Would you like to know how to breed Pomchis? This popular cross between a Pomeranian and a Chihuahua has a huge personality packed in a petite and beautiful package. Both breeds are small, alert and active, and in addition to their differences in appearance and temperament, they bring an excellent outcome.
A Pomchi puppy is an interesting mix because it can develop two types of temperament. It can remain centered, loyal and protective like a Pomeranian, or it can become outgoing and stubborn like a Chihuahua. It all depends on the training and socialization, and you are going to discover it all in short.
On top of that, they are ideal for apartment living, they are full of energy and they are lovely. That is why they have become a top designer dog nowadays!
If you want to breed Pomchis, then you need to know the good and the bad. Therefore, we are going to explore its origin, health concerns, and temperament and breeding-specific details. Let’s start!
Background of Pomchi Breeding
To bring you a proper background about this cross, it is essential to talk about its origin, how it appeared in the world of designer dogs. On top of that, we are also going to talk about the different generations, because it is essential for healthy breeding.
Origin
Unfortunately, there are no registers about the origin of this crossbreed. Therefore, we can only conclude that it started out of interest in mixing the qualities of two beautiful small breeds that are ideal for apartments, small houses, and adults.
Nonetheless, to understand more about it, let us examine the origin of the Chihuahua and the Pomeranian. It will suffice to show you what a mix the Pomchi is!
Pomeranian
According to experts, the Pomeranian is a descendant of the German Spitz, and it has been traced back to the Pomerania, a region shared between Poland and Germany along the Baltic Sea. However, according to evidence, the Swedish naturalist, Carl Linnaeus (1707-1778), these dogs were well known in Northern and Central Europe as well.
Therefore, the real origin of the Pomeranian is still subject to controversy, because there are several theories, and one of them explains that they come from Iceland.
Nonetheless, the responsible for breeding it properly were English fanciers, and it did not happen until the 18th century, but it was not until 1870 when they started to pick up in popularity.
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Chihuahua
Even though the origin of this breed is still a mystery, according to the archeological evidence and folklore, the Chihuahua originated in Mexico.
The most popular theory is that the Techihi – the favorite small companion dog by the Toltec civilization – is the direct ancestor of the Chihuahua.
Nonetheless, modern Chihuahuas have less than 2% of pre-European mitochondrial DNA, due to mixing with the European dogs. Therefore, as you can see, the Pomchi breed is a very interesting mix of genetic material.
F1, F2, F1b Generations
F1, F2, and F1b are common terms in crossbreeding, and here you have the full explanation:
- F1: The result of mixing a Pomeranian and a Chihuahua (First Generation)
- F2: The result of breeding two F1 Pomchis (Second Generation)
- F1b: The puppy that you obtain from back-breeding an F1 Pomchi with a Chihuahua
The most remarkable difference between F1 and F2 Pomchis is that the latter tend to be smaller and look more like Pomeranians, and it is due to the standardization of their genetic features.
Some breeders – in order to make it adopt more features from the Chihuahua – opt for back-breeding it with a Chihuahua. It is not the most popular Pomchi, but some clients prefer a higher concentration of the genetic material of the Chihuahua.
Appearance
One of the reasons the Pomchi is rocking it is thanks to its lovely and enchanting appearance. Below we will discuss the main aspects as well as standards to follow.
General Background
The ideal Pomchi has a sweet expression accompanied by a smart and alert attitude. On top of that, it is graceful and exhibits where it is standing, sitting or walking.
Size
Like their parents, Pomchis also fall into the category of toy dogs. These are the official measures:
- Height: 6 to 9 inches
- Weight: 4 to 10 pounds
Due to their petite size, they are ideal for apartment living. Nonetheless, remember that they are full of energy despite their small frame.
Body
Its body is small and exhibits the oval body shape of the Pomeranian. Such appearance and silhouette are the most sought after in this designer dog. Therefore, the following traits are preferred:
- Square and short back
- Sturdy complexion
- Medium-boned
- The ratio of body length to weight at the withers must be as close to 1 as possible
- The legs and shoulders must be slightly muscled
Therefore, make sure to look for these features when buying a Pomchi puppy or screening parents for breeding an F2 puppy.
Head
The head is characteristic of being a rounded wedge. Like the body should resemble the Pomeranian, the head and the face should reflect the fluffiness of the Chihuahua. These are the ideal traits:
- Its face needs to inspire an intelligent and alert expression
- The eyes should be rounded and the disposition should not be too wide nor too close together
- The ideal ears are erect-type and medium in size
- The muzzle must be slightly short and display a clearly-defined stop
- The jaws and the cheeks must be lean
Keep these facts into account when buying a pup or breeding a new Pomchi, because buyers prefer these features.
Coat
It can be single or double-coated. In case it has a double coat, then the outer coat will be soft and full, whereas the undercoat is thick and dense. These are the most common colors:
- Black and tan
- Tan
- Cream
- Fawn
- Sable
- Blue
- Chocolate
- Black – Extremely rare
The ideal Pomchi has a double coat because it makes it stand out more. When groomed properly, it will look glossy and the guard hairs will be long and coarse.
Grooming
Pomchis have moderate grooming needs. You should brush their coat at least twice per week and they shed only once a year, between spring and fall.
Brushing its coat regularly is important to prevent it from getting tangled and forming mats. Nonetheless, use gentle strokes because the skin of a Pomchi is very sensitive and you can easily injure it.
You must also pay attention to its eyes and teeth because they require regular grooming. You should brush the teeth of your Pomchi once a week as a bare minimum.
You must also trim their nails every two weeks to keep them healthy. You can use an electric trimmer, or you can take them to the veterinarian.
In summary, they require regular grooming to keep their coat, eyes, teeth, and nails healthy. It is an important factor to consider whether a Pomchi is right for you or not.
Temperament
As we said before, this cross can develop two types of temperament. Nonetheless, here we are going to bring a general overview, along with tips to make it develop an ideal behavior and personality.
Pros
Pomchis inherit the loving and sweet temperament from the Pomeranian and the Chihuahua. Therefore, they express their love and affection often, and in consequence, they need constant reciprocation as well.
Pomchis are also very smart, and although they are slow learners, it is due to their independent thinking, which can make them stubborn at times. That is why their training is more challenging than with other dogs.
They are also very alert, reactive and sensitive to changes in the environment that surrounds them, and therefore, they are good watchdogs. They will alert you as soon as they sense something is off.
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Cons
Because they need plenty of attention and affection, they are prone to suffering separation anxiety when left for many hours alone. Therefore, you should consider this when getting a Pomchi, and in case you decide to breed, you need to warn potential owners of this issue.
Pomchis are also prone to developing aggressive behavior, which is a trait they inherit from Chihuahuas and it is mainly due to the small dog syndrome. However, you can solve it with early socialization and consistent training.
Also, if they inherit more traits from the Chihuahua, then they might become too wary of strangers. It is a good thing but also has a negative aspect, and therefore, the best way to cope with it is via early training and socialization.
Ideal Owners
If you live in a small house or apartment, then the Pomchi is a great choice. You can even play indoors and keep its physical needs on check. However, you also need to take it for short walks regularly.
If you need a small watchdog, then the Pomchi is an ideal option. It is not the first option to think of, but it is a great one.
If you are a novice owner, then it can also be a great dog. Its training can be challenging, but it is much easier than other breeds like Shiba Inus or Irish Wolfhounds.
Regarding families, they are a good fit, but if you have small children at home, then you will have to be more careful. However, it is something you can remedy with training.
Health Considerations when Breeding Pomchis
Pomchis have a lifespan that ranges from 12 to 18 years. With proper diet and care, your pup will remain with you for a very long time.
Similar to other breeds or crosses, Pomchis are also susceptible to specific health issues. Below you will find a full review so that you become aware of what to expect and what to watch out for.
Cataracts
Cataracts are opacities in the lens of the eyes of your pet and they interfere with normal vision. According to studies, it has an incidence rate of 18.20%, which can be as high as 50.2% when your dog reaches senior age.
These are the clearest signs of cataracts:
- White/Bluish/Gray layer in the eye
- Clumsiness
- Disorientation
- Eye redness
- Rubbing of the eyes
- Unwillingness to climb stairs
The most effective way to treat cataracts is with surgery. It will restore vision loss and solve all the side effects.
Eye Problems
Pomchis tend to inherit eye problems because Pomeranians are prone to them. These are the most common occurrences:
- Tear Duct Problems: They cause the inadequate drainage of the tear film from the eyes, due to a blockage of the nasolacrimal ducts. From all the known tear duct problems, epiphora is the most recurrent. It leads to a common issue known as Watery Eyes.
- Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca: It causes the chronic inflammation of the lacrimal gland, cornea, and conjunctiva, which leads to the deformation of the pre-corneal tear film. It eventually leads to total blindness.
Therefore, you should always inspect the eyes of your Pomchi and take it to regular checks every year. It will allow you to start treatment early, which will help you to solve the problem easily.
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Skin Allergies
Pomchis also tend to inherit skin allergies due to Pomeranians. Therefore, you need to be extra careful to notice the first signs because the effects can vary from mild to severe.
Here you have the biggest triggers of skin allergies in Pomchis:
- Environmental: They trigger allergies via inhalation and they can include weeds, pollen, and grasses
- Contact: The effects happen when your puppy comes in contact with such an element. It can be its shampoo, detergents, the material of its dish plate and pieces of clothing
- Food: Pomchis tend to be very susceptible to food additives such as colorings, flavorings, and preservatives
Therefore, watch out for these signs to eliminate the elements that might be triggering the allergies:
- Hives
- Itchiness
- Inflamed skin
- Sneezing
- Vomiting
- Swelling
Pomchis come with their own set of predisposed genetic defects and health problems. Nonetheless, it does not mean that your puppy will develop them, it only means that they have a higher incidence rate.
How To Breed Pomchis
Now that you have a solid background in its temperament, appearance standards, history, and health concerns, it is time to check breeding-specific details.
Average Litter Size of a Pomchi
A Pomchi can bring you anywhere between two to five puppies per litter. It is similar to the average of Chihuahuas, which is two to five puppies, and Pomeranians, which range from one to five puppies.
Birthing Problems
When it comes to Pomchis, it is a complex scenario because on one hand you have Pomeranians, which deliver their puppies without complications in the majority of cases, and on the other, you have Chihuahuas, which are likely to need to give birth via cesarean section.
Now that you know this, you need to monitor the mother before and during pregnancy to detect potential maternal and fetal issues, to give them a prompt solution.
These are the most common causes of dystocia:
- Abnormal size or shape of the pelvic canal
- Uterine inertia
- Size of the fetus
- Position of the puppies
Pricing
Pomchis are moderately priced dogs because their price ranges from $150 to $950 USD. The factors that play the biggest roles are the reputation of the breeder, the health profile of the parents – be it F1, F1b or F2 – and how close they come to the desired appearance standards.
Similar to our other breeding guides, here you have some real-life examples of Pomchi puppies for sale:
- A male puppy from a top-ranked breeder with current vaccinations, health certificate, health guarantee, and veterinarian examination, and that meets practically all the appearance standards, will cost you $550 USD
- A rare specimen of blue tri parti Pomchi with a health guarantee, veterinarian examination, current vaccinations and checked for genetic defects will cost you $800 USD
As you can see, the appearance can play a huge factor, because a blue tri parti is a very rare find, and therefore, the price increases.
Pomchi Breed FAQ
During our research, we found these four questions to be the most frequently asked. Below you will find a concise answer for each one.
Are Pomchis hypoallergenic?
Pomchis are not hypoallergenic because the Chihuahua and the Pomeranian belong to the non-hypoallergenic category. Therefore, Pomchis tend to produce more dander, and in consequence, they can trigger allergies.
Some people believe that because it sheds once a year it will not be a problem for people with allergies. Unfortunately, the problem is the dander, and the problem will become worse if you spend a lot of time outside.
Are Pomchis obedient?
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Pomchis are obedient but they do require of early and consistent training because they are slow to learn commands. In addition, early socialization will help you to deal with their potential aggressiveness and nervousness.
Therefore, the key is to be patient and firm regarding their training because they have the will to please their owners, and therefore, your Pomchi will remain obedient and loyal.
Do Pomchis excessively bark?
Pomchis are prone to barking excessively because the Pomeranian has a problem known as yapping, which this cross tends to inherit. The same happens with the Chihuahua, and it is all due to the small dog syndrome.
Nonetheless, the best way to cut this tendency is to train them from an early age. Tell your Pomchi pup to be quiet and then wave a treat in front of its nose. When it stops barking, proceed to praise it. Wait a few moments, and only then give it the treat. Do it consistently and you will stop your Pomchi from becoming yappy.
What do you call the Pomeranian x Chihuahua mix?
A Pomeranian x Chihuahua mix receives the name of Pomchi. They are a hybrid dog – also referred to as a designer dog – which has managed to become one of the most popular nowadays. This mix also receives the following names:
- Chimeranian
- Pomahuahua
- Chi-Pom
- Pom-A-Chi
- Chiranian
- Pomachi
They all are names for the same mix, but the most widely used is Pomchi because the official institutions like the Pomchi Club of America recognize it.
Conclusion
Now you know everything about how to breed Pomchis. As you can see, they are a lovely crossbred dog with growing demand. For breeders, you can see there is a place in the market for them, and now you even have insights about crossbreeding and back breeding.
For owners, they are an excellent choice if you live in a small home or apartment or if you need a cute watchdog that will bring you tons of love and loyalty.
Overall, it is a fantastic designer dog that will accompany you for many years to come because their lifespan is surprisingly long, especially if they follow a good diet.