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Schip-A-Pom (Schipperke & Pomeranian Mix): Info, Pictures, Facts

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By Nicole Cosgrove

Schip-A-Pom (Schipperke & Pomeranian Mix)

Height: 8–13 inches
Weight: 8–25 pounds
Lifespan: 13–15 years
Colors: Black, dark grey, silver grey, tan
Suitable for: Couples and singles living in apartments or with small yards
Temperament: Playful, energetic, mischievous, stubborn, independent

The feisty Schip-A-Pom is a designer breed, a cross between a Pomeranian and a Schipperke. These breeds have much in common, and the hybrids are just as mischievous and big in personality. They are intelligent little pups and often use their intellect to get their way. Many owners describe these dogs as being manipulative and stubborn, and they can be fiercely independent one second and the world’s most loving lapdog the next. Since they are so similar in nature to their parent breeds, it’s worth taking a brief look at the origins of these breeds to get a clearer understanding of what to expect.

Pomeranians are tiny, adorable puffballs: the textbook lapdog. They can be mischievous, bold, and courageous, which is impressive considering their pint-size frame, and they have a bite that is far smaller than their bark. These dogs have a royal history: They were the dog of choice for Queen Victoria and had the personality to match. Their fearless nature can get them into trouble, though, as they are far bigger in their imagination than they are in reality.

The Schipperke is a tenacious little breed, originally bred in Belgium for ratting and herding. They are high-energy pups that can be stubborn and difficult to train. They have a curious and inquisitive nature that can quickly distract them from the task at hand. They have a common nickname, “Little Black Devil,” which should give you a good insight into this mischievous little dog’s nature.

If a hybrid of these unique dogs sounds like the right choice for you, keep reading to find out more about this little dog.

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Schip-A-Pom Puppies

Energy
Trainability
Health
Lifespan
Sociability

The Schip-A-Pom is a dog that likes to push the limits, so they may not be the ideal choice for first-time owners. Before buying one of these balls of energy, you need to take into consideration that they are somewhat difficult to train and will take a great deal of dedication and consistency. An unruly and untrained Schip-A-Pom is a difficult pet to have around. They can bark incessantly, rip up your shoes and furniture, and even be aggressive toward strangers and children.

However, when properly socialized and trained, they are great little companions. They are inquisitive and curious, with a sharp and alert mind, and can make great guard dogs too.

Parent Breeds of the Schip-A-Pom
Image Credit: (L) Al_Er, Shutterstock | (R) Ivanova N, Shutterstock

Temperament & Intelligence of the Schip-A-Pom 🧠

Schip-A-Poms are fiery, independent, and stubborn little dogs with larger-than-life personalities. They are impulsive creatures, with a penchant for mischievousness that borders on legendary. With their sharp and quick mind and high intellect, they make great little watchdogs. They are prone to taking this job a little too seriously, though, and will bark incessantly even at leaves blowing off of trees. This courageous streak can get them into trouble with bigger dogs, as they have the bravery of a Great Dane squeezed inside a puny frame that is far more bark than bite.

They have a stubborn streak and curiosity that can make them difficult to train. They will either be distracted by something else with their endless curiosity or otherwise refuse to do what you want them to. They are independent by nature but make great little lap dogs—when they feel so inclined.

Consistent and regular training and most importantly for these self-assured rascals, consistent praise will usually mitigate their bossy and stubborn nature somewhat. But deep inside, they are independent creatures that always believe, or wish, that they are far larger dogs than in reality.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 🏡

While Schip-A-Poms can be loving and loyal family pets, it may be a long road to travel to get them there. They are feisty, brash, and bossy and may see children as merely an obstacle between them and their precious owners. Their testy and scrappy nature may make them not ideal pets to have around children, but this is mostly due to their highly sensitive nature rather than inherent aggression. Children can become overwhelming for them, and they intensely dislike any teasing or rough play.

Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets? 🐶 😽

Schip-A-Poms can be a problem around other pets, as they prefer to be the center of attention. They will use their disproportionately large doses of courage and attempt to assert their dominance over even the biggest and meanest of dogs, often getting them into trouble. That said, they have such large reserves of attitude that they mostly get away with it! If they are socialized early and trained properly, they are usually amicable with other pets, albeit against their will.

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Things to Know When Owning a Schip-A-Pom

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

The Schip-A-Pom will need around 1 cup of good quality dry kibble a day. This should ideally split into two separate meals, as these little pups have a ton of energy and a fast metabolism. We recommend supplementing this with good quality tinned food or lean meat on occasion to get some good quality protein. Canned food can also be mixed with dry food to add variety.

These dogs should not be freely fed, as they are prone to overeating and will quickly become overweight if given a chance. Also, you should avoid giving them table scraps, and food like wheat, sugar, and fatty meats should be strictly off-limits.

Exercise 🐕

While these dogs are little balls of energy, their small size makes this energy easy to burn off. They will only need a moderate amount of exercise, and around 45 minutes of vigorous exercise a day should be sufficient. They will love walks but should be kept on a leash at all times, as they are prone to run after any small animals.

This vigorous exercise should be supplemented with mentally stimulating activities like fetch or frisbee. These dogs are well-suited to apartment living with their small size, the only problem being their propensity for barking!

Schip-A-Poms are mischievous pups and have a tendency to misbehave if they don’t get the required activity and exercise. This can lead to chewing of shoes, furniture, or anything else they can find, as well as aggression and of course, excessive barking.

Schip-a-Pom outside in autumn
Image credit: Marie-Jamieson, Shutterstock

Training 🦮

Schip-A-Poms are stubborn and independent dogs that can be a challenge to train. Obedience training should be started as early as possible to get them to obey commands. Early socialization is also essential, as it will get them used to being around other dogs. They are easily distracted and are usually far more interested in doing their own thing than training. Training them with a reward-based method is best, as they love to please their owners and will adore the subsequent treats!

They should be leash trained early too, as when they are off-leash and something catches their attention, they can be impossibly hard to get back. Their smart, cunning, and manipulative nature will usually help them get their way, and this hard-to-resist trait should be kept in mind.

Grooming ✂️

Schip-A-Poms have thick, dense, and long double coats that require frequent brushing to keep from knotting and matting. They will need daily brushing to remove any dead hair and will also need a bath at least every couple of weeks. Small dogs like the Schip-A-Pom are commonly inflicted with dental issues like overcrowding of teeth, so regular teeth brushing is essential to avoid plaque build-up and other problems.

They may need toenail clipping occasionally, as if left too long, their toenails can cause pain and discomfort.

Health and Conditions ❤️

Schip-A-Poms have hybrid vigor on their side, which makes them less susceptible to the diseases of their parent breeds. However, they are fairly prone to several diseases that are of some concern.

  • Progressive retinal atrophy is a disease affecting the eyes. It is the slow degeneration of the retina, which causes progressive vision loss and may eventually lead to blindness.
  • Hypothyroidism is fairly common among small dogs. It occurs when the dog’s normal thyroid hormones are decreased and can cause fatigue, listlessness, and weight gain, but it is a highly treatable disease.
  • Hip and elbow dysplasia is common among Schipperkes and is a disorder that affects their hip and elbow joints.
  • Patent ductus arteriosus is one of the most common congenital heart diseases in dogs. This disorder restricts blood flow to the heart, eventually resulting in heart failure.
  • Supernumerary teeth are a common issue among small dogs due to their small mouths. It is usually not a serious issue, though, and good dental hygiene will help keep the symptoms at bay.

Milder conditions include bloat, ear infections, and atopic dermatitis.

Minor Conditions
  • Bloat
  • Ear infections
  • Progressive retinal atrophy
  • Atopic dermatitis
  • Supernumerary teeth
Serious Conditions
  • Cancer
  • Hypothyroidism
  • Patent ductus arteriosus
  • Hip and elbow dysplasia

Male vs. Female

If the fiery Schip-A-Pom seems like a good fit for you, the last thing to decide is whether to bring home a male or female. An important point to note is that spayed females and neutered males will negate many, if not all, differences between male and female dogs. This simple procedure is quick and easy and will lead to an all-round healthier and happier dog. Good training and upbringing will make the biggest difference in character.

That said, males are usually slightly bigger than females and can often have a thicker and denser coat. They are usually more fun-loving and playful and at the same time, more protective of their owners. Females can be moody at times and are less demanding of attention than males. They are also slightly easier to train, as they are less distracted and less prone to being stubborn.

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3 Little-Known Facts About the Schip-A-Pom

1. Schip-A-Poms are prone to excessive barking.

With their quick and keen senses, Schipperkes are prone to bark excessively. It only takes the tiniest of noises to get them going and sounding the alarm, at which point, it becomes almost impossible to stop them. Being fairly reserved and wary of strangers doesn’t help, nor does the fact that they do not enjoy being left alone for longer than 5 minutes! Worse, Schipperkes have a high-pitched, ear-numbing bark that is sure to shock everyone within range.

Pomeranians are not exactly quiet dogs either. Known for the “Pomeranian Yap,” they are notorious for barking at the slightest noise. They are protective of their owners and can be territorial animals, which leads them to bark more than the average dog.

Schip-A-Poms inevitably inherit this yapping tendency, but with early training, this can be somewhat subdued.

2. Pomeranians weren’t always so pint-sized.

While it may be hard to believe, Pomeranians weren’t always small. They are originally descended from large, Spitz-type dogs that used to weigh close to 30 pounds. They were bred as herding and sledding dogs and became popular companion dogs in the 18th century, thanks largely to Queen Victoria. Often given credit for the creation of the modern pint-sized Pomeranian, she owned a uniquely small Pomeranian that subsequently became a sought-after pup. After Queen Victoria popularized this tiny version, the Pomeranian breed shrank in physical size by as much as 50% and became the small toy dog seen today.

3. They have a royal heritage.

Pomeranians have a well-documented history with Queen Victoria, and she is largely credited with the breed’s creation. But Schipperkes have royal backgrounds too. Queen Marie-Henriette of Belgium is said to have discovered the breed at a dog show in the late 1800s and wanted one of her own. This, of course, made them a highly fashionable breed, and everyone wanted the preferred dog of the Queen.

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Final Thoughts

Schip-A-Poms are not for everyone. These cheeky and mischievous dogs can be quite a handful and have large personalities that can be difficult for some owners to handle. They are stubborn dogs that can be a challenge to train, and good training is essential to prevent unwanted behavior. They are well-suited to apartment living due to their small size and low exercise needs but have a high propensity to bark, which can make this an issue.

That said, they are great little lap dogs and perfect little companions if you are willing and able to take on the challenge of keeping their feisty little attitudes at bay.

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Featured Image Credit: Marie-Jamieson, Shutterstock

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