible to the club members was nice to see. APC continues to set the bar high for National Specialties.

March 2023

February 2023

A Lesson from the Geese

• As each bird flaps its wings, it creates an up lift for the bird following. By flying in a “V” formation, the whole flock adds 71% to the flying range than if each bird flew alone.

Lesson: People who share a common direction and sense of community can get where they are going quicker and easier when they are traveling on the thrust of one another.

• Whenever a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to fly alone, and quickly gets back in formation to take advantage of the “lifting power” of the bird immediately in front.

Lesson: If we have as much sense as a goose, we will stay in formation with those who are headed where we want to go.

• When the lead goose gets tired, it rotates back into the formation and another goose flies at point position.

Lesson: It pays to take turns doing the hard tasks and sharing leadership — interdependent with each other.

• The geese in formation honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed.

Lesson: We need to be sure our honking from behind is encouraging, not something less helpful.

• When a goose gets sick or wounded, two geese drop out of formation and follow him down to help and protect it. They stay with it until it is either able to fly again or dies. Then they launch out on their own, with another formation, or catch up with the flock.

Lesson: If we have as much sense as the geese, we’ll stand by each other like that.

                                  – Author and Source Unknown

I am sure many have heard this before but I find this an interesting read every time and just had to share. While, I do feel we do a pretty good job as a club in being encouraging, supporting and team players, we can certainly learn from the Geese. Lets try to remember to strive together as we travel on our journeys, whether in our committees, events, meetings, competitions, or as leaders of this wonderful organization, so that we, like the geese, can ‘increase our flying range’ in the tasks set for us. We need to be willing to take turns in these tasks, to know when to learn something new or take time to be refreshed. We should be willing to take a moment or two from a busy day or hour to encourage and listen to our fellow travelers, to support them in their need.

I am very excited for our upcoming National Specialty and I look forward to seeing so many friends from far and near. Safe travels to you all!

January 2023

2022 – Geno Sisneros, President

July 2022

Hello everyone! It’s been a hot and not-so-lazy summer! Your Board has been busy with a lot of projects. The conflict in Ukraine continues, and since the annual meeting in March, we have tried to help the dog community there. Peperie Pomeranians donated $1000 to the Convoy of Hope on behalf of The American Pomeranian Club, and the APC donated just over $1100 to Janita and Tauras Plunge Charity and Support Fund, whose company White Dog Club participated in our National Specialty this year and donated a lot of time, prizes, and product to the show and our members. I got to spend some time with Janita and Tauro and their group, and they do a great service, and they are Pom people. It was a good opportunity for us to give back and help those who are directly helping people and pets in need. Both of these groups still can use our individual help, so please check out their websites. 

Work is ongoing for the 2023 National Specialty under new show chair Roxie Campbell and her show committee, and we are working on finalizing our dates and location for 2024. It is an election year, and the Nominating Committee has put together a strong slate of officers and directors to lead us the next two years. I am sad that my time as your president is almost over, but I hope to continue to serve you all and the breed as much as I can. Also, please watch your mail in September for ballots for our 2025 National conformation and sweepstakes judges, along with some proposed amendments to the Constitution and Bylaws. 

Please take care and stay safe and cool!

May – June 2022

President’s Message

Hello everyone! I hope you are all doing well. We held another successful National Specialty. I want to thank everyone involved, especially our show chair Pat Barnett, who stepped down after many years of putting together a top-notch show. It is a time-consuming and often thankless job, so we owe her a big “thank you” for her efforts. The Board has chosen Roxie Campbell to take the reigns as show chair. She brings a wealth of experience and will do an outstanding job.  I look forward to our national specialty continuing to be the best exhibition of our breed in the world!

As some of you are aware, we are moving next year back to the Holiday Inn Louisville East on Hurstbourne Parkway.  After being unable to secure our usual dates at the Crowne Plaza and after looking at several options, we chose to go back to the Holiday Inn Hurstbourne March 12-15, 2023, again preceding the Louisville Cluster. We are actively looking for other options, which is a difficult prospect.  Every place has its pros and cons, and the considerations are endless. The lower dog limit will be almost impossible to overcome. A four-dog limit is not great, but even Red Roof, Motel 6, and Wyndham hotels, the more “pet-friendly” hotels, only allow up to two pets per room. While we do have one-time pet fee that is higher than we are accustomed to, this is offset by our comparatively low room rate of $109.  Hotels that offered a lower pet fee charge more for the room, so it does even out. Would we rather pay $20-$40 more per night for a room and have a slightly lower one-time fee? The hotel has been renovated, and we have knowledgeable breeders as judges, as Noble Inglett will judge conformation and Elizabeth Heckert will judge sweepstakes.

This is also an election year for the APC.  A Nominating Committee will be seated by June 1 and will begin its search for volunteers to lead the club.  Once information is posted, please contact the committee to discuss your interests.  Even if you do not want to serve as an officer or director, there are numerous committees that always need volunteers, or if you have an idea for something new, let us know. We need to grow the club and find new ways to benefit the members and the breed.

January 2022

Welcome to 2022!  I don’t know where the past year went, but already the APC National Specialty is upon us.  “Jumpin for Juleps” will be held March 10-16, 2022 at the Crowne Plaza Louisville Airport in Kentucky. We have a lot of exciting events planned, so book your rooms and get your entries in ASAP.  Rau is our superintendent this year, and you can register for other events on the APC website.  Agility and Fast CAT will be held at Silver Street Park in New Albany, IN March 10-13.  Lee-Ann Lambert will judge the puppy match on Sunday.  

Two obedience and rally trials will be held on Monday and judged by Suzanne Hemminger, while Christine Goodin will judge puppy and veteran sweepstakes.  Judges education will take place Monday morning as well, and I encourage anyone, especially those new to the breed, to come sit in as JEC Kelly Reimschiissel educates aspiring judges on our breed standard.  The APC Top Twenty 2020 & 2021 ”Run for the Roses,” a Derby-themed event, will be Monday evening.  I encourage everyone to attend this fun event which will showcase the best in our breed.  Each year’s entrants will be judged separately.  We will even have a Derby hat contest!

Curtiss Smith will judge conformation Tuesday and Wednesday, and Tuesday afternoon/evening will feature our Health and Genetics Seminar entitled “Saving Troubled Puppies,” followed by the annual membership meeting and then karaoke.  The APC Awards and Auction Banquet will conclude our events Wednesday evening.  As in the past, the APC will have designated specialties as part of the Kentuckiana Cluster the four days following the National.  

As COVID-19 continues to rage around the country and the world, I ask each of you to be vigilant and be responsible for yourself and those around you.  While we each have our own beliefs, let us care enough about each other and do our part in maintaining the health and safety of all, not only during National week but throughout the year.  Cheers!

November 2021

As we approach the Thanksgiving and Holiday seasons, I would like to take the opportunity to thank YOU, the members of The American Pomeranian Club, for being a part of this wonderful breed, for sharing your hearts and homes with this breed that has so much to offer, and for being a part of the APC.  We all have different situations that brought the breed into our lives and different reasons for joining the APC, but let us always keep our love of the breed first and foremost in our minds and actions and find that commonality in all of our interactions with each other.  

December also means the Orlando cluster and the AKC National Championship presented by Royal Canin, some of the biggest shows of the year.  I am proud that the APC is again supporting the entries at these shows, as well as the AKC medallions.  Good luck to the performance and conformation exhibitors and our owner-handled finalists.  I am looking forward to attending the AKC/DJAA Toy seminars (where JEC Kelly Reimschiissel will present The Pomeranian) and to watching longtime breeder judge Mr. Edd Bivin judge the breed at the National Championship.  Congratulations as well to the top Poms that were invited to Westminster, which will be held in January.  

I would also like to wish each of you a happy, healthy, and safe holiday season filled with much happiness! 

September 2021

Fall is finally in the air.  It is a time of change, and a new year will soon be upon us. It seems like much of the past couple of years has been about getting by, trying to bide time and stay safe.  While I am happy to have a place to live, a steady job, my Poms, and family nearby, it was easy to get caught up in the day to day without much thought for the future. Now it is time to start looking forward.  It is time to think about goals and how to improve ourselves and our dogs and the status of the breed and the club.  

Each year, the American Kennel Club compiles various statistics for each breed, group, and the fancy overall.  Last year, in 2020, our breed posted its highest number of litters (4,646) and total dogs bred (12,982) since 2013, though 2021 doesn’t look that promising. I had never really thought about where all these litters came from, however. I was shocked to see that only 11% of those litters in 2020 and 8% of all Poms were bred by American Pomeranian Club members. According to the AKC’s figures, 163 APC members bred at least one litter last year, while 1847 non-members bred at least one litter. Where are these 1847 people, and what can we do to get them involved?  Further, what can we do to get our YOU, the members, more involved and help you become better breeders, exhibitors, and competitors? Please think about the direction the breed needs to go and what we need to do to get there.  Until next time, enjoy the beautiful fall season and be safe, healthy, and happy!

August 2021

I recently attended an AKC Judging Junior Showmanship seminar, as educating and encouraging youth is very important to the sport of dogs and its future.  Quoting AKC Junior Showmanship: Conformation Junior Showmanship Regulations, Guidelines for Judging Juniors in Conformation, Juniors in Performance Event Regulations, “the purpose of Junior Showmanship Competition is twofold: to introduce and encourage Juniors to participate in the sport of dogs; and to provide Juniors with a meaningful competition to which they can learn, practice, and improve in all areas of handling skill and sportsmanship.”  Our breed has been lucky in recent years to have drawn a few talented juniors to the breed, but we need to work harder to keep them involved, encourage them, and get others involved. But as many of our older, experienced breeders are leaving us, we must step up and take every opportunity to encourage those new to our breed and trying to learn and improve, whether it is general care, grooming, handling, or breeding. I was lucky to have found a great mentor early on, Cheryl Jackson of Glen Iris, who taught me much about every aspect of the breed and strongly influenced and contributed to my future in the breed.  While we all need someone like this, I feel we each have an individual responsibility to seek knowledge, form our own opinions, and “to learn, practice, and improve.”  I hope, for the future of our breed, that we not only foster love of the Pomeranian in our youth  but also in anyone at any age who wants to get involved. 
Dr. Geno Sisneros

May 2021

Just over a year ago, our National Specialty was one of the last successful shows in the country for many months.  By working together and doing things differently, we were able to hold the APC National Specialty once again in 2021, during a time when so many shows nationwide and worldwide were still cancelling, along with three regional specialty shows.  Thank you to each and every person who made it all happen.  In dark times, our breed was able to shine thanks to your hard work and dedication.  I am sorry that I could not be around the entire week.  It’s been a difficult couple of months for me trying to deal with some health issues and the stresses of life and work, and in the days before the National I lost a litter and then, after, lost Apollo, who was my light and life for so many years.  It’s not been easy, and I have had to try put myself first for a change and try to regain strength and passion for all I do.

Plans are already in the works for upcoming Nationals. Next year, we will again be at the Crowne Plaza in Louisville, Kentucky, with Christine Crane Goodin as our sweepstakes judge and Curtiss Smith as our conformation judge. Our judges for 2023, as announced at the annual meeting, will be Elizabeth Heckert for sweeps and Noble Inglett for conformation.

The future looks bright, as vaccinations are widely available here in the United States now, restrictions are lightening, travel is becoming easier, and more shows are being held successfully. I hope everyone continues to be safe and responsible. I wish you all continued health and success in both the whelping box and the ring.

March 1, 2021

The year since the last National seemed to drag on forever, but now all of a sudden the 2021 National Specialty is upon us.  So much has changed in that time, and so much is uncertain. We have tried to maintain some sense of normalcy by proceeding with this year’s specialty despite setbacks like the cancellation of the Kentuckiana Cluster and the numerous restrictions due to Covid-19.  Even with the addition of three regional specialties to follow the National, we have had to scale back. Attendance will not be the same, due to strict international travel restrictions and the apprehension that many of us have about even traveling within the United States. We will not be able to offer as many events or the hospitality to which we are accustomed, but we will do our best to make the shows as safe and enjoyable as possible. We will have to abide by many rules, and I hope everyone who is able to come will be understanding and patient.  Each person will need to complete a waiver attesting to his/her health status and provide contact information and will be given a wristband that will be required for entrance every day.  There will be designated entrances and exits for the spaces we use and the rings.  Classes may have to be divided to allow sufficient space between exhibitors. Appropriate distancing between individuals will be important, and certain room capacities will need to be maintained.  Masks will be required covering nose and mouth at all times, and sanitizer will be readily available.  I encourage you to clean or wash your hands every chance you get.  I am sure there will be more things as we try to adhere to all the policies at the time, but just be honest and willing to do what is asked so that we can have a successful show. We will likely be short handed, so be willing to help if needed. Your Board of Directors and Show Committee have worked VERY hard to make these shows happen. We have had to give up things and compromise, but our ultimate goal has been to host a memorable National Specialty and provide the opportunity for you all to showcase the best of our breed. 

To those of your who won’t be able to attend this year, stay safe and healthy.  We will miss you, and see you next year.  To the rest, see you in Kentucky as we celebrate “The Roaring 20’s!”

Geno

January 5, 2021

2020 is a wrap…finally! Just a year ago we were planning for the National without a care in the world, oblivious to how our lives would change just as the National concluded. Now, with dog shows occurring more successfully and coronavirus vaccines rolling out, we have been cautiously making plans for the 2021 APC National Specialty in March. Granted, it will be different, as we must forgo much of the social nature of a National, but the Board of Directors has tried to make it as much of a showcase of the breed as possible by adding three regional specialty shows after the National (particularly after losing the all-breed shows), thus guaranteeing more majors and more chances at winning a specialty. The Crowne Plaza has been very gracious in working with us to make sure we have the space needed to make the shows work, and we feel that if everyone is socially distant, wears masks, and sanitizes their hands often that we can hold safe and successful shows. I hope to see you all in Kentucky!

In December I had the great honor of judging our breed, along with 5 other breeds, at the AKC National Championship presented by Royal Canin. Though entries were down overall, there was still a respectable entry of Poms. Many thanks to the exhibitors who traveled long distances to represent the breed. I had hoped to see less trimming, especially since even the FCI standard now strongly discourages noticeable trimming, but there was less trimming than in the past. I always hear that “the judges keep putting up trimmed dogs,” but it is up to us breeders to show them Poms that are presented correctly. Along these lines, there has been talk recently by some longtime breeders that many of the Poms winning are too long, with which I happen to agree. I know that no dog is perfect, and we are going to show what we have, whether the tail set is too low or eyes are too round or the dog is not square (and the list goes on and on). There are two issues I see. One is that we all need to understand the breed standard and how to correctly determine the correct proportions for the breed and strive to attain it. The standard says “square” and “short-backed” and “1:1” and “height at the withers is equal to length from prosternum to the point of buttocks.” How does one interpret those descriptions? I hope in the next year or two to develop an educational program for breeders to have the opportunity to learn about the history of breed and how to interpret every part of the standard and why different aspects of the standard are important. The second issue is educating judges and reminding them of what is important in our breed, something I believe our judges education committee will be able to work on based on concerns of our members.

The new year is also the start of a new term for our officers and directors. I am honored to be able to continue to represent the breed as President, and I am excited to be working with the new officers and directors and offer many thanks to those who have competed their terms.

Finally, I wish you all a safe, healthy, and happy New Year!

Sincerely,
Geno

October 25, 2020

Adaptation is the name of the game these days. It is how the dog show world is slowly getting back on its feet after it all essentially shut down just two days after our successful 2020 APC National Specialty in Louisville. As shows slowly started coming back this summer, albeit with many changes and restrictions, we assumed we were out of the woods and everything would be back to normal in time for our next National Specialty.  Then BAM! the Kentuckiana Cluster canceled. With some of the largest all-breed entries of the year and 4 APC designated specialties, the cluster is a big draw and helps bring additional exhibitors to our shows.  Further, with fears of how our host hotel, the Crowne Plaza, could possibly accommodate our numbers with COVID-19 restrictions such as social distancing and decreased capacity in ballrooms and meeting rooms, it seemed we might be forced to cancel or postpone. Even Westminster recently announced that they are postponing and moving out of New York City for 2021. 

Luckily the Crowne Plaza has been very eager to work with us, which gave us other options, such as expanding and going bigger and better.  The Board has been very thoughtful and made the decision to invite three regional Pom clubs to host specialties the three days following the National, both to help clubs that may have had to cancel their shows and also to give three more reasons for exhibitors come to Louisville. Just as important, it shows how our club can rise above adversity and really shine. 

As the 2020 ends, the APC is happy to once again support the entries at the AKC National Championship presented by Royal Canin, as well as the three shows leading up to it.  I am excited to have the extreme honor of judging Pomeranians at Royal Canin this year, as well as five other breeds I love. I hope to see you there!

Happy holidays to everyone, and cheers to a happy and healthy 2021!

Sincerely,

Geno

August 25, 2020

Poms got back in the ring in a big way this August.  After a few scattered all-breed shows around the country, Pomeranians and their owners and handlers converged on Houston, Texas for the APC Summer Specialty, back to back Pomeranian Club of Greater Houston specialty shows, and two Toy Club of Greater Houston specialties, all hosted by the Pomeranian Club of Greater Houston. With entries of around 50 poms each day, the shows were successful and brought exhibitors from all over the country and abroad.  I hadn’t realized how much I missed dog shows, particularly showing my own, as I am usually working or judging. The shows were enjoyable, and exhibitors followed the Covid protocols.  The hotel and hospitality were excellent. Many thanks to the Pomeranian Club of Greater Houston and its officers, as well as the donors and the volunteers who worked hard to make the shows happen AND the exhibitors who made the journey. You made the club proud!  I hope this encourages people to venture back to the shows using proper precautions and acting responsibly for the safety of all. 

As summer turns into fall, it is time to make your choice of judges for the 2023 National Specialty as well as your officers and board for the 2021-22 term.  I encourage everyone to get involved in these two important aspects of our club. 

Take care and stay safe!

Geno 

June 15, 2020

Well, it is summer and it seems like the world is still at a standstill.  Borders of many countries remain closed.  As our states and cities begin to open back up, Covid-19 cases are starting to climb once again, and we all wonder when things will get back to normal.  Will things ever be as they were even 6 months ago?  For all of us dog-showing people who are anxious to get back in the ring, anxious to make a living, anxious to see our friends, I hope that we will soon start to see dog shows re-emerge.  The APC is hopeful that we will have our Poms back in the ring in August, as the Pomeranian Club of Greater Houston hosts the APC Summer Specialty Thursday August 20, followed by back-to-back regional Pomeranian Specialties and two Toy Specialty shows. That is five shows in four days!  Many thanks to the Pomeranian Club of Greater Houston on this undertaking, as it is no small feat. I hope everyone will come enjoy the great Texas hospitality! I also hope that other regional clubs will consider hosting the Summer Specialty in future years.  Speaking of specialties, it is time to nominate judges for the 2023 National Specialty. Please send your nominations to Carlene Gilstrap by July 31.

Stay smart and stay safe!

Geno

April 14, 2020

I can’t believe how much life has changed since we last met just a few short weeks ago in Louisville.  I never imagined that just two days after our successful National Specialty, the dog world and essentially the world would start to shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic.  I am thankful for our time together and wish to congratulate the winners and whole-heartedly thank everyone who made the National happen.  It takes each and every person to make such an event possible, and even though many could not attend this year due to coronavirus fears and travel restrictions, we will all come back together stronger than ever.

I feel like I have been living in a movie the last few weeks…social distancing, stay at home orders, curfews, bare shelves, fear, boredom. The worst part, for me, has been the travel restrictions, as it is experiencing new things and being with good friends that give me life.  I am lucky that my job is considered “essential,” so I still have my job but have been working from home for several weeks now.  I have lost track of the days.  I quickly got caught up on cutting nails, bathing, and grooming all the Poms for the first time in, well, forever!  Now every day is pretty much the same.  Pomeranians.  Work and its conference calls and webinars.  Yardwork.  Occasional trips to the store.  Netflix and Amazon Prime.  Repeat.

What is next?  I guess we wait for all of this to pass and discover what our “new normal’ will be.  I know some of you have lost friends and family, and I offer my condolences. Eventually we will get back to the shows and in the ring, and when this happens, I hope we all learn from the difficult time we are going through and come out of it appreciating, cherishing, and loving life and friends more than ever. 

Stay safe and stay strong,

Geno

January 4, 2020

Happy New Year and welcome to 2020, a year in which our breed reaches another milestone in this country, its 120th anniversary of AKC recognition! We and our predecessors should be proud of what we have accomplished in this time, as the Pomeranian has flourished here and around the globe. This past November, I had the privilege of judging a huge entry Poms in Moscow, Russia and presenting an educational seminar on the breed for the Russian Kynological Federation. The quality of the Pomeranians I judged there was exceptional, and the exhibitors were professional and passionate about the breed.

My week long visit concluded with my seminar, which lasted nearly three hours, partly because the presentation was being translated but also because it was well-attended by many breeders who were very involved in the discussion and asked many questions. Surprisingly, for a country of its size and its great number of Pomeranian breeders, Russia has no organized breed club to bring together and support the breeders. I was humbled and grateful to be able to bring our educational program to them and at that time truly understood the importance of education to the future of the Pomeranian and the important role that the APC has in world Pomeranian community. In this next year I hope to implement, along with our JEC Kelly Reimschiissel, a breeder education program that explores the history of the breed in relation to the breed standard and how to apply that knowledge to breed better dogs. This year I have been asked to give seminars on the breed in Denmark and Brazil, so Kelly and I will continue adapting our current JEC presentation to the global climate.

As you know, last summer the APC Board of Directors approved its Trimming Guidelines that were sent to all AKC judges approved to judge the breed in an effort to educate and encourage less trimming and sculpting of the breed in the ring. I am happy to say that the FCI recently revised its Pomeranian breed standard, which applies to most of the rest of the world. The main change was increasing the maximum allowed height at the withers from 22 cm (8.66 inches) to 24 cm (9.45 inches), but it also now includes a statement to deter trimming. The “hair must not look like being modelled,” which, from my understanding, is akin to trimming for neatness only. Hopefully, both exhibitors and judges will take this to heart, and we will see the effects of this in 2020. Cheers to a great New Year! Geno Sisneros, APC President