Zack Keithy, our author, is a certified veterinarian technician (UC Blue Ash) for over 6 years (contact him here). The articles written here are based on his expertise and experience, combined with a review by our expert vet reviewers including Dr M. Tarantino. Learn more about us here.
These days, getting cross-breed dogs have become somewhat of a trend.
Lots of dog owners are exploring the possibility to have the best of both worlds by owning a dog bred from their favorite breeds.
And along comes the pomeranian chow mix, a wonderfully fluffy, cute, and beautiful pooch.
Pomeranians are a very popular breed, ranking at 23 out of 195 in a 2020 survey conducted by AKC.
Thanks to their popularity, several cross-breed dogs involving Poms have emerged to cater to the whims of dog owners.
It is somewhat curious though, as the Chow Chow is a large dog while the Pom sits on the other end of the spectrum.
In this post, we will attempt to provide an in-depth guide so that you have all the relevant information before deciding if this is the right breed for you.
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Before we talk more about the unique characteristics of the Pom Chow mix, let’s understand a bit more about their parents.
Chow Chows are one of the oldest dog breeds anywhere in the world, having been around since over 2000 years ago.
Back in the Han Dynasty, they were believed to be used as working dogs, performing tasks such as hunting, sled pulling, and even herding, and they have a strong sense of loyalty to their owners.
Despite being a big fluffy dog, they are not exactly cuddle balls as they tend to be suspicious of strangers.
In fact, they look somewhat similar to a lion, with their large head and mane around it.
You could even say that they share similar characteristics.
Some people who are not familiar with this breed might actually think that they are aloof and holds themselves like an almighty, kind of like a cat sometimes, but after getting to know it better, you would quickly think otherwise.
Other character traits you will find in a Chow Chow revolves around its independence. This also makes it a pretty stubborn dog, so training is a must from the get-go to let it know who is in charge.
Being a highly territorial dog, they might not do so well with strangers, so a fair warning has to be given to your guests.
If possible, the Chow Chow should be introduced to strangers from an early age to let them get accustomed to it.
A Chow Chow can grow up to 20 inches tall and weigh over 70 pounds during adulthood.
They are very strong for their size so do not underestimate them, especially in the presence of kids. In general, they live up to 12 years old.
With such a large coat of fur, they require frequent grooming, brushing at least 3 times a week and upping it to daily during shedding season (during spring and fall).
This will prevent excessive shedding and cut down the development of doggy odors.
And lastly, one of its defining physical traits is its blue-black tongue, which it shares with only one other breed of dog, the Shar-Pei.
Frequently known as a Pom, these little furballs are actually descendants of large sled dogs.
They are a family member of the Spitz breed, which is defined by their long pointy ears and thick fur.
Some people describe them as having a fox-like look too.
Although they are the smallest member of the family, some say they have the biggest personality of them all!
It’s not hard to see why when you interact with one.
They are lively, active, and even feisty to some.
If you think of extroverted dogs, the Pomeranian should be right near the top of your list.
Pomeranians take their name after the province of Pomerania in Germany, and they rose to prominence thanks to Queen Elizabeth, who brought them along during a European tour.
Some might look at Poms as just another cute dog, but they are certainly more than that!
Poms are incredibly loyal and attentive dogs, as well as being highly intelligent.
They can be trained to perform complicated tasks and because of their agility, it is very common to find Poms being trained to take part in dog shows.
Remember earlier when we mentioned they have big personalities?
That is probably one reason why they seem to think that they are larger than they really are and because of that, they like to harass larger dogs!
You need to train them to be sociable when they are young to prevent this from happening in the future.
While Poms are great family pets, you need to be sure to use positive reinforcement training to get them used to the family, particularly kids.
Children tend to be more curious and may tug and pull at a dog, which the Pom dislikes if it is too excessive. This may lead them to bite when it gets too much.
Pomeranians come in a few different colors such as red, orange, white or cream, blue, brown, or black being the most common.
They typically grow to 7 inches tall and weigh up to 7 pounds during adulthood, with an average lifespan of up to 16 years, similar to other small dog breeds.
More about Pom Chows
Now that you have a better understanding of its parents, let’s find out more about the Chowanian.
Pom Chow mix size
First thing that probably sticks out to most people is, how does the huge difference in the size of its parents affect them? Are Chowpoms small or big?
Typically when it comes to crossbreeds, the size they take on depends on which dominant gene was passed on to it. But in the case of the Pomchow, they usually stay closer to the size of the Pomeranian.
Most commonly, they grow up to 10 inches, just slightly bigger than an adult Pom, and weigh in at about 7 pounds.
As you can imagine, they might look a bit thin for their size.
Take note though, when it comes to crossbreeds, there are no guarantees and sizes might fluctuate between individuals.
Pom Chow temperament and personality
When it comes to their personality and temperament, you can expect that most Pomchows are highly intelligent and eager to please.
They usually are active and possess lots of energy.
Taking on the traits of their parents, Pom Chows are very independent and can be left alone for some time.
This is useful if you have to be out for work for extended hours and have no one to care for them in between.
That said, we recommend that you give them ample exercise beforehand to wear them out a bit, or else you might return to a partially “destroyed” home!
Pom Chows also tend to be alphas, so you definitely want to start training them from young to let them know you are the leader of the pack, otherwise you will face difficulties in having them in your household when they get bigger.
I can safely say that almost all dogs respond well to positive reinforcement training, and it is critical to ensure they grow up the right way by not stressing and causing negative thoughts.
Pom Chow Mix Health
The first thing you should pay attention to is the breeder, or whichever facility you are adopting your Chow Chow Pomeranian from.
They should have a good reputation for having good practices and ensuring that their breeds are healthy.
Health insurance should be a given.
That said, it is not uncommon for dogs to have health issues, and this varies from breed to breed. Some can be genetic while others are not.
What a Pom Chow might face during its lifetime is uncertain as there are not enough data points to make a conclusive statement, but we can look at the usual problems faced by their parents to have a better idea:
Entropion – Where the eyelids are turned inwards, causing the eyebrows to scratch against the cornea
Collapsing trachea – Where a weakening of the cartilage causes the trachea to flatten and collapse.
Alopecia X – Mostly found in Pomeranians, this is also known as black skin disease. It is genetic and causes the skin to turn black and hair to fall out. Fortunately, this is very rare.
Patellar luxation – Where the dog’s kneecap slips out of place, causing severe pain
Hip and elbow dysplasia – Where a malformed joint causes the bones to rub together
Pom Chow Mix exercise and training
Chowanians have lots of energy and are very active dogs. We recommend that you include daily exercise in the form of long walks or hikes that will let them expand their energy.
Keeping them indoors for long periods of time is detrimental to their growth and development and you will end up with an unhappy pooch!
Bringing them to a dog park regularly can also help it develop social skills and become more relaxed around other dogs.
When it comes to training, it is best to start them young. Pow Chows take well to commands and are very easily trained, and the best form of training is by positive reinforcement.
No doubt you have heard us mention this more than once in this post, as that is simply the best way to train your dog.
Pomeranian Chow mix grooming
Pomeranian Chow mix dogs are similar to their parents. They have a big coat of long fur!
This means that you will need to groom it more regularly to prevent knots, remove dead hair, and spread its natural oils across their body.
Brushing daily is recommended, especially during shedding season. If not, aim to brush their hair at least once every 2-3 days.
When it comes to bathing, you do not have to do it every day.
They are naturally very clean dogs and groom themselves often to keep their fur clean.
Too much bathing will also cause their skin to dry out quickly which is not ideal.
Be sure to get a high-quality shampoo that is suitable for dry skin when washing your Pom Chow. This prevents the problem from worsening.
We recommend using this Oatmeal Soap Free Shampoo for dogs with dry skin.
It is quite difficult to predict the price for a Chow Chow Pomeranian mix. Different breeders charge different rates due to their location, demand, and availability of the pure breeds.
Accordingly, you should expect to pay upwards of $2000 up to $9000 in some locations.
With breeders that have developed a good reputation, they are definitely able to charge a premium, which is justified if you are really passionate about getting one. They take care of all vaccination requirements and ensure that the puppies you are getting are healthy and disease-free.
Do not do business with puppy mills and unethical breeders.
Any warning signs should be taken as it is and you must avoid them!
While researching and looking for your own Chow Pom, you should be aware of a few points regarding the puppies.
Since these chow chow pomeranian mix puppies will no longer be in the care of their mothers, they will rely on you entirely.
Ask yourself if you are really ready to take on this responsibility for the next 12-13 years.
Ideally, they should not leave their litter until after 7 weeks or so. Check with your breeder about this. They should also wean the puppies off before making them available for sale.
During their growing up years, you need to ensure that they have access to lots of chew toys to ensure proper development of their teeth.
Also, research and do your homework beforehand to ensure you have the resources required to care for a dog.
Fixed costs can run into the hundreds every month.
Are you able to afford that?
Giving up on your dog is not something that should happen so the responsibility lies solely on your shoulders.
Pomeranians are actually descendants of the Spitz family, and that includes the Chow Chow, so you can say that they are somewhat related.
In fact, they used to be much larger than the miniature versions we see commonly these days and were even used for herding.
Are Chow Mix Dogs Aggressive?
Chow Chows are by nature introverts. They do well with one or two owners and their closest family.
With strangers, it is a different story altogether as they are territorial by nature. They can also be aggressive with other dogs too.
That said, when you crossbreed dogs, they take on the characteristics of both parents.
In such cases, the aggressiveness might still be there, but with the right training administered from young, they can become adaptable and be more friendly toward strangers
What Other Chow Chow Mixes Are There?
Undoubtedly, Chow Chows are popular dogs used for breeding. Here is a short list of the most popular Chow Chow mixes:
Siberian Husky and Chow Chow mix (AKA Chusky)
German Shepherd and Chow mix (AKA Chow Shepherd)
Labrador Retriever and Chow Chow mix (AKA Chabrador)
Golden Retriever and Chow Chow mix (AKA Golden Chow)
Pitbull and Chow Chow mix (AKA Chowpit)
Shar Pei and Chow mix (Chow Pei)
Akita and Chow Chow mix (Akita Chow)
Chow Chow Basset Hound mix (AKA Chow Hound)
Chow Chow Poodle mix (AKA Chow Doodle)
What Other Pomeranian Mixes Are There?
As you already are well aware, Pomeranians are one of the most popular dog breeds around. There is no shortage of mixes with this cutie. Here are some of the most popular Pomeranian mixes:
Bichonaranian (Pomeranian x Bichon Frise)
Cockeranian (Pomeranian x Cocker Spaniel)
Jackaranian (Pomeranian x Jack Russell Terrier)
Peek-A-Pom (Pomeranian x Pekingese)
Pom-A-Pug (Pomeranian x Pug)
Pomsky (Pomeranian x Siberian Husky)
Yoranian (Pomeranian x Yorkshire Terrier)
Cavapom (Pomeranian x Cavalier King Charles Spaniel)
Maltipom (Pomeranian x Maltese)
Pomchi (Pomeranian x Chihuahua)
Are Cross Breeds Ethical?
Everyone has an opinion about this topic, and we prefer to approach this by looking at the pros and cons.
I think there is really no correct answer and there will be disagreements no matter what is said here.
Without turning this into a discussion board, here are some of the advantages and disadvantages of having a cross-breed dog:
Pros
Unique looks
Potential to have lower congenital issues
Foundation for future pure breed
Cons
Unpredictable temperament
Sizes might differ quite a lot
Potentially higher price than pure breeds
In Conclusion: Pomeranian Cross Chow Chow
Now that you understand what to expect from a pomchow breed, would you be getting one?
I think you really need to weigh the pros and cons first, and maybe consider checking out shelters or rescues for Heinz 57 dogs as your first option.
They need our help too!
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Zack Keithy
Hey, I'm Zack, the Chief Editor here. I was formerly a Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT) for a good 6 years before moving on to greener pastures. Right now, I am still heavily involved in dog parenting duties, and it is my desire to share all our knowledge with fellow dog owners out there! Connect with me on LinkedIn, or read more about Canine Care Central!
