German Shepherds are considered the best working dogs around the world. Similarly, the Pomeranians are excellent working dogs and were initially bred as sled dogs. Imagine what will happen when we combine these two unrelated working buddies of dissimilar sizes to give a German Shepherd Pomeranian Mix.
The German Shepherd Pomeranian Mix is a designer breed produced by mixing a German Shepherd with a Pomeranian, both of which originated from Europe. Also known as the Pomeranian Shepherd or the German Shepherd Pom, you will soon find out that this fluffy medium dog breed is adorable and playful despite being loud and aggressive.
In this article, I will let you know about the world of these fun-loving buddies, and I will let you know about their life span, their temperaments, and how to take care of them. But before then, let’s see the answer to this important question of how big German Shepherd Pomeranian Mixes will get.
How Big Do German Shepherd Pomeranian Mixes Get?
German Shepherd Pomeranian Mixes can grow up to 15 inches tall. The average height they can reach is 12 inches tall and is expectedly bigger than that of a Pomeranian but less than that of a German Shepherd.
For their weight, a German Shepherd Pomeranian Mix can weigh between 15 to 20 lbs. Hence, this mixed breed falls under the medium-sized dog breed category, and its size will lie between a German Shepherd and a Pomeranian.
In other words, the weight of a German Shepherd Pomeranian Mix is often greater than that of a Pomeranian. However, it is also less than that of a mature German Shepherd.
So if you are looking for a miniature-sized pooch that looks like a German Shepherd, you should go for a German Shepherd Pomeranian Mix.
In addition, it is for this reason that a Pomeranian is never used as the female when breeding a German Shepherd Pom. This is because the female Pomeranian will not be able to carry the weight of many German Shepherd Pom puppies.
Physical Appearance
The physical appearance of German Shepherd Poms depends on the characteristics they inherited from their parents. Their coat color and patterns also depend on this.
If their fluffy coat is well inherited from their German Shepherd parent, their coat appears smoother and less fluffy. However, if their fluffy coat is inherited from their Pomeranian parents, they have a more fluffy and long coat.
For their coat color, if it is inherited from a German Shepherd, it will be tan, sable, dark red, or black.
On the other hand, if their coat color is inherited from a Pomeranian, it will appear red, orange, cream, sable, or black.
How Long Do Pomeranian German Shepherd Mixes Live?
German Shepherd Pomeranian Mixes typically can live between 12 to 14 years.
During their lifespan, they may get affected by common health issues that will impact their quality of life. Here are some common health issues affecting this mixed breed.
Collapsed Trachea
Some canines are genetically susceptible to collapsed trachea. Examples of such canines are Pomeranians, Chihuahuas, Lhasa Apsos, and Toy Poodles, among a few others.
Since a genetic factor is involved, a German Shepherd Pomeranian Mix will likely get affected.
When it does happen, the tracheal rings of cartilage that support your doggie windpipe become slack, and it collapses. Hence, your furry friend finds it difficult to breathe.
Congestive Heart Failure
This disease causes dogs to persistently cough and breathe with difficulty.
It is accompanied by a lack of strength and reduced stamina because the heart can not pump enough blood to the tissues.
Faulty heart valves, like the mitral valves, are the major cause of this disease. Another cause of this disease is irregular heart rhythm and narrowing blood vessels.
In a situation where you observe your furry friend coughing persistently, you should consult your veterinarian.
Diabetes
Diabetes affects dogs, especially German Shepherd Poms. It influences how their body uses glucose for energy.
It occurs when there is no glucose-insulin connection in the body. This may be due to insufficient insulin production or resistance to the insulin produced.
Some of the symptoms are increased thirst, increased urination, weight loss, and increased appetite.
It is important to know that it can’t be cured. However, it can still be managed by visiting your veterinarian if you observe that your canine buddy has any of these symptoms.
Other health issues affecting German Shepherd Poms to note are hypothyroidism, hip dysplasia, and cataracts.
How To Take Care Of German Shepherd Pomeranian Mixes?
Due to their high-energy nature, taking care of the German Shepherd Poms requires proper nutrition, sufficient exercise, and the use of dental water additives to keep them in good health.
Exercise Routine
We recommend at least 30 minutes of exercise for your German Shepherd Pom every day. This can be in the form of a slight jog and walk in between. If the exercise will take longer than 45 minutes, ensure that your canine buddy has breaks to regain its energy.
Alternatively, there are canine games your furry friend can participate in canine games, such as ball fetching and weave pole exercise for sprinting.
To strengthen your German Shepherd Pomeranian Mix hip muscles, we also recommend that you include 5 to 10 minutes of canine squats daily in your exercise routine. This canine squat exercise is good for preventing hip dysplasia.
High-Quality Diet
Your German Shepherd Pomeranian Mix requires high-quality dog food for their daily activities. Food containing meats, vegetables, fruits, and grains provides your canine buddy with a wholesome diet.
Most commercial dog foods meet this requirement. More so, they are approved by the American College of Veterinary Nutrition as a safe and healthy option for feeding pets.
One such example we recommend is the Pet Plate. It is made with human-grade ingredients and supplies your canine buddy with a balanced diet containing proteins, multivitamins, and minerals.
Invest In Dental Water Additives
Due to their high energy level and fun-loving nature, you will find your furry friend sniffing and chewing things they aren’t meant to eat on many occasions.
Many of these things are harmful and can cause infections in the mouth and plague the teeth of your doggie.
Having your canine buddy wash their mouth and brush their teeth with dental water additives kills these germs and prevents the growth of plagues on their teeth.
For this reason, we recommend using dental water additives for the safe oral health of your dear buddy. Simply add them into the drinking water for your pooch every day and expect great results on your pooch’s oral health in days.
Ideally, you should brush the teeth of your canine buddy every day. Nevertheless, if you find this activity difficult to be on your schedule, you should endeavor to brush your dog’s teeth at least twice a week.
Do Pomeranian German Shepherd Mixes Bark A Lot? Temperaments Of German Shepherd Pomeranian Mixes
The Pomeranian German Shepherd Mix barks a lot, especially when they have more of the Pomeranian parent’s traits. On the other hand, you should expect them to bark less if they have more of the German Shepherd parent’s traits.
With a barking tendency, the German Shepherd Poms are an ideal candidate for being a watchdog and can alert their owners of any intruders. But do they show any aggression towards such intruders?
Aggressive
Yes, the German Shepherd Pomeranian Mixes display moderate aggression, especially towards strangers who intrude their living spaces or the house.
They can be aggressive towards strangers and those whom they are not familiar with. This aggressive behavior is likely inherited from their German Shepherd’s parents. Early socialization training is required for this mixed breed, especially when there are children in the household.
Separation Anxiety
Just like their parents, the German Shepherd Poms can deeply suffer from separation anxiety when left unattended for more than 6 hours.
Leaving them alone for a long time causes them to be frightened. Hence, they show destructive behaviors such as tearing shoes apart, chewing furniture foams, and barking aggressively.
There are many reasons why your Pomeranian Shepherd can suffer from separation anxiety, some reasons include a change in its owner, a transition into a new home from a shelter home, or the loss of one of its loved relatives.
In addition, even a change in your work routine or the dog sitter’s routine may cause separation anxiety because your doggy isn’t used to being alone at specific times.
What Should I Do To Help My German Shepherd Pomeranian Mix With Separation Anxiety?
There are many treatments for separation anxiety. For instance, rewarding your canine buddy with a special treat just before you leave the house will make it get excited, especially when it sees you leaving. This is because it knows it will have a special reward.
Letting your canine buddy have its room and teaching it to be alone even when you are at home will also help in curbing its separation anxiety.
Involving your pooch in crate games and exercises can relieve its stress and may help with separation anxiety. Having your pooch in dog day care centers or taken care of by a dog sitter in your absence will also relieve its stress.
Though it takes time for your dog to learn to be alone, alternatively, using the above treatment options will enable it to better adjust to its new lifestyle.
Besides being loud and aggressive, German Shepherd Poms can be thought to be fun-loving, playful, energetic, and courageous. Be it indoors or outdoors, and you will definitely be enjoying every moment and interaction with this mixed breed.
Do Pomeranian German Shepherd Mixes Shed? Grooming Tips For German Shepherd Pomeranian Mixes
Yes, German Shepherd Pomeranian Mixes shed moderately throughout the year. They replace their coats seasonally, twice a year.
To keep your German Shepherd Pomeranian Mix clean and have a shiny-looking coat all through the year, you should brush, trim, and wash its coat on a regular basis.
Hypoallergenic
The German Shepherd Pomeranian Mix is not considered to be hypoallergenic due to its moderate shedding levels.
Therefore, to reduce its shedding levels, its coat should be brushed 3 to 4 times every week and trimmed once every six weeks to retain its shape and fluffiness.
Grooming
Having grooming tools keep their coat length moderate and clean. A clean-looking German Shepherd Pomeranian Mix is the goal of every pet parent.
Grooming tools, like the FURminator Undercoat Tool, brush and trim the coats of your furry friend. This tool is safe on the skin of your German Shepherd Pomeranian Mix, gently rolling to remove any loose hair and trimming off excessive hairs.
Bathing
In addition to brushing and trimming your furry friend, you should also bathe them with the appropriate shampoo products. However, not all shampoos are suitable for your furry friend’s skin, as they may cause itching and irritation.
The Mighty Petz 2-In-1 Oatmeal Dog Shampoo And Conditioner comes highly recommended for your German Shepherd Pomeranian Mix. The product is specially formulated using oatmeal as an active ingredient to prevent itching and irritation on sensitive and dry skin.
Related Questions
How Much Does A Pomeranian German Shepherd Mix Cost? A Pomeranian German Shepherd Mix will typically cost up to $3,000 when purchased from designer dog breeders. Because of its rarity, German Shepherd Pomeranian Mix is considerably expensive. However, if you choose to adopt it, you should expect its price to be much lower. The price for a German Shepherd Pomeranian Mix at an adoption center can go as low as $300.
Can A German Shepherd Breed With A Pomeranian? Yes, a German Shepherd can breed with a Pomeranian. However, as both breeds greatly differ in size, crossbreeding is a challenging process. During the breeding process, do ensure that the German Shepherd is the female and the Pomeranian is the male. This will enable her to carry the German Shepherd Pomeranian Mix puppies. Alternatively, artificial insemination serves as a safe method for crossbreeding.
Can A German Shepherd Pomeranian Mix Swim? Yes, a German Shepherd Pomeranian Mix can swim just like how both their parents, the German Shepherd and the Pomeranian, are great swimmers. However, you should never leave them to swim unsupervised. Always be there to guide and play with them during swimming.
