Pomeranians are very strange, quirky creatures that are very confident, sassy, and fearless, despite their very small size. Labs are very friendly, loving, and loyal dogs that care deeply about their owners, and love to play, work and be active. So what happens when you mix both breeds together?
The Labrador Pomeranian mix is a small to medium-sized dog that’s 8 to 20 inches tall and weighs between 15 to 50 pounds. With a friendly temperament, this dog makes a great companion during its lifespan of 15-20 years. This mixed breed is still relatively rare and breeders are hard to find.
This guide will cover everything there is to know about this mixed breed, including traits, characteristics, appearance, and temperament!
What is a Lab Pomeranian Mix?
A Labrador Pomeranian mix is also referred to as the Pomador.
This is a mixed, hybrid breed of both the Labrador and the Pomeranian. These dogs are typically bred by using a male Pomeranian, and a female Labrador.
As a result, these dogs are very intelligent, sassy, friendly, and unpredictable!
The Pomador is usually created by artificial insemination, despite natural breeding is sometimes possible.
The reason the Pomeranian is typically male, whilst the Labrador is female is because a female Pomeranian may not be able to carry Lab puppies, or maybe at risk due to the lab puppies’ size.
As a crossbreed and a hybrid breed, the Labrador Pomeranian mix is not a breed that is recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) despite both the Pomeranian and Labrador being registered breeds for many decades.
For instance, the Pomeranian has been registered since 1900 as a toy dog breed, whereas the AKC has recognized and registered Labradors since 1903 as a sporting breed.
The Labrador Pomeranian mix is not a common dog, as they are hard to breed. As they require artificial insemination in order for the pregnancy to take place, many breeders do not try to create this breed for themselves and stick to natural breeding.
Overview Of The Labrador Pomeranian Mix
The Labrador Pomeranian mix is a rare combination. The two breeds that make up a Pomador are so different in so many ways.
For example, you have a Pomeranian, which is a toy breed, and a very small dog, but with a big sassy attitude, that many people adore.
The Labrador could not be more different. Labs never have attitudes and are so loving, gentle, and caring. These gentle giants are much bigger than Pomeranians, so it can surprise people that the two have been bred to create a hybrid dog.
For reference, a Pomeranian typically weighs no more than about 7 pounds, which is about 3.2 kg and is only about 7 inches tall. On the other hand, you have Labradors, which can weigh about 55-80 pounds and can grow up to 24 inches tall!
But it is not just about the way they look, the dogs themselves are so vastly different. Labradors are one of America’s favorite dog breeds. They are so immensely loyal, caring and affectionate, and want to befriend everyone they meet.
On the other end of the spectrum, we have Pomeranians. These are sassy, confident, spirited small dogs that act like they are big dogs.
So, what can you expect from a mix of a Labrador and a Pomeranian? Well, take a look at our overview of the breed in the table below.
Weight | 15 – 50 lbs |
Height | 8 – 20 inches |
Size | Small to medium-sized dog |
Purpose/Type | Companion dog |
Lifespan | 10-15 years |
Temperament | Friendly |
Coat | Thick double coat |
Shedding | Moderate |
History Of The Breeds
The Pomeranian Lab mix first became known around the 1980s. This was prime time for new, designer dog breeds such as the Jack Russel mixes, Chihuahua mixes, and more and more breeders began mixing labs with other breeds.
However, Pomador is still rather rare and does not have a very deep or long history. What we can do is take a look at the history of the two breeds that make up the Pomador: the Labrador and the Pomeranian.
The Pomeranian
For instance, the Pomeranian is the smallest dog in the family of spitz dogs. They first rose to popularity in the 1800s, after Queen Victoria showcased her Pomeranians at a dog show in 1891.
As a result, these dogs became an official dog breed and were recognized by the American Kennel Club around 1900.
At this time, Pomeranians were slightly larger than they are today, but their temperaments and personalities have remained the same.
These dogs are very friendly but are also very sassy, dominating, and bossy. They know what they want, when they want it, and they are not prepared to not get their way. However, they are very loyal dogs and they do love their owners.
The Labrador Retriever
This dog breed originated in Newfoundland, Canada in the 19th century, and was bred to hunt and retrieve waterfowl, fish, ducks, and other prey.
As a result, Labradors love to please and especially love swimming. They are hardworking creatures, with very easy-going natures. They love their families and are very loyal dogs who will protect, care for and be incredibly affectionate towards their owners.
Labrador Retrievers were registered by the American Kennel Club in 1903, and have been awarded the most popular and beloved dog breed in America for the last 29 years in a row. Based on 2018 figures, Labradors represent 15% of all dogs registered each year in the USA.
These dogs continue to be popular all around the globe for their fun-loving natures, and kind predisposition towards children and other animals. In the UK, Labradors were the dog breed with the highest number of registrations in 2020, closely followed by the French Bulldog. In Canada, the Labrador Retriever has been the most popular dog breed for the past 25 years. Labradors and Border Collies are the top 2 breeds in Australia.
As you can see, these breeds could not be more different from one another, so it can be interesting to see how Labrador Pomeranian mixed puppies turn out.
As they are a crossbreed, they are not always all the same. Some Pomadors may look more like Pomeranians, and behave more like labs and vice versa.
What Does a Labrador Pomeranian Mix Look Like?
As they are a mixed breed, you can expect differences in looks, appearance, and temperament. Therefore, it is hard to say exactly what the Pomador will look like.
However, for most Labrador Pomeranian mixes, they may look like a smaller version of a Labrador or a larger version of a Pomeranian. Some can even be sort of a perfect blend between the two.
As the two dog breeds that make up a Pomador are so different, the resulting puppies can look very different from litter to litter.
But, Labradors are large dogs that can weigh anywhere from 55-80 lbs, and have an athletic, strong build, with a height of up to 24 inches.
Then, the Pomeranian is a small-sized dog, weighing only 5-7 lbs, and can often be only about 7 inches. Therefore, you can expect the mixed breed to be much smaller than a Labrador, but a little bigger than a Pomeranian.
Sometimes, Pomeranians can have plumed tails that are very fluffy and curly, which is a trait that can also be passed to the Pomador. However, Pomadors are not often bred, so there is not a lot of solid information about the breed.
Most Pomeranian Labrador mixed breeders will say that the average Pomador is about 8-20 inches tall, and weighs from 15-50 lbs.
They can also either inherit the floppy, closed ears of the Labrador, or exhibit the fully erect, pointed ears of the Pomeranian.
The face of a Pomador can also vary. Sometimes these dogs look like small, fox-like Labradors, whereas other Pomadors can look like large Pomeranians.
What is the Temperament of a Pomeranian Labrador Mix?
As it is a mixed breed, the temperament is not always the same across the board. The two breeds are very different in temperament, and so you can expect their puppies to exhibit a few of both dog’s traits.
Therefore, a Pomador’s temperament and personality can vary greatly between dogs.
Pomeranians are very confident, cheeky, and sassy. They are bold, brash, and spirited dogs that have a lot of attitude for such a small thing.
However, they are also very friendly and loyal towards their owners. That being said, they can be a little aggressive towards other dogs, and make for excellent watchdogs as they do not like strangers.
The Labrador could not be more different. Labradors are people pleasers and will do whatever you ask of them. They are so loyal and love to please their owners as much as they can.
Labs are also very affectionate, loving and want to be friends with every person that they meet. They are active, energetic, and agile dogs that love to play, run and work. They are also friendly towards other dogs and cats.
When the Labrador and the Pomeranian are combined, you will get a conflicting temperament. These dog breeds are the hybrid of two very different breeds, and so they will be incredibly intelligent and loyal, with lots of energy.
But, they may also be very hard to train and will need early socialization, plenty of exercise, and a lot of training.
They will need to be around other people and animals so that they are not fearful or aggressive towards them, and you may need to keep track of how the Pomador eats in case they have the appetite of a lab, but the smaller body of a Pomeranian!
Color Of Coat
The color of the coat can also depend on how much of each breed has been passed onto the Pomador puppy.
Pomeranians tend to have thick, double coats, which is what gives them their fluffy, cute appearance.
Labradors also have thick double coats to protect them in cold weather conditions, but also so that they can swim in lower temperature waters.
A double coat consists of two layers. These are the undercoat and the topcoat. The undercoat is present in both breeds, which is made up of shorter hair, to provide extra warmth in the winter, and keep the dog’s skin cooler in the summer months, when the temperatures change. The topcoat is short in the Labrador but long in the Pomeranian.
Any dog with a double coat will shed moderately throughout the year, but will then shed very heavily twice a year during shedding season.
This is typical during spring and fall, as the coat is molted before the summer to keep the dog cool, and a new, thicker coat comes in for the winter months to keep the dog warm.
As both breeds have a double coat, the Pomeranian Labrador mix will also have one. This will be shed every six months and can come in a range of colors.
In addition, most Labradors have either yellow, black, or brown coats, but can sometimes have variations such as white, fox red, and caramel (golden). As a result, the Pomador can also have various colored coats, but they are primarily lighter in color.
To ensure that the dog and your home are not full of loose hair, it is recommended that you brush the coat once a week, and bathe the dog 1-2 times a month. However, you may have to brush more often during the shedding process to get rid of dead hair and skin cells.
Training Of Pomador
Both the Pomeranian and the Labrador are typically easy to train. However, you will have to dominate a Pomeranian before it tries to overrule you and showcase its sassy side.
This is why training is suggested from a young age so that they will be compliant and will not be unwilling to commands and training.
Pomeranians are generally very friendly towards adults and other dogs but can have some trouble with children. Children normally do not know how to handle a small dog, and can hurt them when they pet them.
This can be seen as threatening to a small Pomeranian, so they have been known to be snappy. This is why early socialization with other dogs and small children is recommended.
Labradors are very friendly, gentle giants. They are easy to train and love to work and answer commands. They will be very soft and loving towards children and other dogs, and will generally be very calm and docile around all kinds of creatures, including cats.
Socialization however is always a good idea, as the dog can become used to being around small children, and other dogs so that they know who to appropriately play with them.
As your Pomador could be more like a lab, or like a Pomeranian, it is recommended that you train them early on in their lives, and do so as soon as possible.
You should try to introduce the puppy to new people, children, animals, objects, and places as much as you can. This will ensure that they can behave in a range of environments and situations.
You should also implement training and commands as soon as you can, ensuring that your dog is able to listen to you for simple, basic commands like Sit, Stay, and Lie Down.
Pomeranians are also prone to barking, whereas Labs are not keen barkers. So, in case your Pomador is more like its dad than its mom, you should implement training ASAP, and teach the dog not to bark.
Nutrition
How you keep your dog healthy depends on the size of the mixed breed. Depending on its size, you can alter how much you feed it. Larger dogs will need about 2 cups of kibble a day, whereas smaller dogs can eat only 1 cup per day.
Normal Pomeranians tend not to be obese as they are only small, and very active dogs. However, if you overfeed them and do not exercise them, they will gain weight quickly.
Labradors are prone to obesity as they really love their food. However, they are active, so should be able to burn off the food they are given with a good diet and exercise balance.
Your Pomador may have the love of food like a Lab, but it will probably be very energetic too. Whilst the Pomador will not need as much food as a lab, it can be fed little and often throughout the day to give it the energy it needs to thrive.
It is recommended to give small meals (based on size) three times a day to give your dog the nutrition they need.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exercise does a Labrador Pomeranian mix need?
Both of the parents of the Pomador are active and energetic dogs, so the Pomador will be, too. The Pomeranian tends to love running and playing, but it does not need too much exercise due to its smaller exterior. Most Pomeranians will require about 30 minutes of exercise to stay healthy and happy.
In comparison, Labradors are very active and need a lot of physical exercise and long walks to burn off their energy. Labs will need around an hour of exercise a day to keep them healthy, and to prevent any bored or destructive behaviors.
Some dogs can start chewing through furniture, or will bite on drywall and begin breaking things in the home if they are not exercised enough as they require a lot of mental and physical stimulation.
Labs are one of those breeds that will need lots of chew toys, squeaky toys, attention, and exercise in order to be happy.
As a combination of a Pomeranian and a Lab, the Pomador will need about 45-60 minutes of physical activity and exercise every day.
Daily walks are essential to keeping the Pomeranian Labrador mix healthy, active, and stimulated. These dogs can live in homes with a backyard, or in an apartment, as long as they get their daily exercise.
You can also try taking it swimming. Labs love to swim, but Pomeranians…not so much. But, you never know what traits your Pomador has inherited from its parents, so you can give it a go!
What are the health issues of a Labrador Pomeranian mix?
A typical Pomeranian Lab mix will have a lifespan of about 10-15 years, but this does depend on the dog, their diet, and general health. There are many diseases that can affect a Pomador, most of which are common health issues for the parent dogs.
The main health problems and diseases for Pomeranians and Labs are Cardiomyopathy, Entropion, Patellar Luxation, and Tracheal collapse.
How do I find a Labrador Pomeranian mix?
Pomeranian Labrador mixes are not common and are not often bred by breeders. However, if you want one of these unique dogs for yourself, you can take a look on places like Petfinder.com.
In addition to this, you can look at local dog rescues, or try specific breed dog adoption centers. For instance, there is the Midwest Labrador Rescue or Labrador Retriever Rescue where you may be able to find the crossbreed.
On the other hand, you may find mixed Pomeranians in their specific rescues and Pomeranian and Small Breed Rescue.