Pomeranian Mixes: What to Know Before You Adopt

Pomeranian mixes can be great choices for people who delight in smaller, fluffy dogs with charming, larger-than-life personalities. As with all mixed-breed dogs, the looks and personalities of Pomeranian mixes vary widely on the other breeds in the dog’s background. Still, many Pomeranian-specific traits are commonly found in Pom mixes.

Common Pomeranian mix traits

Purebred Pomeranians are quite small, weighing just three to seven pounds. A key characteristic is their thick, fluffy coat, which makes them look like toy-sized foxes. When it comes to personality, these toy-sized dogs don’t know they’re so little — they are active, feisty, and sassy at times. Alert and curious, they notice everything happening around them and can be quite vocal when something catches their attention. They are friendly and affectionate with their family and strangers. Though very smart, Poms can be stubborn, so training must be motivating enough to keep their attention. 

Almost all Pomeranian mixes are on the small side. Some Pom mixes are less than 10 pounds (especially Poms mixed with other toy breeds like Chihuahuas, Maltese, Yorkshire Terriers, and Toy Poodles). On average, though, Pomeranian mixes tend to weigh between 10 and 20 pounds. It’s common for Pom mixes to have long hair, though the thickness varies quite a bit. 

The personality of a Pomeranian mix really depends on the individual dog. But if they take after the Pomeranian side, they should be friendly, affectionate, and playful. Most Pomeranians are sound sensitive, so excessive barking is sometimes a challenge. 

Pomeranian mixes are commonly:

• Tiny to small

• Have medium-length or long hair

• Intelligent

• Active and playful 

• Friendly and affectionate

• Alert and watchful

• Protective and territorial

• Vocal

Nika Oksenchuk / Stocksy/

Is a Pomeranian mix a good dog for you?

A Pomeranian mix is a great fit for many families and individuals. Though quite active, their small size makes it easy to ensure they get enough exercise through daily walks and play sessions at home. Pomeranian mixes can be excellent choices for families with children, and many Pomeranians enjoy playing with kids. That said, consider the dog’s size if you have toddlers or kids younger than five. Pom mixes who weigh less than 10 pounds can be accidentally hurt by smaller children. Smaller Pom mixes are best for older kids with the maturity to be extra careful around them.

A Pom mix is usually well-suited for apartment living thanks to their small size. However, some of these teddy bear dogs are highly attuned to the smallest sounds and might bark to alert you that they hear something happening. Excessive barking can become bothersome to both you and your neighbors. It’s possible to manage bad barking habits through proper training (enlist the help of a professional if you’re having trouble).

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Things to know before adopting

Before adopting any dog, consider the type of care they require to make sure you’re willing and able to provide what they need. Every Pom mix is unique, but here are some typical care expectations. 

• Exercise: Pom mixes are active, but they don’t need excessive amounts of exercise. Plan for two walks a day and a few play sessions to burn off their energy.

• Grooming: For thick double coats, like a Pomeranian’s, brush down to the skin three times a week to prevent mats. Poms with thinner coats might need only weekly brushing. Some Pom-mix pet parents take their dogs to a professional groomer to remove some of the profuse hair around their fluffy butts (called a sanitary trim), which keeps the area cleaner.    

• Dental care: Small dogs have small mouths, which crowds teeth and leads to more plaque and tartar buildup. Without proper dental care, Pom mixes can develop severe dental disease. Brush your Pom mix’s teeth every day with a pet-specific toothpaste and talk to your vet about yearly dental cleanings to keep their mouth healthy.

• Social needs: Pomeranians and Pom mixes are highly social — they don’t do well when left home alone frequently. Luckily, they are adventurous and usually small enough to accompany you anywhere, even on airplanes. 

• Training: Poms and Pomeranian mixes are often smart, but they can be independent-minded and even a bit stubborn. This doesn’t necessarily make Pom mixes hard to train — you just need to keep training sessions short and find the right motivation (treats, praise, or play).

Meet some Pomeranian mixes

Some types of Pomeranian mixes show up frequently in animal shelters and rescue groups. It’s important to remember that all mixes are individuals, and it’s impossible to know exactly how a Pomeranian mix might look or act. However, taking the parent breeds into account can help you guess at a Pom mix’s potential appearance or temperament.

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Pomeranian-Chihuahua mix

Pomeranian-Chihuahua mixes are some of the most common Pomeranian mixes found in shelters and rescues. Both breeds are tiny, so this mix tends to be very small, typically five to 10 pounds, and perfectly portable. Chihuahuas double up on the Pom’s territorial and (sometimes) scrappy personality, so expect a dog who does not realize just how small they are. This mix might have a medium-length or long, plush coat, and tends to be affectionate and bond closely with their human family. Expect watchdog tendencies, including barking to alert to sounds.

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Pomeranian-Poodle mix​

The Pomeranian-Poodle, or Pomapoo, is a mix between the Pom and a Toy or Miniature Poodle and often ranges between five and 15 pounds. If a Pomapoo inherits the Poodle’s curly coat, people with allergies could potentially be less allergic to them. However, some of these mixes get the Pomeranian’s coat, which is definitely not hypoallergenic. If they do have a Poodle coat, this mix will need professional grooming every six to eight weeks. Lively, playful, and energetic, Pomapoos thrive on close human companionship.

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Pomeranian-Husky mix

The Pomeranian-Husky mix (also called a Pomsky) can weigh as little as 10 pounds or as much as 35 pounds. A fluffy double coat, which is likely to shed but shouldn’t need professional grooming, is almost guaranteed. This mix will likely be more active and need more exercise than most Pomeranian mixes due to the influence of the Siberian Husky, a serious working dog with extreme energy and endurance. Thanks to the Husky’s naturally vocal nature, this mix also might bark more than other Pom mixes or even more than purebred Pomeranians.

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Pomeranian-Shih Tzu mix​

A Pomeranian-Shih Tzu mix​ is sometimes called a Shiranian, Shih-Pom, or Pom-Tzu. This mix could potentially be hypoallergenic if they get the low-shedding coat of a Shih Tzu, but each dog will be different. Dogs with a Shih Tzu coat will need professional grooming every six to eight weeks. Pomeranian-Shih Tzu mixes tend to be charming, friendly, and very affectionate. They’re usually small (between eight and 16 pounds) and might bark less than a Pomeranian.

Pomeranian-Yorkie mix

Another smaller Pomeranian mix, a Yorkie-Pom, might weigh just five to 12 pounds. Their small size makes it easy to take them with you wherever you go, which will make a Yorkie-Pom happy as can be. This mix might need professional grooming, especially if they have more of the Yorkie’s silky, less-allergenic coat. Yorkie-Poms are often friendly, playful, energetic, and full of life. Barking might be a challenge because both of these breeds tend to be vocal.

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Pomeranian-Pug mix

Sometimes called a Pomapug, this mix might weigh as little as 10 pounds or as much as 20 pounds. The addition of the mellower Pug often balances out the Pomeranian energy, making this mix somewhat more chill and laid-back than a purebred Pom. Because these two breeds are very different in appearance, this mix can vary a lot in looks. They might have short hair or long hair, a smushed Pug face or a foxy Pom face, or anything in between. Expect a charismatic, loving pet with moderate energy and playful, friendly demeanor. 

How to find a Pomeranian mix to adopt

You can find many different types of Pomeranian mixes in your local animal shelter and through rescue groups. Each Pomeranian mix is unique and can make a wonderful pet when matched with the right family. To start looking for a Pomeranian mix, use a pet adoption site to search for Pom mixes in your area. Adopting a dog generally requires a small adoption fee, which covers the costs of caring for the pet before their adoption.

Start your search on Adopt a Pet, where you can filter pets by age, color, breed, and more.

Commonly asked questions

Are Pomeranian mixes hypoallergenic? 

No, Pomeranian mixes are not hypoallergenic. The other breed or breeds in the mix, however, might make them less allergenic. For example, some Pom-Poodle mixes with a curly Poodle coat might shed less and cause fewer allergies than a purebred Pomeranian. 

How big do Pomeranian mixes get? 

Pomeranian mixes commonly weigh 10 to 20 pounds, though some Pomeranian mixes are smaller and others might be a little bigger. 

Are Pomeranian mixes hard to train? 

Pomeranian mixes are not necessarily hard to train — you just have to find the right motivation. They are very smart and want to please you, but they can be a bit stubborn. The key is to keep training sessions short to hold their attention and reward them with extra tasty treats or a special toy that only comes out during training. 

How long do Pomeranian mixes live?

Pomeranian mixes can live 12 to 16 years (the average lifespan of a purebred Pomeranian), though some Pom mixes will have shorter or longer lifespans depending on how big they are, the other breeds in the mix, and the individual dog’s genetics and health. 

References

“American Kennel Club.” American Kennel Club, 6 Nov. 2017, www.akc.org/dog-breeds/pomeranian.

“APC Main.” APC Main, 2026, www.ampomclub.org.

“Chihuahua Club of America.” Chihuahua Club of America, 2026, www.chihuahuaclubofamerica.org.

“The Poodle Club of America.” The Poodle Club of America, poodleclubofamerica.org.

“Pug Dog Club of America.” Pug Dog Club of America, 2025, www.pugdogclubofamerica.com.

“Siberian Husky Club of America, Inc.” Siberian Husky Club of America, Inc, 2023, www.shca.org.

“WELCOME! Official American Shih Tzu Club Website | American Shih Tzu Club.” Shihtzu.org, 2023, shihtzu.org.

“The Yorkshire Terrier Club of America.” The Yorkshire Terrier Club of America, 2019, www.yorkshireterrierclubofamerica.org.