Pomchi

What does Pomchi mean?

Pomchi is the shorter version of the breed’s full name, Pomeranian-Chihuahua. He is the result after mating the two breeds. Other names for Pomchi are Pomahuahua, Chi-Pom, and Chimerian.

What's a Pomchi dog?

The breed has existed for many decades. However, the intentional breeding of the Pomchi only began during the last twenty or thirty years. Breeders were aiming to create a companion dog that has an affectionate, spirited, and loyal nature.

The breed was first introduced to the UK in the 1980s. Although the Pomchi is fairly a new breed, he has steadily gained many fans around the country over the years.

What does a Pomchi look like?

The Pomchi is small in size with elegant features. The parent breeds' round and the wedge-shaped head is passed down to him. His neck is graceful and well-proportioned. He has medium-sized ears that stand upward when alert.

If at rest, it will slightly droop backwards. His round eyes are proportionally set and contain a dark pigment surrounding it. However, Pomchis with brown-, blue-, or light-coloured coats commonly has self-coloured pigments.

His muzzle is fairly short and somewhat pointed. He possesses lean cheeks and jaws and has a scissor bite. Generally, the Pomchi’s nose is black, except for dogs with brown-, blue-, and light-coloured coats since their noses are self-coloured.

This small dog's body is round but not barrel-shaped with slightly short yet sturdy legs. His hindquarters are strong and muscular. He has small and delicate-looking feet.

The Pomchi can either have a single or a thick double coat. Dogs with double coats have a smooth, glossy, and fluffy topcoat. The breed’s tail and neck are very furry, whilst their legs and ears have featherings. His coat colours may range from:

• Black and Tan
• Blue and Tan
• Cream and Chocolate
• Sable Fawn

Does a Pomchi shed?

The Pomchi is a seasonal shedder that only moults once a year. It usually happens between spring and summer.

Is a Pomchi hypoallergenic?

Although the Pomchi is a low shedder, he is not hypoallergenic. It’s because both of his parent breed, the Chihuahua and Pomeranian, are non-hypoallergenic dogs.

Grooming Needs of a Pomchi

The Pomchi’s coat requires brushing at least twice a week to remove dirt and prevent mats and tangles. However, he needs more frequent grooming during his shedding season. Use a brush with soft bristles since he has sensitive skin. Avoid using metal brushes since it can irritate its skin.

It is recommended to have him professionally groomed at least two to three times a year to keep his coat neatly trimmed. Bathing should only be done when he gets too grimy and stinky.

Inspect and clean his ears every week to prevent wax build-up or ear infections. Be sure to trim his nails every four to six weeks. Tooth brushing should be done daily to avoid gum and teeth diseases.

Does a Pomchi make a good pet?

The Pomchi possesses great love and loyalty for his family, thus he is strongly bonded to them. This does not only make him a great companion, but also a watchdog as he is protective of his owner.

He is well-suited in households with older children who know how to properly handle a small dog like him. Interactions with younger children should always be supervised. The Pomchi does well with dogs and other pets as well, especially if he grew up together with them. By socialising him during puppyhood, he will eventually grow up to be a friendly canine towards both people and pets.

Does the pomchi make a good first dog?

The Pomchi is a good candidate if you are looking for your very first canine companion. He has an easy-going personality and a cheerful disposition. Although he tends to be wary around strangers and other dogs, with proper training and socialisation, this trait can be curbed.

Can a Pomchi be left alone?

The Pomchi should not be left at home for a long time without any companion. This will lead him to develop separation anxiety and unwanted habits such as excessive barking. Be sure that he has at least one family member with him throughout the day whilst the rest is not at home.

Is the Pomchi aggressive?

The Pomchi has inherited the Chihuahua’s big dog attitude, so he can be aggressive towards people and other pets. Proper socialisation and training is a must to ensure that he matures into a level-headed dog.

Is the Pomchi easy to train?

The Pomchi is a smart dog that loves to please his owners. He is trainable, however, you need to have patience. His stubborn nature makes training a little bit challenging. Exercise calmness, firmness, and consistency when teaching him commands.

Using positive reinforcement by giving him treat and praises for a job well done also helps in motivating him further.

Three- to six-month-old Pomchi requires at least 1/5–1 cup of food split into three meals a day. For a six-month-old to one-year-old Pomchi puppy, he should eat 1/10–2/5 cup of food divided into three meals.

An adult Pomchi dog weighing 1 kg needs about 1/10–1/5 cup of food daily. A 2.5 kg adult Pomchi should be fed around 1/5–3/10 cup of food per day. For an adult Pomchi that weighs 3.5 kg, at least 3/10 cup of food a day.

The same goes for an adult Pomchi weighing 4.5 kg. Each serving should be split into two meals every day to avoid your dog from gorging the food. Freshwater should always be available throughout the day.

Does the pomchi like water?

The Pomchi has an affinity for water and has a talent for swimming. However, he requires supervision at all time since he is small and prone to get easily dragged anywhere by the current. If your Pomchi is afraid of the water, avoid forcing him since it will on scare him more.

How long does a Pomchi dog live?

Amongst other traits that the Pomchi inherited from his parent breed is his long lifespan. On average, he can live about twelve to sixteen years with proper care and management.

Potential Genetic Conditions of the Pomchi

The Pomchi is generally a hardy breed, but he may suffer from a few health issues. Below is a list of the common diseases observed in the Pomchi breed:

• Hypothyroidism
• Epilepsy
• Progressive retinal apathy
• Cataracts
• Oral health problems
• Skin disorders

The Pomchi is a lively and active dog that requires around thirty minutes of exercise preferably off the lead. If you have a spacious backyard, it's a good place where he can run around and play. Keep an eye on him as he is notoriously known to escape fences and crawl in small spaces because of his size.

Moreover, he can be mistaken as prey by predators, such as hawks. When you walk him outdoors, avoid taking off his lead as he might run off or encounter large aggressive dogs.

How much does a pomchi dog cost?

Owning a well-bred Pomchi puppy will cost you over £300. Cost for dog food is approximately £28 a month. Purchasing basic items for your dog may amount between £200 and £400.

The average cost for check-ups is around £60 every session. For initial vaccine shots, you need to pay about £100, whilst annual boosters cost around £50. Pet insurance fee for a puppy without any medical conditions ranges between £20 and £30.