Pomapoo Breed Guide (Pomeranian Poodle Mix)

The Pomeranian Poodle Mix (AKA Pomapoo, Pooranian, Pompoo or Pomeroodle) is a cross breed between a Pomeranian and a Poodle. Pomapoos are known for their intelligent, affectionate and outgoing nature as well as their fluffy hypoallergenic coats that come in many different colors. It’s no surprise they are highly sought after and fetch very high prices.

If you are interested in Pomapoos keep reading this article to find out the all the answers to your questions about this dog breed!

Cover Image Credit: Photo by Adedire Abiodun

What Is A Pomeranian Poodle Mix Called?

A Pomeranian Poodle Mix is most commonly called a Pomapoo. They are also sometimes called Pompoos, Pooranians or Pomeroodles.

What Is A Pomapoo?

A Pomapoo is a cross between a Pomeranian and a Poodle. They are a small dog breed that are very outgoing, lively and affectionate. Pomapoos are known for their low-shedding and hypoallergenic coats which makes them a popular choice amongst people who have allergies. They come in two distinct sizes: teacup/toy Pomapoos as well as Mini/Standard Pomapoos.

Pomapoo Origins

The precise origins of the Pomapoo are not clear as they are a relatively new designer dog breed and do not have an extensive history like other more established dog breeds.

While their history is not well documented, it is likely that Pomeranians and Poodles were first crossed in the 1990s or early 2000s when designer hybrid breeds were rising in popularity.

The original goal of crossing the Pomeranian with the Poodle was to create a small dog with the temperament of the Pomeranian and hypoallergenic, low-shedding characteristics of the Poodle however with less hereditary health issues than the respective purebred parent breeds.

What Does A Pomapoo Look Like?

Pomapoos may look more like a Poodle or more like a Pomeranian depending on the generation. For example, F1b Pomapoos look more like Poodles than F1 Pomapoos as F1b Pomapoos have a higher percentage of Poodle genes.

Pomapoos are a small breed with a compact build. They have a soft, fluffy medium-length coat that can either be curly or wavy depending on the influence of the Poodle parent. Their coat can come in many different colors such as brown, black, white, red and apricot.

Pomapoos usually have a small round face with dark eyes and an expressive face. They can either have pointed ears like a Pomeranian or floppy ears like a Poodle. Their tail also may be curled up over their back like a Pomeranian’s or be straight like a Poodle’s tail.

Coat Types

There are three main types of coats Pomapoos can have depending on the percentage make-up of Poodle to Pomeranian. These are the wavy coat, curly coat and straight coat. Their coats can range from thick to thin and can have slightly different textures depending on the individual dog.

Wavy Coat

The wavy coat is the most common Pomapoo coat types. It features a gentle wave and is low to non-shedding. Wavy coats are quite hypoallergenic however curly coats are generally considered to be the most hypoallergenic. In terms of maintenance, wavy coats are generally easier to groom than curly coats.

Curly Coat

The curly coat is the next most common Pomapoo coat type and is generally seen in backcross generations such as F1b Pomapoos and F1bb Pomapoos as they have a higher percentage of Poodle genes. These coats give Pomapoo’s more of a Poodle appearance and are generally more hypoallergenic than straight and wavy coats. These coats require more effort to maintain as they are more susceptible to matting.

Straight Coat

The straight coat is seen in Pomapoos that take more after the Pomeranian than the Poodle. Generally, straight coats are not as hypoallergenic and are light to moderate shedding so are not as suitable for allergy sufferers as curly or wavy coats.

Pomapoo Coat Colours

White Pomapoo

White Pomapoos have a pure white solid coat however it can also be more of a cream color. Often their ears are a light apricot shade and this coloring may also be present around their eyes and on their muzzle. They usually have dark brown eyes and a black nose.

Chocolate Pomapoo

Chocolate Pomapoos have a solid brown coat that can range from a very light shade to a dark brown. They have light brown noses and brown or hazel eyes. Pomapoos can inherit this coat color from either the Poodle or the Pomeranian.

Blue Merle Pomapoo

Blue Merle Pomapoos carry the merle gene which dilutes certain sections of their originally black coat into mottled patches of black, grey, white and tan. This gene also affects eye color and skin pigmentation on the nose and paws so Merle Pomapoos often have very light eye colors such as blue and often have pink patches on their nose and paws.

Pomapoos usually inherit this coat pattern from the Pomeranian as the merle gene is naturally occurring in their lineage. You can read all about Merle Pomeranians in our in depth guide on them here. Nevertheless, they can also inherit it from a Merle Poodle. Merle is not a naturally occurring gene for Poodles however it has been introduced to their lineage through cross-breeding. You can read all about Merle Poodles here.

Grey Pomapoo

Grey Pomapoos have a silvery coat that ranges from light grey to dark grey. Often their body and legs are a light grey while the tips of their ears, chest, tail and paws are a much darker grey. They usually have dark colored eyes and a black nose.

Red Pomapoo

Red Pomapoos come in a variety of shades from light red to dark red. Their coats can be anywhere from a reddish cream to a rusty brown color. Pomapoos with lighter red coats are usually called Apricot Pomapoos. They can inherit this coat color from either the Poodle or the Pomeranian.

Apricot Pomapoo

Apricot Pomapoos have very light red coats with a peachy tone. They are somewhere between a light red and a cream. Both Pomeranians and Poodles can be Apricot which makes it quite a common coat color for Pomapoos.

Black Pomapoo

Most Black Pomapoos feature a solid black coat however they may have small white patches over their body such as on their chest or paws. They have jet black noses and dark brown eyes. Pomapoos can inherit this coat color either from the Poodle or the Pomeranian.

Pomapoo Temperament

The temperament of a Pomapoo can vary depending on many factors such as the percentage mix of Poodle to Pomeranian, their level of socialization, their environment as well as what training they have undergone.

Overall, Pomapoos have big personalities despite being such a small dog. They usually are very outgoing, lively and sociable which makes them a fantastic companion dog. However, if they take more after the Pomeranian than the Poodle, they may be shy around new people so it’s important to socialize them from a young age.

Pomapoos are also quite intelligent, a trait they inherit from the Poodle which means they are very capable of learning new tricks and being trained.

The main negative temperament trait of Pomapoos is that they like to bark and can be quite vocal at times. Nevertheless, this can be managed with training.

Are Pomapoos Smart?

Pomapoos are quite a smart dog, especially the ones that take more after the Poodle than the Pomeranian. Poodles are ranked 2nd for working and obedience intelligence while Pomeranians are ranked 23rd out of 130 dog breeds.

Do Pomapoos Bark A Lot?

Pomapoos can bark quite a lot however how much a Pomapoo barks really depends on the individual dog. There are many factors that influence a Pomapoo’s tendency to bark including genetics, socialization, separation anxiety, lack of exercise and lack of mental stimulation.

If barking does become an issue, it’s best to firstly try to retrain your dog out of the habit with positive reinforcement techniques. If this doesn’t work, try distracting them from their barking triggers with toys. Look for boredom-busting dogs toys such as ones you can hide treats inside. Other options include using ultra-sonic sound devices.

Are Pomapoos Aggressive?

Pomapoos are usually not aggressive however if they are not socialized properly they may display territorial, stand-offish or aggressive behaviour towards strangers that they think are threatening.

They may inherit this trait from Pomeranians which are known to occassionally be aggressive towards strangers and sometimes towards other dogs. The aggressive behaviour is mainly growling out of fear as a way to protect themselves. Luckily, this behaviour can be trained our of them at a young age through proper socialization and positive reinforcement training.

While there is the opportunity for not properly socialized Pomapoos to display signs of aggression, in more cases than not, Pomapoos are a very friendly breed.

Pomapoo Size

Teacup Pomapoo

Teacup Pomapoos are a cross between a Toy Poodle and a Pomeranian. Teacup Pomapoos get to a height of up to 22cm and weigh between 2.3kg and 7kg. . They are the smallest Pomapoo size. It’s good to note that Teacup Pomapoos are the same size as Toy Pomapoos.

Toy Pomapoo

Toy Pomapoos are the same size as Teacup Pomapoos. “Teacup” and “Toy” are interchangeable adjectives to describe the same size of dogs. Some breeders prefer to call them Toy Pomapoos are ‘teacup’ breeds have a bad reputation in the breeding world.

Toy Pomapoos are a cross between a Toy Poodle and a Pomeranian. Toy Pomapoos get to a height of up to 22cm and weigh between 2.3kg and 7kg. They are the smallest Pomapoo size.

Standard Pomapoo

Standard Pomapoos are the ‘normal’ Pomapoo size or the most common Pomapoo size.They are a cross between a Pomeranian and a Mini Poodle. Pomeranians are so small so they can’t be bred with Standard Poodles.

Standard Pomapoos get to a height of 22cm to 30cmand weigh between 4.5kg and 9kg.

Full Grown Pomapoo

Pomapoos are fully grown between 7 and 12 months of age. They usually reach their adult height somewhere between 4 and 8 months of age. For the remaining months, they fill out and continue gaining muscle mass.

Once your puppy is fully grown you’ll need to start investing in dog products that you’ll keep for their whole life such as:

A full size dog crate so they have their own cozy den to sleep in – consider a dog crate pad to make it that much comfier!
An adult sized dog raincoat to keep them dry during wet weather
An adult sized dog life jacket to help with swimming in lakes and oceans
An adult sized dog jacket for cold winter weather
A dog cooling vest if you live in a hot climate
High quality no-pull dog harness to reduce stress on their neck while walking
And other similar products

Pomapoo Lifespan

On average, Pomapoos live for 12 to 15 years. Their lifespan can greatly vary depending upon genetics, health conditions, lifestyle, diet etc.

You can give your Pomapoo the best chance of living a long life by feeding them a healthy diet, exercising them daily and by keeping on top of vet appointments and health check ups.

Pomapoo Price

Pomapoos like other Poodle mix breeds are quite expensive. The standard Pomapoo usually sell for prices between $3000AUD and $6000AUD. Smaller Pomapoo sizes may sell for prices that are even higher than this as they are not as common and the breeding process is usually more involved.

Pomapoo Generations

F1 Pomapoo

An F1 Pomapoo is the first generation of the breed. It is created by crossing a purebred Pomeranian with either a purebred Poodle. An F1 Pomapoo is 50% Pomeranian and 50% Poodle.

F1b Pomapoo

An F1b Pomapo is created by crossing an F1 Pomapoo with a purebred Poodle. The resulting dog is 25% Pomeranian and 75% Poodle.

F1bb Pomapoo

An F1bb Pomapoo is a cross between an F1b Pomapoo and a purebred Poodle. They are 12.5% Pomeranian and 87.5% Poodle.

F2 Pomapoo

An F2 Pomapoo is the second generation of the breed created by breeding an F1 Pomapoo with another F1 Pomapoo. They are 50% Pomeranian and 50% Poodle. F2 Pomapoos have less hybrid vigor than F1 Pomapoos.

Male vs Female Pomapoo

In terms of size, Male Pomapoos are generally taller and heavier than Female Pomapoos. No matter their size, i.e. Mini Pomapoos, Standard Pomapoos etc., males will be heavier and taller than their female counterparts.

In terms of temperament, Male Pomapoos are generally more easy going and laid back while Female Pomapoos are more independent and strong-willed. Females are generally more assertive and dominant than males. Nevertheless, there are many other factors that play into temperament so just because your Pomapoo is a certain gender, it does not mean that they will behave in a certain way.

Pomapoo Shedding

Do Pomapoos Shed?

Pomapoos do not shed much at all. They are classified as a light shedder and only drop a few strands of hairs here and there throughout the year. Cross-back generations of Pomapoos such as F1b Pomapoos shed less than F1 Pomapoos as they have a higher percentage of Poodle genes.

The best way to reduce the amount that your dog sheds is to regularly brush them. Slicker brushes are great for dogs with single coats and deshedding tools are great for dogs with double coats.

Are Pomapoos Hypoallergenic?

Pomapoos are considered to be a hypoallergenic dog breed. In fact, the original reason why they were bred was to create a dog that had the same personality and temperament as a Pomeranian without their shedding coat.

Pomapoos are hypoallergenic as they do not release much dander (dead skin cells) into their immediate environment which can irritate allergy sufferers.

Generations of Pomapoos that have a higher percentage of Poodle genes such as cross-back generations are usually more hypoallergenic than your average Pomapoo.

Grooming A Pomapoo

Do Pomapoos Need Grooming?

Yes, Pomapoos need grooming as their hair keeps growing and can easily become matted.

They need to be groomed every 6 to 10 weeks. During this time they should get a haircut, wash and a nail trim. They should not be bathed any more frequently than this otherwise they will get dry, flaky skin as the natural oils will be stripped from their skin.

Brushing needs to be done at home at much more frequent intervals – at a minimum every week but ideally every day. As Pomapoos have a single coat, they do best with slicker brushes.

Do Pomapoos Smell?

Pomapoos have a natural odor to some extent like all dog breeds. If you keep up a good grooming routine they shouldn’t smell much. Regularly brushing a Pomapoo as well as bathing them as needed will prevent build up of dirt and oils that can cause a stronger than normal odor.

Pomapoo Haircuts

There are many different haircuts that you can give a Pomapoo Some popular ones include the:

Puppy Cut
Teddy Bear Cut
Poodle Cut
Summer Cut
Terrier Cut

Exercising A Pomapoo

As Pomapoo are a small breed they only have moderate exercise requirements. They need about 30 minutes of exercise each day which can be split over one or two exercise sessions. Some ideas for exercise include playing a game of fetch, going on a walk or playtime with their favorite dog toys.

As they don’t have as extensive exercise requirements like larger breeds, Pomapoos can do well in apartments or houses with small yards. This makes them very suitable for city living.

Pomapoos also need to partake mental exercise such as obedience training and brain games which is why many people get their Pomapoos interactive puzzle toys or Kong chew toy which they can stuff with treats like peanut butter.

Feeding A Pomapoo

How much you should feed a Pomapoo depends on their size, age, metabolism, health and activity levels. An adult Pomapoo should be fed two to three meals a day while Pomapoo puppies should be given meals more frequently depending on their age.

Pomapoos usually eat between 0.5 and 1.5 cup of food each day depending on their size and age. The back of dog food packets usually have recommended feeding guidelines that you should follow, along with the advice of your veterinarian and breeder.

Many people opt to use smaller puppy bowls with non-slip food mats as puppies tend to be messy eaters. The pet food mat will prevent food from being spilt everywhere and also stop the bowl from slipping around and tipping over. A lot of puppies also become overly excited about food and eat way too fast which can cause indigestion and choking so it’s not a bad idea to train them out of this habit with a slow feeder dog bowl.

Pomapoos should also have access to clean water at all times so they can stay hydrated. Some people like to use dog water fountains if they have the tendency to forget to change water regularly.

Training A Pomapoo

Are Pomapoos Easy To Train?

Pomapoos are intelligent so they respond very well to training and are generally quite easy to train. They can be a bit stubborn at times but with positive reinforcement and patience they can learn nearly anything. You should start teaching your Pomapoo basic commands such as their name, sit, stay and come from the moment they arrive home. You can then progress to more difficult tricks and commands.

When training your dog it is important to use positive reinforcement techniques as dogs repeat good behavior when it is followed by a reward such as a treat or their favorite toy. Clicker training is another type of positive reinforcement training that is a good method for learning new tricks. You use a clicker device so your dog can associate a new behavior with a click and then a reward.

Are Pomapoos Easy To Potty Train?

Pomapoos are relatively easy to potty train. The best way to potty train them is to take them outside for 5 to 10 minutes after each meal to the designated toilet spot. Wait outside with your Pomapoo until they do their business and once they are finished, reward them with a treat. Repeat the process until they go outside independently.

Downsides Of Pomapoos

While Pomapoos are a lovely dog breed with many positive traits, they do have some downsides like any other dog breed.

1. Grooming Requirements

Pomapoos, like all Poodle mixes, are high maintenance in terms of grooming. This is not only time consuming but can also be very expensive if you choose to go to professional groomers. Luckily, you can keep these costs down by investing in a DIY dog grooming kit.

2. Very Expensive

Pomapoos are very expensive to adopt and are also expensive to own. Like lots of other Poodle Mix breeds, Pomapoos cost thousands of dollars.

3. Very Small & Delicate

Pomapoos, especially Teacup Pomapoos and Toy Pomapoos are very small and delicate. This makes them quite vulnerable to accidental injuries if they are handled incorrectly or if a larger dog plays with them too roughly. Pomapoos owners have to take extra care to make sure that they are not put in these situations.

4. Not As Common As Other Poodle Mix Breeds

Pomapoos can sometimes be difficult to find as they are not as common as other Poodle mix breed like Goldendoodles or Labradoodles. Sometimes you have to go interstate to find Pomapoo breeders or even get a Pomapoo flown into your state with a flight nanny.

Poodle Mix Breed Comparisons

Pomapoos are quite similar to Maltipoos, Shih-Poos and Yorkie-Poos. Maltipoos are a cross between a Maltese and a Poodle, Shih Poos are a cross between a Shih Tzu and a Poodle while Pomapoos are a cross between a Pomeranian and a Poodle. All of these dogs have similar temperaments and are similar sizes. If you are looking for a larger Poodle Mix, Spoodles and Cavoodles are medium sized.