Pomchi Dog Breed Information

Group

Unrecognized

Weight

1.8-5.4 kg

Height

15-25 cm

Lifespan

12-15 years

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About the Pomchi

Reviewed by:

Dr. Cristina Alice Vulpe

Veterinarian

Ever wondered what you get when you cross a Chihuahua with a Pomeranian? Wonder no more, as we present to you: the Pomchi! These large-eared, round-eyed, pointed muzzled little balls of fluff may be familiar to you, but in reality, they’ve only existed for around 20 years or so.

In the time since, the Pomchi has become quite the ubiquitous breed throughout the world, being desirable for anyone looking for a cute, loving dog to brighten up their homes.

However, there is a lot of information regarding this crossbreed that remains unknown to many, including several health problems that these small dogs are susceptible to.

If you’re thinking about adding a Pomchi puppy to your family, read this breed guide to find out all you need to know about the popular mixed breed dog.

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.

What is a Pomchi breed?

A Pomchi is a crossbreed toy dog, being a Chihuahua-Pomeranian mix. Because of this split, the characteristics of this designer dog could either be based on the genes from the Chihuahua parent or the Pomeranian.

For example, a Pomchi could either have a long coat or a short one, feature a single coat or a double one. There’s also no guarantee what colour a Pomchi will be, with fawn and sable being the two most common colours. They are also known to come in blue, tan, cream, and black.

Appearance normally differs dramatically, even between two Pomchi pups from the same litter. Plus, appearance isn’t always apparent until the dog is fully grown.

What you can guarantee is that the Pomchi will be very small! Generally, this Pomeranian Chihuahua mix features an oval body, a fluffy face, curled tail, and big, tall, and straight ears.

Who is a Pomchi 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.

Pomchi Grooming & Shedding

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 Pomchis bark a lot?

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.

What is the average weight & height of a Pomchi dog?

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!

Are Pomchis easy to train?

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.

How do Pomchis behave? A look at their temperament and personality

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.

Does the Pomchi have any common health issues?

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 of the dog’s health at the time of purchasing. 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 does a Pomchi need to be fed?

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.

How much can you expect to pay for 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.

Pomchi FAQs

How long can a Pomchi be left alone?

Both of a Pomchi’s dog parents suffer from separation anxiety but can get used to being home for extended periods of time. For that reason, if you allow a Pomchi to get slowly used to staying home alone over gradually longer periods, they can eventually be left alone at home while you spend the day out working.

Can I shave my Pomchi?

Like all dogs that feature a double coat, you should never shave a Pomchi’s fur. Shaving a double-coated dog can easily damage hair follicles, which would make growing their hair back difficult.

Are Pomchi hypoallergenic dogs?

Despite only being minimal shedders, Pomchis cannot be described as hypoallergenic dogs. Chihuahuas and Pomeranians aren’t good for those who suffer from allergies, so neither are Pomchi dogs.

Do Pomchi dogs get along with cats?

If taught how to socialize, a Pomchi should be able to get along with a cat just fine. However, they do have a sassy streak, and a new cat in the family may bother them.