Paperanian Dog Breed

The Paperanian dog, as a mixed breed, is not an official member of any breed group--but since both its Papillon and Pomeranian parent breeds are members of the Toy group, these hybrids would fit nicely in that category as well. Neither does any info exist about this hybrid's exact origin; while a Papillon-Pomeranian mix has likely existed naturally for a long time, no breeder or breed breed club has claimed its creation. These active, spunky little dogs are great companions for busy families of any size, and are very well-suited to apartment living.

A few Pomeranian-Papillon mix facts: they're toy-sized, averaging nine inches at the shoulders in height and six pounds in weight; they have silky to fluffy, straight coats that shed moderately; and they're highly prone to separation anxiety, and will easily become upset if left alone for very long.

Some advantages and drawbacks to owning a Paperanian:

The Paperanian is the offspring of two tiny dog breeds--but both the Papillon and the Pomeranian parent breeds usually have outspoken temperaments that truly belie their small size, so odds are a Pomeranian x Papillon mix will have a giant personality as well.

The Papillon and Pomeranian mix will usually have a medium-length, fine to fluffy coat that will need some regular grooming; the coats do shed some, so these hybrids aren't the best choice for allergy sufferers.

In terms of temperament, the Paperanian is friendly, loyal, and smart--but the breed can also be selfish and fussy, so obedience training and socialization (starting during puppyhood if possible) is recommended for these dogs. They may bet along pretty well with other pets, but they're know to try and challenge other dogs, so they're probably best in a one-dog (or even one-pet) household. They'll socialize well with children too, especially if the kids are older. In any case, a Paperanian will get along better with any kids or other pets if they grow up together. And these hybrids are pretty "yappy," so they'll need to be taught the "Hush!" or "Quiet!" command early on--but the flipside of that is that Paperanians are great watchdogs!

These dogs are also very energetic, so they'll need some physical activity on a daily basis.

The Paperanian, due to hybrid vigor (in which a crossbred dog inherits the healthiest traits of its parent breeds), is very healthy. Even so, these dogs may suffer ailments common to their parents including hip dysplasia, patellar luxation, allergies, collapsed trachea, and assorted eye issues (the most serious of which is Progressive Retinal Atrophy, or PRA). Small breeds like this one are also prone to dental issues, so owners will need to brush their Paperanians' teeth regularly.

Potential owners are advised to ask breeders for health screenings for the dog and/or its parents, or they can have their own veterinarians do the screenings.

Life expectancy for the Paperanian is 12-16 years.