Pomapoo
POH-muh-poo
United States· United States
The Pomapoo is a cross between the Pomeranian and the Toy or Miniature Poodle, developed in the United States in the late 1990s. It is also known as the Pomeroodle or Pomeranian Poodle Mix.
At a glance
Quick facts
Size
Small
Exercise needs
30–45 minutes daily
Home size suited to
Flat or small home
Grooming frequency
Regular brushing; clip as needed
Coat length
Medium
Sheds
Very little to moderately, depending on coat type
Lifespan
12–15 years
Town or country
Either, with company and play
Garden size needed
Small garden or none
Where it comes from
Origins of the Pomapoo
The Pomapoo has no traditional working landscape; it was developed in the United States in the late 1990s as a companion cross combining the Pomeranian's character with the Poodle's coat and intelligence.
- Region
- United States
- Climate it was bred for
- Varied; developed as a companion cross, sensitive to temperature extremes given small size
- Original job
- Companion dog with a low-shedding coat
The long read
About the breed
It is one of the less-documented doodle crosses, and the variability is wide: some Pomapoos inherit the Pomeranian's straight, double, shedding coat and foxy outline, others the Poodle's curl and low-shedding qualities, and many land somewhere in between. Size leans smaller with more Pomeranian influence — typically 8–12 in tall and 5–15 lb — and males tend to run larger. Colours span black, white, cream, apricot, sable, brown and parti-colours.
The temperament is generally friendly, playful and outgoing, and most Pomapoos do well with children and other pets. More Pomeranian-influenced lines can be sassier, more reserved with strangers and prone to alert barking, so early socialisation pays off. Exercise needs are modest — short walks and interactive play — making the cross a good apartment and first-time-owner fit, provided someone is usually around: this is a social dog that would rather not be left alone.
Despite marketing claims, no Pomapoo is truly hypoallergenic — no dog is — and because the cross is unregulated, buyers should ask about health testing on both parents, particularly patellas, eyes and the Pomeranian side's trachea.
Expect litter-to-litter differences depending on which parent's genes dominate — coat, size and temperament vary more than in an established breed.
Related breeds
Explore connected types
Similar regional histories do not make these names interchangeable.
MaltipooA closely comparable small doodle, with the Maltese's gentler, quieter nature.
CavapooA similarly gentle small doodle, with the Cavalier's spaniel temperament.
CockapooThe original doodle cross — a little larger and usually more energetic.
LabradoodleThe best-known doodle, in a much larger, more athletic package.
Living with one
Temperament & needs
Our own ratings, based on the breed standard and how these dogs behave in ordinary homes.
Friendliness
4/5
Friendly and outgoing; Pomeranian-leaning lines can be more reserved with strangers.
Trainability
4/5
Bright and playful; responds well to positive, consistent training.
Energy
3/5
Low to moderate — short walks and interactive play are sufficient.
Barking
3/5
Pomeranian-influenced lines can be prone to alert and nuisance barking.
Grooming
3/5
Regular brushing to prevent matting; straighter coats shed more than curly ones.
Suits a first-time owner
4/5
Well suited to apartments and first-time owners with time for company and play.
Sociability
4/5
Generally good with children and other pets; a social cross that dislikes being left alone.
Independence
2/5
Prefers regular company; can become vocal or anxious when left for long periods.
Illustrated breed standard
The points of the breed
Hover or tap a numbered point to read what the standard asks for.
Point 1
Head
The Pomapoo's head should be balanced and expressive, between the two parent types.
Colours & patterns
Recognised coats
Which coats the standard accepts — and which are simply popular.
Black
Standard colour
A common Pomapoo coat; as an unregulated cross, no colour is officially 'accepted' or excluded.
White
Standard colour
A common Pomapoo coat; as an unregulated cross, no colour is officially 'accepted' or excluded.
Cream
Standard colour
A common Pomapoo coat; as an unregulated cross, no colour is officially 'accepted' or excluded.
Apricot
Standard colour
A common Pomapoo coat; as an unregulated cross, no colour is officially 'accepted' or excluded.
Sable
Standard colour
A common Pomapoo coat; as an unregulated cross, no colour is officially 'accepted' or excluded.
Brown
Standard colour
A common Pomapoo coat; as an unregulated cross, no colour is officially 'accepted' or excluded.
Parti-colour
Standard colour
A common Pomapoo coat; as an unregulated cross, no colour is officially 'accepted' or excluded.
Timeline
History & development
Late 1990s
Cross developed in the US
Breeders began crossing Pomeranians with Toy and Miniature Poodles as the doodle wave gathered pace.
2000s
A quieter doodle
The Pomapoo spread more slowly than the Cockapoo or Labradoodle and remains less formally documented.
Today
Small companion niche
Popular with apartment dwellers and first-time owners looking for a small, sociable cross.
Reference
Breed standard summary
- body
- Compact, light-boned and well-proportioned.
- coat
- Highly variable — straight and double (Pomeranian-leaning) to curly and low-shedding (Poodle-leaning)
- ears
- Variable — from the parent's drop ear to a softly feathered set.
- eyes
- Dark, round and bright.
- gait
- Light, free and springy.
- head
- Rounded and expressive, between the two parent types.
- size
- Height 8–12 in (20–30 cm); weight 5–15 lb (2–7 kg).
- tail
- Carried level to gently curved over the back; varies by individual.
- colour
- Black, White, Cream, Apricot, Sable, Brown, Parti-colour
- muzzle
- Short to medium, neat and functional.
- temperament
- Affectionate, playful and people-focused; nervousness or persistent aggression is undesirable.
- general appearance
- A small companion cross combining Pomeranian and Poodle (Toy or Miniature) traits; appearance varies by line.
Health
What to screen for
Green means little to worry about, amber means ask the breeder for test results, red means manage it actively.
Patellar luxation
Screen for it
Common to both parent breeds; ask for patella checks on the parents.
Tracheal collapse
Watch closely
A Pomeranian inheritance risk — use a harness rather than a collar for walks.
Progressive retinal atrophy
Screen for it
Ask for PRA DNA clearance on the Poodle parent.
Dental disease
Watch closely
Crowded small jaws need daily dental care from puppyhood.
General information only — always speak to your vet about your own dog.
From real owners
Dogs like this
Pomapoos added by PawPoint members through their pet passports. Share yours to appear here.
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Made for the Pomapoo
The book, plus prints, hoodies and mugs using our own Pomapoo illustration — and one everyday accessory that suits any dog.
The book
Pawpoint: The Complete Dog Breed Book
Every officially recognised breed plus the unofficial ones nobody else documents. 400+ pages, hardback, printed and shipped from the UK.
Own stock — shipped by us
Framed poster
Pomapoo Framed Poster
Museum-weight print of our Pomapoo illustration, framed or unframed.
Printed to order
Hoodie
Pomapoo Hoodie
Heavyweight hoodie carrying the Pomapoo illustration on the chest.
Printed to order
Mug
Pomapoo Mug
Ceramic mug with the Pomapoo illustration wrapped around it.
Printed to order
Accessory
Slicker & Deshedding Brush
Self-cleaning slicker head for coats of every length.
Fits any dog
Pawpoint on YouTube
Watch the full Pomapoo video
Breed deep-dives, history and honest ownership talk. New film every week.
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