Papi Pom

Angela Vuckovic
by Angela Vuckovic
fast facts

About Papi Pom

Height
7-12 inches
Weight
3-10 lbs
Lifespan
14-16 years
Group
Not applicable
Best Suited For
Families with older children, singles, seniors, living in an apartment, house with or without a yard
Temperament
Sweet, kind, affectionate, lively, intelligent, spirited, loyal
Comparable Breeds
Pomeranian, Papillon
Papi Pom Basics


The delightful and charming Papi Pom is developed by crossing a Pomeranian with a Papillon. This designer dog breed is best known for its small size and adorable looks, often characterized by a fluffy coat and erect ears. You might also know this mixed breed as Paperanian or Pappom.


As it is the case with most designer dog breeds, Papi Pom puppies often turn out to be a unique blend of their purebred parents’ traits. Both the feisty Pomeranian and the spirited Papillon are convinced that they’re giant dogs trapped in a small body. Likewise, their offspring will be a petite pooch with a big personality! These dogs are fiercely loyal to their owners and very affectionate: they won’t want to be anywhere but around you. Their friendly and adaptable character makes them very popular! And, in terms of appearance, you can expect the Papi Pom to be a beautiful small breed dog that comes in many colors and has the cutest upright eats.


Papi Pom bonds to its family and loves nothing more than to be around them at all time- an ideal companion dog.


Origin

There have probably been Pomeranian and Papillon mixes before the term designer dog breed even came to be. However, intentional cross-breeding of these two purebreds is a more recent development.


The origin of the Papi Pom is covered in a veil of mystery. Like with all designer dog breeds, there is not much known about when and where this hybrid was created. However, most sources agree that intentionally bred Paperanian puppies probably appeared first in the United States, sometime in the last decade.


On the other hand, the origin of Papi Pom’s ancestors is easily traced. Pomeranians have been cherished as royal companions for centuries, and their roots take them back all the way to 17th century Germany. The petite Papillon has also enjoyed the life of nobility when it was first created- the tiny pooches have been immortalized paintings dated all the way back to the Renaissance Italy.


Pedigree


Papi Pom, not unlike all crossbreed dogs, is not recognized by official canine organizations, such as the American Kennel Club. This means that the breeders are unable to obtain pedigree papers for their designer puppies. Regardless, this does not mean that you shouldn’t inquire about your pet’s family tree!


While there might be no standard pedigree papers for the puppies, a reputable breeder will either have a certificate from a designer breed club or offer you insight into your pet’s family history. More often than not, the Paperanian’s purebred parents will have a pedigree of their own, making it possible for you to learn more about their ancestry.


Food/Diet


Providing a well-balanced, nutritious diet to your new pet is absolutely essential. A good diet will ensure your Papi Pom puppy grows into a healthy pooch, and support their overall well-being throughout their entire lifetime. Luckily, picking out the perfect food for a Papi Pom is not especially hard.


As a small breed dog with moderate exercise requirements, Papi Pom will need high-quality dry food made with its size and activity level in mind. There are many different brands available on the market, and it makes the process so much easier. Additionally, you can enrich your pet’s kibble-based meal plan with occasional treats in form of canned dog food, homemade meals or yummy dog biscuits and other delicacies.


Of course, in addition to paying attention that the ingredients are a good match for your pooch, you’ll have to make sure you’re following the feeding guide, too. Papi Pom dogs might be small, but they can be a bit greedy with food. And, due to their petite frame, weight is gained easily and can lead to serious health issues.


A well-balanced diet will keep your Papi Pom pet happy and healthy.


Training


Both the Pomeranian and the Papillon are known as intelligent dog breeds, so it’s no wonder that this toy hybrid inherits the brain power from its parents. However, the fact that Papi Pom is smart doesn’t mean they’re always easy to train. Sometimes, these little dogs can have a pretty big attitude: their stubborn and independent streak might require a bit more patience during training sessions.


However, the good news is that the Papi Pom is a people-pleaser at its core. These pooches will love to do anything that puts you in a good mood, so with some positive reinforcement methods, you’ll have them trained in no time! Additionally, you should pay attention to timely and proper socialization, as well. Your Papi Pom puppy might inherit the tendency towards nippiness from his Pom parent, so make sure to teach them that nips are not OK, especially if you have kids.


Weight


With all designer dog breeds, there is a certain level of unpredictability. After all, a first generation cross of two purebred dogs has no set standards for its appearance or character. However, the Papillon and Pomeranian are very much alike, even when it comes to their size. Therefore, there are no huge variations with Paperanian’s weight: these hybrid dogs usually weigh from 3 to 10 pounds.


Temperament/Behavior

No one will ever accuse a Papi Pom of lacking a personality, that’s for sure! These are lively dogs with a lot of spirit in their small bodies. They are curious and playful, and they’ll often keep themselves busy running around and playing on their own. However, Papi Pom will appreciate it more if he had your company, especially if it involves throwing a ball or doling out some belly rubs. Above all, Papi Pom is a sweet, affectionate pooch that will love spending time with you. Papi Pom is bred to be a companion dog and its behavior clearly shows it. Cuddling, walks, playing fetch, snuggling on a sofa- these are all activities that this hybrid dog will enjoy immensely.


In fact, provided that they were socialized, the affectionate side of the Papi Pom will be shown to children, other pets and strangers, too. These pooches have so much love in them that it’s a mystery how their tiny body contains it all!


Common Health Problems


In general, it is considered that mixed breed dogs suffer from fewer diseases than their purebred fellows. While there is some truth to it, at least when it comes to congenital issues, it doesn’t mean that hybrid dogs are always 100 percent healthy. Even Papi Pom, who is believed to be quite robust, has a few health issues that they could inherit. Some of the major concerns when it comes to congenital health problems for Papi Pom are Von Willebrand’s disease, Patent Ductus Arteriosus, and cryptorchidism.


Additionally, you should pay special attention to your new pet’s oral hygiene. Both the Pomeranian and Papillon are small dogs who are prone to early teeth loss and quick plaque buildup. Routine teeth brushing, dental treats and plaque removal will help your cute canine keep their canines as long as possible!


Life Expectancy


All things considered, Papi Pom probably hasn’t been around as long as it is needed for experts to claim its life expectancy with certainty. Of course, the plethora of experience we have with both Papillon and the Pomeranian makes it possible for us to guesstimate the lifespan of Papi Pom, as well. On average, these small breed dogs should live between 14 to 16 years, although the number of birthdays they celebrate will depend a lot on their lifestyle and genetics.


Exercise Requirements


The small stature of these dogs might fool you into thinking that Papi Pom is a lap dog through and through. While they might not be as active as their bigger cousins, these hybrid dogs still have a lot of energy to spend. Owing especially to their Papillon parent, they have an athletic side to them and will appreciate every fun activity you can offer. Granted, due to their petite demeanor, it won’t be hard to exercise them- even if it’s indoors. Speaking of indoors, Papi Pom dogs are a great choice for apartment dwellers. They don’t need much space and frequent daily outings to be happy. Strutting about your condo will be like strolling around a palace to this designer toy dog.


As Papi Pom has modest activity levels and exercise requirements, when compared to other dog breeds, you won’t have to worry about them being high-maintenance. Even 20 to 30 minutes of exercise will keep them in perfect shape. A nice walk around the neighborhood or some time spent in a nearby dog park is more than enough for your spirited toy dog to be happy!


These are lively dogs with a lot of spirit in their small bodies.


Recognized Clubs


Papi Pom is a designer dog breed, and a fairly rare one at that. So, it doesn’t come as a surprise to learn that it’s not recognized by American Kennel Club or any other official clubs or organizations. After all, the inability of crossbreed dogs to adhere to strict appearance and behavior standards makes it impossible to fit in with AKC’s requirements. However, designer dog breeds are gaining popularity and there is a growing need for breeders to be regulated and their dogs recognized. There are many organizations that are dedicated to this, and those if them that recognize the Papi Pom include American Canine Hybrid Club, Designer Dogs Kennel Club, Dog Registry of America, and International Designer Canine Registry.


Coat


As a designer dog, Papi Pom is the direct descendant of two different breeds. And, as such, your puppy can end up looking more like one parent than the other and displaying more traits typical for one breed, rather than be a perfect blend of both. In terms of coat, Papi Pom can either sport a fluffy fur or a silkier coat, but in both cases, its hair will be medium to long, with moderate shedding tendencies. The coat of a Papi Pom can come in any color or color combination.


Fortunately, the velvety coat of your new pet won’t be too hard to maintain. Papi Pom dogs are not too demanding when it comes to grooming. Brushing them a few times a week will keep their silky locks free of tangles and knots, and maintain that beautiful luster of the hair, too. These hybrid toy dogs won’t need frequent baths as they don’t have a strong natural odor as some breeds do. When you do bathe them, though, make sure to choose a dog shampoo and conditioner suited to their fine hair and sensitive skin.


Puppies


To make sure that your Papi Pom puppy becomes a sweet, kind dog it can be, you will need to socialize them on time. Teaching them basic manners and good behavior while their young will help eliminate any potential issues down the road, and also ensure that your pooch is content and happy with their environment. As it is the case with any puppy, regardless of its breed, you should opt for positive reinforcement methods for any type of training.


Once the cute puppyhood stage passes and your pet matures into an even cuter adult dog, you can expect them to be friendly, affectionate, and lively. Papi Pom bonds to its family and loves nothing more than to be around them at all time- an ideal companion dog. Their gentle nature and undemanding exercise requirements make them a great choice for seniors, as well as apartment dwellers in general. Although their personality makes them get along with kids and other pets, Papi Pom dogs have a fragile build, so they should be paired with older, careful children and furry companions of matching size.


Photo credit: Martin Haas/Shutterstock; Steve Bruckmann/Shutterstock; Monica Gonsalves/Shutterstock

Angela Vuckovic
Angela Vuckovic

A proud mama to seven dogs and ten cats, Angela spends her days writing for her fellow pet parents and pampering her furballs, all of whom are rescues. When she's not gushing over her adorable cats or playing with her dogs, she can be found curled up with a good fantasy book.

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