Height:6 – 9 inchesWeight:4 – 10 poundsLifespan:13 – 18 yearsColors:Black, brown, cream, gray, redSuitable for:Apartment dwellers, seniors, and singles; first-time dog ownersTemperament:Feisty, bold, and brave but affectionate and sweet to owners
Pomeranians and Chihuahuas are two of the most loved small breeds around the globe. Why not combine the two together? Well, some dog enthusiasts have, thus resulting in the Pomchi.
If you live in an apartment but want a dog that is playful, long-lived, and beautiful, the Pomchi may be right for you. Like its parents, this dog lives a long time and is highly intelligent, which is a major benefit of the breed. At the same time, it often is a lot more easygoing than the standard Chihuahua.
Nevertheless, the Pomchi isn’t right for all homes and families. To learn more about the Pomchi and determine if this powerful pint is right for you, read on. This guide tells you everything you need to know about the Pomchi before adoption.
Pomchi Puppies – Before You Welcome One Into Your Family…
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Energy:
Trainability:
Health:
Lifespan:
Sociability:
3 Little-Known Facts About Pomchis
1. There are different types of Pomchis.
Most people don’t realize that there are different types of Pomchis. For example, the Teacup Chi is technically a Pomchi, but it is pint-sized and costs thousands of dollars more as a result. You can expect nearly any Teacup Chi to be around $5,000.
2. They are surprisingly active.
Because of how small these dogs are, most people assume that they are not very active. Especially since Pomchis are found in apartments, it’s easy to make this mistake. Although it is true that these dogs are perfect apartment dwellers, they are actually very active.
Despite their size, Pomeranians were originally bred as sled pullers. Because of this fact, Pomeranians are very active, and so are Chihuahuas. Since both parents are fairly active dogs, it’s no surprise that the Pomchi is active as well.
Luckily, their small size means that they can burn off all their energy on their own. Even if you live in an apartment, most Pomchis can burn off their energy without leaving your home just by running around and playing with their toys.
3. They are a new species.
Even though the Pomeranian and Chihuahua have long histories separately, the Pomchi is a relatively new dog. Like most other designer dogs, this species only dates to the 1990s, which explains why it isn’t so readily available.
The Parent Breeds of the Pomchi: Left – Pomeranian (skorchanov, Pixabay); Right – Chihuahua (HG-Fotografie, Pixabay)
Temperament & Intelligence of the Pomchi
Pomchis are highly intelligent, but they are stubborn too. Unlike most Chihuahuas, Pomchis are often sweet and charming, which means they take after their Pomeranian parent. This isn’t true of all Pomchi puppies, but it is relatively common.
Overall, Pomchis make good dogs for families with older children or no children at all. Singles and seniors will especially like this dog because of its small size and devoted nature. This is not the best breed to get with children, though. This breed is also not ideal for multi-pet homes simply because it prefers to be in the center of attention at all times.
Are These Dogs Good for Families? 👪
Even though Pomchis often take after the Pomeranian parents, this is not the best family breed. Especially if you have young children, the dog may get snappy if annoyed. It is for this reason that we only recommend this breed to families with older children or no children at all.
If you do have younger children and still decide to get a Pomchi, make sure to monitor behaviors carefully. Also, take the time to teach your children how to behave around the dog to ensure they don’t scare or accidentally hurt it.
With these facts in mind, the Pomchi is best for families with older children or no children. More so, it’s great for families that live in small homes or in apartments because of its compact size.
Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets?
Interestingly, Pomchis get along with other pets, but we still don’t recommend keeping them in a multi-pet home. Because of the Pomeranian’s more laid-back nature, Pomchis don’t often fight or act aggressive towards other dogs, but it loves to be in the center of attention. If you have other pets in the household, your attention will be divided.
If you have multiple pets in your household, it’s important to properly socialize the Pomchi. Even though it’s uncommon for these dogs to be outright aggressive, some individuals may favor their Chihuahua parent, which tends to be less welcoming to other pets.
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Things to Know When Owning a Pomchi:
One reason why many people like Pomchis is because there isn’t much to owning one, at least not in comparison to larger breeds. Although these dogs still need a whole lot of attention and care, they aren’t nearly as difficult to care for as some dogs and pets.
In terms of food, diet, and health, Pomchis are relatively easy to take care of. That being said, grooming and training may be a bit more extensive because of this dog’s long coat and stubborn streak.
Food & Diet Requirements 🦴
Pomchis are small, which means they don’t eat as much food as some dogs., but they still eat a decent amount because of their high metabolism and activity levels. We recommend feeding your Pomchi two cups of food a day, one in the morning and one at night.
Exercise 🐕
Although these dogs may look like royalty, they love getting their paws dirty and running around. Pomchis are highly energetic and can be little powerhouses. It’s important to provide your Pomchi with enough exercise to help it get its energy out.
We recommend taking your Pomchi on a walk for 30 minutes every day. This will be more than enough to exert the little creature. Other than that, the dog will be able to entertain itself, if you buy it some toys for inside the home.
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Training 🎾
Training a Pomchi can be unpredictable. Even though these dogs are highly intelligent, they can be stubborn too. If you do not establish yourself as the alpha early on, it is unlikely for the dog to listen to you. However, you won’t have much difficulty teaching your Pomchi tricks if you are firm and consistent.
Grooming ✂️
The most difficult part of owning a Pomchi is its daily grooming requirements. Although some Pomchis inherit the single coat from their Chihuahua parents, most get the Pomeranian coat, complete with long, dense fur that lays in a double coat fashion.
You will likely need to brush your Pomchi once a day to minimize shedding and mats. You may even need to take the dog to the groomer, depending on the length of its coat.
Most likely, you will also need to clean out the Pomchi’s ears because this breed often suffers from ear infections. Simply use a soft and damp cloth to clean out the ears once a week. As with any other dog, make sure to trim the dog’s nails when needed and brush its teeth twice a week.
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Health and Conditions 🏥
One major benefit of a Pomchi is that these dogs are super long living. Both parents often live many years, resulting in one of the healthiest and hardiest designer dogs out there. If you want a dog to stay with you for many years, a Pomchi is right for you.
Minor Conditions
- Allergies
- Ear infections
- Shivering
Serious Conditions
- Epilepsy
- Hypoglycemia
- Legg-Calve Perthes disease
- Patellar luxation
Male vs Female
The differences between male and female Pomchis mimic the differences between the genders of other dog breeds. Most notably, males tend to be slightly bigger and heavier. Likewise, males are often more outgoing, friendly, and playful, whereas females like to be independent and are often wary of strangers.
Final Thoughts
Pomchis make great pets for singles and seniors because they are small, affectionate, and very quirky. Even families may like the Pomchi but be careful before purchasing this breed if you have young children in the home or are thinking of bringing any home in the future.
The most difficult part of caring for these dogs is grooming. After all, the Pomchi is primarily known for its luscious locks that take after the Pomeranian parent. In exchange, you will get a dog that can fit into nearly any home and is highly intelligent. Just make sure to establish yourself as the alpha to keep the dog listening to you, and you won’t have many problems!