Pomchi

The Pomchi is a cross between a Chihuahua and a Pomeranian that was first created in the United States. They were bred with an end goal being to develop a loving and loyal companion as well as family pet. Pomchis are not a Kennel Club recognised breed and only arrived on British shores in the 1980’s but they quickly found a fanbase thanks to their sweet looks and alert affectionate natures.

Pomchis may be small in stature but they are always on the alert which means in short they make great watchdogs. They are also highly adaptable being just as happy living in an apartment in town as they would be living in a house in the country. Pomchis are not the best choice for families with very young children mainly due to their small size but they are great family pet in households where the kids are slightly older.

Pomchis are a mixed breed that was first developed in the USA by crossing Chihuahuas with Pomeranians. Breeders wanted to create a small dog that boasted a kind affectionate and alert nature. Pomchis quickly found a large fanbase in America and pretty soon in other countries of the world too which included the UK and although not a Kennel Club recognised they have become popular companions and family pets.

Pomchis have inherited many of the traits of their parent breeds which includes in looks and character. Because they are so new to the scene more research would need to be carried out into any hereditary and congenital health issues that may affect Pomchis but on the whole they are thought to be a healthy and robust little dog. With this said breeders are always advised to have parent dogs health tested for known conditions which includes Syringomyelia (SM). It is also worth noting that there are first generation second generation and more Pomchis available these days but prospective owners should always avoid buying extra-small puppies because of the health issues associated with their size.

Interesting facts about the breed

• Is the Pomchi a vulnerable breed? No they are quickly becoming a popular breed in the UK thanks to their sweet looks and loyal affectionate natures
• Although very small in stature Pomchis are always on the alert and therefore make great watchdogs
• They thrive on playing interactive games which they thoroughly enjoy

Height at the withers: Males 15.24 – 22.86 cm Females 15.24 – 22.86 cm

Average weight: Males 1.0 – 4.5 kg Females 1.0 – 4.5 kg

The Pomchi is an elegant little dog that boasts having a very sweet and intelligent appearance. They are nicely put together with females being very slightly smaller than their male counterparts. They have inherited many of their parent breed’s looks having rounded wedge-shaped heads. Their eyes are not protruding and nicely round without being set too far apart or too close either. Pomchis have a darker pigment around their eyes except if they have brown light coloured or blue coats in which case it’s self-coloured.

Their ears are medium in size which dogs hold erect when alert but carried further back when at rest. Muzzles are moderately short and very slightly pointed with Pomchis having a nicely defined stop. Their jaws and cheeks are lean. Noses are black except in browns blues or light coated dogs in which case they are self-coloured. Pomchis have a level or scissor bite.

Necks are graceful and never too short being well set back on a dog’s shoulders. They have level toplines and bodies are well-ribbed and round but never barrel shaped. Shoulders slope and are well laid back and front legs are straight and parallel with dogs standing well on their toes. They have small dainty feet with some Pomchis having dewclaws. Their tails are moderate in length which Pomchis carry over their backs with the tip touching or they can carry them straight too. Pomchis have muscular hindquarters with strong firm back legs and small back feet.

When it comes to their coat Pomchis can either have a single or double coat with the topcoat being full soft to the touch and glossy with dogs having coarser guard hairs and nice ruffs around their necks. Tails are profusely covered in hair and dogs can have feathering on both their legs and ears. Pomchis come in a variety of colours which includes the following:

• Solid
• Parti
• Merle
• Sable

Gait/movement

When a Pomchi moves they do so with a smooth free-moving gait with dogs maintaining a firm and level topline.

Faults

Prospective Pomchi owners should be wary of any puppies or dogs that show any sort of exaggeration whether in their looks or conformation and that extra-small dogs often come with many health issues so they are best avoided. A responsible breeder would always ensure that puppies they produce are of a good size and conformation and would avoid breeding extra small dogs for these reasons. Males should have both testicles fully descended into their scrotums.

The Pomchi is always ready alert and eager to please and are known for being good-natured little dogs. They are also inquisitive fun-loving and energetic by nature which makes them all the more endearing to share a home with Pomchi. They get on with children but thanks to their small size they are better suited to households with older kids who are less likely to pull a dog around which could end up with a toddler being snapped at.

Pomchis have also inherited a few other traits from their parent breeds which includes having a bit of a stubborn streak and they hate being left on their own for any length of time too which could result in them developing unwanted and destructive behaviours around the home and this could include barking incessantly as a way of showing their displeasure at the situation.

Are they a good choice for first time owners?

Pomchis are a great choice for first time dog owners because they are so amenable and eager to please. They are wonderful companions and loyal alert family pets that are better suited to households with older children.

What about prey drive?

Although the Pomchi is very social and inquisitive by nature they love to chase anything that moves or tries to run away. In short they have a high prey drive and therefore care should always be taken as to where and when a dog can run off the lead especially when other dogs wildlife and livestock are close by.

What about playfulness?

Pomchis are known to have a fun-loving playful side to their natures which means there is never a dull moment for anyone who shares a home with one of these cute little dogs. They quickly learn how to please an owner so they can get their own way which needs to be taken into account to avoid any bad behaviours developing.

What about adaptability?

Pomchis are highly adaptable and providing they are given enough daily physical exercise combined with as much mental stimulation to prevent boredom from setting in they are just as happy living in town as they would be living in a house in the country.

What about separation anxiety?

Pomchis form strong ties with their families and dogs are never very happy when they find themselves left on their own for longer periods of time. They are better suited to people who either work from home or in households where one person stays at home when everyone else is out so they are never alone for any length of time which could see a dog suffering from separation anxiety. This can lead to them being destructive around the home which is a dog's way of relieving any stress they are feeling and a way to keep themselves entertained which could include barking incessantly to get some attention.

What about excessive barking?

Some Pomchis like the sound of their own voices a little too much which is something that needs to be gently nipped in the bud when a dog is still young being careful not to frighten them which could end up making a dog timid and shy. As previously mentioned they are always on the alert and will bark when strangers are about or when something they don’t like is going on. However a lot of Pomchis like to bark just for the sake of it.

Do Pomchis like water?

Pomchis are very small dogs and care should always be taken when they are anywhere near water just in case they fall in and need rescuing. With this said Pomchis enjoy being in water and are good swimmers but anyone who owns a dog that’s frightened of water should never force them in which could really scare them even more.

Are Pomchis good watchdogs?

Pomchis may be small but they are serious watchdogs because they are always on the alert and ready to let an owner know when there are strangers about.

The Pomchi is a clever little dog and one that learns new things quickly because they love it when they get things “right”. The downside to this is that they are just as quick to learn bad behaviours as they are the “good”. They can also develop small dog syndrome when they get their own way too often which can make it harder to live with a Pomchi due to the fact they are wilful and stubborn.

Pomchi puppies like all puppies are incredibly cute which means it is all too easy to spoil them when they first arrive in their new homes. However once a puppy is nicely settled in owners must start out as they mean to go on bearing in mind that puppies grow into mature dogs all too soon. Laying down ground rules helps a puppy understand what an owner expects of them and what is acceptable behaviour. The first commands a puppy should be taught are as follows:

• Come
• Sit
• Stay
• Heel
• Quiet
• Leave it
• Down
• Bed

Pomchis make great family pets and companions because of their kind affectionate and loyal natures. However they are best suited to families with older children who know how to behave around dogs and not so well suited to households where the kids are younger. Any interaction between toddlers and dogs should always be supervised by an adult regardless to make sure things stay calm.

When Pomchis are well socialised from a young enough age they generally get along with other dogs they meet and if they grow up with a cat in a household they are generally good friends but a Pomchi would think nothing of chasing any other cat they come across when they get the chance.

The average life expectancy of a Pomchi is between 12 and 18 years when properly cared for and fed an appropriate good quality diet to suit their ages.

The Pomchi is known to suffer from a few hereditary health issues associated with their parent breeds which are as follows:

Pomeranians

• Chairi-like Malformation and Syringomyelia (SM) - some Poms have been scored under a KC/BVA scheme after having been referred by a vet
• Luxating patella
• Tracheal collapse
• Insufficient closure of the fontanel
• Dental issues
• Broken bones – more especially a dog's front legs
• Cataracts
• Distichiasis
• Hypothyroidism
• Black Skin Disease otherwise called Alopecia X - any dog suffering from the condition or known to have suffered from BSD should not be used for breeding purposes

A Pomeranian’s fontanel should not be open when they are fully mature although a 10-month old puppy's skull might not have fully closed. In January 2014 it became mandatory for Championship judges to check a Pomeranian's skull to assess whether it has sufficiently closed which was set in place as part of the KC Breed Watch.

Chihuahuas

• Patella luxation
• Epilepsy
• Hydrocephalus
• Hypoglycemia - low blood sugar
• Eye infections and injuries to the eye
• Ear problems
• Puppies are born with a molera (fontanelle)

What about vaccinations?

Pomchi puppies would have been given their initial vaccinations before being sold but it is up to their new owners to make sure they have their follow-up shots in a timely manner with the vaccination schedule for puppies being as follows:

• 10 -12 weeks old bearing in mind that a puppy would not have full protection straight away but would be fully protected 2 weeks after they have had their second vaccination

There has been a lot of discussion about the need for dogs to have boosters. As such it's best to talk to a vet before making a final decision on whether a dog should continue to have annual vaccinations which are known as boosters.

What about spaying and neutering?

A lot of vets these days recommend waiting until dogs are slightly older before spaying and neutering them which means they are more mature before undergoing the procedures. As such they advise neutering males and spaying females when they are between the ages of 6 to 9 months old and sometimes even when a dog is 12 months old.

Other vets recommend spaying and neutering dogs when they are 6 months old but never any earlier unless for medical reasons. With this said many breeds are different and it is always advisable to discuss things with a vet and then follow their advice on when a dog should be spayed or neutered.

What about obesity problems?

Like other breeds some Pomchis gain weight after they have been spayed or neutered and it's important to keep an eye on a dog's waistline just in case they do. If a dog starts to put on weight it's important to adjust their daily calorie intake and to up the amount of exercise they are given. Older dogs too are more prone to gaining weight and again it's essential they be fed and exercised accordingly because obesity can shorten a dog's life by several years. The reason being that it puts a lot of extra strain on a dog's internal organs including the heart which could prove fatal.

What about allergies?

Some Pomchis are prone to suffering from allergies and it's important for a dog to see a vet sooner rather than later if one flares up. Allergies can be notoriously hard to clear up and finding the triggers can be challenging. With this said a vet would be able to make a dog with an allergy more comfortable while they try to find out the triggers which could include the following:

• Certain dog foods that contain high levels of grains and other cereal-type fillers
• Airborne pollens
• Dust mites
• Environment
• Flea and tick bites
• Chemicals found in everyday household cleaning products

Participating in health schemes

All responsible Pomchi breeders would ensure that their stud dogs are tested for known hereditary and congenital health issues known to affect the breed by using the following schemes:

• All potential owners and owners should be aware that Pomeranians are now known to suffer from Syringomyelia (SM) and therefore any dog showing any signs of suffering from the condition should be seen by a vet who would then decide whether it would be necessary to refer a dog for screening and grading which can be carried out under a KC/BVA scheme.

What about breed specific breeding restrictions?

The Pomchi is not a Kennel Club recognised breed as such there are not breed specific breeding restrictions in place but all breeders should follow the Kennel Club breeding guidelines.

What about Assured Breeder Requirements?

Currently there are no Assured Breeder requirements in place for the Pomchi because the breed is not Kennel Club registered but prospective owner should ask breeders about relevant health issues and tests making sure that parent dogs have been screened for the issues that are known to affect the breed.

As with any other breed Pomchis need to be groomed on a regular basis to make sure their coats and skin are kept in top condition. They also need to be given regular daily exercise to ensure they remain fit and healthy. On top of this dogs need to be fed good quality food that meets all their nutritional needs throughout their lives.

Caring for a Pomchi puppy

Pomchi puppies are boisterous and full of life which means it's essential for homes and gardens to be puppy-proofed well in advance of their arrival. A responsible breeder would have well socialised their puppies which always leads to more outgoing confident and friendly dogs right from the word go. With this said any puppy is going to feel vulnerable when they leave their mother and littermates which must be taken into account. The longer a puppy can remain with their mother the better although it should never be for too long either.

It's best to pick a puppy up when people are going to be around for the first week or so which is the time needed for a puppy to settle in. Puppy-proofing the home and garden means putting away any tools and other implements that a boisterous puppy might injure themselves on. Electric wires and cables must be put out of their reach because puppies love chewing on things. Toxic plants should be removed from flowerbeds and the home too.

Puppies need to sleep a lot to grow and develop as they should which means setting up a quiet area that's not too out of the way means they can retreat to it when they want to nap and it's important not to disturb them when they are sleeping. It's also a good idea to keep "playtime" nice and calm inside the house and to have a more active "playtime" outside in the garden which means puppies quickly learn to be less boisterous when they are inside.

The documentation a breeder provides for a puppy must have all the details of their worming date and the product used as well as the information relating to their microchip. It is essential for puppies to be wormed again keeping to a schedule which is as follows:

• Puppies should be wormed at 6 months old
• They need to be wormed again when they are 8 months old
• Puppies should be wormed when they are 10 months old
• They need to be wormed when they are 12 months old

Things you'll need for your puppy

There are certain items that new owners need to already have in the home prior to bringing a new puppy home. It's often a good idea to restrict how much space a puppy plays in more especially when you can't keep an eye on what they get up to bearing in mind that puppies are often quite boisterous which means investing in puppy gates or a large enough playpen that allows a puppy the room to express themselves while keeping them safe too. The items needed are therefore as follows:

• Good quality puppy or baby gates to fit on doors
• A good well-made playpen that's large enough for a puppy to play in so they can really express themselves as puppies like to do
• Lots of well-made toys which must include good quality chews suitable for puppies to gnaw on bearing in mind that a puppy will start teething anything from when they are 3 to 8 months old
• Good quality feed and water bowls which ideally should be ceramic rather than plastic or metal
• A grooming glove
• A slicker brush or soft bristle brush
• Dog specific toothpaste and a toothbrush
• Scissors with rounded ends
• Nail clippers
• Puppy shampoo and conditioner which must be specifically formulated for use on dogs
• A well-made dog collar or harness
• A couple of strong dog leads
• A well-made dog bed that's not too small or too big
• A well-made dog crate for use in the car and in the home that's large enough for a puppy to move around in
• Baby blankets to put in your puppy's crate and in their beds for when they want to nap or go to sleep at night

Keeping the noise down

All puppies are sensitive to noise including Pomchi puppies. It's important to keep the noise levels down when a new puppy arrives in the home. TVs and music should not be played too loud which could end up stressing a small puppy out which could end up making them shy timid and withdrawn.

Keeping vet appointments

Pomchi puppies would have been given their first vaccinations by the breeders but they must have their follow up shots which is up to their new owners to organise. The vaccination schedule for puppies is as follows:

• 10 -12 weeks old bearing in mind that a puppy would not have full protection straight away but would only be fully protected 2 weeks after they have had their second vaccination

When it comes to boosters it's best to discuss these with a vet because there is a lot of debate about whether a dog really needs them after a certain time. However if a dog ever needed to go into kennels their vaccinations would need to be fully up to date.

What about older Pomchis when they reach their senior years?

Older Pomchis need lots of special care because as they reach their golden years they are more at risk of developing certain health concerns. Physically a dog's muzzle may start to go grey but there will be other noticeable changes too which includes the following:

• Coats become coarser
• A loss of muscle tone
• Pomchis can either become overweight or underweight
• They have reduced strength and stamina
• Older dogs have difficulty regulating their body temperature
• They often develop arthritis
• Immune systems do not work as efficiently as they once did which means dogs are more susceptible to infections

Older dogs change mentally too which means their response time tends to be slower as such they develop the following:

• They respond less to external stimuli due to impaired vision or hearing
• They tend to be a little pickier about their food
• They have a lower pain threshold
• Become intolerant of any change
• Often an older dog can feel disorientated

Living with a Pomchi in their golden years means taking on a few more responsibilities but these are easily managed and should include looking at their diet the amount of exercise they are given how often their dog beds need changing and keeping an eye on the condition of their teeth.

Older Pomchis need to be fed a good quality diet that meets their needs at this stage of their lives all the while keeping a close eye on a dog's weight. A rough feeding guide for older dogs is as follows bearing in mind they should be fed highly digestible food that does not contain any additives:

• Protein content should be anything from 14 – 21%
• Fat content should be less than 10%
• Fibre content should be less than 4%
• Calcium content should be 0.5 – 0.8%
• Phosphorous content should be 0.4 – 0.7%
• Sodium content should be 0.2 – 0.4%

Older dogs don't need to be given the same amount of daily exercise as a younger dog but they still need the right amount of physical activity to maintain muscle tone and to prevent a dog from putting on too much weight. All dogs need access to fresh clean water and this is especially true of older dogs when they reach their golden years because they are more at risk of developing kidney disorders.

Pomchis can have double or single coats with a lovely ruff around their necks. They need a quick daily brush to keep things looking good. However lots of owners like to have their dogs professionally groomed 2 or 3 times a year which makes keeping things tidy in between visits to a grooming parlour that much easier. They shed all year round only more so during the Spring and then again in the Autumn when more frequent brushing is usually necessary to keep on top of things.

It's also important to check a dog's ears on a regular basis and to clean them when necessary. If too much wax builds up in a dog's ears it can lead to a painful infection which can be hard to clear up. In short prevention is often easier than cure when it comes to ear infections.

The Pomchi is an active high energy intelligent little dog and as such they need to be given the right amount of daily exercise and mental stimulation for them to be truly happy well-rounded dogs. They need a minimum of 30 minutes exercise a day with as much off the lead time as possible in a safe environment. If they are not given the right amount of mental stimulation and exercise every day a Pomchi would quickly get bored and could even begin to show some destructive behaviours around the home which is their way of relieving the stress they may be feeling.

A shorter walk in the morning would be fine but a longer more interesting one in the afternoon is a must. These dogs also like to be able to roam around a back garden as often as possible so they can really let off steam. However the fencing must be extremely secure to keep these high energy active dogs in because if they find a weakness in the fence they will soon escape out and get into all sorts of trouble.

With this said Pomchi puppies should not be over exercised because their joints and bones are still growing. This includes not letting a dog jump up and down from furniture or going up or down the stairs. Too much pressure placed on their joints and spines at an early age could result in a dog developing serious problems later in their lives.

If you get a Pomchi puppy from a breeder they would give you a feeding schedule and it's important to stick to the same routine feeding the same puppy food to avoid any tummy upsets. You can change a puppy's diet but this needs to be done very gradually always making sure they don't develop any digestive upsets and if they do it's best to put them back on their original diet and to discuss things with the vet before attempting to change it again.

Older dogs are not known to be fussy eaters but this does not mean they can be fed a lower quality diet. It's best to feed a mature dog twice a day once in the morning and then again in the evening making sure it's good quality food that meets all their nutritional requirements. It's also important that dogs be given the right amount of exercise so they burn off any excess calories or they might gain too much weight which can lead to all sorts of health issues. Obesity can shorten a dog's life by several years so it's important to keep an eye on their waistline from the word go.

Feeding guide for a Pomchi puppy

Puppies need to be fed a highly nutritious good quality diet for them to develop and grow as they should. As a rough guide a Pomchi puppy can be fed the following amounts every day making sure their meals are evenly spread out throughout the day and it's best to feed them 3 or 4 times a day:

• 2 months old - 29g to 91g depending on puppy's build
• 3 months old - 32g to 100g depending on puppy's build
• 4 months old - 33g to 104g depending on puppy's build
• 5 months old - 33g to 104g depending on puppy's build
• 6 months old - 28g to 96g depending on puppy's build
• 7 months old - 24g to 88g depending on puppy's build
• 8 months old - 24g to 80g depending on puppy's build

Once a puppy is 9 months old they can be fed adult dog food.

Feeding guide for an adult Pomchi

Once fully mature an adult Pomchi must be fed a good quality diet to ensure their continued good health. As a rough guide an adult Pomchi can be fed the following amounts every day:

• Dogs weighing 1.0 kg can be fed 24g to 31g depending on activity
• Dogs weighing 2.5 kg can be fed 47g to 62g depending on activity
• Dogs weighing 3.5 kg can be fed 54g to 64g depending on activity
• Dogs weighing 4.5 kg can be fed 59g to 67g depending on activity

If you are looking to buy a Pomchi. you would need to pay anything upwards of £300 for a well-bred healthy puppy bred from health tested parent dogs.

The cost of insuring a male 3-year-old Pomchi in northern England would be £14.76 a month for basic cover but for ultimate lifetime policy this would set you back £35.44 a month (quote as of February 2018). When insurance companies calculate a pet's premium they factor in several things which includes where you live in the UK a dog's age and whether they have been neutered or spayed among other things.

When it comes to food costs you need to buy the best quality food whether wet or dry making sure it suits the different stages of a dog’s life. This would set you back between £15 - £25 a month. On top of this you need to factor in veterinary costs if you want to share your home with a Pomchi and this includes their initial vaccinations their annual boosters the cost of neutering or spaying a dog when the time is right and their yearly health checks all of which quickly adds up to over £600 a year.

As a rough guide the average cost to keep and care for a Pomchi would be between £25 to £455 a month depending on the level of insurance cover you opt to buy for your dog but this does not include the initial cost of buying a well-bred healthy Pomchi puppy.

When visiting and buying any puppy or dog there are many important things to consider and questions to ask of the breeder/seller. You can read our generic puppy/dog advice here which includes making sure you see the puppy with its mother and to verify that the dog has been wormed and microchipped.

Pomchis are becoming a popular pet in the UK. As such puppies can often command a lot of money so with Pomchis there is specific advice questions and protocols to follow when buying a puppy which are as follows:

• Beware of online scams and how to avoid them. You may see online and other adverts by scammers showing images of beautiful Pomchi puppies for sale at very low prices. However the sellers ask buyers for money up front before agreeing to deliver a puppy to a new home. Potential buyers should never buy a puppy unseen and should never pay a deposit or any other money online to a seller. You should always visit the pet at the sellers home to confirm they are genuine and make a note of their address.
• As previously touched upon Pomchi puppies are becoming a popular choice both as a companion and a family pet in the UK and many amateur breeders/people breed will from a dam far too often so they can make a quick profit without caring for the welfare of the puppies their dam or the breed in general. Although Pomchis are not Under Kennel Club registered breeders should follow the Kennel Club guidelines which state that a dam can only produce 4 litters and she must be between a certain age to do so. Anyone wishing to buy a Pomchi puppy should think very carefully about who they purchase their puppy from and should always ask to see the relevant paperwork pertaining to a puppy's lineage their vaccinations and their microchipping.
• Prospective owners should be very careful when buying an extra small Pomchi because of the health issues that are associated with their smaller size.
• Prospective owners should always ask to see parent dogs test results before buying a puppy from them.