Pomchi Breed Guide

What is the history & origin of the Pomchi?

The two dogs that are used to breed Pomchi dogs - Chihuahuas and Pomeranians - have existed as pets since the 19th century. The Chihuahua originates from Mexico, while the Pomeranian comes from Poland/northeast Germany.

It is known that both Pomeranians and Chihuahuas first reached America at the turn of the 20th century, but whether they were ever used to create a crossbreed in this proceeding century is not known. Although a crossbreeding probably occurred at some point preceding, the official start of the purposefully breeding of Pomchi pups was the late 1990s.

The 1990s and early 2000s witnessed the culmination of the crossbreeding craze that dominated the pet industry throughout the 20th century, and Pomchi dogs were just one of many dogs to emerge from this time. The breed was approved in 1998 through the forming of the Pomchi Club of America. From this point, the breed spread across the world.

Who are Pomchi dogs best for?

Pomchis are a good dog breed for those looking for a loving and attention-seeking apartment dog, that is relatively easy to care for. Being small dogs, they don't need so much exercise, and an apartment gives them sufficient space to burn off energy throughout the day.

They only require half an hour's worth of walking per day, meaning they can easily fit around your lifestyle. For this reason, we'd recommend Pomchis to pensioners who are looking for a hassle-free pet to care for.

Despite their parent breeds being more independent, you can't leave a Pomchi home alone for long as they suffer from separation anxiety. For this reason, we wouldn't recommend them to single people who work away from home most of the day.

Additionally, Pomchis need to be handled with care, which is why they aren't recommended for those with young children who may handle them irresponsibly.

How much grooming does a Pomchi need?

If your Pomchi inherits a long coat, it will have to be groomed and combed more frequently than that of a short-haired Pomchi. Some long-haired Pomchi puppies require daily combing in order to keep their hair soft and comfortable for them. For short-haired Pomchis, combing is generally only required once a week.

While grooming, it's also important to clean a Pomchi's eyes, nails, and teeth, as they can become increasingly susceptible to infections if left alone for too long.

Most Pomchis are minimal shedders, and will only shed fur once per year, normally between spring and summer.

Do Pomchi bark much?

To compensate for their small size, these toy dogs like to bark as loud as possible whenever the opportunity to do so presents itself. Instances in which a Pomchi pup will bark include when introduced to new people, new dogs, or when they catch sight of another pet from the window.

Barking is unfortunately part of this breed's personality. However, it is possible to contain this habit somewhat by giving them a chew toy or another form of distraction whenever they start to bark. Like a lot of small dog breeds, keeping a Pomchi occupied at all times is key.

Do Pomchi bite?

Pomeranian Chihuahua mixes are prone to developing a slight biting habit when enjoying play - this is inherited from their Pomeranian parent. They don't mean to harm you by doing this, it just means that they have too much energy and don't know how best to channel it.

If your Pomchi develops this habit, you should use positive reinforcement to get them to stop it - either by praising them verbally or offering them a treat any time that they play without biting.

What is the temperament & personality of a Pomchi?

Both the Pomeranian and Chihuahua genes in this pup make it pretty yappy and give it a reactive personality, which is why the barks whenever a stranger approaches. From their Chihuahua parent, this dog gains alertness, energy, and intelligence. The Pomeranian genes influence this dog to be extremely dedicated, affectionate, and loving towards its owner.

What is the weight & size of a Pomchi?

The weight and size of a fully grown Pomchi depend on the weight and size of its parent breeds. Pomchi dogs can be as small as 15cm in height, with a rough maximum height of 25cm. A healthy Pomchi should be incredibly lightweight and weigh no more than 1.8-5.4 kilograms - they certainly are toy breeds!

How much training does a Pomchi need?

Like a lot of small dog breeds, this companion dog needs plenty of opportunities to socialise with other dogs and interact with plenty of visitors from the age of 8 weeks old. This will reduce their aggressiveness toward new people, and may even prevent them from barking at strangers in later life.

In terms of toilet training and learning good behaviour, a Pomchi can be easy to teach, however, they can be stubborn and get bored if they feel their training session has gone on for too long. In order to effectively train the dog, training sessions need to be kept to a limited time frame and verbal punishments should be kept to a minimum.

What are some of the most common health issues for a Pomchi?

The main health concerns of this toy breed are eye issues, like progressive retinal atrophy and cataracts, both of which Pomchi dogs are highly prone to. For this reason, getting eye examinations at the vet is necessary. Pomchi dogs are also extremely susceptible to dental issues, so you should clean their teeth regularly to prevent tartar build-up.

Other common health issues for this little dog include epilepsy, patellar luxation, hypoglycemia, open fontanel, collapsed trachea, and several heart problems.

A reputable breeder will tell you all that is known about the dog's health at the time of purchase. They should also be able to detail information regarding the health of the parent dogs.

What is the lifespan of a Pomchi?

Despite their health problems, Pomchis tend to live quite long lives, with the average life expectancy of the breed being between 12 and 15 years - sometimes even more! This means that a Pomchi is a long-term commitment, and should only be purchased if you're willing to spend the better part of two decades with one of these cuddly little dogs.

How much should you feed a Pomchi?

Overfeeding a Pomchi can severely affect this dog's health. In order to maintain a healthy dog, a Pomchi should only be fed around 40-100 grams of food per day. Given that this Chihuahua mix dog is susceptible to gum health problems, they should only be fed dry kibble. Canned meats may negatively affect their teeth, and cause infections to form.

What is the price of a Pomchi in Australia?

Prices for this dog vary greatly, especially for extra small teacup Pomchi dogs. Generally, they sell for around $1,000 to $3,000.