Is Pomapoo Dog Breed For You?

Heritage and Registry

History

The history of the Pomapoos could be traced in North America back to the ’90s. But it is also possible that there had been unintentional mixing even before this date.

The reason behind the creation of the designer breed is to lessen genetic health problems innate to the Pomeranian and Toy Poodle during the inbreeding for each dog breed.

The result was a success because Pomapoos are found to be a generally healthy mixed breed. It is even better because they also inherit the combination of the lovable traits of their parent breeds which makes them good companions on their own.

As such, it was not anymore surprising why the demand for this hybrid ballooned over the years.

Registry

Pomapoo is a cross between two pure breed parents that is not recognized by the American Kennel Club. Even if this is the case though it is still recognized by other clubs such as the following:

• American Canine Hybrid Club
• Designer Dogs Kennel Club
• International Designer Canine Registry

Parentage

Toy Poodle

This is one type of the Poodle dog breed and the smallest one also. However, their small size cannot even begin to describe how big their personalities are. Add their beauty and regal stature, and you have the epitome of a celebrity dog in the canine world. Thus, it is not surprising why many Poodles frequent dog shows.

There is no doubt about the intelligence of Poodles. Bred traditionally as waterfowl hunters, they are very active and used to hard work. Nevertheless, nowadays they are among the best companion dogs, especially the toy-sized ones.

Pomeranian

The history of the Pomeranian parent of a Pomapoo shows that they came from large spitz dog breeds. Traditionally, Pomeranians were also large breeds that served as companions of royalties and distinct individuals such as Michelangelo and Mozart.

It was during the time of Queen Victoria when the smaller breed of Pomeranian that we know now flourished. It was also when it started to get increasingly popular with different individuals across the world.

It is without a doubt that even today, Pomeranians still hold the heart of many fur parents for having a lively disposition and a larger than their size character. You will even see Pomeranians as among the best apartment dogs to have because of their size and their temperament.

General Information on a Pomapoo

Physical Appearance

A Pomapoo is a hybrid between a Pomeranian and a Toy Poodle. Because of this, it is a little bit hard to predict how it would turn out in terms of its appearance.

There are Pomapoos that take after only one of their parents in terms of appearance (either they look more like a Toy Poodle or a Pomeranian). However, there are also times when their appearance is a combination of both. Either way, you will have one cute pooch.

Coming from the combination of small dogs, you can expect that a will also be on a smaller side. It only grows up to an average height of 8 to 10 in tall only and weighs anywhere between 5 to 15 lb.

Pomapoos often have a fragile look in them which is attributed to their small size. But they are stronger than they look. They have a compact body, short legs, and little paws.

The shape of their head can either be that of a Poodle or a Pom, but they usually have dark noses and bright, expressive eyes. Their ears are can be droopy or erect on the top of their head.

A Pomapos has a very fluffy coat that is of medium length, curly or wavy. This coat can be hypoallergenic if a Pomapoo inherits it from its Poodle parent. It also comes in an array of solid colors such as black, brown, brindle, tan, and brown, or at times, a combination of two or more of the colors mentioned.

Although the coat of a Pomapoo seems thick, it is only efficient in protecting your fur baby against mild weather. It may need an additional layer of clothing during intense weather conditions such as winter.

Grooming

Brushing

The mixed breeding of a Pomapoo means that their coat can either be that of its Pomeranian parent, or its Poodle parent. Either way, this dog breed is not much of a shedder nor does its hair grow too long. Because of this, you can do away with infrequent brushing.

You can just brush it at least once a week. Invest in a good metal brush. Make sure to remove all the tangles and matting when you brush your Pomapoo. Add an additional caring touch also to make the experience better for your pooch.

Brushing your Pomapoo has many advantages. It helps to evenly spread out the moisture throughout the coat of your fur baby. It also prevents matting and tangling which won’t make your dog look like a tangled mess. Lastly, it helps remove the dead dog hair which could spread everywhere even on your clothes and furniture.

It is surprising, but there are Pomapoos that do not like to be brushed. To make the experience worthwhile to them, it can help if you are going to motivate them with treats every other brushing. In that way, they can associate this task with a good experience.

Bathing

It is not needed to bathe your Pomapoo often. You can do away with once-a-week bathing only, or just whenever necessary.

It is important not to bathe it frequently because this could wash away the natural oil on its coat that is responsible for keeping it moisturized and healthy-looking.

When you bathe your Pomapoo, it is important to use gentle dog shampoo and conditioner. You can buy these at pet stores near you. Never use any products for humans as this could have ingredients that are harmful to dogs.

Wash the face of your Pomapoo but gently so the bathwater won’t get in its eyes. Prevent its ears from getting wet also. Afterwards, dry its coat with the help of a soft cloth and hairdryer. The heat should be just enough for drying so it won’t hurt your pooch.

Take time to check also the skin of your pet dog for any bruising, rashes, or abnormal skin disorder that may need immediate treatment.

Other Grooming Needs

Pomapoo has other grooming needs aside from brushing and bathing. These need to be addressed as well for the overall upkeeping of a Pomapoo.

For instance, the ears of a Pomapoo need to be cleaned at least once a week. The moisture and dirt particularly on the outer part of it can be a breeding ground for bacteria. Thus, it needs to be cleaned with soft cotton and an ear-cleaner formulated for dogs.

It is important to remember though not to insert any long objects at the inside of the Pomapoo’s ears. Doing so may damage its ear and could cause hearing impairment.

Aside from cleaning, take time also to check for any unpleasant smell being emitted by the ears of your Pomapoo. This is an indication of an ear infection that needs to be addressed immediately.

It is also vital to maintain the dental hygiene of a Pomapoo. They are happy eaters so it is not surprising that their teeth can be susceptible to plaque and tartar buildup. When left as it is, this could cause dental diseases.

At least twice a week brushing is necessary for a Pomapoo. But it should be daily if you want to be thorough. There are toothpaste and toothbrush for dogs that you need for this task. Toothpaste for humans is definitely a no-no.

Finally, you shouldn’t also forget about trimming the nails of your Pomapoo every two weeks or so. You will know when it is too long already because you will start hearing it clicking against the floor as it walks around.

When you trim the nails of your fur baby, do not make it too short because you may break the soft skin at the end of it that will cause bleeding. Dogs in general are very sensitive when it comes to their feet. Thus, breaking the skin may cause them to fear this particular part of grooming.

There are fur parents who are scared of trimming the nails, cleaning the ears, and brushing the teeth of their Pomapoo. They either do not know how, or they are afraid that they may hurt their fur baby.

These are valid concerns, especially to first-time fur parents. However, this grooming process is normal not only for a Pomapoo but for other dogs also.

Nevertheless, if you need help, you can always seek the services of professional groomers near your area.

Food and Feeding

The food it consumes is the number one source of nutrition for a Pomapoo. If you want it to have a healthy lifestyle, then its diet must be planned throughout its lifetime.

A Pomapoo would have different dietary requirements during the various stages of life. For instance, the food needed by a Pomapoo during its puppyhood wouldn’t be the same as the food it needs during its fully mature state. It would also need a different type of nutrition when it reaches its senior years.

What doesn’t change is that its food should be appropriate to a Pomapoo and its energy level.

You won’t have any issues planning the diet of your Pomapoo. With hundreds of dog food brands available commercially, it is guaranteed that you’d find one that would work best for your fur baby, whether you want to feed it canned food or kibbles.

Just make sure that the ingredients are not too refined and filled with fillers. Such won’t provide much good nutrition to your pooch.

An adult Pomapoo that is of average size would need about 1 to 1 1/2 cups of dry food every day. This could be distributed into two feedings.

If you don’t want to feed your Pomapoo plain dry food only, then you could also mix this up with some wet food. However, the recommended serving should stay the same

Adjust the amount of food of your Pomapoo only when necessary. Increase it if you think it doesn’t sustain its daily activity. Decrease it when you think the amount is starting to make your pooch gain unnecessary weight.

There are fur parents who prefer cooked food for their Pomapoo. While there is nothing with this, this could take a lot of work. You also need to plan carefully the ingredients to create a balanced meal.

Note that this should be composed largely of protein and should only have a small portion of carbohydrates. Too much of the latter could cause weight gain.

You can also help boost the immune system of your Pomapoo with the help of vitamins. This would also have a good impact on its coat and bones. A veterinarian could prescribe one that is appropriate for your fur baby. It would also guide you on how much to let your pooch take daily.

Training

Right Training Approach

You will not have any issues training a Pomapoo. They are eager learners that that thrive in treats and praises. So you’ll be successful if you employ a reward-based system when you train them.

You should never resort to intimidation when training a Pomapoo. With its gentle and sensitive nature, you will never get anywhere with scaring it. This may even cause your fur baby to dread training which would impact its focus on the task at hand.

Although a Pomapoo is easy to train, you will have a higher success rate if you start early. Begin correcting bad habits at an early age so this will not develop as your Pomapoo matures. Don’t wait until they are big enough because by then, it is likely that they would develop already stubbornness which will be harder to curb.

It is understandable why you’d want to give everything they please to Pomapoos. They are extremely adorable which would make you want to spoil them. It is hard to say no when they start to give you that sad puppy look. But by all means, resist, as this would help instill discipline at a young age.

Another thing that would lead to a better success rate when training a Pomapoo is keeping the training time short. The ideal time frame would be 15 minutes at most twice a day. This would ensure that you have its attention every step of the way.

Basic Training

When you jump into training your Pomapoo, it is important to prioritize first the basic training. This would not only help make both of your lives easier, but this would also be the foundation of your fur baby in case you want it to go through more advanced training later on.

You should begin by potting training your Pomapoo. Doing this would help you maintain the cleanliness of your household. It would also instill in the mind of your fur baby the right and wrong place to pee or potty.

The last thing any fur parent would want is to constantly clean after their Pomapoo. While this cannot be helped at times, it’s s best that this does not become a regular occurrence.

You can be successful in potty training your Pomapoo when you follow religiously a schedule. This schedule would be your guide when you need to bring your fur baby out to do its business.

The schedule that normally works would be every a few minutes or so after feeding time, upon waking up, and before sleeping.

A Pomapoo is a fast learner but you cannot expect it to learn potty training overnight. It takes patience especially since accidents could happen along the way. Nevertheless, you can expect that they will get used to it in no time.

There are even Pomapoos that later on develop their tells whenever they need to do their business and their fur parents are behind the schedule. They usually scratch the door to let their fur parents know that they need to go out. Some also whine and pace restlessly by the door.

The tells are different from one Pomapoo to another. Thus, your Pomapoo might develop its own too.

Aside from potty training, it is also important to teach your Pomapoo obedience training starting from a young age. This would help instill discipline in them and keep them safe whenever necessary.

Start with simple commands such as sit, stand, and stay. Your pooch should also be taught how to respond to no. The ability of your Pomapoo to respond to basic commands would help keep it safe whenever needed.

Socialization

Pomapoo should go through socialization training starting from puppyhood. This should go side by side with obedience training because this would help it be a well-rounded dog.

A Pomapoo that is taught socialization would be confident in different types of surroundings. It would know how to interact with different people outside its human family members and would be easier to get along with. It wouldn’t have issues being with other pets. Moreover, it would lessen its potential to be aggressive.

Teaching socialization to your Pomapoo is easy. All you need to do is introduce it to the people, animals, and places outside its comfort zone. This could be done by simply letting it walk busy streets during its daily exercises. Let it mingle with other dogs at the dog park and introduce it to guests whenever you have gatherings.

The exposure would do your pooch good because this would help it adjust on how it should react to these circumstances. However, be careful not to let your pooch feel intimidated because this would either make it retract or defensive.

There are fur parents who choose to enroll their growing puppy in doggy school to ensure that they get proper socialization. You can do this also to your Pomapoo if you need added assistance.

Exercise and Physical Activity

If you are not a very active fur parent, you’d be happy to know that Pomapoos don’t have a lot of exercise requirements. But since they are still moderately active doggos, they still need to burn that energy that they have in order to be happy.

Exercising daily a Pomapoo will also make its body conditioned. It will help it maintain its ideal weight since it tends to develop obesity due to being an enthusiastic eater.

A dog that is not exercised daily is prone to depression. They could also develop destructive behaviors such as digging, chewing the things around them, and barking.

Pomapoos would benefit from being walked daily. The length of the walk doesn’t need to be too long because the last thing you’d want is to overtire your doggo.

If you observe that this is not sufficient, then you can also let it have its playtime. Playing with a rolling ball is one way to give it a good time while helping it exhaust its energy.

You could supplement its playtime also with other interactive games that would give it enough mental stimulation. A game of tug of war would be a good game. This could be a great bonding experience even in the comfort of your home.

If you’re going to let it play on its own in your backyard, you must monitor its activity. It has the tendency to satisfy its curiosity by wandering.

It is also important that the yard is enclosed to protect your pooch. With its size, it could easily be perceived as prey by other dogs or other animals bigger than it is which could be disastrous.

Health Concerns

Like other hybrids, Pomapoo is generally a healthy dog breed. However, there are still instances when they do suffer from health issues that are common to their Pomeranian and Poodle parents.

Below are a few of the health problems Pomapoos are likely to suffer from:

Cataract

This is one of the health issues which affects the eye of a Pomapoo. You won’t miss this because dogs suffering from this condition are observed to have a cloudy pupil which is due to the protein accumulation in their eyes.

When this happens, the light cannot pass through the affected eyes of the doggo which leads to blurry vision or even blindness.

Cataract is normally an inherited condition. Fortunately, surgery could help address this issue among Pomapoo.

Obesity

Obesity is the condition wherein a Pomapoo suffers from excessive weight gain brought about by an unhealthy lifestyle or another health issue.

This is easy to detect because you will notice that your fur baby is getting heavier. It would have a wider girth too and a bigger stomach. Due to its heavier weight, you would find it moving at a slower pace if it would move at all.

Obesity can easily be addressed by making adjustments to the Pomapoos diet and letting it have sufficient exercise daily. The problem is, there are instances when their fur parents do not recognize the problem.

If not addressed immediately, Obesity among Pomapoos could lead to Hypertension, Cancer, and other health problems.

Patellar Luxation

This is another one of the genetic health problems that could be acquired by a Pomapoo. This impacts the skeletal part of a Pomapoo, particularly its kneecaps which are dislocated from their correct position. The result is that the knees cannot be straightened as they should.

There are different grades associated with Patellar Luxation which depends on the severity of the case and with Grade 4 being the most severe. Grade 4 also requires surgery to correct the problem.

A Pomapoo suffering from this health problem may exhibit lameness on the affected leg. There may also be limping and swelling on the affected part. Further, there may be limitations on the mobility of a Pomapoo particularly if the dislocation is associated with pain.

There is no assurance whether or not a Pomapoo would develop any of the above-mentioned health issues. But you can reduce the risk when you get a new puppy from a reputable breeder because they have strict controls in place which ensures that they are not crossing parent breeds with health problems.

This means that they could only produce healthy Pomapoo puppies.

Make it a point to also schedule your Pomapoo for a regular visit to the vet. This would help detect and address early all health issues your fur baby may have, and prevent it from worsening.

Lifespan

A Pomapoo has an average life expectancy of 12-14 years. But there are Pomapoos that live beyond these years.

Many factors could impact the longevity of Pomapoo. These include their lifestyle and the amount of care they receive in their life. Thus, it is important that a Pomapoo only lives a healthy lifestyle.

Temperament

In terms of behavior or temperament, you will find that this Pomeranian Poodle mix would be a mix of its parents, no matter how it takes after one parent in terms of look.

A Pomapoo is a sweet little pooch. Its charisma is always in a full blast that you have no choice but to fall instantly in love with it. It is extremely loving and affectionate to its family members but could have reservations when around strangers although it is not known to be shy.

However, when it is introduced and it got to know the stranger better, it would be friendly in no time. It has no natural aggressive bone in its body but it is still required to teach it socialization from puppyhood so that it won’t develop it as it grows and matures.

Pomapoos are very intelligent. They are pretty laid back and even-tempered, but a little playful. They love to be just the companion their favorite human needs. This is why they can be a bit clingy and could develop separation anxiety. Thus, they shouldn’t be left on their own for long periods.

If this has a high likelihood of happening, then better if they have other pets to accompany them. A dog with the same personality would work or even a cat.

Pomapoo Mixed Breed As A Family Dog

There is no doubt that a Pomapoo would make a great family pet to almost all types of families. The combination alone of its parents’ traits inside its small body is a guarantee that it would be a good companion dog.

Add the fact that it is good-tempered, intelligent, and affectionate, then you found yourself a pooch that is for keeps.

Pomapoos are not high-maintenance when it comes to their exercise needs. Thus, whether or not you are an active fur parent wouldn’t matter with it as long as you have the time to walk it every day.

It would just be happy to laze around with you all day if you don’t feel like doing anything. It would accompany you on being a couch potato so a companion will never be a problem. In fact, they even thrive on being around their family members especially their one favorite human among them.

You will not have any issues even if you are a fur parent with children. Pomapoos are tender and playful by nature so they won’t have any hard time tolerating the kids’ antics while contributing their own as well.

However, small kids should be cautioned in handling a Pomapoo. Parents should make sure that their kids don’t get carried away during playtime that they may cause unintentional harm to the Pomapoo playmate. The kids shouldn’t just lift it because the small body of a Pomapoo won’t be able to withstand a fall, especially a high one.

If you have other pets, that would never be an issue too. It will be an instant family to a Pomapoo particularly if the other pet grew up with it. If not, then additional introduction and socialization are needed.

Nevertheless, there is no reason why your Pomapoo and your other pets won’t be fast friends in no time with how friendly a Pomapoo is.

A big house with a fenced-in yard would definitely be an ideal setup for a Pomapoo. However, it would do equally well living in an average apartment. It wouldn’t need anything more than the love from its family.

The Cost of Getting a Pomapoo Mixed Breed Dog

Purchase Price 

If you are considering a Pomapoo as your next pet, then you should know that it would have an average cost of USD500 to USD2000.

The quality of the Pomapoo impacts the price. So you can expect that the higher the price, the better the quality of the Pomapoo you are getting. It would also not come cheap if it will come from a licensed breeder but you can be sure that it would be worth it.

Licensed breeders have a reputation to uphold. Thus, expect that they only provide high-quality puppies.

They have strict measures in place to make this happen. All parent breeds they cross are vetted to prevent the transfer of genetic health issues. They even have health clearances on hand to support the vetting done which will give peace of mind to potential fur parents.

Reputable breeders are very thorough in the work that they do. They also provide the needed primary care to the litters they produce until such time that the pups are ready to be released to their new owners. They spare not a single penny because their goal is to provide good companions to fur parents.

If you would choose to buy from puppy mills, you won’t get the same high-quality pups. Most of the time, the Pomapoo puppy you will get is in a poor condition and you will only realize this when the cost of medical care starts piling up.

You are already lucky if you can get a first-generation Pomapoo breed from puppy mills.

Considering the Shelters

It is hard to think how Pomapoos could end up in shelters with their gentle temperament and amazing personality, but unfortunately, they do. This is why you could also consider shelters if you are looking for a Pomapoo to adopt.

When you choose to adopt a Pomapoo from a shelter over buying from a breeder, you are giving an opportunity to a homeless pooch to have a forever home. Further, this wouldn’t cost you as much.

Normally, the concern of fur parents adopting from shelters is temperament. While this is a valid concern, you can trust that a Pomapoo is adaptable. It will give you undying loyalty and affection as long as you are going to take care of it.

Other Costs for a Pomapoo Puppy

There are other costs to consider aside from just the purchase price when you want to own a Pomapoo.

For one, there is the cost of its upbringing that would be nothing short of several thousand dollars per year. This would cover the actual expenses shed to give it a comfortable life such as the food, dog accessories, and medical care.

These costs are not just one-time costs. These are costs that need to be covered throughout the life of your Pomapoo because they will have an impact on its health and well-being.

There are also miscellaneous costs involved in getting a Pomapoo. These include the cost spent on house proofing your home or services such as grooming, training, and even doggy daycare.

You may opt not to take advantage of the other services mentioned but you should definitely consider grooming at least from time to time. This would not only be a good experience for your pup but would be great for its upkeeping as well.

Conclusion

Pomapoos would be great companions dogs to any fur parent who would love and care for them because they could return the same sentiments ten folds. They are not even high-maintenance on their exercise needs which would be great if you are not an active fur parent. Most of all, their size makes them great apartment dwellers.

But before getting a Pomapoo, know that this is a serious responsibility. Make sure first that you have the means to take care of it and provide what it needs throughout its lifetime.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: Is Pomapoo a good family dog?

A: Pomapoos will make great family pets because they have even temperaments that make them instantly fit into any type of family. They don’t have high-maintenance requirements which include the exercise they need. Even their size is ideal for fur parents who do not have big houses.

If you have kids and other pets, they would fit well also. They have the making of gentle dogs that you won’t have any issues that they would suddenly become aggressive. As long as you’re going to ensure also that they have proper socialization starting from puppyhood.

Q: Are Pomapoos hypoallergenic?

A: Pomapoos can be hypoallergenic if their coat takes after their Poodle parents. Otherwise, expect that it won’t be.

If hypoallergenic dogs are really what you want, then you may want to just consider other dog breeds such as a Poodle. With this, you can have the guarantee that you will have one hypoallergenic dog.

Q: What are Pomapoos known for?

A: Pomapoos are known to be the product of the crossing between a pure breed Toy Poodle and Pomeranian. They have acquired all the adorable traits of their parent breeds which make them one of the best dog companions to have.

Q: How much should a Pomapoo cost?

A: If you are in search of a Pomapoo pup, then you can expect them to cost anywhere between USD500 to USD2000. Given that this could be a little bit costly, you should get the assurance that you are getting the best value of your money by going to a reputable breeder.

Reputable breeders are known to produce only quality puppies considering the strict breeding program they have in place. The parent breeds they cross are properly vetted to prevent the transfer of any hereditary conditions to the litters produced. Even after birth, the puppies produced are provided the primary care needed until they are finally released to their forever home.