Nowadays small dogs are all the rage, and it should be no surprise to anyone this is largely due to the overall lovability of the Cockapoo and the Pomeranian. These two breeds are household names when it comes to companions of the portable variety, and while each is an attractive pet in its own right, what would happen if you were to cross them?
If this thought has crossed your mind, then this article is for you, as we will be spilling all the secrets of the Cockapoo Pomeranian mix.
Table of Contents
The History of the Parent Breeds
Cockapoo
While Cockapoos come in many shapes and sizes (three to be exact), for the purposes of this article we will be exploring the Toy variety only, and this size variation found in Cockapoos is pretty much entirely determined by the Poodle parent.
This is because Poodles themselves come in three distinct sizes: Standard, Miniature, and Toy. While Cocker Spaniels tend to deviate very little in average size, the number of distinct categories of Poodles is an interesting tale.
For those of you who are new here, Poodles are much adored for their work ethic and intelligence. These traits relate to their use as hunting dogs, and along with their signature coat, are the main reason people have fallen in love with them over the centuries.
The love of Poodles is not only enduring in time but also in areas of society. As more Poodles were bred, they caught the eye of people from all walks of life, and quickly the non-hunting German society was keen to get their hands on a curly-haired furry friend of their own.
While this impulse was great in theory, in practice the size of the dog quickly became an issue. Standard Poodles require a large amount of exercise, and as such a market opened for a smaller sized Poodle variety – which was the impetus for the selective breeding of smaller ‘Miniature’, and much smaller ‘Toy’ varieties!
Pomeranian
The history of the Pomeranian is a very similar story. This breed was once known for its huge stature, with accounts claiming they more resembled wolves at one point in time. But yet again people were after the personality with less of the physicality.
The shrinking of the breed can be traced back to Queen Victoria of England, who acquired her own Pomeranian in Florence, Italy, and quickly saw their potential as a new breed of royal lap dog.
Clearly, she had incredible foresight when it came to knowing what type of dogs would prove popular, and what traits they may want from such a dog, as this breed continues to be a hugely popular go-to breed when looking for a furry friend of the smaller variety some 150+ years later.
Why are the Cockapoo and Pomeranian Being Crossed?
Clearly, the Cockapoo Pomeranian cross is a continuation of that which Queen Victoria started in England at the dawn of the industrial revolution. Turns out these tiny pets are still all the rage, and this breed is another variation on the already well-established theme.
This cross is being bred as an alternative to the admittedly saturated market of lapdogs. While a Cockapoo or Pomeranian may be the ideal breed for some owners, mixing the two creates a dog that is all the things we know and love about both, with less of the bark and the bite.
Despite their tiny size, Pomeranians are notorious for their fiery temper which is known to lead them into altercations with bigger dogs and strangers should they see them as a threat. With a small dog that is prone to physical injury, this is a less than desirable trait, and as such the affectionate nature of the Cockapoo seeks to quell the breed’s boundless rage.
The Benefits of the Cockapoo Pomeranian Cross
Clearly, this is a major advantage for the cross, and actually, much of this mix’s temperament comes as an advantage. One such result of the infamous anger for example is the alertness and watchdog syndrome typical of the Pomeranian.
While this breed may certainly still keep a watchful eye out (as is common with all small dogs), the intelligent and loving nature of the Cockapoo produces an overall more passive temperament making your dog more laid back overall – ensuring an easier ride compared to the sassiness of the purebred Pom.
Another advantage is that the Doodle lineage will take this dog from a heavy shedder to a medium one at best. Your clothes and furniture will thank you for this, as the heavy shedding Pomeranian is known to leave a flurry of fur in its wake, and so if you aren’t around to follow your dog with a vac, then this breed is a great option for you.
The Cons of the Cockapoo Pomeranian Mix
But now that we’ve covered the good, we must address some of the bad of this breed.
One of the big cons is how vocal your dog may be. While it is true that crossing with a Cockapoo will quell some of the less desirable traits that may stem from the alertness of Pomeranians – both breeds are unfortunately avid barkers.
This may very well stem from a place of excitement, or playfulness, but regardless you should expect your dog to be a fan of making a ruckus, and if you are a person that values their silence then you may find this breed to be far too noisy for you.
This proclivity for barking is a symptom of high energy levels. With this breed, you will quickly find that they are in need of lots of stimulation and quickly move from one activity to the other. A large toy basket is a must if you want your dog to remain occupied throughout the day.
Thanks to this energy and the hard-headedness of the Pomeranian, it may prove a challenge to keep focus and housebreak this dog. If you are a first-time owner you could find yourself struggling to maintain your puppy’s attention, which means it will take more time and energy to establish a consistent routine.
What do you call a Cockapoo Pomeranian Cross?
Unlike other niche breeds discussed in other articles here at Know your Doodles, this cross actually has a small (but undoubtedly growing) online presence, and the unofficial name given to this particular breed is the Cockapompoo – a mash-up of all three breeds in this mix.
What Can be Expected from the Cockapompoo:
Height & Weight
At around 7″-12” in height, this dog is certifiably tiny. It will have no trouble in apartment living. However, if you own a house with a bigger footprint or a large number of stairs, you will find that your dog may struggle to get around. Luckily for you, the size makes this breed incredibly portable.
At 12lbs-14lbs the Cockapompoo is incredibly lightweight as far as dogs go, meaning you should be able to pick it up with no trouble.
Colour & Coat
As the mix of the double-coated Pomeranian, and the curly to wavy Cockapoo, you can expect your tiny friend to have incredibly thick hair. This hair could range from wavy to straight in texture, but regardless you can expect a medium coat that is cloudlike in appearance thanks to the sheer density of follicles.
Colors wise it would be fair to assume that your dog will have a solid color coat. This color can range from anything from white, cream, brown (both light and dark), to full black, and it would be exceptionally rare – but not impossible – to find a dog of this breed with a two-color coat.
Maintenance
A thick coat demands a lot of attention and brushing daily should be a must. Along with this, you should expect regular trips to the groomers for cutting and maintenance of such a mane.
These grooming trips are necessary as not only is this hair prone to the dangers that long and unkempt coats entail, but it can also very easily obscure skin or hygiene issues from eyesight upon light inspection, so a thorough look at your dog’s health should be left to the expert to prevent any harmful illnesses down the line.
Health
Like most little dogs, physical trauma should be your main concern. Broken bones, torn ligaments, bruising, and fractures are common with such a tiny body, and the rough and tumble of daily life can really do a number on the Cockapompoo over time.
Along with physical trauma, this breed is prone to eye issues. Be it Glaucoma, or cataracts, your dog’s vision will quickly deteriorate if there is an issue left undiagnosed. Therefore, if you notice any odd behavior or discoloration in your dog’s eyes, it should be your top priority to schedule an eye inspection just in case.
Temperament
These little dogs are a bundle of energy and noise with a strong love and loyalty towards their owners. While they will be the first to defend you from anything they perceive as threats – and as a small dog they will be on guard a lot of the time – you will find that they may be a little arrogant toward you.
They are sassy by nature, and so you can expect to find yourself arguing with your dog and having to assert authority if they decide that they don’t want to do something.
Exercise Needs and Feeding Requirements
The high energy levels in these dogs ensure that they are upholding a vigorous exercise regime throughout the day, but such a little body can only take so much activity so you should limit your daily exercise to half an hour split into two sessions.
Similarly, the ¼ – ½ cup of food your dog requires will need to be split into two meals. This gives them time to work up an appetite as their little stomachs can only hold so much at once.
In Conclusion
So, by now you should be well aware of exactly what you can expect out of a Cockapompoo. Small, sassy, albeit lovable and loyal, with this breed you will no doubt see why lapdogs are still all the rage.
But for those of you after a bigger breed to fill the dog-shaped hole in your life, you still have many options. If the Cockapompoo hasn’t taken your fancy then why not check out another Doodle alternative such as the ‘Goldendoodle Rottweiler Mix’.