The Pomeranian cross Chihuahua is a new designer hybrid. Read the guide below to find out more about the character traits and behaviors linked to this breed.
Height: 6-10 inches
Weight: 2-5 kilos
Pomchi Lifespan: 12-15 years
Pedigree (registered with the KC?): No, this breed is not registered with the Kennel Club
Positives and Negatives
Read up on the below positive and negative traits linked to the Pomchi:
Pros
- Great for small living spaces
- Food costs are low
- Minimal exercise needs
- Excellent watchdog
Cons
- Delicate so can be injured easily
- Tends to bark often
- Has a stubborn streak
- High grooming needs
Overview
A Pomchi is a Pomeranian cross Chihuahua. It is a relatively new toy breed and is classed as a ‘designer dog’. Another name they are known by is the Chiranian.
You should feed this pooch three small meals each day. Unlike other breeds, they will need food midway through the day, so they can access the nutrients they require. As a Pomchi is very small, it won’t cost you a fortune to feed this dog. Be sure to include liver and kidney as an occasional treat in their diet.
This dog has an independent nature with the occasional stubborn streak, yet they are still very people-orientated. They love to please their owner and will never be too far away, earning the title ‘Lap Dog’. Designer dogs are popular as they tend to be easier to look after than other breeds. They also come with very cute looks!
A breed like this is more suited to city living. They can’t cope in chilly climates and don’t need a lot of exercise. Their small size makes them prone to injuries so keep them away from large, boisterous breeds. When walking them across open spaces, make sure they are always by your side.
History
The history of the Pomchi isn’t well-known. They were first noticed in the 1990s to early 2000s and quickly boomed in popularity. Other than this, there is no further information on how the Pomeranian and Chihuahua mix came around.
The Pomeranian are descendants of the German Spitz, originating from Pomerania. An area covering Northern Germany and Poland. Back in the day they would herd animals and pull sleds. At this time they used to weigh around 14 kilos. They were then bred to a smaller size in the 19th century, so they could be used as companion dogs.
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The Chihuahua originates from the state of Chihuahua in Mexico. They are thought to have descended from the now extinct Techichis. They were bred as companion dogs, but were also used as heat pads for those ill or with injuries.
As a designer dog, Pomchis are only bred as companions. Their small size makes them ideal when travelling with their owners. Overall Pomchis make a great dog, especially for dog lovers in the city.
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Personality
Pomchi Temperament:
A Pomchi is a fun-loving, friendly and bold little pooch. They may be small but they definitely hold a mighty personality. This can, however, be overbearing for other dogs.
Pomchis are highly affectionate and don’t like being away from their owner. They are prone to separation anxiety if they are consistently left alone for long periods of time.
If they’ve been exercised well and have enough toys around to keep them mentally stimulated, they can occasionally be left alone for up to 6 hours.
Are Pomchis Good With Strangers?
This dog can become suspicious of strangers. If they haven’t been socialized well it can easily lead to a downward spiral. They may become fearful or even aggressive.
The breed makes a great watchdog, yet their barking must be controlled. They could become yappy if their behavior hasn’t been corrected.
Are Pomchis Good With Children?
Pomchis can make great companions for children, yet they must not be approached in an overly excitable manner. They are more suitable for older children. Younger kids may accidentally injure this small pooch. A Pomeranian cross prefers gentle and calm play.
Are Pomchis Ok With Other Dogs?
If a Pomchi hasn’t been socialized correctly they may become aggressive towards other dogs. They are known to be dominant which can lead them into trouble with bigger dogs. Remember their small size can easily make them susceptible to injuries.
This breed can live with other household pets, but they need to be introduced slowly. It is best done as early as possible so they can grow up together.
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Exercise
This pooch has minimal exercise requirements, but will often get sudden bursts of energy. They should receive around 40 minutes of exercise a day split into two 20 minute sessions. Ensure your Pomchi isn’t being intensely exercised whilst trying to keep up with you, It could stunt their growth.
They can go on long walks some can even go on for a full hour, but they must take regular intervals every 20 minutes. Even if you have a garden a simple run around isn’t good enough.
In order to keep your dog happy and healthy, they must go out and explore new areas. Pomchi puppies may require longer daily walks as opposed to adults.
A Pomchis recall isn’t the greatest, so they shouldn’t be allowed off the leash, unless in an enclosed area. All it takes is a split second for your dog to become seriously injured. Their dominant personality could land them in harm’s way with other dogs.
Health
As a new breed, the Chihuahua cross Pomeranian hasn’t been around long enough to study the health-related conditions properly. However, the following health issues have been related to the Pomeranian and Chihuahua:
- Tracheal Collapse- The tracheal rings in the throat begin to collapse causing an obstruction to the airway.
- Cataracts- A change of the lens causes a cloud in the eye of an infected dog. This stops light from reaching the retina, eventually causing blindness.
- Entropion- The eyelid rolls inwards causing the eyelashes to rub at the cornea. It can be painful and could lead to ulcers or even vision interference.
- Cushing’s Syndrome– When a dog overproduces the hormone Cortisol it can cause issues. This hormone is used to control weight, stress, fighting infections and also controlling the blood sugar level.
- Chiari Malformation Syringomyelia– Fluid-filled cavities develop in the spinal cord which could cause intense pain, leaving your dog unwilling to exercise.
- Congenital Hydrocephalus- This birth defect is common amongst toy breeds. Cerebrospinal fluid will build in the brain causing pressure to the head. It will make a difference to the affected dogs head shape.
- Legg Perthes Disease– The condition is painful and can cause the hip joint to collapse. Affected dogs will often limp, sometimes placing no weight on the leg itself.
- Urolithiasis– Also known as urinary stones, this condition is a lower urinary tract disease. Bacterial infection of the bladder will cause calculi (bladder stones) to form.
Intelligence & Training
Due to the Pomchi being so eager to please, it makes training much easier. They love to make their owner happy and pick up quickly on commands and new tricks.
Socializing your Pomchi should be one of the first things you do. They must be taught how to behave with other pooches as any antagonistic behavior could land them in serious trouble. If you know any calm large breeds that could help with training, get them involved!
You don’t want your dog becoming fearful or aggressive. These traits are common amongst smaller breeds that haven’t been trained correctly.
This dog can be a little sensitive when being told off, so try to avoid this. You don’t want them to become stubborn during training. Focus on positive reinforcements. Remember they are eager to please so the sound of your praise works well as a reward.
Sometimes a Pomchi may be possessive over food and toys. This is another area you will have to focus your training on. It is especially important if you have children in the home.
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Grooming
A Pomchi will shed their fur, yet most of the time it stays attached to other hairs. You must groom your dog daily in order to remove any loose strands.
Soft bristle brushes are best for this dog. They are strong enough to remove the fur, yet soft enough to bring that shine back to your pooches coat. Be gentle as you may harm the skin beneath from rough brushing.
Trim the fur surrounding your dog’s paw pads and urinal areas. You can also remove any excess fur on the body depending on the growth. Blunt edged scissors are the best tool for this.
The Pomchi can be prone to tear stains beneath the eye. Regular washing with a damp cloth will prevent this from staining the fur.
Pomeranians are known to have minimal natural oils, something also seen in the Pomchi. In order to keep your dog’s natural oils, you shouldn’t wash them any more than once a month. Most are often washed every 2-3 months.
Prevent tooth decay by daily/weekly brushing of your dog’s teeth. Use a soft-bristle toothbrush with some doggy toothpaste.
Image Sources:
“Cute Dog – Pomchi“, by Karen Arnold, licensed under CC0 Public Domain
Photo of Pomchi“, by Author, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo of Pomchi, by Jhenderson777, in the public domain
Photo of Pomchi, by Vvn89, licensed under CC BY 3.0
Photo of Pomchi, by Psiĥedelisto, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
