Last Updated on 16/10/2025 by Denise Leo. Post first published on May 10, 2016.
Before the Pomeranian became the small, glamorous toy breed we know today, early champions looked quite different — often larger, and frequently white in color. These pioneering Pomeranians laid the foundation for the breed’s evolution into the beloved companion and show dog adored around the world.
In this article, we take a fascinating look back at the very first Pomeranian champions — the dogs that helped shape breed standards, captured hearts in early show rings, and inspired generations of breeders to come.
Discover how these early champions influenced today’s Pomeranians and trace the breed’s remarkable journey through history.
Champion Rob of Rozelle
Sire: Unknown, Dam: Unknown, Colour: White, Breeder: Unknown
Champion Konig of Rozelle
Sire: Rob of Rozelle Dam: Peggoty Colour: White Breeder: Miss Hamilton
Champion Belper Snow
Sire: Belper Bounce Dam: Belper Glenis Colour: White Breeder: Miss Chell
Champion Belper Fritz
Sire: Snap Jack Dam: Belper Rosie Colour: White Breeder: Mr Chell
Champion Belper Sprite
Sire: Champion Belper Fritz Dam: Belper Minnie Colour: White Breeder: Miss Chell
Champion Belper Flossie
Sire: Champion Rob of Rozelle Dam: Belper Minnie Colour: White Breeder: Mr Chell
Champion Belper Peggie
Sire: Belper Don Dam: Belper Beauty Colour: White Breeder: Miss Chell
TATCHO
Sire: Champion Belper Snow Dam: Belper Pearl Colour: White Breeder: Mrs Birkbeck
THE LADY FROU-FROU Sire: Belper Fritz Dam: Belper Glennis Colour: White Breeder: Miss Chell
THE LADY VERNA Sire: Tatcho Dam: The Lady Frou-Frou Colour: White Breeder: Miss Lee-Roberts
BLACK BOY Sire: Leiblung Dam: Lulu Colour: Black Breeder: Mrs Ireland
KING PIPPEN Sire: Unknown Dam: Unknown Colour: Black Breeder: Unknown
HATCHAM NIP Sire: Unknown Dam: Unknown Colour: Black Breeder: Unknown Owner : Mrs Marlow 4.5 lbs. Champion Hatcham Nip was exported by his owner to the USA, Becoming the first Pomeranian to win on both sides of the Atlantic. C.C. winner twice at Crufts dog show.
MARLAND KING Sire: Kensington King Dam: Orange Girl Colour: Black Breeder: Mrs Day
WALKLEY QUEENIE Sire: Belper Checky Dam: Belper Sadie Colour: Black Breeder: Miss Chell
LITTLE BILLIE BOY Sire: King Pippen Dam: Vera Colour: Brown Breeder: Mrs Bird
TINA Sire: Bayswater Swell Dam: Kitsey Colour: Brown Breeder: Mrs Addis
PRAIRIE KING Sire: Bayswater Swell Dam: Queenie Colour: Brown Breeder: Mrs. Harvey
| Pedigree Of PRAIRIE KING | ||||
|
Sex | Dog | ||
| Sex | Dog |
| Parents | Grandparents | Great Grandparents |
| BAYSWATER SWELL | NUBIAN KING | |
| HIYYA | ||
| QUEENIE | PRAIRIE SQUIRE | |
| TENA | ||
KING OF THE FAIRIES Sire: Kensington King Dam: Queen Mab Colour: Brown Breeder: Miss Fox-White
HAUGHTY PRINCE Sire: Aigburth Prince
Dam: Haughty Muriel Colour: Brown Breeder: Mrs. Houlker MOORLAND PIXIE Sire: Moorland Brownie Dam: Fairy Colour: Brown Breeder: Lady Conyers
GOLDEN TINA Sire: Fritzkin Dam: Sissy Colour: Brown Breeder: Mr Taylor
FRITZKIN Sire: unknown Dam: unknown Colour: Brown Breeder: unknown
TINY BROWN Sire: Reigate Masher Dam: Blanquettes Brunette Colour: Brown Breeder: Mrs Sanderson
CHOCOLAT Sire: Black Boy Dam: Judy Colour: Blue Breeder: Mr Marples Owner: Mrs Harcourt Clare
Champion Boy Blue
Sire: Prince Victory Dam: Princess Zulu Colour: Blue
Breeder: Mrs Fisher Owner: Miss Ives
Dainty Boy
Sire: Unknown Dam: Unknown Colour: Shaded Sable
Breeder: Unknown
Dainty Belle
Sire: Dainty Boy Dam: Bibury Belle Colour: Shaded Sable
Breeder: Mrs Hall-Walker
BIBURY BELLE
Sire: King Khama Dam: Bibury Maggie Colour: Shaded Sable Breeder: Mrs Judge
RUFFLE Sire: Unknown Dam: Unknown Colour: Shaded Sable Breeder: Unknown
NANKY PO (KCSB
Sire: Dr Nansen Dam: Lady Clare Colour: Shaded Sable
Breeder: Mr. W. Birkinshaw
Weight 8.5 lbs
Born 23rd September, 190.
Show Record:
Nanky Po has won 40 prizes and many specials, including First and Hall-Walker Cup for best sable at Crufts; First Brighton; First Crystal Palace Kennel Club Show 1903; First Birkenhead; Two firsts and first Brace and Team at Manchester Pomeranian Club Show; Two firsts and first Brace and team at Darlington; First and first Brace at Lancaster; First Cheetham Hill: Second Open, first Team Crystal palace Kennel Club Show 1904.
| Pedigree Of CH NANKY POO | ||||||
| Sex | Dog | Sex | Dog | ||
| Sex | Dog | |||||
| Sex | Dog |
| Parents | Grandparents | Great Grandparents | Great Great Grandparents |
| DR NANSEN | BOBS | BAYSWATER SWELL | NUBIAN KING |
| HIYYA | |||
| URSA | |||
| BOOTLE’S BABY | |||
| LADY CLARE | LORD NELSON | BOUNCE | |
| ROSE | |||
| MAY QUEEN | |||
THE SABLE MITE (KCSB)
Sire: Little Nipper Dam: Laurel Fluffie
Colour: Shaded Sable Breeder: Mr. P. Hirst
Weight: 4.5 lbs
Born: 21st December, 1902
Show Record:
Winner of 70 prizes and numerous specials. prizes include during 1904: Four first Blackpool.
Three firsts Reigate. Three firsts Hitchin. Two firsts and the championship Birkenhead.
Two firsts, silver shield for Best Pomeranian in Show and first in Brace, Team and Non-Sporting Team Richmond; three firsts and championship also first Brace and Team, Darlington; three firsts and special for Best Pomeranian in the Show Baldock, two firsts and Burton Cup (won outright) for best dog any breed in the show Bakewell: two firsts and Hall Walker Cup for best sable, also first Brace and Team Crystal Palace Kennel Club Show, also Pomeranian Club Challenge Cup.
| Pedigree Of CH THE SABLE MITE | ||||
| Sex | Dog | ||
| Sex | Dog |
| Parents | Grandparents | Great Grandparents |
| LITTLE NIPPER | English Champion HATCHAM NIP | |
| PENNY | EDELMANN OF ROZELLE | |
| LADY CRYSTAL | ||
| LAUREL FLUFFIE | CLAYTON MASHER | ROCCO |
| OLIVETTE | ||
| QUEENIE | PRAIRIE SQUIRE | |
| TENA | ||
| . |
SHELTON SABLE ATOM
Sire: Little Nipper Dam: Cinderella
Colour: Shaded Sable
Breeder: Mr. J. Fielding
Weight: 4.5 lbs
Born: 10th September, 1903.
Show Record:
Prizes won during 1904 include four firsts and special for best Toy, Harpenden; Three firsts at Sheffield; Three firsts and best Brace and Team Manchester Pomeranian Club Show; two firsts, first in the Brace, team and non-sporting team and 25 gns. cups for Best novice Pomeranian, Richmond; one first, Darlington; two firsts and special for best Pom. in the Show, Woodstock; two firsts and the championship, Southampton; one first and two seconds ( beaten only by the Sable Mite), Crystal Palace kennel Club Show. he won altogether 43 prizes and many specials before he was 14 months old.
| Pedigree Of CH SHELTON SABLE ATOM | ||||
| Sex | Dog | ||
| Sex | Dog |
| Parents | Grandparents | Great Grandparents | Great Great Grandparents |
| LITTLE NIPPER | English Champion HATCHAM NIP | ||
| PENNY | EDELMANN OF ROZELLE | ||
| LADY CRYSTAL | |||
| CINDERELLA | AIGBURTH PRINCE | BAYSWATER SWELL | NUBIAN KING |
| HIYYA | |||
| AIGBURTH QUEEN | |||
| PENNINE BELLE | PRINCE KHAMA | ||
| LADY FLOSSIE | |||
Conclusion
The earliest Pomeranian champions were true trailblazers — elegant dogs who carried the essence of the Spitz ancestry while paving the way for the refined toy breed we cherish today. Through the dedication of early breeders and exhibitors, these dogs helped establish the foundations of the modern Pomeranian’s type, temperament, and enduring appeal.
Their legacy continues to live on in every champion Pomeranian that graces the show ring and every beloved companion that brings joy to families worldwide. By remembering these first champions, we honor the rich heritage of the breed and celebrate how far the Pomeranian has come.
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References and Further Reading:
[1] Official Standard of the Pomeranian (AKC). American Kennel Club, 2011.
[2] English Kennel Club Pomeranian Breed Standard, 2017.
[3] Denise Leo, The Pomeranian Handbook.
[4] Milo G. Denlinger “The Complete Pomeranian.”
[5] Kimbering Pomeranians “1891-1991”.
[6] William Taplin’s “The Sportsman’s Cabinet.”
[7] E. Parker “The Popular Pomeranian.”
[8] Lilla Ives “Show Pomeranians.”
