The Pomchi, which is a mix of Pomeranian and Chihuahua breeds, will be highly appreciated by individuals who prefer small dogs. Despite being a relatively new mixed breed, the Pomchi offers the same level of personality and boldness as larger breeds, while also possessing the adorable and affectionate qualities of a toy dog. If you prefer dogs that are conveniently small enough for travel, the Pomchi is the perfect choice for you.
Bred almost entirely with companionship in mind, dogs of this energetic, affectionate toy breed make fantastic best friends and great lap dogs.
History Of The Pomchi
Despite being a relatively new mixed breed, the origins of the Pomchi remain somewhat enigmatic. While it is possible that the breed emerged before then through accidental breeding, the deliberate creation of the first Pomchi dates back to sometime between the late 1900s and the early 2000s.
The Pomchi is a type of designer dog that is born from breeding a Pomeranian and a Chihuahua. The Pomeranian is a breed that comes from Eastern Europe and has roots in the Spitz. Meanwhile, the Chihuahua, which may have originated from the Techichi lineage, comes from Mexico and was named after the state of Chihuahua.
The Pomchi breed, known as the Chi-Pom, Pomahuahua, and Chiranian, is classified as a designer dog due to its recent crossbreeding and is not considered a purebred dog by the American Kennel Club (AKC). Nevertheless, the Pomchi Club of America, American Canine Hybrid Club, and Designer Canine Registry recognize them, and several breeders endeavor to gain acceptance for this chihuahua mix from the AKC.
Characteristics And Features
As a crossbreed, a Pomchi dog can be 50% Pomeranian and 50% Chihuahua. Others that qualify for the breed may be a cross of one of the original breeds with a first generation Pomchi, or the result of mating two first generation Pomchis. This kind of freedom in breeding results in a wide variety of looks for the Chihuahua Pomeranian mix.
Given the extensive range of possibilities, you might question the ability to establish a breed standard for the Pomchi. Nevertheless, despite the abundance of contradictory data found online, the Pomchi Club of America (PCA) was able to establish a standard for this breed back in 1998.
Weighing between 4 to 12 pounds, Pomchi dogs are small in size and have short legs. They possess small heads with roundish or almond-shaped features, short muzzles tapering to a slight point. Medium-sized triangular ears, with or without feathering, usually stand erect. These dogs have round, typically dark-colored eyes. Overall, the Pomchi breed reaches an average height of 6 to 9 inches.
Pomchi Coat
The Pomahuahua possesses both short and long coats, and their coat may either be single or double layered. If one of the parents of the Pomchi is a long haired chihuahua, there is a higher possibility of obtaining a long haired, furry Pomahuahua, but this is not definite.
The coat of Pomchis can come in various colors and patterns. Similar to Pomeranians, they may have coats that are parti or patched in any of the acceptable shades. They may also display a merle pattern, with multiple colors blending in a mottled effect. Additionally, sable colored coats are a potential option with dark tones such as black, brown, and tan, but without any spots or patches. As an example, a black Pomchi might actually be a sable one, where the black is dominant but lighter shades may be visible depending on the lighting and undercoat.
Possible rephrased versions are: – Possible coat colors include black, sable, blue, chocolate, brown, fawn or tan, and cream, either singly or in combination. – The coat of these animals can be black, sable, blue, chocolate, brown, fawn or tan, or cream, either alone or in combination. – The available coat colors range from black, sable, blue, chocolate, and brown to fawn or tan, cream, or any mix thereof.
Types Of Pomchis
Pomchis can have different variations such as coat length, number of coats, size, and colors. These variations are all considered to be Pomchis as long as they comply with breed standards. Nevertheless, dog owners should take note of some important issues related to the teacup form of the breed.
Despite the average weight of a Pomchi being 7 to 10 pounds, some of them can be as light as 4 pounds or as heavy as 12. Consequently, the tiniest members of this breed are occasionally dubbed as Teacup Pomchis.
Although these small Pomchis are incredibly cute and highly desired, it’s important to exercise caution when searching for a Teacup Pomchi puppy. As the saying goes, “buyer beware,” as many of these tiny dogs can come from puppy mills. Untrustworthy breeders will often breed the smallest Pomchis they can find in an attempt to create even smaller versions of the breed. Teacup dogs and other breeds from irresponsible breeders are often prone to more serious and frequent health issues, so it’s best to seek out a knowledgeable and reputable breeder when searching for a Pomchi.
Feeding And Exercising
Owning a small dog like the Pomchi has the added advantage of requiring less expenditure on dog food. On average, you can anticipate feeding your furry friend between half a cup to one cup of food daily. The amount of food required will vary depending on various factors like your pet’s weight, age, sex, BMI, and any necessary dietary limitations or needs.
Opting for dry kibble is the ideal choice for Pomchis, primarily due to its teeth-friendly nature over wet food. As Pomchis can be susceptible to weight gain, it is better to select a nutritionally-enriched, top-quality food with minimal fat content. Given the limited amount they consume, it is crucial to ensure that their diet mainly consists of essential nutrients instead of excess fat or other additives.
Grooming For The Breed
There are Pomchi seekers who desire a dog that is hypoallergenic, but this trait does not exist in the Pomchi breed. Although, it is possible that Pomchis may cause lower allergic reactions compared to other breeds as they have lesser fur shedding because of their small size.
Although it is not required for you to take your Pomchi to the groomer often, having a grooming routine at home will help to maintain their appearance and health. Furthermore, grooming can serve as an ideal opportunity to develop a closer bond with your small lapdog.
For the prevention of tangling and matting, it is necessary to brush their coats on a daily basis or at least several times a week. It is important to note that long haired coats require more frequent brushing compared to short haired ones. For brushing, it is suggested to use a soft bristle brush instead of a wire one to avoid damaging their skin or causing any scratches. These Chi-Pom pals are quite fragile, so it is important to use gentle strokes while brushing.
BONUS: How to Train Dogs Who Are Not Food Motivated
Training a dog is made easier by the fact that most dogs are willing to perform any task in exchange for a treat. However, what approach should one take to train a dog who lacks motivation for food rewards?
When your dog lacks motivation, it may seem challenging to train them. To get them to pay attention and comply, you require a means of capturing their interest. If your dog doesn’t respond positively to treats, it’s necessary to find alternative training strategies. Fortunately, there are different training aids you can make use of to train your pet.
It is crucial to comprehend the reason why a dog may not show interest in food initially before considering alternative training motivators.
On occasion, a health problem could be involved or your dog may simply not have a preference for the kind or brand of treats you are providing. Furthermore, when a dog appears to be disinterested in food, it could possibly be due to the owner’s lack of enthusiasm for using food as a training tool. It is crucial to identify the root cause as the initial step.
Although uncommon, there are dogs that favor energetic activities, toys, or social acknowledgement rather than food, but they constitute a small portion of the population.
The Impact of Free-Feeding Dogs
Dogs who have constant access to their food, also known as free-fed, may occasionally lose interest in their meals and become less food-driven. In contrast to scheduled feeding times, free-feeding entails offering food to dogs all day long. This continuous availability of food can result in dogs being uninterested in eating.
Frequently, dogs that are given unlimited access to food will be more receptive to treats that are appealing compared to their regular food. Alternatively, establish a feeding schedule for your dog. The appropriate meal timetable varies depending on various factors such as age, breed, size, activity level, and other health concerns. Your veterinarian can assist you in figuring out the proper frequency and amount of food to provide at each feeding.
The Problem of Misusing Treats
Dogs may experience a decrease in their appetite as a result of their owners unknowingly affecting their food drive. A common cause of this is the improper use of treats. For instance, a treat might be used to entice a dog to enter its crate, despite the fact that the dog dislikes being confined. Alternatively, a treat may be utilized to tempt a dog into taking a bath, which it is subsequently forced to do. When treats are employed as a means of trapping the dog, it associates them with anything menacing or unfavorable, resulting in the dog avoiding them.
To prevent treats from being misused, make unpleasant activities for your dog, such as crating or bathing, more enjoyable. Desensitization and counter conditioning are techniques commonly used by dog trainers to accomplish this. Ensure that the treats remain pleasant and enjoyable for the dog.
Dogs Being Too Distracted, Anxious or Overexcited
If your dog isn’t interested in food during training sessions or while out walking, it’s probable that they’re either anxious or overly excited. In dog training circles, this is often referred to as being “over the threshold.” In such cases, your dog’s feelings are so intense that they won’t eat, which in turn affects their ability to think clearly and learn effectively.
It is natural for both humans and animals. When a dog’s body is preparing to fight or flee, the blood shifts from the digestive system to the sensory organs and limbs, allowing the dog to act swiftly.
It is advisable to keep dogs that are too hyper at a distance from the things that excite them because they feel threatened and require training on how to relax. A number of behavior modification techniques exist that can assist in decreasing a dog’s nervousness and responsiveness to environmental stimuli.
Owners Not Wanting to Use Food
There could be various reasons why individuals feel uneasy about using food as a form of reward during training sessions.
- Some owners are concerned about the extra calories in treats or don’t want to spend money on treats. This can be addressed by using low-calorie treats or mixing the dog’s kibble with low-sodium hot dog pieces for added aroma and flavor.
- There are some people who believe a dog should “obey” every command their owner gives them. This comes from the antiquated belief dogs are born to please their masters. It’s important for dog owners to understand dogs need an incentive to be motivated to learn and perform.
- Sometimes people claim their dog isn’t food motivated when the issue is the dog doesn’t like the treats. Try a variety of treats to find ones your dog prefers so they are ready and willing to participate in training sessions.
Your Dog Might Be Thirsty
If your dog suddenly stops eating food, it may be due to thirst. Therefore, it’s important to provide your dog with regular access to water, especially during training. Your dog may simply need a drink of water and will then be ready to resume the training session.
Your Dog Might be Tired or Confused
On occasion, a dog can experience confusion while undergoing training due to a lack of comprehension or exhaustion. In more severe cases, they might reject food and display displacement behaviors like sneezing, yawning, or scratching. To address this problem, these dogs may require shorter training sessions, breaks, or smaller steps in their training.
Final Thoughts
In the event that your canine is not inclined towards food, it’s advisable to get to the root of the issue. Meanwhile, utilize items that your dog adores to strengthen wanted actions, such as a favored toy, ball, petting, or praise. It might be necessary to experiment to verify if the things you’re providing are genuinely useful. Generally, if you notice an improvement in your dog’s performance of the desired behavior, you’re likely on the right track. However, if the desired behavior starts to dwindle, it may be because you aren’t offering something of enough value or there could be too many competing, valuable reinforcers in your dog’s vicinity.
