History of the breed
A very successful hybrid.
The Pomchi breed appeared relatively recently - at the end of the twentieth century. Already at that time, crossing different breeds to obtain unusual mestizos was gaining popularity.
And this dog - a cross between a Spitz and a Chihuahua - turned out to be a pretty successful hybrid, receiving love from people all over the world.
For reference! The breed got its name from its ancestors - Pomeranian Spitz and Chihuahua.
When should you buy a dog?
As soon as Spitz-Chihuahua mix puppies are twelve weeks old, they can be purchased and raised on their own. At the same time, at 8-10 weeks, puppies should already be weaned from their mother’s milk. At this time, they should receive all necessary vaccinations to ensure they grow up healthy.
After the puppy has stopped drinking his mother's milk, he should continue to be fed milk. Pomchi food should be given once a day, and you need to make sure that the puppy always has a bowl of water.
General information and breed standards
Even an adult dog looks surprisingly cute. On the one hand, it is compact: the legs are strong, the chest is wide and developed, the neck is strong, and the back is muscular. On the other hand, the pet looks very cute and is light in weight, which makes it surprisingly popular.
A number of regional associations recognized the Pomchi as an independent breed in 1994. The IFF recognized it only in 1998.
The tail is strongly curled, even slightly curved towards the back. The head is rounded. The eyes are large and dark. The color of the nose often depends on the color of the coat.
Advantages and disadvantages
If we talk about this crossbreed Chihuahua and Spitz, then first of all we should highlight the following advantages:
- good health,
- no need for long walks,
- bond well with their owners,
- Due to its small size, it is suitable for a small apartment.
They love to run and play.
But there are also disadvantages, for example:
- heavy shedding,
- complex nature,
- fragile bones that are much easier to damage than they seem
- Problems may arise during childbirth.
Therefore, you should seriously think before getting a Pomeranian-Chihuahua mix.
Color variations and appearance
Appearance is one of the advantages of the breed. Therefore, it will be useful to learn more about him.
Wool
The coat of a mestizo is shorter than that of a Pomeranian, but more luxuriant than that of a Chihuahua. The undercoat is thick and strong, so you need to brush it regularly to get rid of dead hair.
Color
Color can vary significantly - almost all colors that are the norm for the ancestors are acceptable. Therefore, you can find dogs of such colors as: black, orange, gray, white. Intermediate shades are not considered defective either.
Description of the Chihuahua and Spitz mix breed
As you would expect, this hybrid of two small dogs is also small in size. The average weight of an adult mestizo is 2.5-3 kg, but some specimens can grow up to 5.5 kg.
The hair coat of the ancestors of the Pomchi, also called the Chip, is very different, since the Chihuahua has a smooth coat, while the Pomeranian has a thick and long coat. For this reason, Chihuahua and Spitz mixes have medium-length hair.
The color of the new breed can be very diverse:
- black;
- white;
- grey;
- orange;
- red.
In addition, one specimen may have intermediate coat colors. The fur on the Pomchi's body itself is soft and long, like that of a Spitz, and on its paws it is short, like that of a Chihuahua. The result is an elegant transition of fur at the base of the paws. A photo of a Spitz-Chihuahua mix with black and white coat color is shown below.
The Pomchi's body shape is round, the nose is flattened and symmetrical, the eyes are large and do not protrude beyond the muzzle. The eye color is dark with varying shades depending on the color of the Pomchi's coat and the eye color of its ancestors. The ears are triangular in shape and medium in size. When the dog concentrates his attention, they rise and fully straighten, otherwise they fall on his head. The body of the Chihuahua and Spitz mix is thin, and the legs are thick and short. The tail can be either ring-shaped or straight.
Attitude towards children and pets
The relationship with children is simply ideal - the Pomchi will become a wonderful playmate and together they will spend many wonderful months and years. The main thing is for the child to remember that the Pomchi dog breed has a rather weak skeleton, so you can’t squeeze them.
Relationships with other animals are not the best. Pomchi does not tolerate competition and wants to receive all the love of his owner - the little dog will definitely not want to share it.
The only exception is if Pomchi puppies grow up with other animals from childhood. True, even in this case they will treat the new arrivals extremely negatively.
Application
Like other designer dog breeds, they are considered decorative companion pets.
This group brings together small dogs with an attractive appearance. They were bred solely for the purpose of producing a beautiful pet. However, do not forget that the babies are not plush, but alive. They need care, attention and careful care. Decorative dogs of the Pomchi breed have a good exterior. In order for a dog to show itself effectively at shows, it needs to be trained from a very early age.
An obedient, properly raised Pomchi will not be afraid of noise or strangers, and will get used to regular grooming. Then nothing will distract him at exhibitions, and his natural love for attention will only increase his chances of winning.
Care and maintenance
It is not enough to know the description of the breed; it is equally important to have an idea of appropriate care. There simply cannot be any trifles here - only with appropriate attention will the dog be beautiful and healthy.
Combing
You need to brush the coat twice a week, and every other day during shedding. To do this, it is advisable to use a wide-toothed brush to gently remove dead hair rather than pulling it out.
Bathing
Pomches don't like to wash too much. Therefore, the procedure is carried out rarely - once every few months, only when necessary.
Attention! You should only use a special shampoo for soft, thick and long dog hair.
Walk
Pomchi, like any dog, simply loves to walk. But too long walks are not necessary - twice a day for 15-20 minutes is enough.
Ears
Tiny ears need to be examined every week. If dirt or accumulations of wax are noticed, they should be carefully removed using cotton pads. It is advisable to soak them in warm boiled water or hydrogen peroxide.
Claws
Inspect the claws regularly and if they are not worn down enough during walks, carefully trim them.
Teeth
Clean your teeth using a special toothpaste once every two weeks.
Eyes
Eye examination daily. If there is suppuration, wipe with discs soaked in chamomile infusion.
Training and education
Unusual mixed breed
Training usually does not cause problems - a Spitz crossed with a Chihuahua gave birth to very smart puppies. The main thing is to consolidate the result and do not forget to reward your pets with treats.
Note! Don’t allow too much in your upbringing, otherwise the cute dog will turn into a real tyrant. You need to be consistent and, if necessary, firm.
Physical exercise
Doesn't need any special stress - at most, run after the ball while walking, and even then not for too long.
Is it possible to keep in an apartment?
It is ideal for keeping in an apartment - it takes up little space and does not lead a very active lifestyle.
Features of maintenance and care
Caring for Pomchi dogs is not much different from caring for Chihuahuas and Pomeranians. It is based on:
- balanced quality nutrition;
- daily walking;
- coat care;
- regular hygiene procedures;
- annual veterinary examination;
- vaccination;
- prevention of parasitic infestation.
Grooming
An important quality in the appearance of decorative dogs is a healthy, well-groomed coat.
It is necessary to devote at least an hour once a week to caring for her condition, and up to 4-5 times during the molting period. The thick undercoat is combed out with a brush, and combs are suitable for the main hair. Long hair is prone to matting, so if you lack time and experience, you may need the services of a professional groomer.
Pomchi dogs need careful dental care. In addition to regular brushing, a dog's weak teeth will benefit from cartilage and beef callus.
It is necessary to rinse your pet's eyes daily with water or a special preparation to prevent the occurrence of ophthalmological problems.
Pomchi ears should be inspected regularly and cleaned if necessary. Nails that do not grind down on their own need to be trimmed as they grow.
Walk
Despite the fact that representatives of the Pomchi breed have long hair and a thick undercoat, they are prone to colds. In the cold season, the dog is walked in warm overalls, and for rainy autumn it is better to purchase clothes made of waterproof fabric.
In hot weather, dogs may well develop heatstroke, so morning and evening hours are suitable for walking.
Little mestizos do not require much physical activity. About half an hour of walking twice a day is enough for them.
In order not to expose the dog to unnecessary stress, in bad weather you can leave it at home if the Pomchi is trained to use a hygienic diaper.
Feeding
From the beginning of complementary feeding, it is necessary to determine the type of nutrition of the pomchi; they react positively to both dry food and natural food.
The genetic feature of the breed is a tendency to allergies, so the preparation of the diet must be taken very seriously. Dry food should be specialized for small breeds and be of high quality, preferably at least premium. An adult dog is fed 2 times a day; if the pet played actively during the day, an additional light snack can be given.
Nutritional Features
Ready for adventure
The resulting mixture from crossing a Spitz and a Chihuahua is not too fussy and eats dry food well.
The main thing is to buy a quality one, made from meat, not soy, like most inexpensive ones. Moreover, the little dog eats a little. Suitable brands include Essential Foods, Royal Canin Mini Adult, Grandorf Natural & Healthy or Acana Heritage Adult Large Breed.
How to choose a puppy
The puppy should be moderately active, cheerful, and not show aggression or cowardice.
Note! Must be healthy in appearance - any physical abnormalities (protruding ribs, bare areas of skin) can be regarded as serious defects.
How to name
Quite often, male dogs of the Pomchi breed are called by loud nicknames: Rimbaud, Dexter, Bruce, King, Vulcan.
Suitable for females: Abasia, Greta, Karessa, Maid of Honor, Judit.
