4-7 lbs
8-12"
Unknown
The Toy Pom Terrier is a recent hybrid breed resulting from a cross between a Pomeranian and a Toy Fox Terrier. This is a loyal, fun-loving companion dog that requires a lot of attention and consistent exercise. The Toy Pom Terrier is a great lapdog because it thrives on attention from its owner. Because of its small stature, it is a delicate breed and thus not a great fit for families with young children. Owners of the Toy Pom Terrier say that he is a feisty addition to the family.
The Toy Pom Terrier is a fairly new hybrid breed and its history is not yet clear. It is a mix between a Pomeranian and a Toy Fox Terrier. Pomeranians hail from Germany and Lapland and are descendants from breeds including the German Spitz, the Alaskan Malamute, and the Samoyed. Surprisingly, Pomeranians used to be up to 30 pounds in size and were used for sheep herding! The breed standards changed when Queen Victoria developed an affection for them and began selecting and breeding the smallest ones to be her lapdogs. Pomeranians have been a popular breed ever since their admittance to the American Kennel Club in 1900; however, the origins of the breed date back to as early as 1767. The Toy Fox Terrier is sometimes affectionately referred to as the Amertoy, a nod to its US origins. Descended from breeds like the Chihuahua, the Italian Greyhound and the Smooth Fox Terrier, these small dogs were bred to hunt rodents and vermin. They soon became prized circus performers due to their aptitude for agility and their eagerness to please their trainers. They originated in the early 1900s but weren’t officially recognized by the American Kennel Club until 2003. Toy Fox Terriers are natural performers, but they love to be entertained as well – the AKC notes their love of watching television as one of their breed characteristics! When combined, these two lovable toy breeds make for a devoted and animated companion dog.
Pomeranians are known for their thick, double coat, solid coloring, curled tail and pointed ears. They have cute button noses that come in a variety of colors, and big eyes that make them look like teddy bears. Toy Fox Terriers are known for their short coats, slim legs, naturally bobbed tail, and large pointed ears. Due to the diversity in characteristics between their two parent breeds, Toy Pom Terriers can vary widely in appearance. Their coats range from short to long, thin to dense, and can be just about any color. Despite both their parent breeds having pointed ears, Toy Pom Terriers may still have floppy ones! Terrier traits that are consistent across all three breeds are their alert expressions and pointed snouts. These are compact little dogs with short, slender legs and small paws.
Grooming requirements for The Toy Pom Terrier will vary depending on the makeup of their coat. They are prone to shedding, regardless of the length of their coat. For short-haired Toy Pom Terriers, weekly brushing will be sufficient, but for longer coats bi-weekly brushing is ideal. This breed can have sensitive skin and skin allergies so it is worth taking precautions in that regard; use unscented or gentle shampoos to avoid irritating their skin. Toy Fox Terriers hate water, so bathing may be stressful for Toy Pom Terriers as well. They may be sensitive to cold if they have short coats, so be sure to keep water temperatures warm during bathing and dry these pups thoroughly afterward. Due to the Pomeranian’s susceptibility to early tooth loss, weekly, or even daily, tooth brushing is a good precaution to take with Toy Pom Terriers as well.
Don’t let their size fool you, these tiny dogs have big personalities and plenty of energy. Toy Pom Terriers are playful and energetic, but they also love to cuddle with their owners. They are wary of strangers and will raise quite the alarm when they sense new elements in their environment; for this reason, it’s important to train them well. They are very trainable, and eager to please, but they can be mischievous if training is not consistently enforced. They are a proud little breed and they love to be the center of attention. Because of their tiny size and delicate legs, they are not well suited for families with young children, who play too rough for their small frames. Toy Fox Terriers are known to be nippy (a common Terrier trait), and this may carry over to some Toy Pom Terriers as well. Because of their small size and feisty personalities, they do sometimes develop a Napoleon complex. That said, they typically get along with other animals, but it is important to socialize them when they are young.
Toy Pom Terriers are quite energetic, despite their small size. They are intelligent and prone to barking when they don’t receive sufficient exercise. Because they are so tiny they don’t require long walks (about 30 minutes per day should be sufficient) but they do need regular attention. They are well suited to live anywhere, but when in an urban area exercise is crucial to keep their energy levels in check and their barking under control. They are suited to any climate but those with short coats will require a sweater in cold weather, while those with longer coats will be more sensitive to heat.
Written by a Border Collie lover Janine DeVault
Published: 12/22/2017, edited: 02/24/2021
More articles by Janine DeVault
My pom-toy fox terrier has gotten really bad about biting me. Like when I try to pet him or pick him up he's not attacking me its like hes playing but its aggressive but he didn't do it at first and he doesn't do it to my husband. He wont listen when I tell him No biting and I dont know how to discipline him with him being so small and I cant afford to do any obedience classes or have a trainer come in.
