The Pomeranian
The Pomeranian dog might be small, but it has a big personality. These cute creatures make excellent companions. Given their popularity, it's unsurprising that breeders became interested in mating the Pomeranian with other dogs. Because of their slight frames, Pomeranians are usually crossbred with other small dogs.
Origins and history of the Pomeranian
This dog breed descended from Arctic dog breeds such as the Keeshond, Norwegian Elkhound and the Samoyed. This breed is classed as a toy dog because if its tiny stature.
The Pomeranian was originally bred in central Europe, becoming especially popular in areas of Poland and Germany. He was originally bred in a small region in the Baltics called Pomerania. In many European countries, the Pomeranian is also known as the Zwergspitz, which means dwarf Spitz.
Actually, a quick fact: Queen Victoria fell in love with a Pomeranian, in 1888 and that's when this breed became very popular.
Physical characteristics of the Pomeranian
The Pomeranian is a small sized dog, they are between 7 to 12 inches tall and weigh about 3 to 7 pounds. They can live up to 16 years.
This dog breed is famous for its soft and fluffy coat. They will need to go to the groomers regularly and will need to be combed twice a week to avoid too much shedding. They come in various colours: black, black and tan, blue, chocolate, cream, orange, red, white and more.
The Pomeranian's temperament and training needs
Pomeranians have an active and extroverted personality. Known for their intelligence, Pomeranians make great pets for first-time owners. They absolutely love to meet new people and new animals, but like any other dogs, they will need an early socialisation. Pomeranian puppies are playful and will love to spend time with children. They are a great family dog.
Due to their size, they only require a moderate amount of exercise. However, Poms have a lot of energy and will need their daily walks.
Common health problems
Given that most of these crossbreds are a combination of two smaller dogs, potential owners should be aware of the medical conditions that can affect toy-sized dogs. These include:
- Joint, hip and knee problems which can lead to osteoarthritis.
- Dental problems. Pomeranian crossbreeds have the same amount of teeth as other dogs, but theirs are crammed into a much smaller mouth. This can causes problems as the puppies start to grow.
- Mitral valve disease. This is a degenerative heart condition that needs managing by a medical specialist,
- Homeostasis Imbalance. Smaller dogs can have problems with maintaining a healthy body temperature during summer and winter months.
- Collapsed Trachea. The trachea is the windpipe, and many smaller dogs can struggle with breathing difficulties
Other issues to be mindful of include cataracts and severe hair loss syndrome.
The most popular Pomeranian crossbreeds
#1 - Pomchi
The Pomchi is the result of a union between the Pomeranian and another popular toy dog, the Chihuahua. Unsurprising, the Pomchi is a tiny pooch with a small round head and large puppy eyes. The Pomchi is ideal for people living in apartments or smaller houses, although their feisty natures will keep any owners on their toes.
#2 - Dameranian
Add a Pomeranian to a Dachshund and you end up with a Dameranian. Again, these are small but active dogs with big personalities. They make great lap dogs and are suitable for people with less active lifestyles.
#3 - Pomsky
One of the more unlikely pairings, a Pomsky is a Pomeranian and Siberian husky crossbreed. Pomskies seem to inherit the best qualities from both parent breeds, making them lively, robust, and highly intelligent. They're also very, very cute.
#4 - Pomapoo
You make the Pomapoo by crossing a Pomeranian with a Poodle. Again, these are right up there on the cuteness scale, but they’re more than just a tiny show dog. Pomapoos have bags of personality and enthusiasm for life. They’re also friendly, affectionate, and very clever. Poodles are known as one of the most intelligent breeds, a trait which is often passed onto any poodle crossbreed.
#5 - Pom A Pug
This one should be pretty easy to work out. But, just in case: Pom A Pug = Pomeranian + Pug. Given its tiny parents, the Pom A pug was always going to be another toy breed. Known for being playful (and a little bit mischevious), the Pom A Pug is a fun and friendly companion with a huge heart. Pom A Pugs are a good choice for first time owners, apartment dwellers, and families with children.
#6 - Maltipom
The Maltipom is a combination of a Pomeranian and a Maltese. Malitpoms are energetic, friendly, and known for forming exceptionally strong bonds with their owners. But beware, some Maltipoms are renowned for having “small dog” syndrome, and these willful little creatures can be a real handful. This makes training and socialisation extra important - so start early!
Other popular Pomeranian cross breeds include the
- Pomeagle (Pomeranian + Beagle)
- Yoranian (Pomeranian and the Yorkshire terrier)
- Pomston (Pomeranian and Boston terrier)
Hom much do Pomeranian cross puppies cost?
This will vary depending on the crossbreed, but average prices range from £450-750. Some Pomeranians can be very expensive. A Pomeranian Spitz could cost up to £2,000!
You don't have to spend much money to feed a Pomeranian. They only require between 400-600 calories per day. Over the year, this would cost between £150-250.
Pomeranian crossbreeds are perfect for owners looking for a small dog with a big personality. Most Pomeranian mixes are low maintenance, requiring only moderate amounts of food and outdoor exercise. One thing they will need is training. These dogs are small but their strong natures could overwhelm first time owners. So always do your research. The size of the dog doesn't matter; dog ownership is always a huge responsibility.
Check out these other mixed breeds:
- The Beagle cross
- The Border Collie cross
- The Border Terrier cross
- The Chihuahua cross
- The Dachshund cross
- The Dalmatian cross
- The French Bulldog cross
- The German Shepherd cross
- The Golden Retriever cross
- The Husky cross
- The Jack Russell cross
- The Labrador crossbreed
- The Poodle cross
- The Pug cross
- The Rottweiler cross
- The Shih Tzu cross
