Pomeranian chihuahua mixes are lovely pups that inherit the best characteristics of their parent breeds. These dogs are playful, energetic, and affectionate. They can easily worm their way into your heart.
The pomeranian chihuahua mix can go by several nicknames. The most common ones include pomchi, chipom, and pomahuahua.
In this post, we’ll discuss all you need to know about pomchis, from their origin and appearance to their characteristics and how you should go about caring for them, so stick around.
Where Does The Pomchi Originate?
Pomchis proudly come from two lines of miniature dog breeds, namely the pomeranian and the chihuahua
The Pomeranian
Pomeranians hail from large 30-lb arctic sled dogs in the duchy of Pomerania hundreds of years ago in an area of Europe that’s now considered part of Poland and Germany.
Pomeranians gained popularity after Queen Victoria brought them home from her trip to Pomerania. She loved them so much that, in 1891, she entered them in the Crufts dog show, where she won first place with her favorite Pomeranian.
Queen Victoria is the one credited for decreasing the size of the breed. Pomeranians are now known as the tiniest spitz type of dog.
The Chihuahua
Chihuahuas are considered the smallest breed of dogs. The Aztecs believed that chihuahuas could guide the dead into the afterlife. For this reason, a dog would get sacrificed whenever a nobleman becomes deceased.
Importers brought the breed to the US in the 1800s, and the American Kennel Club officially recognized chihuahuas in 1904.
In a twist of fate, the first chihuahuas were mistaken as having pomeranians as their ancestors. Though ancient chihuahuas had long coats similar to pomeranians, they’re not the same.
When Were Pomeranians and Chihuahuas First Mixed?
While pomeranians and chihuahuas could have naturally bred earlier, the first attempts to officially mix them were in the 1990s. Breeders in the US wanted to create a new breed by combining the two.
Pomchis have garnered a massive following since then. There are even multiple Facebook groups and online forums dedicated to them.
That being said, the American Kennel Club is yet to acknowledge the breed.
What Does a Pomchi Look Like?
Are you looking for tiny dogs that look like plushies? If so, then a pomeranian chihuahua mix might be what you want.
Pomchis are not yet recognized as an official breed, so there are currently no standards for their appearance. Being a mixed breed also means it’s impossible to tell how the puppy will turn out.
There are multiple variations of pomchis, and all of them are equally adorable.
Below are the typical characteristics of a pomchi.
Pomchi Height, Weight, and Build
Pomchis typically weigh anywhere from 6 to 12 lbs, and they have a height of 6 to 10 inches. Their legs are short, straight, and parallel with muscular hindquarters.
The body is well-ribbed and could be shorter in females compared to males. Pomchis have what people call barrel-shaped bodies.
The Pomchi Coat
Pomchis may inherit the single coat of chihuahuas or the double coat of pomeranians. Usually, they come out with lengthy fur, but it’s not long enough that you wouldn’t see their outline.
As far as their coat pattern, they could have the varied coloration of chihuahuas. Some pomchis are black, cream, brown, tan or mixed color.
Pomchi Face and Ears
Pomchis inherit the pointy face and large upright ears from their chihuahua parent. Their eyes are normally dark.
Note that a healthy puppy won’t have protruding eyes.
Pomchi noses are dark brown. Their muzzle is relatively short and lean.
Pomchi Tail
Pomchi tails are moderately long. The breed typically lifts it off the ground or loops it over its back. The tail is often fluffy like its Pomeranian parent.
Pomchi Characteristics, Temperament, and Behavior
Pomchis are lively and affectionate dogs with lots of character. They’re known to have only one favorite human that they’ll be loyal to.
Pomeranian chihuahua mixes are quite sassy and love to be the center of attention. Because of this, expect a lot of entertaining and humorous situations from them.
Does the Pomchi Get Along With Children?
Pomeranian chihuahua mixes aren’t the best dogs to have if you have toddlers around. Small dogs are fragile, and children can easily hurt them.
It’s also worth noting that a pomchi will snap if its tail or ears gets pulled!
Pomchis are also possessive dogs. They can bite if a child steals their toys or touches their food. If you want to get a pomchi, you should wait until your kids can understand how to treat animals with care.
Does the Pomchi Get Along With Other Dogs?
Pomeranian chihuahua mixes aren’t dog-friendly. The tiny pup will likely fight for dominance if you have several other dogs.
If you must get more dogs, aim for ones that are small in size.
Is the Pomchi Easy to Train?
Pomchis are intelligent dogs but stubborn. They often think they’re in charge.
Training a pomeranian chihuahua mix might be difficult if you don’t know how to assert yourself. They aren’t good dogs for first-time owners who expect to have obedient dogs.
Yet, once you get past these challenges, pomchis could become great family pets.
Do Pomchis Bark a Lot?
The answer is yes. Pomeranian chihuahua mixes are clingy pups that you can’t leave alone at home. They can get quite destructive and bark non-stop if they feel like you’ve been away for a while.
Even so, the loud barking means these dogs are like alarm systems. Trust us when we say your dog will make noise at the first sign of trouble.
What Is the Best Environment for Pomchis?
The ideal home for a pomchi is a house with a backyard to run around in. Still, there’s nothing to worry about if you live in an apartment. Pomchis are small dogs that can fit anywhere.
Just remember to take them out on daily walks!
Always bring your pomchi indoors. Pomeranian chihuahua mixes prefer to be at your side at all times. Outside weather might also be bad for them.
Pomchi Health and Life Expectancy
Pomeranian Chihuahua mixes live for 12 to 15 years.
Their lifespan is a bit shorter than their purebred parents, as pomeranians can live up to 16 years and chihuahuas can live up to 20 years old.
Common Health Issues of a Pomchi
Pomeranian chihuahua mixes may inherit diseases common to both breeds. Here are the most common health issues you might encounter:
- Enlarged Heart
Enlarged heart or dilated cardiomyopathy is a serious disease. Dogs with DCM have thinner muscle walls in their hearts.
The thin muscle walls make it hard to pump blood to the rest of the body. Because of this, fluid may collect in some parts of the body.
If your pomchi has DCM, it will often be lethargic and have labored breathing.
The disease is more common in dogs that are over 4 years old. If left untreated, DCM may cause heart failure.
- Dislocated Kneecaps
Dislocated kneecaps or patellar luxation happens when your dog’s kneecap gets knocked out of the socket.
Your pup might sometimes be limping or standing on three legs. Then, after a few minutes, your pomchi will be walking as if nothing happened.
Patellar luxation happens to dog breeds that have bow-leggedness. Prolonged unnatural movement over the years can cause this.
It’s not painful for the dog in the early stages. However, it can get worse over time. In severe cases, a vet will need to do surgery to correct it.
- Tracheal Collapse
Tracheal collapse happens when cartilage in the windpipe weakens and flattens. It’s a disease that causes chronic coughing common in small dogs.
Stress, excitement, physical activity, and extreme heat can trigger the collapse.
There’s no treatment for this condition. The best you can do for your pomchi is alleviate the symptoms. Vets will give anti-anxiety medications and cough suppressants to your pomchi.
- Gum Disease
About 90% of dogs have some form of periodontal or gum disease by the time they reach 2 years of age. It’s caused by bacteria in the mouth that does damage to the dog’s gums and teeth.
Common symptoms of gum disease are puffy and red gums, bad breath, and loose or missing teeth. Your pomchi may also start chewing differently.
To combat this, you need to brush your dog’s teeth daily with pet-safe toothpaste. Otherwise, your vet might have to extract the teeth if the symptoms get worse.
- Corneal Dystrophy
Corneal disease is a hereditary condition that makes the outer layer of the eye turn cloudy. Usually, your pomchi will still be able to see through this. However, if your dog looks like its eyes are in pain, you’ll have to see the vet.
This disease gets treated with antibiotic eye medications. Some pups are even given contact lenses.
The worst cases might require eye surgery.
- Hydrocephalus
Hydrocephalus is a birth defect common in small dogs. The defect results from their dome-shaped skull. Excess fluid leaks into the skull, resulting in brain damage.
Young puppies with excessively large heads get screened for this defect. In the early stages, it’s treated with steroids. For more serious cases, your pomchi will need anti-seizure medication
Never breed your pomchi if it’s born with this condition!
How to Care for a Pomchi
Pomchis are affectionate pets that’ll need a lot of your attention. Proper care means you need to be home most of the time to interact with your dog.
Pomchi Diet
Pomchis consume a total of one cup of food per day. It’s important to resist giving them any more than that. You should divide their food and give a little bit every few hours.
As for the type of food, low-fat dry kibble is the best as it can be good for their teeth. You can sneak a treat in for the good pup though.
Pomchi Grooming
You’re going to have to allot time in your daily routine to brush your pet’s teeth and coat. Check its ears daily as well. If there’s dirt, wiping it with a cotton ball and ear cleaning fluid should do.
You can bathe it once a month. For the nails, you’ll have to trim them occasionally.
Pomchi coats need trimming every few months. However, Pomeranian chihuahua mixes are weak against the cold. Try not to cut their fur during winter.
Pomchi Exercise Needs
Pomeranian chihuahua mixes have high levels of energy. This means that you’ll have to play with them every day.
Owners tend to overfeed pomchis since they’re such small dogs. That’s why it’s important to take them on walks for at least 30 minutes daily.
Pomchi Price and Expenses
A pomchi can cost anywhere between $150 to $950 upfront. Black pomchis are more expensive than tan ones because black ones are rarer.
In addition to the cost of buying the dog, the American Kennel Club estimates that the cost of owning a small breed is about $1,000 per year. This includes food, vet fees, grooming, and recreation.
The price can go up depending on how much you pamper your pup.
Adopting a Pomchi
If you’re lucky enough to find a pomchi in a shelter, you’ll have to pay an adoption fee. The fee covers the food and other expenses that they received before adoption.
In the US, adoption fees can start at $130 and go up to $750.
Additional Info About Pomchis
Pomchis aren’t hypoallergenic dogs. Moreover, these dogs can shed a lot. If you’re not up to having fur on your furniture, then a pomchi might not be right for you.
Also, you should start socializing your pomchi with other dogs at an early age. You can prevent them from growing up into aggressive pups by doing so.
Summing It Up
Pomeranian chihuahua mixes at their core are needy like children. Pomchis work best with doting fur parents who will stop at nothing to spoil them.
They have a few health concerns that you should watch out for. They have a relatively long list of care needs and daily upkeep. Their cost is no joke as well.
Yet, once you provide them with everything they need, a pomchi can become the most loving and loyal companion. It feels rewarding to have a pomchi by your side at the end of the day.