In this article
Overview
The Pomeranian Lab mix is undoubtedly a unique and rare combination. Its parents are distinct breeds who are at opposite ends of the spectrum. On the one hand, you have the Pomeranian—a small canine with a big-dog attitude. And on the other, you have the Labrador—a giant breed wanting to befriend everyone.
Poms weigh no more than seven pounds (3.2 kg) and are six to seven inches tall (15.24 to 17.78 cm), while Labs weigh 55-80 pounds (25-36.3 kg) and are 22-24 inches tall (55.88-60.96 cm). It’s not just the physical traits; their temperament and behavior are also different.
Natural breeding is not possible between these breeds, which means artificial insemination often takes place. The genetic material of a male Pomeranian is inserted into a female Lab. Almost always, the male is a Pom, and Lab is the female. If it were the other way around, the female Pom would be at high risk because of the puppies' size.
Since it’s a crossbreed or hybrid, it is not recognized by the AKC. Both of its parents, however, are long-time members. Pomeranian was registered in 1900 under the "toy" group, while the AKC recognized Labradors in 1903 under the “sporting” group.
Hybrids like Pomador are difficult to find because many breeders tend to stay away from breeding them. We’ll discuss everything about them in the next sections, but there are their important physical traits at a glance:
History
Hybrids like Pomeranian Lab Mix, Chihuahua Lab Mix, Great Pyrenees Lab Mix, and Jack Russell Lab Mix originated in the 1980s when designer breeds became popular. Understanding the origin of Pomador’s parent breeds will help you get a sense of where this hybrid comes from and what to expect from it.
Pomeranian
Pomeranians are the smallest member of the spitz family of dogs. Their popularity grew when Queen Victoria showed six of her Poms at a dog show in 1891. As we’ve discussed, Pomeranians were officially recognized by the AKC in 1900.
Back then, Poms were bigger in size than they are now, though their big dog attitude was the same. Pomeranians have a friendly but aggressive and bossy personality. They make excellent watchdogs and are known to be loyal. Today, they rank 23rd among the 195 breeds registered by the AKC.
Labrador Retriever
Labradors originated in the 19th century in Newfoundland, Canada. They were initially bred to hunt and retrieve fishes and ducks. They used to swim in icy waters and haul fishermen’s boats. Consequently, Labradors love to stay outside and work in the field. They are friendly, hard-working, and easygoing.
As we’ve said, the AKC registered Labs in 1903, and they’ve been the most popular breed in the United States for the last 29 years. Their high energy levels and intelligence mean they are easy to train. Labs also work as guide dogs, service dogs, and therapy dogs. You can read more about how they are used here: What Are Labradors Good For? 7 Ways Labs Are Used.
Appearance of the Pomeranian Labrador mix
As with any mixed breed, it’s difficult to exactly predict Pomador’s physical characteristics. It may look like a smaller Labrador, a bigger Pomeranian, or anything in-between.
Also, since it’s an unlikely breed, it’s not very popular. This means there’s not a lot of information available about Pomadors. We can discuss the appearance of its parent breeds to know what to expect from the hybrid.
The Labrador is a giant breed that weighs 55 to 80 pounds. These dogs are 22-to-24-inches tall and have an athletic build. On the other hand, the Pomeranian is a small dog, weighing only three to seven pounds, though they used to weigh up to 14 pounds (6.4 kg) in the past. They’re no taller than seven inches and have a heavily plumed tail.
Usually, Pomadors are bigger than a Pom but smaller than a Lab. Breeders have observed that they are usually 8 to 20 inches tall and weigh between 15 to 50 pounds. Male Pomadors are typically bigger than their female counterparts, as with any dog breed.
They may have fully erect ears like Poms or inherit Labs’ floppy ears. The facial structure also varies, but the face is usually not like a Pomeranian’s; instead, it’s slightly longer like a Labrador’s.
Temperament
Perhaps the only thing similar between a Labrador and a Pomeranian is their high energy levels, loyalty, and intelligence. Other than that, both breeds are quite different, which means Pomadors’ traits can vary greatly.
Pomeranians have a bold attitude. They sometimes don’t realize they’re small and end up taking on large dogs. Although they’re friendly and extremely loyal, they usually don’t take strangers very well. Poms are also excellent watchdogs, thanks to their high tendency to bark.
On the other hand, Labradors are even-tempered and easygoing. They love to play and want to befriend everyone, whether people or other animals. Lots of physical and mental activity is required to keep them satisfied, thanks to their working heritage. Labs are loyal, outgoing, and eager to please.
When these two breeds are combined, the resulting hybrid may favor any of the two parents. But you can expect Pomadors to be intelligent, loyal, and energetic. Though they may inherit Labrador’s voracious appetite, which means you’ll need to give them plenty of exercise and monitor their diet. Early socialization and training are also critical to ensure your Pomador puppy learns to be around other dogs and animals.
Pomador Coat and Colors
Pomeranians have a thick double coat, which is one of their most defining features. It is soft to touch and tightly packed. Similarly, Labradors also have a thick double-coat that protects them from cold and allows them to swim in freezing waters. The two layers of their coat are:
- Undercoat: In both breeds, this layer consists of short hair that provides warmth in the winter and keeps the skin cool in the summer.
- Topcoat: Pomeranians have long guard hairs in this layer, while Labrador has a short topcoat. Poms' hair stands out to a certain degree when the coat is healthy.
Both breeds shed moderately throughout the year, thanks to their double coat. They also shed heavily twice a year during the shedding or molting season. Poms and Labs shed their thick winter coat for a shorter one to stay cool during summer, and they switch it again to a thicker coat when winter arrives.
You can expect something similar from a Pomeranian-Lab mix—a thick double coat that sheds heavily every six months. Pomeranian coats have a wide range of colors. Most commonly you will see them with a lighter, yellow-goldish coat. Labrador coats are primarily three colors: black, chocolate, and yellow. However, there can be some slight variations such as white, silver, and fox red. So you can expect the hybrid to come in various colors. However, the most common ones are white and yellow, with occasional markings.
Brushing their coat once a week and bathing them once or twice a month is a good idea. You can also buy de-shedding products for the shedding season. They’ll take out most of the dead hair in a couple of strokes, and you won’t have to deal with hair falling all over your furniture and carpets.
Exercise
Both Pomeranian and Labrador are very active and energetic. However, because of Pomeranians' small size, they don't require a lot of physical activity. Thirty minutes of daily walk split between a morning and evening walk is enough to keep this breed happy.
On the other hand, labs are giant dogs who need around an hour of daily exercise and long walks. They get bored and restless when their exercise requirements are not met. Then, they resort to destructive behavior like chewing furniture and carpet to release all that energy. Even when Labs are indoors, they need mental stimulation like chew toys and puzzles to keep them busy.
When these two breeds are combined, the resulting Pomador may require around 40 to 60 minutes of physical activity every day. Poms are perfect for apartment living, but Labs prefer a big house with a backyard. Their mix will probably adjust to apartment living just fine, though you'll need to make sure you take it out for daily walks.
You should also introduce your Pomador to water and see how he likes it. As we’ve discussed, Labs used to swim in icy waters all day long. So your hybrid may have inherited that love for water from its parent Lab.
Training
Both Labradors and Pomeranians are intelligent and easy to train. But as we’ve discussed, Pomeranians have a ‘big dog’ attitude. They can be bossy and unwilling at times. Therefore, rigorous training at a young age is necessary to teach them how to listen to you.
Apart from that, Poms are friendly with adults and seniors, but they may not take to children very well. This is because Poms are small, and children can be rough with them. If you have small children, early socialization becomes indispensable so that your Pom can be comfortable around kids.
On the other hand, Labradors are eager to please and love to work, making it a breeze to train them. They’re usually friendly with everyone, including kids. However, early socialization helps them be gentle with small children and not hurt them while playing.
So when you bring a Pomeranian Labrador mix, or Pomador, to your home, I recommend starting his training as soon as possible. Introduce the pup to as many new places, objects, people, and animals as you can. Start with basic commands like sit, stay, etc., and build from there.
As always, I recommend utilizing an online dog training program that you can work through at your own pace, and in the convenience of your own home.
Note that Pomeranians are prone to excessive barking. So it’s a good idea to teach your Pomador to stop barking on command, just in case he inherits the incessant woofing of his parent Pom.
Health
Pomadors have a life expectancy of 10 to 14 years. They’re generally healthy, but they may inherit any of the several diseases that are common among their parent breeds. Knowing what to watch out for can help prevent these diseases or diagnose them in the early stages. Here are the major health concerns of Pomeranians and Labradors:
- Patellar Luxation: It’s a knee disorder that commonly occurs in small dogs. The kneecap dislocates out of its usual place in this condition, causing lameness in the dog. Toy breeds like Pomeranian and Chihuahua are prone to patellar luxation.
- Tracheal collapse: This is a cause of airway obstruction that’s commonly found in Pomeranians. It occurs when the rings inside the trachea or “windpipe” begin to collapse. Air is squeezed through the tube, and the dog has a honking cough, along with several other symptoms.
- Entropion: It is a painful eye abnormality in which the eyelid rolls inward. The hair on the eyelid's surface ends up rubbing on the cornea, causing pain, impaired vision, and corneal ulcers. Surgery is usually the course of action for a dog suffering from entropion.
- Cardiomyopathy: It's one of the most common diseases among dogs. In this condition, it becomes harder for the heart to pump blood to the rest of the body. It is prevalent among larger breeds, but it can also be passed down from parent dogs to their children.
Nutrition
Pomeranians are not prone to obesity because of their active nature, though any dog can gain weight with a lack of physical activity and the wrong diet. Labradors, on the other hand, gain weight easily and become obese. Since Pomeranians and Labradors are so different, it’s difficult to suggest an exact amount of food their crossbreed should eat.
Depending on your particular dog’s size and energy level, he may eat between 1 to 2 ½ cups of kibble every day. As with any dog breed, it is crucial to give your pet only high-quality commercial food. You can also feed him home-cooked food that is supervised and approved by your vet. Ensure the food you're offering doesn't have high calcium and energy levels because it can lead to orthopedic diseases.
It would be best to feed your Pomador little and often. You can spread the meals throughout the day and feed him around three times a day. You may also have to monitor the amount of food the pet eats. So consult your vet to determine the best dog food and feeding schedule for your pet.
Along with nutrition, your dog will also need a decent exercise schedule and enough time to digest the food. It’ll help keep your dog healthy and in shape.
Finding a Pomeranian Labrador Mix (Pomador) Puppy
Since it's an unlikely mix, it will be challenging to find a Pomeranian-Labrador mix. You can look for these dogs in local animal shelters. Talk to the staff and see if they have one for adoption or know some other shelter that has Pomadors.
Dedicated breed rescue organizations like the American Lab Rescue and Recycled Pomeranians and Schipperkes are excellent places to start your online quest for a Pomador. Here are some more rescue websites that usually have mixed breeds:
- Family Dog Rescue (ilovefamilydog.org)
- Midwest Labrador Retriever Rescue (mlrr.org)
- Labrador Retriever Rescue (lrr.org)
- Lucky Lab Rescue (luckylabrescue.com)
- Pomeranian Rescue (rescueme.org)
- Pawsitively Pom Rescue (rescuegroups.org)
- Pomeranian and Small Breed Rescue (psbrescue.com)
Although it’s rare, you may find a breeder having Pomador puppies for sale. These dogs may be priced higher than usual because it takes more skill and effort to successfully breed such pups. As we've discussed, artificial insemination typically takes place, so extra care is needed.
You can also look for Pomeranian mix puppies on Petfinder (the link filters Pomeranian dogs available for adoption all across the United States). Several such websites exist where you can filter for Pom or Lab mixes to find exactly what you’re looking for.
Final Thoughts
Labrador and Pomeranian are two very different breeds, and their unlikely mix is known as a Pomador. Pomadors’ traits are mostly unpredictable, though you can expect them to be energetic, friendly, loyal, and playful. In terms of appearance, they’re usually bigger than a Pom but smaller than a Lab.
40 to 60 minutes of exercise will keep these dogs happy, and regular brushing and grooming will keep them clean. Early training and socialization are also necessary as it’ll help them become the perfect companion.
Overall, the Pomeranian Labrador mix is suitable for all family types, and they’re also perfect for apartment living.
