As the name suggests, the Pomeranian Chihuahua is a cross-breed or hybrid dog, a cross between a Pomeranian and a Chihuahua. Both breeds are very small dogs, and as might be expected, the Pomeranian Chihuahua is also a very small dog, and a very cute little dog to be sure. When two breeds are crossed, and the resulting cross-breed is registered, it is usually given a name which reflects both breeds. As far as what that name should be, it’s often first come-first served, and the name usually, though not always, sticks.
Organizations That Register And List Cross-Breeds – Cross-breeds are never registered by the American Kennel Club (AKC). Only purebred dogs get that honor. The Pomeranian Chihuahua is listed and registered by several canine organizations however, namely:
- Designer Breed Registry
- American Canine Hybrid Club
- International Designer Canine Registry
- Designer Dogs Kennel Club
Three of the four organizations have given the Pomeranian Chihuahua the designation “Chiranian”, the fourth, the International Designer Canine Registry, lists it as a “Pomchi”. Some breeders use one designated name, some use the other, a few call the cross-breed by its full name, and still others call it a “Chipom”. In this article, we’ll use the designation “Pomchi”.
Not All Pomchis Are 50%-50% – Regardless of its designation, this cute little dog takes on the characteristics of its ancestors. Not all Pomchis have had a purebred Pomeranian as one parent and a purebred Chihuahua as the other. Some Pomchis are multi-generational crosses, which means they are not necessarily 50% purebred and 50% purebred. They may be 75% -25%, or some other ratio. If you’re looking for a 50-50 hybrid you need to check with a breeder to make certain that breeder can provide you with one. Since these hybrids are usually registered with one of the above mentioned organizations, just as they would be if they were purebred dogs, a prospective owner can usually check out their papers to examine their ancestral bloodlines.
A Socially Friendly Dog – Being a small dog, the Pomchi might be expected to be a little high-strung. The Chihuahua certainly fits into that category, and there are some Chihuahuas who simply do not make very good pets for that reason, or at least are not good around children, or are not at home in a noisy household. The Pomeranian is almost the exact opposite of this. The Pomeranian may not have the calm, gentle disposition of a Golden Retriever, but it still has a relatively calm temperament for its size, and is most often a good dog to have around children. Unlike the Chihuahua, which often is a single-person dog, and a dog that does not always like other breeds, the Pomeranian is a socially friendly dog, friendly to both people and other dogs. The Pomchi has picked up this trait, and it is generally regarded as good-natured pet. The Pomchi is a very alert, and a very intelligent little dog. It is highly trainable, although it may find becoming housebroken a bit of a challenge.
Pomchi Characteristics – A typical Pomchi has a head that could best be described as having the shape of a rounded wedge, and takes on more of the characteristics of a Pomeranian’s head than that of a Chihuahua. Some would describe the head of a Pomchi as being a little like that of a fox, as it has a moderate to short, slightly pointed muzzle, which comes to a clearly defined stop. Its eyes are also more like those of its Pomeranian ancestors, and do not protrude, as is often the case with the eyes of the Chihuahua. The Pomchi is a sturdy and somewhat muscular little dog with a silky coat that is short to moderate in length. The coat on the chest and around the neck is usually fairly thick, and on the chest it is often a bit longer than on the rest of the body. The legs on many, but not all Pomchis, are feathered. The tail on a Pomchi is usually curved, with the tip nearly touching the back. It lays flatter on some members of the breed, but never is carried low to the ground or between the legs.
About the only time a Pomchi is apt to bite is if it’s being played with too roughly. It’s safe to have around smaller children as long as the children know enough to treat the dog with respect when they are playing with it. It’s always a good idea to keep an eye out when small children are with dogs, no matter how gentle the breed. Some dogs will run away if a child gets too rough, but others definitely will stand their ground. In any event, the Pomchi has become very popular as a pet, nearly as much so as one of its ancestral breeds, the Pomeranian.
Take good care of your Pomeranian Chihuahua, making sure it doesn’t get too cold if taken outside for a walk in the wintertime, and check its eyes from time to time to watch out for eye disease. It can be your friend and companion for anywhere from 12 to 18 years.