Looking for a dog breed that is as sociable as it is beautiful? The Pomeranian Golden Retriever mix could be the loyal companion you have been searching for.
In this guide, we’re going to learn all about this mixed breed's physical traits and personality. We'll also tell you what you need to know about exercise, health, grooming, and other aspects of care. Let's begin!
Parent Breeds
To understand the Pomeranian Golden Retriever mix, it helps to learn about its parent breeds.
Pomeranian
We’ll start by discussing the Pomeranian. This toy-sized dog features a fluffy double coat. While a golden color is the most common, the American Kennel Club (AKC) reports that nearly two dozen different colors are possible.
Looking at the Pom’s small stature, you would probably be surprised to learn that these little dogs were bred from Arctic sled dogs!
Intelligent, energetic, and alert, they can thrive in large or small spaces and are perfect for families.
Golden Retriever
Golden Retrievers are much larger than Pomeranians, with heights ranging from 21.5 to 24 inches.
The Golden Retriever's coat is not fluffy like that of the Pomeranian, but it is dense. The color is, of course, golden.
Explaining the Golden Retriever's history, the AKC writes that Dudley Marjoribanks, the first Lord Tweedmouth, crossbred a “Yellow Retriever” with a Tweed Water Spaniel, which is an extinct breed. Over subsequent generations, he added Bloodhound and Irish Setter to produce an impressive working dog.
This type of dog is energetic, loyal, and highly trainable. Like the Pomeranian, the Golden Retriever is eager to socialize and play.
Golden Retriever Pomeranian Mix
Now that you know about this mix's parent breeds let's learn all about Pomeranian Golden Retrievers.
Physical Traits
As you would expect, this mixed breed inherits traits from both parents. Depending on which traits are expressed, appearances and sizes can vary.
Indeed, some of those variations may be dramatic, considering the size difference between a medium Golden Retriever and a toy Pomeranian.
You will see the most unpredictable outcomes from a first-generation Pomtriever. This is a mix that is bred directly from a Golden Retriever and a Pomeranian.
But there are also multi-generational Pomeranian Golden Retrievers. For example, if you breed two first-generation Pomtrievers, you will produce a second generation Pomtriever.
If you want more predictable features, you should work with a breeder who can breed a fourth or fifth-generation Pomeranian Golden Retriever for you.
Personality
There are some similarities between the temperaments of this mixed breed's parent breeds. Both are friendly, intelligent, and loyal. So, those are also traits you can expect from your Pomtriever.
One big difference between the parent breeds is the purposes they were bred for. The Pom is essentially a lapdog, while the Golden Retriever is a working dog.
Nevertheless, Poms tend to be lively, so you can expect your mixed breed to be pretty energetic regardless of whether the Golden Retriever or Pom personality shines through more.
Also, both Pomeranians and Golden Retrievers are highly alert and make fantastic guard dogs, so the same is true for the mixed breed.
Care Guide
Are you excited yet about the idea of bringing home one of these lively, beautiful dogs? Let's check out what you need to know about taking care of a Pomtriever.
How Much Exercise Does a Pomtriever Need?
The AKC reports that Pomeranians need a “regular” amount of exercise. Goldens, meanwhile, need lots of daily activities. If they don't get it, they can get bored and act out.
You can expect your mixed breed to need a moderate to a high amount of daily exercise. So, if your pup leans toward the Golden side concerning exercise needs, you will want to plan for two walks a day. Each should last 20-30 minutes.
How Much Space Does This Mixed Breed Require?
Poms do not require much space at all, but as we already discussed, the mixed breed will be closer in size to a Golden, maybe just a little bit smaller.
So, you will want to have a reasonably large home. A yard with a fence will give you a safe place to play with your Pomeranian Golden.
Is It Easy to Train a Pomeranian Golden Retriever Mix?
Here is some good news. Since both Poms and Goldens are loyal and intelligent, they are pretty easy to train in most cases. That means that your mixed Pom Golden should also inherit this trait.
You will have the easiest time training your mixed breed dog if you start when he is a puppy.
Note that Poms sometimes can lose patience with extended training sessions. If you notice your mixed breed exhibiting this behavior, try training in short, controlled bursts. You may find that it is less stressful and more effective.
Does This Mix Make a Good Family Pet?
Wondering how Pom Golden mixes do with families? They are an ideal choice for several reasons:
1. For starters, the vigilance of this mixed breed makes them excellent watchdogs to protect your family.
2. The playful, energetic nature of this hybrid breed, along with their loyalty, means they will want to spend lots of time with family members.
3. Unlike the Pomeranian, the Pomeranian Golden Retriever is not a toy dog. If you have smaller children, they are less likely to injure the mixed breed through rough play than a purebred Pom.
How Much Do Pomeranian Golden Retrievers Bark?
It may not surprise you to learn that you can expect your Pom Golden mix to be pretty vocal.
Think about it. Both the Pom and the Golden are vigilant watchdogs.
So, while they can help protect your property and family, they also can overreact to small things in your environment.
Poms can be particularly stubborn in this respect. Even though training them is not too challenging in general, getting them to stop barking at everything that moves can sometimes be a bit more of a chore than you might be expecting.
Health and Nutrition Requirements
We have now talked about training and exercise and what types of households this mixed breed is a good fit for. But what is involved with taking care of a Pomeranian Golden's health?
More good news—both the parent dogs of this hybrid tend to be pretty healthy. So, their offspring typically are as well.
Both Poms and Goldens can be prone to certain health conditions, however, any of which might show up in a Pomtriever. Here is what to be on the lookout for:
As with any other type of dog, Pom Goldens can get infected by viruses, bacteria, or parasites. When you groom your pet (see below), you can be on the lookout for infections.
When it comes to your dog's nutritional needs, the most important thing to be aware of is that both parent breeds can quickly put on weight.
To avoid becoming overweight, you should make sure that you do not overdo it with respect to fattening foods. In particular, sugary treats like fruits should be shared with this hybrid breed in moderation.
In fact, while we are talking about sugary treats, we should also touch upon dental health.
It is important to keep up with any dog’s oral health, but you need to be extra cognizant with a Pomtriever.
The Aubrey Animal Medical Center writes, “Unfortunately, your Pomeranian is more likely than other dogs to have problems with her teeth. It starts with tartar build-up on the teeth and progresses to infection of the gums and roots of the teeth … In fact, your Pom’s life span may be cut short by one to three years!”
Ouch. This is an area where you do not want to be negligent. So, make sure at least once a week, you are brushing your Pom Golden's teeth.
Grooming
Now that we have discussed nutrition, dental health, and general health, let's talk about what you can expect concerning grooming.
Type of Coat
Poms and Goldens both have double coats, so the hybrid breed does as well. Depending on which parent’s genes express more dominantly, the coat's texture could be more like that of a Golden or more like a Pom. We will discuss the impact of the coat type below.
Are Pomeranian Golden Retrievers Hypoallergenic?
If you have a dog allergy, you might be wondering whether or not getting a Pom Golden Retriever will be a good idea. Are these dogs hypoallergenic, or will they make your allergies worse?
Well, here’s what you need to know about “hypoallergenic dogs.” Technically, there is no such thing as a truly hypoallergenic dog.
The reason is that dogs excrete proteins from their salivary and skin glands to which you are allergic. All dogs do this, not just Pomeranians or Golden Retrievers. The proteins are on the dander and hair that dogs shed around your house.
So, no, a Pomeranian Golden Retriever is not hypoallergenic. But technically, no other dog is either.
How Much Do Pomeranian Golden Retrievers Shed?
We established that if you have a dog allergy, you are allergic to proteins that end up on fur and dander.
The more a dog sheds, the more allergens will be scattered around your home. So, how much shedding can you expect from a Pomtriever?
Goldens tend to shed heavily, while Poms shed more moderately. Overall, the mixed breed sheds less heavily than Goldens, so that is great news if you have allergies.
The reason Poms shed less than Goldens has to do with the texture of their fur. The fluffy coat tends to collect loose hairs, whereas the Golden coat sheds them with more ease. So, the more your mixed breed’s coat expresses the Pom parent genes, the less shedding you can expect.
Keep in mind that shedding will be heavier when the seasons change than it is during the rest of the year. If you want to minimize shedding, regular grooming is essential. We’ll go over some recommendations in the next section.
How to Groom a Pomeranian Golden Retriever
If you had a Golden Retriever, you could usually get away with brushing about once a week. But during season changes, when the dog blows his coat, you would need to brush every day.
If you had a Pomeranian, you could expect to get away with brushing about 2-3 times weekly.
With a mix, you won’t get away with brushing just once a week. You will need to stick with a frequency more like what you would do with the Pom.
Why? Because the coat's fluffy texture is usually closer to a Pom than that of the Golden Retriever.
Since that type of coat likes to collect loose hairs and mat, you will need to brush with a sufficient frequency to prevent that from happening.
If you do not keep up with it, you will struggle with more tangles than you need.
A pin brush and a slicker brush are ideal for preventing matting. You do not need to use these tools every time you groom, but at least once a week is helpful.
When you are grooming, remember to check inside your pet’s ears regularly for any signs of infection.
Also, be sure to trim your dog’s nails frequently. If you do not, the lively nature of this mixed breed could mean damage to your furniture.
What Does It Cost to Buy a Pomeranian Golden Retriever Puppy from a Breeder?
Are you thinking about buying a Pomtriever from a breeder? You are probably wondering what the cost will be.
It isn't easy to track down information on typical prices for this hybrid dog breed. Still, we can get an idea of costs by looking at what breeders typically charge for the two parent breeds.
If you want to purchase a Golden Retriever puppy from a breeder, you can expect to pay between $500 to $2,000. Poms have a similar price from breeders, ranging from around $700 to $2,000.
Since these prices are comparable, you can expect a similar range of anywhere from $500 to $2,000 if you want to purchase a mixed breed.
Hybrids are not as common as the two parent breeds, so you may need to do some research to locate breeders.
Remember, there are also Pomeranian Golden Retriever mixes out there in shelters right now that desperately need a forever home. So, consider opening your heart and your home and adopting one of these beautiful animals.
What Does it Cost to Own a Pom Golden?
We discussed what it costs to adopt a Pomtriever, but what ongoing expenses can you expect over the lifetime of your dog?
As when caring for any other dog, you will have the following costs to consider:
We have seen cost estimates ranging from $1,500-$3,500 a year for both Poms and Golden Retrievers, so that is roughly the annual cost range you can expect to own a mixed breed.
The costs of routine supplies should not vary much, but years when you have extra medical expenses can add up.
Pros and Cons of a Pomeranian Golden Retriever
A Pomeranian Golden Retriever has its Pros
There are also Cons to having a Pomeranian Golden Retriever
The Bottom Line
That wraps up our discussion about Pomeranian Golden Retrievers. Here is a quick summary of what we learned:
1. Pomeranian Golden Retrievers feature a mix of personality and physical traits from their parent breeds.
2. Pom Goldens have lively personalities. They love to socialize and play and usually require a couple of walks each day. Loyal guard dogs that they are, they can also be very vocal.
3. Grooming requirements are moderate and more in line with Pom care than Golden care.
If you want an energetic, sociable, intelligent and beautiful dog, it is hard to go wrong with a Pom Golden mix!
Featured image via Reddit