Owning a Pomchi dog pros and cons
Is Pomchi the right dog for me? If you are considering a Pomchi dog (otherwise known as Pom-Chi or Pom Chi), there are some cons and pros that are associated with this designer breed that was developed by crossing a Pomeranian breed with Chihuahua. Potential owners of hybrid dog breeds such as the Pomchi may be surprised to find out that Pomchi dogs can differ in temperaments and in appearances so much that even puppies from the same litter may seem to have little in common with one another. When mixing genetic pools of two different purebred dogs, the resulting puppies may inherit their looks and personalities in very unique proportions, making each Pomchi dog very unique, which is an advantage for someone who is looking to get a dog that is full of surprises. Detailed information about Pomchi health problems and issues is also included in this complete Pomchi dog review.
Pomchi pros include the dog's miniature size that makes the dog easy to travel with and easy to manage while walking. For older people who may have balance issues, a small pet that is easy to walk with is an advantage. Besides being portable and conveniently sized, Pomchi dogs have that adorable look that makes people stop in their tracks just to admire this unique little dog and as a Pom-Chi owner, be prepared to answer many questions that people will be asking you about your pet almost every time you take the dog outside for a walk. This extra social attention can be a positive or a negative, depending on the owner's personality as some people enjoy socializing while others prefer to enjoy the quiet walk with a fluffy pet companion. Pom Chi dogs typically weigh from 3 to 10 pounds, which is a positive for those who live in smaller apartments or for people who get to travel frequently with their pets.
Although Pomchi dogs are small, they are full of joy and energy and owners of Pomeranian and Chihuahua mix dogs need to provide their pet with daily exercise opportunities that may include running in a fenced yard or going to the park or even some indoor activities that keep your Pom-Chi mentally and physically engaged.
Owning a small pet such as the Pomchi has other benefits such as lower veterinary bills as well as lower costs associated with dog food and supplies. Smaller dogs are always less expensive to keep provided that your pet is in good health. While a small dog may be more affordable to keep, the grooming costs that can be high for Pomchi dogs may be a con for some potential owners. Pomchi feature a beautiful coat and if the coat is more like that of Pomeranians, then expect higher maintenance and grooming cost. Pomchi dogs that inherit the Chihuahua's coat are easier to groom and many owners choose to groom them at home. The benefit of grooming a Pomchi at home is that it is a nice way to save a small fortune because visits to a professional groomer can be expensive. Learning to groom a Pomchi at home shouldn't be complicated as there are many online tutorials that even show a step by step video guide on how to trim a Pomchi dog. Watch a few of these dog grooming tutorials to get a good idea of how you can groom your Pom-Chi at home, get professional dog grooming tools and you are all set to give your Pom Chi a beautiful haircut. Another Pomchi positive is that creative owners may find grooming their Pomeranian Chihuahua at home since there are many different hairstyles that you can do yourself on your pet and have the most stylish dog in town.
Pomchi dogs are great for seniors and for families with sensible children who are over ten years of age. For families with small kids, Pomchi is not a suitable pet due to the small size that makes this dog fragile around young children who may accidentally hurt the family pet. One of the disadvantages to owning a Pomchi is the dog's size - Pomchi can easily get injured if the owners aren't careful and accidentally step or sit on the pet. Another Pomchi con is that this dog needs a lot of attention and grooming needs are rather high for this mixed breed, making it difficult for families with small kids to find time to maintain and care for demanding Pomchi dog at the same time as raising young kids.
Pomchi dogs are known for their independent personalities and may not be the easiest dogs to train. Potential Pom Chi owners need to understand that this smart dog has a mind of his own and doesn't like to be told what to do. The challenge is to motivate your pet in such a way that Pomchi will be excited and happy to do what is asked of him. If you want a dog that is easily trainable, Pomchi may not be what you are looking for. With Pomchi the best training approach is to use positive motivation techniques combined with lots of patience and consistency. Read some dog training books before you start training your pet, especially if you are a first time dog owner.
One of the cons to owning a Pomchi is the amount of grooming that this dog requires. Not everyone has the time to brush the dog frequently and trim the dog's coat to keep it neat. Pomchi dogs also produce shedding and that can be a disadvantage as the dog's shedded hair may accumulate on the floor and on furniture where Pomchi spends time. Pomchi are also not hypoallergenic and produce an average amount of pet allergens in comparison to most other dogs.
Other challenges associated with owning a Pom Chi dog is that this dog likes to bark a lot. Both parent breeds, Pomeranians and Chihuahuas like to bark and so do Pomchi. Barking can be managed through training but an untrained Pomchi dog will bark rather frequently. Pomchis will let the owner know if they see or hear something strange and unusual by barking and if you happen to live in an apartment, some of the neighbors may not appreciate a dog that tends to bark frequently. For pepole who live in their own homes, Pomchi barking may actually be a positive as the dog will always let the owners know that there's something that needs their attention by sounding the barking alarm. Pomchi is a good watchdog, which is a plus to owning one.
Pomchi Health Issues
The Pomchis are susceptible to most health issues experienced by the Promerian and Chihuahua parents. While a majority of Pomchis are healthy, there are some health issues that may affect a few Pomchis. This is why it's very important to maintain regular veterinary checkups as well as overall proper maintenance and care.
Here are some of the health issues that affect the Pomchis' parents, which are also likely to be passed on to the offspring:
Legg-Calve-Perthes disease
Heart problems
Hypoglycemia
Open fontanel-holes in the skull
Collapsed trachea
Epilepsy
Hydrocephalus - Brain fluid
Dental issues
Eye problems
Patellar luxation - floating kneecap
While Pomchi dogs may be susceptible to some genetic diseases, Pomeranian Chihuahua cross dogs are healthier on average than purebred dogs that have higher incidence of health problems which is one of the advantages to owning a Pom Chi.
Here are pros and cons of owning a Pomchi dog
Pros a Pomchi
Pom Chi are very cute
Pom-Chi dogs are small enough to easily meet hotels and airplanes size limitations
Being a very active bunch, their exercise needs can easily be met by staying indoors
Pomeranian Chihuahua mix dogs are light and weigh 3 to10 lbs, which makes them portable to easily carry around
Due to their small size, Pomchis are less likely to cause damage to your house
Since they are so light, Pomchi do not drag you behind during walks
Chihuahua Pomeranian cross dogs are cheaper to house, feed and medicate than larger dog breeds
Cons of a Pomchi
Pomchis are fragile and are likely to be seriously injured or even killed in case they get stepped on or jump from small walls
Due to their popularity, Pomchis that are pure breeds may be expensive to purchase
Pomchis can be easily injured by other animals, which includes some birds
Pom Chi require frequent grooming
Pomchis are prone to a lot of barking just like other small dogs
Pomchis are not recommended for households with young children since they could roughly handle them
Being smart and stubborn, Pomchis are capable of testing your patience
Pomchi
Pomeranian breed pros and cons
Chihuahua breed pros and cons
Difference between Pomeranians and Chihuahuas
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