Aussie Pom Dog Breed

The size used to produce an Aussie Pom can make a big difference in what these dogs can do. Standard-sized purebred Australian Shepherd Dogs are raised to herd cattle in the harsh, lonely outback of Australia as well as in the dry, dusty open ranges of the western and middle United States. The smaller varieties, however, are not fit for this kind of work and are best as companions. These are good watchdogs no matter the size. They may not be for inexperienced dog owners because Aussie Shepherds require a lot of training and patience. While cute and small, they can be a handful.

Here are some of the pros and cons of adopting an Aussie Pom:

PROS

• Very loyal
• Extremely cute
• Highly intelligent
• Constantly playful

CONS

• May bark a lot
• Can be very bossy
• Not hypoallergenic
• Will shed constantly
• Small dog syndrome
• Serious health problems
• Prone to separation anxiety
• Require a lot of daily exercise
• Training demands patience and time

The Aussie Pom comes from two extremely different dog breeds but whose temperaments are somewhat the same. As such, there is a wide range with the look and size but nearly all are identical when it comes to temperament and behavior, so long as they are carefully, patiently, and diligently trained. Still, how much of either purebred parent they may inherit is different for each puppy, even those in a single litter.

These dogs can be counted on to be highly intelligent. Both parent breeds have histories of working in solitude yet for the direct benefit of people. This can make these dogs difficult, however, as they know what they want. They can learn quickly and they need to be kept stimulated or they will find ways to keep occupied that you may not like.

Although they work very well alone, these dogs can develop separation anxiety. Also, expect a lot of barking. Aussie Shepherds are very vocal to communicate with animals out of sight over rolling hills, and Poms were originally bred millennia ago to stand guard on walls against intruders.

Poms have a tendency to reserve their strength even as they move about all day. Aussie Shepherds are accustomed to being on the move for great periods. Your Aussie Pom will need a lot of exercise and activity. It's best to learn as much Pomeranian Australian Shepherd mix info as you can so you can have a healthy, happy dog.

These hybrid dogs come in a variety of sizes, and size is the only variation that occurs. The miniature Australian Shepherd Pomeranian mix is not uncommon. Teacup and Toy Aussie Pomeranian mix puppies, however, tend to be harder to find. These smaller dogs are more expensive as well as more prone to health problems due to their very small size. Australian Shepherds are supposed to be somewhat large dogs. Down-sizing them to make Teacups, Toys and Minis has long been frowned upon by breeding clubs. Still, there are many breeders who prefer to crossbreed these small Aussies with Poms. The smaller the dog, the more careful you have to be around them, especially if they come from breeds who are known to be highly active.

Toy Aussie Poms stand 10 to 12 inches and typically weigh between 8 and 12 pounds. Teacups are smaller, usually weighing between 4 and 8 pounds and standing 8-10 inches. Minis are a bit larger at 15 to 35 pounds, and they stand 13 to 18 inches.

You may hear mention of wavy or straight coats, but these coat types are not recognized as variations. Coat colors are not considered variations either.

Aussie Poms tend to have both more and fewer health concerns. Those crossed using standard Aussie Shepherd Dogs will have hybrid vigor on their side to help prevent many inheritable issues. Those crosses that come from Toy and Mini Aussie Shepherds, however, are far more susceptible to health problems due to their small size, weakened bone structure and so forth. There is also a desire to get white Aussie Shepherds so as to try and keep as much of the white Pom coat while rolling the dice for a fantastic mask on the Aussie Pom puppies. White-coated Aussie Shepherds are prone to congenital deafness, and this can be easily inherited by their puppies.

Here are some of the health concerns that may affect Aussie Poms:

• Cancer
• Allergies
• Deafness
• Cataracts
• Distichiasis
• Hip dysplasia
• Drug sensitivity
• Hypothyroidism
• Elbow dysplasia
• Detached retina
• Nasal Solar Dermatitis
• Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA)
• Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
• Osteochondrosis Dissecans (OCD)
• Persistent Pupillary Membranes (PPM)

These dogs have an average lifespan believed to be 11 to 13 years.