Pomchi

The Pomchi is an exquisite cross between a Pomeranian and a Chihuahua. While these two breeds may sometimes reproduce on their own, this dog is most often deliberately engineered by people. The two breeds synergize well together in terms of their appearance and temperament.

The Pomeranian is a small spitz-type toy breed, originating from the Pomerania region, which spans parts of northeastern Germany and northwestern Poland, with a very fluffy coat of fur that can be in colors of black, white, orange, brown, or even blue. It has a hardy constitution and a lively personality.

The Chihuahua is a toy breed, originating from Mexico, with a spunky and outgoing personality. It comes in many different varieties, including short-haired or long-haired, apple-headed or deer-headed, and almost any color combination you can think of. It also comes in a few different sizes, including regular and teacup varieties.

As a result of all this variation, the Pomchi can inherit a huge variety of different traits from its two parents. Most of them are quite small. Many have a long double coat of fur. Sable and brown are the most common colors, but the Pomchi can also come in blue and tan, black and tan, cream, and more. Appearances can vary dramatically even within the same litter. Sometimes you won’t know what you get until the dog has become full-grown.

History Of The Pomchi

The origin of the Pomchi is actually a mystery. There’s no information on who bred the first one or for what reason. But it has become a popular practice for dog breeders to mix varied breeds to create designer breeds. We do know that Pomchis began popping up in the late 90s or early 2000s as breeders began to intentionally breed them. Their origin was probably North America. Mystery or no, this designer dog has stolen the hearts of countless owners and is a great pet to own.

3 Pros And Cons Of Owning A Pomchi

Size And Weight

The size of a full-grown Pomchi will obviously depend on the size of the parents. Since there obviously isn’t an accepted breed standard, its size can vary slightly. The smallest kinds of Pomchis will come from a cross with a “teacup” Chihuahua, so-called because it’s small enough to fit inside a teacup.

Common Health Issues

As a dog of mixed breed, the Pomchi may inherit any number of different health conditions from either parent in such a way that might be difficult to predict. Some of the more common health issues may include heart problems, epilepsy, cataracts, cancer, progressive retinal atrophy, hypothyroidism, and dental and gum diseases. You should also be aware of rare conditions such as Legg-Calve-Perthes disease (stiffness and pain in the hip joint) and patellar luxation (a loose and floating kneecap).

The quality of its breeding will usually have a major impact on its health. Trusted, respectable breeders will only select the healthiest stock to breed from; they should also perform a thorough health evaluation to have their dogs certified by experts for a clean bill of health. Routine checkups at the vet throughout the Pomchi’s entire life are necessary as well. Despite the long list of health problems, this mix can enjoy a nice, long lifespan of 10 to 18 years with proper breeding and a bit of luck. In summation, these are the most common health issues:

• Cataracts
• Progressive retinal atrophy
• Hypothyroidism
• Dental and gum disease
• Cancer

Temperament

The Pomchi has a real firecracker of a personality that belies its small stature. They can be sassy, playful, affectionate, outgoing, and a bit comical. They’re also highly loyal and attached to their owner. The Pomchi thrives in the presence of people and craves companionship. Despite a tendency to be a little clingy, they can be left alone for hours, provided they have enough toys and activities. They also need enough daily exercise to burn off their excess energy and prevent destructive behavior. If you have a trusted friend or family member who can keep them company while you’re away, then all the better.

How To Take Care Of The Pomchi

The Pomchi is a good choice for all kinds of owners who want a small lapdog and companion. They do require a moderate amount of care, so be prepared to set aside some time every day. These are mostly indoor dogs and should not be left alone for hours outside.

The Best Dog Food For Pomchis

The Pomchi will only need about 1.5 to 2 cups of food per day, specially formulated for small dogs with lots of energy. Since this type of dog tends to gain weight, you should be cautious and conservative about the amount of food you give it. Schedule meals at predictable intervals throughout the day and do not leave out food to munch on. Dogs like the Pomchi that are prone to dental and gum diseases should eat dry kibble instead of wet canned food.

Maintenance And Grooming

The Pomchi will need to be brushed at least once a week to remove loose hairs and prevent matting. Long-haired dogs will need more frequent grooming compared with short-haired dogs. Haircuts should be given at regular intervals; if you don’t want to give the haircut yourself, then have a professional handle it. Because of its vulnerability to dental issues, you should set up a regular oral hygiene routine by talking with your vet. You will also need to trim the nails regularly, perhaps about once a month, to prevent them from cracking or splitting. Finally, you should check the ears regularly for signs of infection or wax buildup and then clean them out as needed.

Training

The duration and difficulty of Pomchi training can vary quite a bit. While this dog is intelligent and eager to please, it might have a little stubborn streak that could make it difficult to train. Owners will need to exhibit great patience and understanding to get the most out of it. Don’t permit your pup to get away with bad behavior, but since this mix is a little sensitive, it may shut down and ignore you if pressed too hard. Positive and engaging methods should work best. Firmly communicate boundaries, but don’t overdo it.

Exercise

The Pomchi will probably need somewhere between 30 and 60 minutes of exercise per day. Brisk walks, games, and other activities should be enough to satisfy its energy needs. While it may enjoy vigorous exercise in short bursts, its fragile body should not be pushed too hard. Also, keep in mind that when you go outdoors, this dog may be sensitive to cold weather.

Puppies

Because of its big, expressive personality, which can manifest in all kinds of mischievous ways, your puppy will need rigorous training and frequent socialization to mold it into a well-behaved full-grown adult. Poorly trained Pomchis may act very badly and become fearful around strangers. Classes, daycare, play dates, and other activities are all recommended to set your puppy on the right path. Crate training, while not mandatory, can also help your puppy with any housebreaking or behavioral issues. Juveniles should be handled with extreme care and slowly eased into exercise.

The Pomchi And Children

Because of its small, fragile body, the Pomchi may not tolerate rough play very much. It may prefer the company of older children and adults who know how to handle this kind of dog. If you do decide to pair up the dog with younger children, then adults should always be present to supervise all interactions between them.

Dogs Similar To The Pomchi

Despite being a mixed breed, the Pomchi is comparable to several other toy breeds from around the world.

• Shih Tzu: A favorite breed of Chinese aristocracy, the Shih Tzu has a history dating back several centuries, making it one of the oldest toy breeds still living. This outgoing and affectionate lapdog has a very long, straight coat that reaches all the way down to the floor. It can come in many different colors and patterns.
• Pekingese: This long-haired toy breed with a flat face and short snout made frequent appearances at the Chinese imperial court. This is an affectionate, loyal, and distinctive breed of great nobility and bearing. A large range of color combinations and patterns is accepted.
• Papillon: The name of this dog, which means butterfly-eared in French, is an apt description for the long, flowing fringes on the ears. This breed is very intelligent, sociable, and self-assured. It is classified as a type of spaniel, or gundog, so expect some hunting instincts to remain.