Pomapoo 101: An Intro to the Pomeranian-Poodle Mix

The Pomapoo, a fab blending of the foxy-looking Pomeranian and the ‘hypoallergenic’ Poodle, has been around since the late 1990s. Not the most well-known of Doodles, Pomas are definitely truly unique little fellas. These pups pack a powerful amount of personality into their tiny frames. They could be just the thing if you are looking to adopt a delightful hound that’s definitely all-dog but just a little on the smaller side. 

What Exactly is a Pomapoo?

As is the case with all Doodles (and other hybrid dogs), we can learn a lot about Pomapoos by taking a look at the canines used to create them.

Pomeranians are pretty iconic pups with their stunning lion mane-esque hair on teeny little bodies. Weirdly, considering this breed’s tiny size, their ancestors were big and burly Arctic sled-pulling dogs (which is where they inherit that glorious coat). Today Poms make excellent companion pets but still have a lot of their larger ancestor dog temperament. They often think they are a lot bigger than they actually are!

Poodles, likewise, are working pups but hail from central Europe, where they were used as hunter retrievers. That thick, curly coat of theirs was useful in keeping them warm as they plunged into icy water to fetch game. As Poodles were adapted for the home, they evolved into three distinct sizes: Standard, Miniature, and Toy. The latter is most commonly used in the Poodle-Pomeranian pairing. 

3 Interesting Facts About Pomeranian-Poodle Mixes

1. Pomapoos adore everyone, but they truly give their heart to one person – this is likely to be the one who gives them the most affection (not to mention: food!)
2. Despite that floof-ball coat of theirs, Pomapoos don’t do particularly well with the cold (with the heat either, for that matter). Wrap them up warm for winter walks and take care in the summer. 
3. With working dogs on both sides of the equation, Pomapoos can be surprisingly athletic dogs for their size and appearance. Try a few canine sports to find out just what they can do. 

Pomapoo Physical Appearance

Pomapoos can vary quite significantly in appearance depending on which of their parents they take after. Whether they inherit that fluffy, thick Pomeranian double coat or those glorious Poodle curls will rely quite a bit on which generation they are (more on this below). It will also obviously impact their features and figure – although either way, they will be utterly adorable as Doods always are. 

As both Pomeranians and Poodles come in a wide variety of colors, everything from black to white to red and many hues in between, the possibilities are endless. Sometimes they are one shade all over, but often they have touches of other colors in their coat. They could even be a mix of two or three distinct ones – this is known as a parti or tri-colored coat. 

Pomapoo Pictures

Pomapoo Size

If you’re wondering just how big Pomapoos can get, you can rest assured that they will remain on the small side. While most other Doodles come in at least three distinct varieties, the Pomapoo is always Toy-sized. This is because Pomeranians are only ever bred with Toy Poodles. 

These dogs tend to stand at around 6 to 10 inches to the shoulder and weigh about 4 to 12 pounds. Depending on the parents, there can be some individual differences in size, and males are often a little larger than females. Either way, Pomapoos reach their mature size by 12 months.

For more details on how they grow and some information on how to predict the size of your Pomapoo puppy, check out our dedicated article.

Pomapoo Personality & Temperament

The great news for newbie pet parents is that Pomapoos make perfect first-time dogs. They are sweet, affectionate-natured, clever, yet keen to please their owners. Pomapoos usually also get on very well with just about anybody; this includes children, other dogs, and pets too. Plus, they are far less likely to chase cats and smaller animals than other Doods. 

Poms also do excellently in apartments, as long as they get enough exercise (see below). However, these people-loving pups don’t love being left alone for long periods. They tend to do better in households where there is always someone about, or even with a family that has multiple dogs or other pets. As long as they have plenty of company, they do well in any type of loving environment, from a single-person home to a large-family place. 

A word of caution, Pomapoos can inherit the Pomeranian tendency towards caution. This may make them a little more reserved when meeting people, and if they feel particularly anxious, they may lash out. However, this can be avoided with early and thorough socialization. 

Pomapoo Variations & Generations

As Doodles increase in popularity, different variations are emerging. While Pomapoos only have the one size (for now), they do come from different generations. This is going to have an impact on everything from their appearance to their temperament. 

These different generations simply refer to how far the dog is from the original pedigree breeds. First-generation dogs are the result of a Pomeranian-Poodle pairing, but breeders often backcross Pomapoos with Poodles to ensure they get that desirable low-shed Poodle coat. See below for details on what this all means in terms of their genes: 

	1st Parent	2nd Parent	% Pomeranian*	% Poodle*
F1 Pomapoo (first-generation)	Pomeranian	Poodle	50%	50%
F1B Pomapoo (first-generation backcross)	F1 Pomapoo	Poodle	25%	75%
F1BB Pomapoo (first-generation backcross backcross)	F1B Pomapoo	Poodle	12.5%	87.5%
F2 Pomapoo (second-generation)	F1 Pomapoo	F1 Pomapoo	50%	50%
F2B Pomapoo (second-generation backcross)	F1 Pomapoo	F1B Pomapoo	37.5%	62.5%
F2B Pomapoo (alternate cross)	F2 Pomapoo	Poodle	25%	75%
F3 / Multigen Pomapoo	F1B Pomapoo or higher	F1B Pomapoo or higher	Varies	Varies

Obviously, the more Poodle genes a Pom has, the more similar they will be to these dogs over Pomeranians.  

Pomapoo Health

As is the case with all Doodles, Pomapoos are very healthy pups. As smaller dogs, they have a more extended lifespan of around 12-15 years. Like most mixed breeds, they benefit from something known as hybrid vigor. This basically means that while they are predisposed to many of the same genetic conditions as their pedigree parents, their wider gene pool makes inheriting them much less likely (although not entirely impossible). 

• From the Pomeranian side, there is a risk of canine epilepsy that will involve seizures and require long-term medication. Pomeranians are also vulnerable to patellar luxation, which is where the knee joint can painfully slide in and out of place. 

• Poodles can develop skin allergies and food intolerances more easily than other breeds. They are also susceptible to hormone-based conditions such as Addison’s Disease, Cushings Disease, and the blood disorder Von Willebrand’s Disease. 

To ensure your puppy is and remains in the very best of health, take care to purchase them from a reputable breeder. Such facilities run a barrage of tests on the parent dogs to make sure that they are in the very best of health and will be much less likely to pass on any genetic diseases. 

Pomapoo Exercise & Training

Poodles are super smart canines, and most Doodles tend to inherit this trait – Pomapoos are no exception. The advantage of that is that these dogs are pretty easy to train. In fact, they can pick up new skills and tricks with ease. Even more importantly, Poms enjoy training because they get to be the center of their adored human’s attention and will do pretty much anything they can to please them. 

We recommend positive reinforcement training for these pups. If you’re not familiar with this method or would like a few more tips and tricks for training your new pal check out Baxter and Bella’s Online Puppy School. There are plenty of excellent resources here for newbie and experienced dog owners alike. 

In terms of exercise, Pomapoo’s have pretty modest needs. One walk a day should be plenty for them if you add in a few about-the-house games. It’s always a good idea, though, to keep some toys such as these on hand to keep your Pom well entertained as a bored dog can be a destructive dog – and you definitely don’t want that! 

Pomapoo Coat & Grooming

Pomapoos tend to have fairly moderate grooming needs compared with other dogs. As is the case with all Doodles, they could inherit their coat from either of their parents or fall somewhere in between the two. Usually, though, they will have short to medium-length coats and will be reasonably light shedders.

First-generation Pomapoos with more Pomeranian genes could end up with a double-layered fluffy coat. This is the heavier shedding variety. These dogs will release their dense undercoat with the change of the seasons and could molt throughout the year, too. The more regularly you brush these dogs, the better your chances of keeping your house hair-free. 

Dogs with more Poodle in them will likely end up with the single-layered Poodle hair. This mass of curls will most often remain in place for longer. However, it’s not all plain sailing with this coat type. If your pup has inherited this hair, the biggest issue you will have is knots, tangles, and mats. Dirt, dander, and dead hair will all too easily get twisted up in those lovely curls, which means these dogs require daily brushing.

Most Pomapoos, though, will end up with something in the middle. If that is the case for your pup, then you are one of the lucky ones. This hair is so much easier to care for than either of the others. Shedding will be minimal – as well knotting. You will likely be able to get away with twice-weekly brushing but might need regular trims to keep this coat looking tidy. 

If you prefer to keep on top of your pet’s hair yourself rather than taking them to (what could work out to be very) pricy groomers, check out our handy DIY grooming at home online course. 

Where Can You Get Pomapoo Puppies?

While it may be possible to adopt one of these dogs from your local rescue center, this is extremely unlikely due to the extreme popularity of Doodles – especially littler ones (not to mention the price people pay to have them). Any Poms that do end up here will likely get snapped up fast! 

On the other hand, if you are thinking of purchasing a puppy, you are going to need to do some serious homework. There are plenty of puppy mills and irresponsible breeders aiming to take advantage of the popularity of Doodles. Ensure you are dealing with a reputable facility before parting with any money. 

Prices for these pups can vary from place to place. They start from around $500 and go right up to $3,000. Be cautious of cheaper puppies, though, as these might not be on the up and up. Most places will charge somewhere in the region of $1,000 to $2,000, depending on the features of the dog. At this price, you can usually be sure that the parent pups have been thoroughly vetted. 

Check out our breeder’s directory to find a suitable facility near you. 

Pomapoo Frequently Asked Questions:

Is a Pomapoo a good dog?

In our opinion, all Doodles are great! However, that doesn’t necessarily they will all suit your lifestyle and living conditions. Pomapoos make wonderful pets for laid-back individuals looking for a pup to lavish love and affection on. They are particularly well suited to quieter, less active households where there is always someone about.

Are Pomapoos expensive?

Doodles are definitely not the least expensive dogs around – this is true of Pomapoos too. While some might take advantage of their ‘designer dog’ label to turn a profit, often the high price tag is representative of the quality of the breeding. Responsible facilities ensure the best health of their puppies by selecting high-quality parents, and these don’t come cheap! 

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If you’ve got your heart set on a Doodle (and why would you not?), the Pomapoo might be the perfect addition to your family. These unique, pint-size pups, the perfect combination of everything Pomeranian and Poodle, are fun, loving, happy, smart, loyal – basically, all you could ever want in a dog. They blend in well to pretty much any family situation, just as long as they get plenty of love and you don’t need to be a canine professional to be able to take care of them. Adopt one of these darling dogs, and you won’t ever be sorry.