This small lap dog is called a Pomchi is a cross between the Pomeranian and the Chihuahua. Other names for this dog are the Chi-Pom, Chiranian, and the Pomahuahua.
This dog is not officially recognized as a breed by purebred organizations because it is a mixed breed dog; however, the American Canine Hybrid Club does classify it as its own breed.
Below you will find all the information you will want to know about the Pomeranian Chihuahua mix from nutrition, history, size, and temperament. Let us know if you own one of these cute little dogs!
Purpose: | Family Companion |
Size: | 6-10 inches |
Weight: | 2-12 lbs |
Lifespan: | 12 – 18 years |
Price: | $300 – $1,500 |
Pomeranian Chihuahua Mix History
It is thought that the Pomeranian Chihuahua mix was developed sometime during the 1990s.
This was when a lot of people started creating new designer dog breeds. It was all the rage among celebrities.
This is all the information that I have regarding the history of the Pomchi. Let’s learn more about the parents of Pomchi.
Pomeranian
The Pomeranian dates back to Pomerania where it got its name from. They were originally used as a herding dog for sheep. Pomeranians were actually considerably bigger weighing 30 pounds back then and got smaller as the breed was refined.
Eventually, the Pomeranian left it’s life as a herding dog and became a companion lap dog. Many royal and famous people owned Pomeranians and enjoyed their company.
Queen Victoria really took a liking to this breed, and she helped refine the breed down to the smaller Poms we see today. The Pomeranian came to America in the late 1880s, and it was accepted into the American Kennel Club in 1914.
Chihuahua
Many people believe that the Chihuahua is a descendent of one of the oldest dog breeds in Mexico. It is said that this breed comes from the Techichi dog, which is one of the dog breeds that dates back the farthest.
You can find information about the Chihuahua breed dated back to the Aztec period where people thought this dog breed was lucky and brought good health.
These dogs were even sacrificed and buried with the dead owner to bring luck.
Eventually, the breed made its way to America in the 1800s and was accepted into the American Kennel Club in 1904.
Pomeranian Chihuahua Mix Appearance
The typical Pomchi dog has a rounder head with a narrow muzzle. Their eyes are large and round and of a dark color.
Their ears typically are pointed and stand erect, which it takes from the Chihuahua. This dog has shorter limbs compared to other small dogs and a longer torso.
Depending on the sex of the Pomchi will depend on how much it sheds its coat. Male Pomchi dogs shed once a year while the females shed after giving birth or while they are in heat.
Pomchi Temperament
The Pomchi is known to be a highly intelligent and energetic dog that is eager to please and learn.
It does not take long for this dog to become part of the family, and bond with its owners is almost instantaneous as it has a friendly disposition.
This dog is more easy-going than the full-bred Chihuahua and is less stubborn, which makes it easy to control and train.
This dog also has a protective nature, and it often makes a good watchdog alerting owners with its bark when a stranger approaches.
Pomeranian Chihuahua Mix Coat
This dog can either have a single or a double coat depending on whether it has more Chihuahua or Pomeranian content.
Generally, the topcoat of the Pomchi is soft and full. There are variations in the coat’s length, and they can be either long or short depending on the parentage.
It will likely be so that the coat is long and straight. This will be an average shedding dog that will need to be groomed daily to help the coat look smooth and free of tangles.
Below are a few colors you might find the coat in. Your Pomeranian Chihuahua mix can have a solid color coat or even more than one color. The colors can be patched or some can have white marks across it. The rarest color to get in a litter is a black Pomchi.
What Colors Do They Come In?
Here are some of the colors that your Pomeranian Chihuahua mix may possibly come in. Your dog can also take on more than one color in its coat.
- Fawn
- Cream
- Brown
- Sable
- Gray
- Red Hues
- Black (one of the rarest Pomchi colors)
- Tan
- White
The nose will take on the traditional black color. Your dog has the possibility of acquiring brown or amber-colored eyes.
Pomchi Size
This is a very small dog and measures between 6-10 inches (15.2-22.8cm) in height. A male typically weighs 6-12lbs and a female can weigh 2-10lbs.
You have to remember it is a very small, fragile mixed dog breed. If you have small children, you will have to remind them to be careful when handling this dog.
Pomchi Health Problems
The Pomchi has a long life expectancy compared to its purebred parents and can live up to 18 years if it is cared for properly with regular checkups.
Both the Pomeranian and the Chihuahua have inherited health conditions that can possibly be passed down to the hybrid of these two breeds. It is not for certain, but you should be aware of these conditions if they do come up.
Hypoglycemia – This is the same issue people with diabetes have where the level of blood sugar or glucose is low. Some signs of this in dogs include loss of appetite to eat, weakness, shakiness, and even muscle twitching. This is something a veterinarian can help manage if your dog develops it.
Patellar Luxation – This is a condition that will affect little dog knee caps. It can put pressure, cause pain, and dislocate the parts connected to the femur, which could make your dog limp as it walks. This is a common ailment in the Chihuahua parent.
Cataracts – This is very common in many dog breeds, and it simply is due to the dog losing some of its vision, and in more severe cases, it can lead to blindness in your dog’s eyes.
Obesity – Little dog breeds do not need very much food, so as owners we tend to overfeed our dogs, which eventually leads to excessive weight gain. It is very important to follow strict feeding guidelines when it comes to dog breeds that are prone to these conditions.
These are just a few conditions to keep an eye out for. If you want to learn more you can discuss these things with your veterinarian.
When purchasing a puppy from a breeder, ask for health information on the litter’s mother and father. This will give you an idea of the health and if there is anything you should be concerned with.
Life Expectancy of a Pomchi
The life span of this mix is quite interesting. It is said that mixed dog breeds tend to live longer than the purebreeds.
The Pomeranian can live between 12 to 16 years; of course, dependent on your dog’s health will determine the life span.
Chihuahua’s can live right around 20 years. This is one of the longest life spans among dogs. When you mix these two breeds together, it will create a breed that can live between 12-20 years.
Living conditions
The Pomchi is an indoor dog, and due to its small size, it is suitable for apartments and houses without yards as it does not need an excessive amount of exercise.
This dog does not do well in cold conditions, and it is very sensitive to the change in weather.
It should be in a place that has a good room temperature, and if it goes outdoors in the wintertime, it ought to wear a sweater.
Pomchi Exercise
This dog does not need a lot of exercise, as a short walk to let it go to the bathroom outdoors is sufficient.
It will get a lot of its exercise from playing games and toys indoors with their owner. The Pomeranian Chihuahua mix only needs between twenty and thirty minutes of exercise a day.
You can break up this exercise time into two increments spanning 15 minutes a day. Even less active dogs like the Pomchi still like to get outside and be stimulated by all the sights, smells, and sounds.
This will help your dog be a well-rounded socialized, active, and happy dog.
Pomeranian Chihuahua Mix Feeding
The Pomeranian Chihuahua mix is a very small dog breed so it will not need as much food as a large dog breed.
This breed should be fed multiple small meals throughout the day. Their small stomach handles smaller portions easier.
Pomchi’s need one cup to one and a half cups of high-quality small breed dog food. Again break the cup or cup and a half into at least three smaller meals throughout the day.
Based on the brand, you are looking at spending between $1.50 to $2,50 a day on dog food.
There are both wet and dry small breed dog food options on the market, but it would be best to get dry dog food because it will keep your little Pomchi’s teeth and gums healthy.
If you have a puppy Pomchi, then make sure you purchase a small breed puppy formula to get the correct nutrition while your dog is still growing.
If you are concerned with the amount of food you are giving your dog you can always ask a veterinarian for additional guidance.
Pomchi Grooming
Since this dog has longer hair it is necessary to brush it multiple times a week in order for it to stay tangle-free.
The skin of the Pomchi is sensitive, so care needs to be taken when brushing it. A soft-bristled brush would be perfect to use as it would scratch the skin as a pin brush would.
This dog should only be bathed when absolutely necessary and due to its sensitive skin.
A mild hypoallergenic shampoo needs to be used to avoid any skin irritation. These dogs are also renowned for having overactive tear ducts, and their eyes often have discharge.
To avoid having a buildup of discharge, owners need to wipe it away with a damp Kleenex to prevent eye infections.
To help clean your Pomeranian Chihuahua mixes teeth, you can use dental chews. This is much easier than holding your dog’s mouth open to brush the teeth.
Most people take their Pomchi to a professional groomer every six weeks, but you can do it yourself at home. A groomer will do things like bathing, brushing, and even nail clipping.
Pomeranian Chihuahua Mix Training
Some dog breeds are more stubborn than others, so it is important that you give your dog a good incentive while training such as treats.
Reward-based training is very effective because everytime your dog does something correct, it will remember to keep doing that same thing to get treats.
Since this breed can be quite stubborn, it is important to have patience and take training slowly. Your dog will not be a pro right away, it takes time and a lot of effort on your part.
Even though the mix is very stubborn, it is also intelligent, so it will be able to get the tricks and training techniques down eventually.
Always praise your dog for the good job it did during training. This will allow this time during training to be fun for your dog and not a fearful one.
Pomeranian Chihuahua Mix Puppies
Finding a Pomeranian Chihuahua mix puppy shouldn’t be that hard as this is a very popular mixed breed. Try to avoid puppy mills as this will be a popular dog breed they might have.
Be on the lookout for a reputable breeder that can allow you to visit the kennel and find one that gives you health papers on the dog’s parents.
This is a designer mixed breed so it will run higher priced than other mixes. You can expect to pay between $300 to $1,500. Of course, each breeder will have their own specific price so shop around.
As I said, the demand is high for this mix breed, so you may have to wait on a waiting list to get a puppy. Some breeders may require a deposit to be put down to hold a puppy in place.
How Much Does a Pomeranian Chihuahua Mix Cost?
The Pomeranian Chihuahua mix will range between $300 and $1,500. To find out more specific puppy prices, you will need to ask some breeders or see what a rescue charges.
Rescues may have an older adult or senior Pomeranian Chihuahua mix, but it will be very rare to find a puppy in a rescue. You can definitely get an adult for much cheaper.
Pomeranian Chihuahua Mix Litter Size
A Female can have between two and five Pomchi’s in a single litter. This will range especially on which parent is the female. This is a small do breed, so sometimes even getting five puppies in a litter may be a stretch.
Often, the Pomchi litter’s runt does not grow to a full-size like its brothers and sisters would, and it is referred to as a teacup Pomchi.
The teacup Pomchi tends to have a sweeter disposition than the full-sized ones; however, they are more susceptible to illness due to a weaker immune system and injury due to their small delicate size.
Suitability
This dog is a great dog if you have a lot of time to spend with it as it does not like to spend long periods of time alone.
It is a great dog for all ages but parents need to take care that their children are not too rough with the dog as it can easily get hurt due to its fragile size.
Close relatives of the Pomchi
Here are a few breeds that are similar in appearance and temperament to the Pomchi:
- Pomeranian
- Chihuahua
- Shichi
- The Yorkie Chihuahua Mix