An Australian Shepherd Pomeranian mix is a cross between two great dogs. Lovingly called Aussie Poms (sometimes spelled Aussiepom), these dogs get the best characteristics of both breeds. That means they are relatively small in size, very loyal and playful, and have a lot of energy. They make great pets, but they can get bored easily so they need plenty of outdoor time too.
An Aussie Poms is a very social dog. They love to be around people and generally do pretty well around other pets. For this reason, they shouldn’t be left alone for extended periods of time. They are easy to train and require daily exercise. Because these dogs are a result of cross-breeding, you don’t really know what its dominant characteristics will be. An Aussie Pom may look like a small shepherd or a larger pomeranian, but their coats will be soft and straight and require brushing on a regular basis.
The popularity of the Australian Shepherd Pomeranian mix is growing in North America as more people find out about their playful, loyal natures. Read on for more information on how to care for these great dogs, as well as about their exercise needs, temperaments, lifespan, and more!
- Physical Characteristics (Size and Physical Look)
- Lifespan
- Grooming Needs
- Temperament
- Exercise Needs
- Health Risks
- Feeding
- Are Australian Shepherd Pomeranian Mixes Protective?
- How Much Does an Australian Shepherd Pomeranian Mix Cost?
- Is an Australian Australian Shepherd Pomeranian Right for Me?
- Best Climate for an Australian Shepherd Pomeranian mix
- The Attention an Australian Shepherd Pomeranian Needs
- Compatibility with Kids
- Compatibility with Other Animals
Physical Characteristics (Size and Physical Look)
Aussie Poms are mixed breed dogs consisting of the purebred Australian Shepherd and Pomeranian. They can be bred from either a toy, mini, or standard size Australian Shepherd and a pomeranian.
Their main colors may vary between a blue or red merle, brown, black, and tri-colored black, tan, and white. Sometimes, these pups may have a solid coat with tiny markings here and there.
Expect these dogs to be on the smaller side. They weigh between 10 to 30 pounds and have a height ranging from 11 to 17 inches.
Lifespan
If treated and taken care of properly with the appropriate diet and exercise, Aussie Poms typically lives to around 12 to 15 years. Compared to the average lifespan of most dogs, they live longer by a few years.
Grooming Needs
The Aussie Pom has both the physical characteristics of the Pomeranian and the Australian Shepherd. Their coasts tend to be extremely fluffy and medium length. Due to their length of the coat, they may not be suitable for people who have allergies.
Fortunately, caring for their coat is fairly easy. To keep their coats in good condition, brush them about once or twice a week to prevent shedding and matting.
Also, give them regular baths whenever they’re dirty or about once a month. Also do trimming as needed to prevent cracking, painful splitting, and a broken nail. Check their ears and clean them to prevent potential ear infections.
Temperament
The Aussie Pom is an extremely smart, active, and playful dog who has extremely high energy. Expect your pooch to demand a lot of attention. These dogs are fluffy lovebugs who enjoy cuddling up with their owner and receiving lots of pets. Typically these dogs don’t like to be left alone for long periods and thus need frequent mental stimulation.
A few ways to keep them mentally stimulated are giving them a treat dispensary, peanut butter in a kong, a slow feeder, or a chew toy. If you have multiple people in your household, you can easily rotate responsibilities to keep your pup happy and loved.
Providing them with ample exercise will cut down on any negative or unwanted behavior like barking or aggression.
Exercise Needs
Since Aussie Poms are small dogs, they are prone to weight gain. However, they have high energy levels, so they shouldn’t have a problem wanting to go out. Make sure your pooch has at a minimum one-half hour to hour-long walk each day.
In addition, mix in a few shorter walks for potty breaks such as in the morning and evening, along with a few good play sessions. The amount of exercise shouldn’t be underestimated.
As with most dogs, Aussie Poms can become quite destructive when they are bored. Give your pet enough mental stimulation throughout the day and you’ll have a happy dog who hopefully won’t chew up your shoes and furniture.
Health Risks
For the most part, Aussie Poms are healthy dogs. However, there are potential health conditions that they are predisposed to due to their parent breeds that you may want to look out for a while raising them.
Some minor conditions may include eye infections, skin allergies, ear infections, and cataracts. Serious conditions may include deafness, elbow dysplasia, patellar luxation, hip dysplasia, and sight complications.
As with any companion animal, it’s important to monitor their health. Checking fur and skin regularly and paying attention to their eating and waste elimination habits will alert you to any problems. Regular trips to the vet for checkups are also advised to keep you Aussie Pom happy and healthy for years to come.
Feeding
When selecting food for your pup, make sure to choose high-quality dry food that has been specifically formulated for small active dogs. Ideally, you should opt for a brand that includes high-quality ingredients without fillers and artificial ingredients. Also, ensure the food contains a combination of healthy grains, meats, veggies, and fruits.
Typically, dog food brands will have a guide listed on their bag with the portion sizes to consume based on their activity level and age. However, if not, you can opt for about a cup of dry kibble food per day split into two meals for the morning and evening.
Every Aussie Pom will differ in their exact portions, so make sure to consult a Vet for accurate diet information. Aussie Poms can be fussy eaters, so avoid giving them human food. Once they get accustomed to the abundance of human flavors, they won’t eat their dry kibble food.
Are Australian Shepherd Pomeranian Mixes Protective?
Aussie Poms are extremely loyal by nature and therefore mean that they want to defend their pack. Typically these dogs get close with one or two owners, so they might tend to bark if a dog or human gets too close to you in front of them.
To counteract this problem, begin socialization as early as seven weeks old to calm down and curb her protective nature. When training her, use positive reinforcements like treats or pleasant voices.
How Much Does an Australian Shepherd Pomeranian Mix Cost?
An Australian Shepherd Pomeranian can vary in cost depending on the breeder’s location, pedigree of the parents, size of the puppy, and coloring. On average, these puppies cost around $1,000 to $1,200.
Is an Australian Australian Shepherd Pomeranian Right for Me?
If you have a family, as opposed to living alone with a pet, then an Aussie Pom may be the right dog for you. Since these dogs require more attention than some dog, it’s best to have multiple people who can look after your dog. If you’re someone who isn’t home often, this might not be the dog for you.
It is also not recommended that you have an Aussie Pom if you live in an apartment. This is due to the limited space which restricts their hyperactive pursuits. Aussie Poms should be able to explore their own space and play with toys. That said, if you do live in an apartment, but have access to a fenced-in area where your dog can run free and burn up that excess energy, then that may work in your favor.
Other than that, if you’re someone who can meet the demands of an Aussie Pom and loves to snuggle up with a dog, this is the breed for you!
Best Climate for an Australian Shepherd Pomeranian mix
Luckily, Aussie Poms are quite tolerant of both cool and hot weather. However, always take precautions in extreme weather conditions. Their best climate seems to be in cooler weather conditions such as fall due to their abundance coats. During blazing hot weather months, keep up with your dog’s grooming habits to keep them cool and prevent overheating.
The Attention an Australian Shepherd Pomeranian Needs
Aussie Poms require quite a lot of attention. Generally, they can be left alone for four to six hours at a time. You may need crate training if they begin to show destructive behaviors or barking. Their goal is to make their owners happy, but when their owners aren’t around, they feel alone. This can lead to anger, anxiety, and depression for dogs.
Compatibility with Kids
Due to the size of Aussie Poms, overly excited children can tend to hurt or injure them. Children can easily scratch their eyes or grab them aggressively. Aussie Poms aren’t necessarily bad with children, but it’s on the parent to teach their children how to interact with a pet by gently and safely playing with them. If trained well from a young age, these pups make excellent family pets.
Children should also be taught how to treat animals gently and to never tug on ears of tales. Getting dogs and kids acclimated to each other early is beneficial to all.
Compatibility with Other Animals
Aussie Poms are generally kind to other pets. Both the Aussie Shepherd and Pomeranian are social creatures that get along with everyone.
Ideally, you want to introduce a new pet in a calm environment slowly. If you’re raising these dogs from the puppy stage, try to provide early socialization. This means allowing them to greet other dogs and even taking them to doggy daycare. Whether it’s dogs, cats, or small children, their compatibility typically comes down to socialization, training, and personalities.
Make sure not to pair an aggressive dog with an Aussie Pom. For example, a Chihuahua who is aggressive to other dogs may injure your new Aussie Pom.
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Mike is the Founder of Familylifeshare. Mike is well-knowledged in marriage, parenting, dogs, blogging and committed to sharing his knowledge and expertise with his readers. Know more about Mike from here.