Australian Shepherd Pomeranian Mix: Aussie Pom Breed Facts

A small and fluffy toy breed and a medium-sized herding dog may not be a pairing that naturally comes to mind, but rest assured, this hybrid scores high points in both appearance and temperament.

The Aussie Pom is a relatively new designer dog breed. She can be mixed with a purebred standard, mini, or toy Australian Shepherd and a purebred Pomeranian. She is known for being highly trainable and affectionate. Although her exact date of origin is unknown, this breed has been steadily growing in popularity in both North America and Europe, largely due to her convenient size and good-natured character.

Not as vocal as a Pomeranian and with less shedding than an Australian Shepherd, you may get the best of both worlds with this adorable hybrid dog. Her unique colorings make her quite the looker, but her personality is what will really win you over.

Parent Breeds

Designer dogs are puppies conceived from two different purebred parents. In the case of the Aussie Pom, her parents are an Australian Shepherd and Pomeranian. Her breed name is a combination of two popular nicknames given to her parent breeds: Australian Shepherd or “Aussie” and Pomeranian or “Pom.” This particular mix is one of the more common Pomeranian mixes.

Designer dogs often come with health improvements, and the practice has opened up nearly endless possibilities for lovable new breeds! However, because designer dogs inherit different traits from each parent, it’s hard to anticipate how a mixed breed will look and act. Learning about her more predictable parent breeds can help in understanding an Aussie Pom. So, let’s take a deeper look into the Pomeranian and Australian Shepherd.

Pomeranian Overview

The Pomeranian is an official toy breed of the American Kennel Club, which describes her as “inquisitive, bold and lively.” She stands between 7 to 12 inches tall and weighs between 3 to 7 pounds, making her a very tiny breed. Her life expectancy is between 12-16 years.  Purebred Poms also can also cost over $1,000 when you buy them as pups.

Her name is derived from the Pomerania region in current-day Germany and Poland, but she originally descended from much larger Arctic sledding dogs. Pomeranians were popularized in the 18th century largely due to Queen Victoria of England’s fondness for the breed. The Pomeranian is known for her adorable “ball-of-fluff” appearance and her loyalty and devotion. 

Aussie Overview

Australian Shepherds were officially recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1993. She is classified into the “herding group” and is described as “smart, work-oriented and exuberant.” Australian Shepherds fall between 18 and 23 inches tall and weigh between 40 and 65 pounds. Her life expectancy is 12-15 years.

Despite what her name suggests, the Australian Shepherd did not originate in Australia. Although her exact origins have been disputed, she was likely bred from Collies in the United States in the early 1900s for the purpose of sheep herding. Her popularity rose during the 1950s and she continues to be a very popular breed today. Many Australian Shepherds work as Service Animals, search and rescue canines, and therapy dogs due to their elevated trainability.

The Aussie makes a great pet and is very popular even with how active they are.  They are also a popular cross breed, and are often mixed with other purebreds to create designer dogs like the Aussie Beagle, or the Lab Aussie mix.

The Aussie Pom Mix

The Aussie Pom mix is a great mixed breed pup that has plenty of attitude and heart.  They are both sporty and vibrant and love a good challenge.  They are great when it comes to agility, fetch, flyball, and other types of training.  There are plenty of considerations to make when adopting an Aussie Pomeranian mix, so let’s take a look at all the important factors you’ll want to think through before bringing your pup home.

Appearance

In general, an Aussie Pom will most likely look like a miniaturized Australian Shepherd with a face sporting typical Pomeranian features. She tends to have high-set ears and medium-sized eyes, both from her Pomeranian side. Her high intelligence shines through in her curious and alert expressions. Both her size and coloring vary widely and will be discussed in detail in the below sections!

Temperament

While her appearance may differ greatly from dog to dog, an Aussie Pom’s temperament is fairly consistent, thanks to both her parent breeds having similar dispositions. Described as very sociable and loyal to her owners, an Aussie Poms does not do well on her own and can get lonely and bored very quickly. Because of her high intelligence, if she is left understimulated for too long, she may find ways to get into trouble while you’re gone. The good news is her cognitive abilities also make her highly trainable.

If the Aussie Pom had a slogan, it would probably be “eager to please.” Her main goal is to love her owners and make them happy by doing whatever is asked of her. After she’s done wowing you with her obedience and tricks, she’s happy to snuggle next to you for some quality cuddles.

Taking after her Shepherd genes, the Aussie Pom can be a diligent watchdog, and although she’s not prone to “yapping” like a Pomeranian, she isn’t afraid to sound the alarm if she perceives a threat. Even with this, a well-socialized Aussie Pom is not predisposed to be overly territorial or hostile towards strangers. Both her parent breeds are known for being excellent with children, and the Aussie Pom is no different. She does well with all ages and can be a great companion for children.

Puppies and Costs

Aussie Pom litters usually produce about 4 to 6 puppies. These puppies can vary in cost. Several factors, such as the pedigree of the parents, the location of the breeder, and the coloring and size of the pup, will all affect the price. In general, a puppy for this breed will cost around $1,000 to $1,200.

Her most popular coloring is the signature merle markings of an Australian Shepherd on a white base coat. Puppies will this unique coat will be higher priced, as will puppies purchased from breeders in locations where this mix is very popular and puppies bred with the intention of being very small.

Unfortunately, because this breed is relatively new, you won’t find her in many of your local shelters. However, don’t let that discourage you from checking. The drop in price alone may be worth the additional research necessary to find an Aussie Pom rescue. Rescue organizations usually only require a donation fee to cover a portion of your new pup’s medical costs, saving you hundreds of dollars while also saving a life!

Training

It’s well known that an Aussie Pom excels at training, and she should show you little difficulty in this area. She is highly intelligent and cooperative, the perfect recipe for an extremely trainable pup. There’s a reason why her Australian Shepherd parent is used in many canine service jobs, and an Aussie Pom is likely to inherit many of those traits. She responds very well to discipline, and an appropriate training schedule should begin at a young age. This rigor will help keep her active mind engaged, stimulated, and out of trouble.

As mentioned above, an Aussie Pom is extremely loyal and can sometimes take it upon herself to defend her pack. If possible, socialization should begin when she is a puppy, usually beginning as early as seven weeks old, to help curb this protective nature and help with her tendency to bark.

As always, please use positive reinforcement when training any dog. An Aussie Pom lives to please you. Raising your voice or harsh reactions will only serve to discourage her. Positive reinforcement, however, is the affirmation she craves, and she’ll work hard to get it!

Exercise & Living Conditions

Although the Aussie Pom runs on the small-to-medium spectrum in terms of size, she requires more space and exercise than many breeds of similar stature. This is due to her Australian Shepherd side, which is a notoriously high-energy breed. She should receive somewhere between 45 to 60 minutes of exercise per day while also reserving time for mental exercises such as training or interactive toys.

Being able to explore their own space, play with toys, and venture outside to smell all the smells are important activities for this curious and energetic breed. We don’t recommend keeping an Aussie Pom in an apartment because the limited space restricts these pursuits. However, it is not impossible to make an apartment setup work with an owner who is committed to keeping her stimulated and meeting or exceeding her exercise requirements.

Size

The size of an Aussie Pom can vary widely and depends mainly on the size of her Australian Shepherd parent. Although the practice of down-sizing a relatively large breed like the Australian Shepherd is frowned upon, many breeders still participate, and today, the Australian Shepherd can be unofficially classified into three size categories: Standard, miniature, and toy.

Standard and miniature Australian Shepherd Pomeranian mixes are not uncommon, but toy Aussie Poms are difficult to find, and perhaps for good reason, as these tinier versions are not only more expensive but are prone to health concerns due to their abnormally small size for their breed.

Standard and mini Aussie Poms are usually between 13 to 18 inches tall and weigh between 15 to 35 pounds. Toy Aussie Poms measure in at 10 to 12 inches tall and weigh between 8 to 12 pounds.

It’s important to consider the ethics surrounding breeding and informing yourself when choosing a pup for your family. While toy puppies may be extremely cute, the methods with which a breeder obtained such a miniature version of a historically medium-sized breed may warrant further questions and investigation. Due diligence for the health and safety of these puppies is always recommended.

Health

A healthy, well cared for Aussie Pom can expect to live between 12 to 16 years. With hybrid vigor on her side, she may be resistant to inherited conditions from her parents. However, as mentioned above, mixes that come from toy or even miniature Australian Shepherds can be far more susceptible to health problems.

The main issues to look out for in an Aussie Pom are hip and elbow dysplasia, heart issues, kneecap dislocation, and, less serious, cataracts and dental problems. Australian Shepherds carry a gene mutation that gives their coat its distinctive coloring. This same gene can sometimes cause deafness, blindness or, in very rare cases, both. This is something any potential Aussie Pom owner should be aware of.

Understanding these conditions and looking out for symptoms, along with regular checkups, preventative healthcare, and staying up to date with vaccines and immunizations, are all essential to keeping your pup in good health.

Nutrition

An Aussie Pom varies in size, and so will their food intake, with larger mixes eating more and smaller mixes eating less. Her activity level should also be considered when deciding how much to feed your Aussie Pom. Because she is a sprightly breed, she may require more food than other comparably sized, less active dogs. Many dog food brands will have a feeding guide listed on their product based on size and activity level, which should help in deciding what’s right for your individual Aussie Pom.

In general, 1 cup of quality, grain-free dry food per day should be enough for this breed. This is just an estimate, and every individual Aussie Pom will differ. It is important to speak with a vet to make sure you’re covering all essential nutrients with an adequate amount of protein and calories. A fish oil supplement can be a great addition to an Aussie Pom’s diet to help combat some of the joint and bone issues that are common with this breed.

Coat & Colors

Her coat is possibly one of the most distinctive aspects of an Aussie Pom, sporting brindle markings similar to an Australian Shepherd’s. It is a straight and medium-length coat, which is a characteristic shared by both her Aussie and Pomeranian parents. She sheds moderately throughout the year.

There are many potential color variations, with the most popular being a white or cream-colored base coat with brown or beige markings known as “brindles.” Other possibilities are blue merle, red merle, solid color with less distinctive Australian shepherd markings, or tri-colored. An all-white mix is very rare.

Grooming

Aussie Poms have low-to-medium-level grooming requirements. She requires brushing and regular bathing to reduce shedding, but her coat does not need to be groomed or styled. Some Aussie Pom owners will trim around the eyes, ears, and paws, but this is purely preference and is not necessary.

Her fluffy coat can attract things like burrs and other undesirables while adventuring outside, so an Aussie Pom owner should make a habit of inspecting her when she comes inside. Her nails should be clipped once or twice per month to keep her paws clean and healthy. Her teeth should be brushed a few times a week, as dental hygiene is important for this breed’s health. If possible, this routine should begin when she is just a few weeks old in order to temper any fear or anxiety associated with her grooming routine.

As Family Pets

When thinking about bringing an Aussie Pom home to your family, there are a number of considerations you’ll want to think through.  We’ve learned a lot about the Aussie Pom, but is she right for your family? Let’s review:

• Aussie Poms make great family pets, and he is exceptionally good with children.
• This breed does better in a house than in an apartment due to their energy levels.
• She is known for her intelligence and eagerness to please.
• This pup is easily trainable and can learn a wide variety of tricks!
• She requires high levels of exercise and stimulation.
• She can get into trouble if she becomes bored and has pent-up energy.
• She is very affectionate, loves to snuggle, and enjoys being around her family.
• She does not do well when left alone for long periods of time.
• In general, she gets along well with other animals.
• An Aussie Pom does best in an active family that enjoys keeping up with her!

If the Aussie Pom checks all your boxes, the next step would be finding a reputable breeder or researching adoption organizations in your area.  Let’s take the next peek and look at how you can take the right steps to finding your next pup.

Finding A Puppy

Aussie Poms are not always the easiest to find. They are a relatively new breed, and it may require a bit more research to find a reputable Aussie Pom breeder. Speaking with your local Australian Shepherd and Pomeranian clubs can help point you in the direction of a breeder you can trust.

Searching the internet is another option, but make sure you do your research prior to reaching out. It’s very important that you find a reputable, trusted breeder that operates ethically and in the best interest of their dogs. Avoid breeders who claim their pups are smaller than is standard.

Requesting health certificates for the parent dogs, meeting the puppies in person, and reading reviews of the breeder can all guarantee you are buying from a legitimate breeder. Never purchase from puppy mills or puppy farms. Not only are they becoming illegal in many states due to inhumane practices, but the dogs bred from these facilities are often unhealthy.

While it may be more difficult to find Aussie Poms in your local shelters, adopting is always better than shopping. Finding an Aussie Pom to adopt may be worth your effort. Rescuing saves a life and saves you money – please consider adoption!

Final Thoughts

Mixing an energetic herding dog with a fluffy toy dog may be a surprising thought at first, but this beautiful and intelligent hybrid makes an excellent addition to many different families. She is playful and full of life and will be sure to keep you laughing! Aussie Poms are a great breed for anyone looking for an active and devoted dog for their family.