Pomapoo

Pomapoo History

Mixed breeds have been around for as long as purebred dogs. And since designer dogs are essentially just first generation mixed breeds, they really are not anything new. However, the mixing of two distinct breeds to create a new dog type is something that has gained popularity within the last 20 years or so.

The Toy Poodle is an offshoot of the basic Poodle breed that has been recognized since the 1800s. The Poodle was developed as a canine to hunt waterfowl, like many of the oldest canines. They were selectively bred to create smaller versions of the larger Poodle, and this is where we get the Toy Poodle from. So it is not its own distinct breed, just a tiny version of the Standard Poodle.

The Pomeranian is a toy dog breed that originated in the 1800s from the German Spitz canine. The dogs were originally larger and closer in resemblance to the German Spitz, used to protect livestock and herd sheep. However, Queen Victoria owned a small Pomeranian and the toy version of the dog became quite popular.

The much smaller Pomeranians are now the most common. Over the last 20 years, ownership of Poms has increased substantially, making the breed one of the most popular in the United States.

What Does A Pomapoo Look Like?

Pomeranians have a narrow muzzle, small face, and small ears that sit high on the head and stand up straight. Toy Poodles have longer and more pointed muzzles with small faces, and the ears are long and flop along the side of the head. Pomapoos will often have floppy ears as well, but they are a bit smaller than those of a Poodle.

Pomapoo adults, like other types of designer dogs, can have a mixed appearance. Attributes come from either the Toy Poodle or Pomeranian parent, which means they vary a fair bit. What we do know for sure, is they are small!

Pomapoo Size

When it comes to size, Pomeranians are only about 6 to 7 inches high and 3 to 7 pounds. Toy Poodles are 10 inches or shorter, any bigger and they’re classed as Miniature instead.  They weigh about 6 to 9 pounds.

So your Toy Pomapoo full grown will be anywhere from 6 to 10 inches high and 3 to 9 pounds. Basically, your pup will be a toy sized one, just like its parents.

A Teacup Pomapoo is a small version of the Pomapoo. Bred from runts of the litter or by mixing another smaller breed. They are incredibly cute and portable, but we recommend you avoid these exceptionally tiny varieties.

Both teacup Poodles and teacup Pomeranians come with a lot of health issues, not just potential temperament problems. Tiny dogs can act more aggressively than larger ones. But socialization will help to reduce the chances of this.

Coat Types

Both Pomeranians and Toy Poodles have unmistakable coats of fur that certainly stand out. So what does the Pomapoo coat look like? Well, it really can resemble that of the Pom or the Poodle, or you might see a mixture.

The Pomeranian although usually tan, comes in a lot of colors.  As does the Poodle. Your pup could potentially have any of these, or a cute mixture!

The Pomeranian has a soft undercoat covered by more textured hair, and it has a remarkable fluff to it. The Toy Poodle has a thick, dense, and curly coat that is often kept trimmed close to the body.

Poodles are famously low shedding. Pomeranians on the other hand can shed like nobody’s business.  Unfortunately, the cute little Pomapoo is likely to also be a shedder. And they are not hypoallergenic.

Grooming and Haircuts

Regardless of which parent your Pomapoo dog takes after, you will need to invest in some grooming. Most of the dogs will have a hybrid coat that requires brushing with a slicker brush if the hair is more curly and a pin brush if it is straight. Brushing every day is wise.

Additionally, you should think about a Pomapoo haircut every few months to reduce some of the grooming and shedding headaches.

Puppy, lion, and teddy bear cuts are all common varieties to consider and will cut down on Pomapoo shedding. Keep in mind that the cuts do require the expertise of a groomer, and this can substantially raise your overall Pomapoo grooming costs.

Pomapoo Temperament and Activity Level

Pomapoos are smart, loyal and trainable. They do sometimes have a bit of a stubborn streak, and the dogs are known for their tight bond with family members.

Since they are intelligent dogs, they need to take part in exercise and other activities that keep them engaged. An hour of exercise, at a minimum, is required, and games like fetch should be encouraged during exercise sessions.

Your Pomapoo is likely to be active, like the Pomeranian and Toy Poodle with daily exercise needs of about an hour. You can expect to see some loyalty and intelligence as well. You should know that Toy Poodles are excellent family dogs. However, Pomeranians will often favor a single family member. They also do not like to be handled extensively, especially if it is not “their idea.” So the Pomapoo might not be the best choice for small children.

Are They Good Family Pets?

This cute little Pomeranian Poodle mix can fit well into some families. They are loyal, loving and intelligent. But they are also very small.

This makes them not ideal with families with tiny children who accidentally be rough, or trip over them. Kids over the age of 12 should do fine with supervision. Just remember to give your pup space, and to not let them get over tired.

Training your Pomeranian Poodle mix

Small dogs can typically take a little longer to potty train. This is in part due to the small bladder size. But with perseverance and a good routine they will get there in the end.

Like any other intelligent, confident dog they will benefit hugely from positive reinforcement training. Set them up to win, make training rewarding and it will be a fun and bonding experience for you both. You can even have fun teaching them tricks!

Exercise

These small dogs are still pretty lively, and need regular walks and plenty of play time. They can be taught to fetch and even to take part in dog sports like agility, just like their larger counterparts. You will however need to be careful, as with their small stature they can be vulnerable to accidents.

Pomapoo Health

To ensure your Pomapoo is as healthy as possible, make sure each parent is health tested for the conditions relevant to their breed. If they are a second generation mix from Pomapoo parents, then they need to both be checked for all of them. This is because as it’s such a new mix, we don’t have studies to rule out any potential hereditary problems.

Rescuing a Pomapoo

Pomapoos don’t come up often in rescue centers, but it is possible to find one that needs rehoming. With older dogs you may or may not have a history to go on. They could have come from a marriage breakdown or the sad departure of an owner, or been rejected due to temperament issues.

Although it can be risky rehoming, it’s also a great thing to do for the dog. And reputable centers will help you to select a dog that is a good fit for you and your family.

Pomapoo Puppies

Finding a designer dog breeder is not difficult, but you do need to make sure that you find a reputable one. Before committing to a pup, make sure any Pomapoo breeders you consider can supply the full veterinary records for the mother and father.

A lineage should be supplied as well, and ideally, the breeder should be more than happy to supply DNA test records. This type of testing will show whether or not the breeding dogs have genes for hereditary diseases. Eye, bone, dental, hair, or gastrointestinal concerns are particularly relevant with this mix.

Typically, you can expect to pay anywhere from $500 to $2,000 for a puppy. You will notice higher costs if the breeder supplies full medical records and DNA tests for the mother and father. It is well worth the cost knowing that your new furry pup is more likely to be healthy.