Pomapoos

Traits, Personality and Behavior

A Pomapoo's personality can range from the outgoing friendliness of the Poodle to the more reserved nature of the Pomeranian. At his best, he is friendly and affectionate, and with a weight range of 5 to 15 pounds he is a comfortable size for any home.

People with small children should think twice before getting one of these dogs, however. Pomapoos are not toys and can be hurt if mishandled by a young child. Do not get a Pomapoo unless you can carefully supervise a child's interaction with the dog.

Pomapoos have a low to moderate activity level that is adaptable to their owner's lifestyle. They need a nice walk or active playtime each day, and if you're interested, they are athletic enough to participate in such dog sports as agility, flyball, obedience and rally.

Both of the breeds used to create Pomapoos are smart and learn quickly. If you begin socialization and training early and use positive reinforcement techniques such as praise, play and food rewards, you will be rewarded with a wonderful companion.

Poodles have a reputation for being hypoallergenic, meaning that they can be tolerated by people who have allergies to dogs. Because they have the Poodle in their heritage, Pomapoos are sometimes promoted as being hypoallergenic. But allergies are caused not by a particular dog coat type but by dander, the dead skin cells that are shed by all dogs. There is no scientific evidence that any breed or cross breed is more or less allergenic than any other dog. Some people with allergies react less severely to particular dogs, but no reputable breeder will guarantee that her dogs are hypoallergenic.

Pomapoos can have different types of fur, including the straight hair of the Pomeranian or the curly coat of the Poodle. A Pomapoo coat looks its best with professional grooming every four to six weeks, and it requires brushing to prevent mats and regular bathing in between appointments with the groomer.

Pomapoos are among the breeds that commonly develop reddish-brown tear stains beneath their eyes. Sometimes the stains are related to the dog's diet, and changing foods can help. Your best bet, though, is to wash the face daily, carefully wiping beneath the eyes, to prevent stains from setting.

In addition, trim his nails at least monthly --more frequently if necessary --keep his ears clean and dry to prevent ear infections and brush his teeth as often as possible. Small dogs are especially prone to periodontal disease.

Pomapoos are companion dogs. They need to live in the house, never outdoors.

Pomapoo puppies are adorable, and it's one of the reasons they are so popular. Cute puppies sell, and that makes the Pomapoo a favorite of puppy mills and greedy, irresponsible breeders. But there's no need to pay big bucks for a Pomapoo. You can often find a wonderful example of this hybrid dog at your local shelter or through adoption organizations.

If you do choose to buy one, however, select a breeder who has done the health testing to ensure that her puppies won't carry the genetic diseases common to both Pomeranians and Poodles. And while there are no guarantees in life, it's also a good way to minimize the possibility of big veterinary bills in the future.

Health Issues Common to Pomapoos

All hybrid dogs have the potential to develop genetic health problems, just as purebred dogs can and just as all people have the potential to inherit a particular disease. Run, don't walk, from any breeder who does not offer a health guarantee on puppies, who tells you that the Pomapoo is 100 percent healthy and has no known problems, or who tells you that her puppies are isolated from the main part of the household for health reasons. A reputable breeder will be honest and open about health problems in the Pomapoo and the incidence with which they occur in her lines.

Pomapoos may develop health conditions common to both Pomeranians and Poodles, especially if you aren't cautious about whom you buy from. They include luxating patellas, skin problems and eye diseases such as progressive retinal atrophy.

Many toy breeds and small dogs have a condition known as luxating patellas, in which one or both knees are unstable and occasionally slip out of place. Depending on the level of severity (1 being mild and 4 being severe), luxating patellas can be a minor issue that cause the dog little problem or pain or serious enough to require surgical correction.

Ask the breeder to show proof that both of a puppy's parents have OFA patella (knee) clearances and certification from the Canine Eye Registry Foundation that the eyes are healthy. Do not purchase a puppy from a breeder who cannot provide you with written documentation that the parents were cleared of health problems that affect the breed. Having the dogs "vet checked" is not a substitute for genetic health testing.

5 Tips to Bring Home a Healthy Pomapoo Puppy

Finding a good breeder is more important than finding the right puppy. A good breeder will match you with the right puppy, and will without question have done all the health certifications necessary to screen out health problems as much as possible.

Consider an adult dog from a shelter or a rescue group. Many of the health problems in Pomapoos aren't apparent in puppyhood, but by adopting an adult dog, most of them can be ruled out. In addition, Pomapoos can live 15 or more years, so an adult dog will still be a part of your family for a long time to come.

Puppy or adult, take your Pomapoo to your veterinarian soon after adoption. Your veterinarian will be able to spot visible problems, and will work with you to set up a preventive regimen that will help you avoid many health issues. Ask specifically about dental care, as most toy breeds suffer from dental problems, as well as tips on dealing with tear staining.

Don't ever, ever, ever buy a puppy from a pet store. You're more likely to get an unhealthy, unsocialized and difficult to housetrain puppy and will be supporting the cruelty of high-volume puppy mills.

Make sure you have a good contract with the seller, shelter or rescue group that spells out responsibilities on both sides. In states with "puppy lemon laws," be sure you and the person you get the dog from both understand your rights and recourses.

Pet Insurance for Pomapoos

Pet insurance for Pomapoos costs more than for mixed breed dogs. This is because Pomapoos are more likely than mixed breed dogs to make claims for hereditary conditions that are expensive to treat.

Embrace pet insurance plans offer full coverage for all breed-specific conditions (excluding those that are pre-existing) to which Pomapoos are susceptible. The best time to get pet insurance for your Pomapoo is when he's a healthy puppy. You can't predict what will happen in the future, and pet insurance is the one thing you can't get when you need it the most.