Protecting Your Family
Guard Against Deception: Scams, False Myths, and Real Perils
Behind the allure of a "Toy Pomeranian" or an unverifiable origin often lie animal suffering, falsified documentation, and puppies torn from their mothers prematurely.
Here is how to recognise the warning signs and protect both your heart and your investment.
The Great Lie of Diminutive Sizing
The official ENCI/FCI standard is unequivocal: there is only the German Zwergspitz (Pomeranian). Anything labelled "Micro" or "Toy" is deceptive marketing or outright fraud.
The Cruel Deception of Falsified Age
One of the most common ruses used to market a dog as "Toy" or "Tea-cup" (terms non-existent in the breed standard) is lying about the birth date. Puppies are sold at 35-40 days of age while being passed off as 3 months old. You see a minuscule creature and assume "it will stay tiny," when in reality, it is a vulnerable neonate—underweight, unweaned, and devoid of an immune system.
Dwarfism is Not a Virtue, but an Affliction
If a dog is truly an adult and weighs only 1kg, it is not an "exclusive" specimen; it is an individual suffering from dwarfism or severe pathologies. These dogs possess fragile bones, open fontanelles (brain risk), and significantly shortened life expectancies. Do not finance suffering for the sake of a distorted aesthetic ideal.
Retailers and Intermediaries: The Rule of Transparency
A serious merchant has nothing to hide regarding the provenance of their animals. The supply chain must be transparent to guarantee you a healthy companion.
Total Traceability: Your Sole Guarantee
Should you choose to purchase from a pet shop, ensure the retailer operates as an honest intermediary. They must provide the name and contact details of the breeding estate of origin. Knowing who brought the dog into the world is non-negotiable: you must be able to verify genetic testing on Sires & Dams and the bloodline.
When to Mistrust: The Concealment of the Chain
If a vendor claims the dog "comes from one of our breeders" but refuses to disclose their identity, or if documentation shows a vague foreign origin, cease the transaction immediately. Often, this opacity serves to hide origins from intensive "Puppy Mills" where health screening does not exist.
ENCI: The Sole Guarantee of Traceability
In Italy, the only body authorised to certify genealogy and breed belonging is ENCI (Ente Nazionale della Cinofilia Italiana).
- Legally Mandated Pedigree: Under Italian Law (D.Lgs 529/1992), it is strictly prohibited to sell animals as "purebred" if they lack a pedigree. A dog without a pedigree is legally considered a crossbreed.
- Negligible Cost: A pedigree costs a breeder only a few dozen euros. Anyone telling you "it costs €1,000 less without the pedigree" is attempting to defraud you to hide the fact the dog cannot have one (unfit parents, inbreeding, or illegal importation).
- Health and Selection: A pedigree is not merely for "dog shows"; it is the assurance that your dog is not the product of incestuous mating which results in severe genetic defects.
Anti-Fraud Checklist: The Warning Signs
Should you notice even one of these indicators during your search, terminate the negotiations. You are likely engaging with a fraudster or an illegal merchant.
The "Phantom Dam"
Always demand to see the Dam with her puppies. If the mother "is away," "is sleeping," or "is not present," it is a scam. The puppy has likely been imported or separated prematurely. An ethical breeder is proud to present the Dam.Immediate and Constant Availability
Nature follows its own rhythm. An ethical boutique breeding estate does not have puppies available 365 days a year for "immediate delivery." If there is constant availability of every colour and gender, it is a dog supermarket.Deliveries in Anomalous Locations
Be entirely wary of anyone proposing deliveries at motorway junctions, car parks, or halfway points "to meet you." A professional breeder wants you to see the healthy environment where the dog was raised.An "Impossibly Alluring" Price
A Pomeranian raised in Italy under correct health protocols carries high overhead costs. A puppy offered for €500 - €800 almost always hides an illegal origin or severe sanitary neglect.Suspicious Veterinary Records
Scrutinise passports or health records with text in foreign languages (often Eastern European). If the dog is under 3 months and 21 days old and has been imported, the rabies vaccination is invalid, making it an illegal entry.
Frequently Asked Questions for Your Security
We have curated the most common inquiries to assist you in distinguishing a secure opportunity from a potential fraud.
Does the "Toy" or "Tea-cup" Pomeranian truly exist?
No. The FCI standard only recognises the German Zwergspitz (Pomeranian). Terms like "Toy", "Tea-cup", or "Mini" are marketing inventions used to premium-price puppies afflicted by dwarfism, or worse, those with falsified ages (sold at 40 days while claiming to be 3 months).
Is it safe to buy a Pomeranian from a pet shop?
The difference lies in traceability. A serious shopkeeper acts as a transparent intermediary: they must provide the breeder's name and the parents' health documentation. If the origin is generic (e.g., "Italian breeding") without a name, you cannot verify the genetic health of the puppy. Always demand to know the supply chain.
What guarantees must the breeder provide by law?
A professional breeder is required to provide: 1) A written Transfer Contract, protecting both parties. 2) A Health Guarantee (pursuant to the Consumer Code) covering immediate infectious diseases and severe genetic pathologies for at least 12 months. 3) A formal Invoice or Receipt. Without these, you lack legal recourse.
Can I return the puppy if I find it is ill?
If purchasing from a professional, the law protects you against "lack of conformity" (pre-existing conditions). You have the right to covered medical treatment or contract rescission. Those selling "off the record" will vanish at the first sign of trouble, leaving you with immense veterinary debts.
How do I detect if a puppy's age is falsified?
A 3-month-old puppy must have a full set of milk teeth, be well-structured, and vibrant. If you are shown a dog claimed to be 3-4 months old that is minuscule, wobbles, has sparse hair, and sleeps incessantly, it is likely only 35-40 days old. This is a cruel practice used to simulate a "Toy" appearance.
Trust Only Certified Professionals
Do not risk the wellbeing of your family or your future companion. If you have doubts or wish to understand how an ethical boutique breeding estate operates, we are at your disposal to provide clarity.