The Life of: Pomchis!

Written by: The Pet Guy

What the heck is a Pomchi?

Never heard of the adorable Pomchi before? That would be no surprise as they are a relatively new breed of Toy Dogs. A cross between the Pomeranian and the Chihuahua, the Pomchi is a small breed dog with long hair, mild energy levels, and loves to cuddle! They can be small and cute, but beware of their bossy, stubborn side! These little ones can be vocal if they aren't pampered to their liking.

Pomchi puppy, Levi, 8 weeks old

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Physical Attributes

The Pomchi is categorized as a Toy Dog breed which means they have been bred to be lap dogs. Pomchis are small, portable and easy to carry around, typically being no larger than the average basketball.

Life Span: 12-18 years
​Possible coat colors include: Fawn, Cream, Sable, Brown, Grey, & Red

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Temperment

The Pomchi is an active, intelligent, well-mannered dog that loves to be around others! They will follow you around the house, lay in your lap, and greet all of your friends with open paws. This makes them perfect companions for people that spend a lot of time at home.

However, the same characteristics that makes them sweet and loving can also make for some situations that require more training attention. Intelligent dogs like Pomchis will pick up on training fairly easily as long as they are interested! Positive reinforcement and lots of affection will get the job done when training your Pomchi!

Training your Pomchi to be alone will be a task in itself. Being social dogs they will love when you're around and hate when you're gone. Being left alone for many hours may begin to bring out negative behaviors and develop Separation Anxiety, both of which can be mitigated with proper training early on.

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Health

Like most mixed breeds, the Pomchi has the possibility of dealing with ailments from both of their parent breeds. Unfortunately for the Pomchi, both the Pomeranian and the Chihuahua breeds are prone to Patellar Luxation, Epilepsy, Hypoglycemia and Collapsed Trachea.

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Grooming

Pomchis have long, straight hair that sheds quite mildly but does require daily brushing to prevent matting. Daily brushing will keep their hair in good shape and the skin underneath healthy.

Their skin only produces low amounts of oil so bathing with a mild dog shampoo should only be done every few months, as well as hair trimmings every 2-3 months to keep their coat in good order.

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Diet

Some small dogs are known for being picky eaters but what you put in is exactly what you get out! However, picky does not mean a lack of appetite for what they enjoy! These little guys will surprise you with their appetite but it is important to not overfeed them. Having such a small frame, even slight weight gain will cause complications for your Pomchi. Limiting them to about 1-1.5 cups per day is enough to fill them properly. It is our job to keep their weight in check!

​Pomchis are prone to Hypoglycemia and require a lot of energy per pound, meaning they need multiple small meals consisting of high quality, nutrient-dense foods. High quality proteins such as chicken, salmon, lamb and turkey are great for this breed, as well as vegetables like sweet potato and broccoli. Their diet should consist of approximately 40% protein, 30% carbohydrates, and 30% fats.

Although not necessarily bad in moderation, wet food is not recommended for Pomchis as they are prone to oral issues and bad breath which will be exacerbated with the addition of moist foods in their diet. Small, dry food helps keep your dog's teeth & gums healthy and prevent the onset of dental decay.

My Food Reccomendations

Taste of the Wild (High Protein)

Blue Buffalo (Puppy)

Fromm Gold (Adult Small Breed or Puppy)

Of course each dog will have their own unique personality and experience different biological and environmental reactions, but overall the Pomchi is a great small breed dog to keep your lap warm and your days exciting. You will never be lonely with these little ones around!