The Pomapoo is a mix between the Pomeranian and a miniature Poodle.
They are friendly, loving, and highly trainable dogs who will fit right into any family setting, even those with other furry friends.
Pomeranian Poodle mixes are loved for their adorable, teddy-like appearance.
However, they can have a stubborn and independent streak which makes them aloof.
Do you want to learn more about this mix?
Keep on reading to learn everything you need to know about the Pomapoo…
Breed Quick Facts | |
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Height | 8-10 inches |
Weight | 5-15 lbs |
Coat | Medium length |
Color | Brown, black, white, red, fawn, sable |
Shedding | Light |
Temperament | Friendly, affectionate, loving, intelligent |
Family Friendly | Yes |
Barks | Moderate |
Training | Need firm and consistent training |
Lifespan | 12-15 years |
Price | $1000-$1500 |
Table of Contents
What Is A Pomapoo?
A Pomapoo is a mix between the Pomeranian and Poodle.
They have bright and friendly faces with round eyes and triangular ears, which are often hard to find under their fur. This fur can be thick and fluffy like their Pomeranian parent, or dense and hypoallergenic like their Poodle parent.
Normally a miniature Poodle is used to keep this mix small.
These mixes always have big personalities. They are affectionate and loving dogs, that love a lap to cuddle up on.
Despite their love for snuggles, they also have plenty of energy which needs using up throughout the day. They only need one short walk a day but need plenty of training, games, and activities in the house to keep their intelligent and active brains happy.
Just like the Cavapoo, the Pomapoo loves to be around people.
They even get on well with other pets and have no prey drive.
These mixes are sociable dogs who make friends with everyone they meet but can be shy at first and might be reserved when meeting new people and dogs. Once they get to know them better, you can expect your Pomapoo to be best friends with everyone.
Overall, the Pomapoo is an affectionate, sociable, and lively dog that is full of character despite being so small.
Appearance & Pictures
The Pomapoo is a hybrid so you cannot always predict what they will look like.
No two Pomapoos look the same and every one of them is unique!
However, you can count on them being a small dog with bright eyes and plenty of fluff. Their fur may or may not be curly and hypoallergenic depending how much like their parents they are.
Their fur will be super soft, with plumed tails and a lion-like mane on their chest. However, some do have slightly thicker coats which gives them a fluffy, cloud-like look.
They have upright, triangular ears and sweet, smiling faces.
Their eyes are bright and dark and may either be round like Poodles or more almond-shaped like a Pomeranians. They have short snouts which end in a smiling mouth and black nose.
How Big Are They Fully Grown?
Once your Pomapoo is fully grown they will stand anywhere from 8-10 inches tall.
You can expect them to weigh between five and fifteen pounds.
On average, males will grow taller and weigh more than females.
Do They Shed?
Due to the poodle they are mixed with, the Pomapoo doesn’t tend to shed all that much.
The aim of crossing a Pomeranian with a Poodle is to decrease shedding. So you can certainly expect your hybrid to shed less than their Pomeranian parent.
Poodles have a hypoallergenic coat which your pup may inherit.
Sometimes, Pomapoo puppies don’t trigger dog fur allergies in people. This is not always the case, but, as a whole, the breed is less likely to trigger allergies.
No dog is 100% shed-proof so you will still find some fluff lying around, especially in the spring as the temperature begins to go up and your pup loses their winter coat.
Coat
A Pomapoo can have a coat that is anything between the tightly curled hair of a Poodle to the Pomeranian’s long, fluffy double coat. Even puppies from the same litter can have very different coat styles.
If your mix has a Pomeranian-like coat they will probably have straighter, longer fur.
These kinds of pups will shed more, but may only need a bristle brush to clean them up a few times a week.
Most people want their pup to have more Poodle-like hair and fluff!
Those that take more after their Poodle parent will have curly, fluffy fur that will be very soft and cloud-like.
However, this curlier fur comes with a cost. They will need to have their fur cut every few months, as these kinds of dogs can easily get tangles and mats.
It is very important that their coat is well-taken care of as it tends to tangle more the curlier it is. These dogs should be brushed three times a week and debris like sticks removed from their coats.
Not all Pomapoos will need their fur cut. They may just need baths every few months if they have Pomeranian-like fur.
Puppy Price
Pomapoo puppies will cost between $1000-$1500.
Some of this variation in price will come from who the parents of your puppy are. If your puppy has a famous parent, you can expect to pay a little more for them than other puppies.
Another reason you might pay more for a puppy is if they are an unusual color, like Pomeranian blue merle.
Because the Pomeranian Poodle mix is not a breed recognized by the American Kennel Club, it is important to find a credible breeder.
A trust-worthy breeder should be willing to prove to you that both the parents are registered dogs and that they have had full health checks before breeding. This is to make sure your puppy cannot inherit any genetic issues from either parent.
They will also be more than happy to show you the mom.
When you bring your Pomapoo puppy home at 8 weeks old, they may weigh as little as 1 pound.
They will have round heads with little ears that are often lost under their puppy-fuzzy fur. Their tails won’t yet have the furry plume that they will have as an adult, and they won’t have their lions mane chest of fluff until they are almost a year old.
Personality
Breed Characteristics | |
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Family Friendly | ★★★★★(5) |
Energy Levels | ★★★★★(2) |
Ease of Training | ★★★★★(5) |
Shedding Frequency | ★★★★★(2) |
Price | ★★★★★(3) |
As a cross between the Pomeranian and the Poodle, the Pomapoo gets the best of both parents.
They are affectionate, lively, and sociable dogs that love attention.
These dogs enjoy curling up on a lap and having cuddles, but equally love to play games as they have sharp minds. This makes them the perfect pet for large families who have people to both play with and train them, and cuddle and snuggle with them.
They hate being left alone and you can expect them to bark or cry when they are alone.
Pomeranian Poodle Mixes are not fussy with their company though and they are just as happy with a fellow furry friend as much as they are in the company of their owners. They get on well with other dogs and cats which makes them a great choice for multi-pet houses.
Overall, Pomapoos are loving, playful, and friendly dogs who love to be in the company of people or pets. They are easily made happy if they have a lap to cuddle into and a companion to play games with.
Is The Pomapoo A Good Family Dog?
Pros | Cons |
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Pomapoos are very loyal and loving to their people, always wanting to be around them to either cuddle or play with them. They form a strong attachment to their families. | Pomeranian Poodle mixes love to be around people as much as they can. They are not very well suited to families that aren’t home very often. They enjoy a lot of quality time with their people, as they get lonely easily. |
They are very adaptable and are able to fit into many different types of households. Children, other pets, and a variety of schedules and environments will be no trouble for them. | Pomapoos need to be socialized when they are young. If left alone, these dogs can be prone to some trouble-making tendencies due to separation anxiety. These problems can include barking, chewing, and inappropriate pottying. |
The Pomapoo is a pretty even-tempered dog. They are predictably calm and patient when dealing with children. They make excellent playmates for other animals and children that are in the household. | When these dogs are not properly handled, they can get fearful and may lash out and try to protect themselves by nipping and snarling. |
These dogs don’t need a whole lot of exercise. | These little dogs are very cuddly with people they are comfortable around. However, sometimes they will take after their Pomeranian parents and be more stand-offish and aloof around strangers. |
They are eager to please and very smart. This makes them easy to train for families who might have multiple people contributing to their training. | They can be difficult to potty-train due to their size. This can be stressful for families with younger children or other animals that may be around the potential mess. |
Are They The Right Dog For Me?
Pomapoos can make great apartment dogs because of their small size.
These dogs are happy in small, one-bed apartments, just as easily as they can be in a big house with a spacious yard.
It is just important to remember that they do need a good amount of exercise. They will need a few short walks every day and will need some playtime, either inside or outside.
One of the biggest downsides to having this mix in a small apartment is that they can have a bit of a barking problem.
Pomapoos like being with their owners. When they are left on their own, they will sometimes miss their owners and bark to pass the time.
In the family home they are easily trained and very social, so they get along with children.
They are known for being willing and patient with children. However, they are small dogs and so it is easy for a child to hurt them in an accident. In these cases, it’s not unheard of for them to nip to try and protect themselves.
Socializing your pup when they are a few months old will help to ensure that they are comfortable around all kinds of other household pets.
If they aren’t socialized to other dogs, the Pomapoo can get a little feisty and sometimes forgets how small it is.
Training
Both the Pomeranian and the Poodle are intelligent breeds.
So you can expect your Pomapoo to follow in their paw-steps.
They excel at training and respond best to positive reinforcement. They are eager to please, as it is in their friendly nature to do what is asked of them. After teaching basic commands such as sit and stay, you can teach them other fun dog tricks.
You will also have to work on socializing them.
Pomapoos have a tendency to forget how small they are. If they are not socialized properly as a puppy, then they can be a bit too flighty to handle. It is important to make sure your pup meets plenty of other friendly pooches so they know how to play well with other dogs.
Common Health Issues
The average lifespan of a Pomapoo is 12 to 15 years.
As a hybrid the Pomapoo risks inheriting health issues from either parent.
Common problems include luxating patella and periodontal disease. Alternatively, your pup may inherit collapsing trachea or cataracts from their Poodle parent.
Like many small dogs, dental disease can become a big problem. It is important that their teeth are brushed daily and checked and cleaned by a vet annually.
Young Pomapoos often need their baby teeth pulled if they do not fall out on their own, to prevent overcrowding.
A luxating patella is when a dog’s kneecap dislocates easily. It varies greatly from dog to dog, but it can range from some dogs walking with a limp, to being lame and extremely painful.
Mixes with a luxating patella will sometimes be seen holding their leg up to their body so they aren’t using it.
A collapsing trachea is a common problem in small dog breeds. This occurs when the tracheal cavity narrows during breathing.
Tracheal collapse can cause difficulty breathing, be quite dangerous and make exercise hard. It can lead to abnormal breathing patterns and dry heaving during exercise.
Cataracts are another health problem from the Poodle lineage. It is a type of eye problem, with the eye becoming obstructed by a cloudiness of the lens. The bigger the cataract, the bigger the chance that it is negatively affecting your dog’s vision.
There are a few different causes of cataracts, but a big one is genetics.
It is best to make sure both parents have had full health checks before you take your puppy home to avoid these problems.
One of the reasons that the Pomapoo got so popular in the first place is because they are often healthier and live longer than their parents.
Hybrid vigor is when a dog is mixed between two breeds to get a better set of genetics and fewer health issues.
Origin
The Pomapoo is a hybrid of the Pomeranian and the miniature Poodle.
They were first purposefully bred in the US in the late 1990s.
This mix was bred to give the teddy bear appearance of the Pomeranian with a low shedding coat.
Another aim was to introduce a friendlier, more cuddly personality to the normally aloof and independent Poms.
However, because they are a fairly new breed they do not have a lot of history.
Their recent history and hybrid status also means they are not recognized by the American Kennel Club. They are recognized by the American Canine Hybrid Club.
Though Pomapoo is the most popular name for this mix, over the past decade they have also been known as the:
- Pomeroodle
- Pooranian
- Pomeranianpoo
These names can sound ridiculous, but they all just refer to the adorable, teddy-bear dog that we all know and love!
Care
The three key parts of caring for this dog are: diet, grooming and exercise.
Because the Pomeranian Poodle mix has a fast metabolism and a small stomach they must eat little and often.
Two to three small meals throughout the day is ideal.
They also need small breed kibble which is designed for their more delicate mouths. Each brand feed is slightly different, so check the packaging for the exact amount. In general the Pomapoo will eat roughly 2/3 to 1 cup of kibble a day.
Next up is grooming.
This mix will need brushing 3 times a week at least.
If their coat is similar to the Pomeranian’s thick, double-layered coat, then they will need brushing every day.
The best way to do this is to use a soft-bristled brush and groom them gently all over. This is a great way to bond with your puppy and check them over for any lumps or bumps. Your Pomapoo would also benefit from visiting the groomers for a haircut every 6 to 8 weeks to keep their beautiful coat trimmed.
You should also brush their teeth.
This can easily be done using a soft-bristled human toothbrush, or specifically designed doggy toothbrush, and using dog toothpaste. This will keep their teeth from developing any tartar and reduce their risk of dental disease as they get older.
Last but not least, is exercise.
Although Pomeranian Poodle mixes are lively dogs they are happy with a single 30 minute walk each day.
You will also need to keep them active around the house with training and playing games.
Like their parents, the Pomapoo does not like extreme temperatures (particularly the heat). It is best to avoid walking them during the hottest part of the day during the summer.
Wrapping Up
The Pomapoo is a designer breed that is a mix between the Poodle and Pomeranian.
These dogs are meant to combine the best traits of the parent breeds to breed a low shedding, friendly family pet.
Pomapoos are affectionate, friendly, loving, and intelligent dogs who love to both cuddle and solve puzzles.
They will bring love and joy into their owners lives from the first paw-step into the home.
Pomapoos fit into multi-pet households well as they get on with other furry friends, and they hate being left alone for too long. They do not need too much exercise each day either which makes them perfect for people living in cities.
Their faces have a classic teddy-bear look to them and their curly, dense coats can make them a great choice for those with dog allergies who still want a fluffy best friend.
Do you think the Pomeranian cross miniature Poodle is right for you?
Let us know in the comments section below…