Pomeranian Chihuahua Mix: Your Complete Guide
17 minutesPomeranian Chihuahua mixes have become a popular breed over the last few years. They’ve risen in popularity because they’re one of the few breeds that’s suitable for dwelling in cities, as long as their owner is active.
Pomeranian Chihuahua mixes also combine some of the best traits of Pomeranian and Chihuahuas, which makes them intelligent, adaptable, and loving. Most people and breeders will refer to them Pomchis or another name that they decide to create.
Pomeranian Chihuahua mixes are also well-loved because they’re easy to care for and love getting attention. You don’t have to worry about ending up with a dog that doesn’t love you or want to spend time with you. On the other hand, it’s important to commit to spending time with them if you want to have success with the breed.
Still, it’s important to understand as much as you can about the Pomeranian Chihuahua mix before adopting. If you’re not prepared you and your companion won’t have a very fun time.
Quick Look at the Pomeranian Chihuahua Mix
Below is a quick glance at this special breed in terms of their physical characteristics, lifespan, temperament, and grooming needs.
Weight/Height | 4-12 pounds, 5-8 inches |
Coat Type | Combination, smooth and long, or just smooth |
Grooming Needs | |
Shedding | |
Temperament | Playful, affectionate, alert, clever |
Good With Kids | |
Good With Other Animals | |
Intelligence | |
Easy to Train | |
Energy Level | |
Barking Habits | |
Lifespan | 12-16 years |
What Is the History of Pomeranian Chihuahua Mixes?
Pomeranian Chihuahua mixes have a history that’s hard to pinpoint. Like most designer dog breeds, the history gets muddy the further back you go, and the breed isn’t registered by the American Kennel Club (AKC).
That said, they started to pop up more frequently over the last few decades, so it’s safe to assume that it’s one of the newer breeds on the block. While we can’t offer you an in-depth history of the Pomeranian Chihuahua mix, we can provide some background about their parent breeds.
First and foremost, we’ll begin with the Chihuahua. These dogs come from Mexico and are thought to be descendants of a Toltec breed, with the specific breed being known as the techichi.
Unfortunately, once the Spanish arrived in Mexico the breed began to dwindle and change over time, which is where the modern Chihuahua comes from. Ever since their discovery, the Chihuahua has been a popular dog for its small size, unique personality, and vocal attitude.
The other part of this mix is the Pomeranian, which comes from Pomerania. In fact, they’re related to spitz-type sled dogs of the era, which is why they go by Zwergspitz in some European countries.
These dogs became popular because English royalty took a liking to them, specifically Queen Victoria. She discovered the dog on a trip to France and was flooded by their small size and outgoing temperament. While the dog was likely larger at the time, Queen Victoria likely worked on reducing the dog’s size.
What Do Pomeranian Chihuahua Mixes Look Like?
Pomeranian Chihuahuas have a unique appearance that’s influenced by their parent breeds. Some pomchis are puffy like their Pomeranian parents, while others have shorter coats that are tighter to their bodies – a trait found in Chihuahuas.
Coat type and color are also influenced by their parent’s genes and they can be a wide range of colors like black, tan, gray, red, blue, chocolate, and cream. Different shades of these colors are also common.
Their hair aside, Pomeranian Chihuahua mixes can have facial features similar to their parents. For example, some dogs will have big eyes and pointy ears, which is common in Chihuahuas.
On the other hand, others may have flatter faces with small dark eyes like Pomeranians. Some Pomeranian Chihuahua mixes will also have a Chihuahua’s face but body features of a Chihuahua. This means that you’ll be looking at what’s essentially a puffy Chihuahua.
What Size Is a Pomeranian Chihuahua Mix?
Pomeranian Chihuahua mixes are similar in height and weight to Chihuahuas. They usually won’t weigh more than 10 pounds and they’re known as a toy breed. In fact, on the low end, some Pomeranian Chihuahuas will weigh closer to three pounds.
When it comes to height, Pomeranian Chihuahuas are only a couple of inches tall. On average, expect to have a 5 to 8-inch dog. There isn’t much size variation between males and females aside from a pound or two. Males might also be slightly taller than females.
What Is a Pomeranian Chihuahua Mix’s Coat Type and Length?
Pomeranian Chihuahua mixes can have several coat types that depend on their parents. However, one thing that most Pomeranian Chihuahuas have in common is their double coat. It consists of a medium-length topcoat and a short, dense undercoat.
Pomeranian Chihuahua mixes that are closely related to their Chihuahua parents will have shorter hair that’s tight to their body and it’s usually smooth and flat. On the other hand, Pomeranian Chihuahua mixes that inherit more genes from their Pomeranian parents may have long, silky hair. It’s typically straight but sometimes it can be wiry.
Combinations of these hair types are also possible with Pomeranian Chihuahuas.
What Is a Pomeranian Chihuahua Mix’s Temperament?
When you mix a Pomeranian and a Chihuahua you get a temperament that’s similar to its parent breeds. Therefore, it’s not uncommon for them to want to spend a lot of time around you. They’re loyal, smart, outgoing, and even social with children or strangers once they see them enough.
That said, Pomeranian Chihuahua mixes can be standoffish with strangers at first. If you want to avoid this socialization training is a necessity. Pomeranian Chihuahua mixes are also clever and know when someone is a friend or a foe. This makes them great service dogs, watchdogs, and even agility dogs because they can learn all sorts of tricks.
Overall, they’re social dogs that love to spend time with and please their owners.
Are Pomeranian Chihuahua Mixes Good With Kids?
Pomeranian Chihuahua mixes are okay with children depending on their age.
Older children and Pomeranian Chihuahua mixes will get along fine, but problems may develop if the child is too young. This is because of the dog’s size. For example, if your child accidentally harms them they can become aggressive and bite your child. It’s unlikely that they’ll do any serious damage, but it’s worth noting.
Are Pomeranians Chihuahua Mixes Good With Other Animals?
Pomeranian Chihuahua mixes are okay with other dogs and some larger animals. However, they’re not the best with cats and smaller animals like hamsters, Guinea pigs, or animals like ferrets. This is because they might get aggressive if they feel threatened, which can result in harm or your pets not getting along.
Are Pomeranian Chihuahua Mixes Aggressive?
No, Pomeranian Chihuahua mixes aren’t usually aggressive. However, Chihuahuas are sassy dogs, so they might flare their teeth at you from time to time. Thankfully, they’re too small to do any real harm, so you don’t have to worry about anything like that.
Pomeranian Chihuahuas will only get aggressive if they feel threatened or overstimulated, so you can make note of what made them snarl to prevent it from happening in the future.
Do Pomeranian Chihuahuas Mixes Bark?
Pomeranian Chihuahuas mixes are vocal dogs. They’ll bark to get your attention and without the proper training, they will bark at anybody who’s outside. In fact, get ready for them to start barking at strangers.
You can reduce their barking through training but they won’t stop being local completely. If you live in a building with noise restrictions, this is something to keep in mind, especially if you’re out of the house often.
Are Pomeranian Chihuahuas Mixes Affectionate?
Pomeranian Chihuahua mixes are affectionate dogs. They enjoy sitting in their family’s lap and will bond with the entire family, not just one person. Their affection is also shown through their loyalty and willingness to play with you. That said, avoid overstimulating them if they don’t want to be pet or interacted with. Unfortunately, this can result in some aggressive behavior.
Are Pomeranian Chihuahua Mixes Intelligent?
Pomeranian Chihuahua mixes are smart dogs, but not as smart as some of the smartest breeds like labradors or German shepherds. However, they’re still intelligent enough to function as service dogs, watchdogs, and emotional support animals.
Pomeranian Chihuahua mixes are also curious dogs and love to learn new things. New things can include training, visiting new places, or learning about new family members or animals. It’s important to stimulate their mind to prevent them from getting bored.
Are Pomeranians Chihuahua Mixes Energetic?
Pomeranian Chihuahua mixes have a lot of energy, so make sure you walk your pomchi at least once a day. The good news is that their small size makes it easy to expend their energy in one walk or play session. Still, try and help them exercise for at least 60 minutes a day to avoid health problems like obesity.
Are Pomeranian Chihuahua Mixes Easy to Train?
Pomeranian Chihuahua mixes are hit-or-miss when it comes to training. They can be stubborn and require positive reinforcement, or they can be easy to train and pick up commands quickly. What makes them 50/50 is their genes. If they’re closer to a Pomeranian, training won’t be an issue, but if they’re closer in temperament to a Chihuahua you’re in for a wild ride.
It’s also not a bad idea to hire a professional for this breed if they’re being difficult.
Are Pomeranian Chihuahuas Good Watchdogs?
Pomeranian Chihuahuas are great watchdogs because they love to use their voice to bark at strangers or anything that moves outside your home. While they’re not intimidating, you’ll know if someone or something is approaching your home before they reach the door – just make sure your pomchi has a window to look through.
Are Pomeranian Chihuahua Mixes Good Service Dogs?
Pomeranian Chihuahua mixes aren’t the best service dogs because they’re not always easy to train. Still, with enough persistence, a Pomeranian Chihuahua can be a great service dog, at least for mental health disorders.
Unfortunately, they’re too small for most physical tasks, which means you’ll have to use them for mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and other mental disabilities.
Pomchis can help with tasks like:
- Applying deep pressure therapy
- Fetching medications
- Getting help when someone is having a panic attack
- Reminding someone it’s time to take medication
- Providing general comfort
Pomchis can also be good emotional support animals or therapy dogs because of their size. Their small size makes it easy for you to take them in public without problems and they’re well-behaved in small apartments, so you never have to worry about your living situation.
As for therapy dog work, they’re emotionally intelligent enough to help large groups of people relax in funeral or hospital settings.
How to Care for a Pomeranian Chihuahua Mix?
You have to consider a few things when caring for a Pomeranian Chihuahua mix. For example, their coat type plays the biggest role in their grooming needs.
If they have a Pomeranian-like coat, you’ll have to brush them more often to prevent matting and bathe them if they get dirty when playing outdoors. On the other hand, if they’re closer to Chihuahuas you’ll have an easier time managing their coat.
You also need to take them to the vet for checkups to make sure they’re healthy. Failing to do so can let health problems creep up and harm your Pomchi. Additionally, make sure you trim their nails and take them to a professional groomer every 4-6 weeks to avoid complications if you can’t brush their teeth or trim their nails yourself.
Do You Need to Groom a Pomeranian Chihuahua Mix?
Pomeranian Chihuahua mixes need to be groomed by you or a professional. The frequency of grooming varies based on the coat type they have, so keep this in mind when adopting a Pomeranian Chihuahua mix if you want to avoid the high-maintenance options.
Pomchis with long coats need to be brushed at least three times per week and bathed once a month to avoid serious problems. On the other hand, short-hair Pomchis rarely need to be brushed and should only be bathed when they’re dirty.
That said, brushing their teeth twice per week and trimming their nails every four to six weeks will keep them healthy.
Do Pomeranian Chihuahua Mixes Shed?
Pomchis don’t shed too often, but they will shed more during the fall and winter months. They shed more during these months because they shed their undercoat. Still, some shedding will occur throughout the year, but brushing their coat will reduce the amount of hair that ends up around your house.
What Health Problems Do Pomeranian Chihuahua Mixes Have?
Pomeranian Chihuahua mixes are known for being a healthy breed, but they do have some health risks that they inherit from their parent breeds. You’ll want to keep an eye out for the following conditions:
- Heart problems
- Patellar luxation (knee sliding out of place)
- Collapsing trachea
- Seizures
- Eye problems
- Hair loss
If you notice any of these health problems, take your Pomchi to the vet right away. Additionally, take your Pomchi to the vet annually to evaluate their health and detect issues before they become life-threatening.
How Long Do Pomeranian Chihuahua Mixes Live?
Pomeranian Chihuahua mixes live a long life. They will last for 12 to 16 years if you take good care of them. This includes grooming them, taking them to the vet, and feeding them a healthy diet. Exercise is also key because it prevents obesity, which can make their risk for heart disease even worse.
What Should a Pomeranian Chihuahua Mix Eat?
Pomeranian Chihuahua mixes need to eat food that’s formulated for small dogs. Skip the store brands and look for reputable dog food companies to ensure that they get enough nutrition.
You can also give them plenty of treats and snacks as long as they’re getting enough exercise to not end up overweight.
Their meals should be spaced out at least two or three times per day to prevent gorging so that you can monitor their food intake. You can always follow AAFCO guidelines if you want to get them the best food. Asking your vet can also help you feed them the right food for their situation.
Is a Pomeranian Chihuahua Mix the Right Dog for Me?
Pomeranian Chihuahua mixes are adorable dogs that are hard to beat on the cuteness scale. Unfortunately, their appearance is not the only thing you should judge them on. To know if a Pomeranian Chihuahua mix is the right fit for you, it’s important to consider a few factors about your living situation.
While they can live in any space, avoid places with noise restrictions because of their barking habits. Also, small children and other animals may not be the best environment for Pomchis, especially if they feel threatened.
The amount of time you have is also a factor. Only adopt a Pomchi if you have the time to care for it, which is enough time to groom them and play with them for at least one hour per day.
The good news about the Pomeranian Chihuahua mix is that it’s an easy dog to care for. So, even as a first-time dog owner, you shouldn’t have any issues.