Pomeranian Poodle Mix – The Pomapoo

The Pomeranian Poodle mix is often referred to as a Pomapoo, the Poopom, or the Pomadoodle, and this hybrid dog is a mix between a Toy Poodle and a Pomeranian, which are both small dogs. These friendly, loveable dogs are very intelligent, and they are well suited to living in small homes, such as condos or apartments. Currently, these breeds are not recognized by the AKC or other purebred clubs. However, the Pomapoo is recognized by the International Canine Designer Registry, the American Canine Hybrid Club, and the Designer Dogs Kennel Club. Is this the right hybrid for your family? Here’s a closer look at helpful information that can help you make this decision, including a look at the hybrid’s history, appearance, grooming needs, temperament, health, and more.

Origin and History

The Pomapoo is a hybrid dog that is a part of a trend that has become very popular – designer dogs. These are mixed breeds that were deliberately created, and they’ve become popular within the last 20-30 years. However, it’s not quite clear when the Pomeranian Poodle mix was created, although it was likely first created about 20 years ago when Poodle mixes became popular because they were thought to be hypoallergenic. Still, while we don’t know a lot about the exact origin of the hybrid, we can learn a lot about these mixed breed dogs by looking at both of the parent breeds: the Toy Poodle and the Pomeranian.

The Poodle was originally bred in Germany for retrieving and waterfowl hunting purposes. Later, the Standard Poodle would be bred with other dogs until the Toy Poodle was created. The Toy Poodle was used as a companion dog and became quite popular among French nobility. These dogs were first registered in England back 1874 and they would be first registered within the United States in 1886.

The Pomeranian was originally developed to be a companion dog and the name comes from the province Pomerania, where these dogs are originally from. In the beginning, these dogs were bigger than they are today, weighing in at about 30 pounds. They’ve been popular through the centuries, and it’s thought that many well-known names through history have owned these dogs, such as Michelangelo, Mozart, and Newton. The dogs were brought in England in the 18th century, and the breed became very popular among rich individuals in England. It was Queen Victoria that wanted a smaller dog, and English breeders started breeding these dogs to be smaller. Later, in the 1880s, the Pomeranian would finally arrive in the United States.

Appearance

Your Pomeranian Poodle mix will be a very small dog, weighing somewhere between 5 and 15 pounds and standing at between 8 and 10 inches tall. The Pomapoo can vary in their appearance – some look more like Poodles while others may look more like a Pomeranian. They may have straight or high set tails, and the coat can vary between wavy or straight and medium or short in length. Some of the potential coat colors may include white, black, and brown, and some dogs may have a mixture of these colors.

Pomapoo Temperament

These small dogs are very smart, and the Pomeranian Poodle mix is also very loving and affectionate with their family. However, they can be a bit wary of new people. Usually the Pomapoo are better with older children, and they love to get plenty of attention. If they are left alone too often, they may end up suffering from separation anxiety.

It’s important to make sure these dogs get a moderate amount of exercise. Your Pomeranian Poodle mix will need a mixture of mental and physical stimulation to keep him well behaved, healthy, and happy. Since these dogs are small, they can do very well in a small apartment, but they do need to get out and get some exercise each day. Exercise should include play time, a minimum of one walk a day, and trips to a dog park from time to time.

Since the Pomapoo is very smart and eager to please, usually they train quite easily. Rewards like play time, toys, treats, and praise are all very helpful when you’re raining these dogs. It’s best to start their training and socialization while they are very young, since the Pomeranian Poodle mix can become more stubborn as they grow older.

Grooming

The grooming needs of your Pomapoo will depend on their specific coat. If they have a curly coat, they won’t shed very much. However, no matter what kind of coat your hybrid ends up with, regular brushing will be essential. Regular trimming by a professional is recommended every few months as well. Only bathe the Pomeranian Poodle mix as needed, and they may need to have their nails professional clipped from time to time too. Check for any ear problems weekly and wipe the ears clean. Teeth should be brushed several times a week, since they are prone to dental problems. Since these dogs can develop stains under the eyes, wiping their face daily can help prevent this problem.

Working Roles

The Pomeranian Poodle mix is a companion dog and is rarely used in working roles.

Health

Since both the Pomeranian and the Toy Poodle have a long lifespan, you can expect the average lifespan of your Pomapoo to be between 13 and 15 years. Usually hybrid dogs are fairly healthy and do not end up with many of the health concerns of the two parent breeds. However, you still need to be aware of some of the health problems that affect the parents so you know what problems could end up affecting your hybrid dog. Some of the potential health problems that could show up in a Pomeranian Poodle mix include:

• Patent ductus arteriosus
• Hypothyroidism
• Shoulder luxation
• Generalized progressive retinal atrophy
• Patellar luxation
• Collapsing trachea
• Hydrocephalus
• Cryptorchidism
• Cataracts
• Elbow luxation
• Entropion
• Hip dysplasia
• Bloat
• Cancer
• Juvenile renal disease
• Addison’s disease
• Epilepsy
• Sebaceous adenitis