Schipperke Pomeranian Mix (Schip-A-Pom): Read This First!

Are you thinking about bringing home a Schip-A-Pom?

There is no doubt that the Schipperke Pomeranian mix is a heartwarming little creature.

Schip-A-Poms are playful, curious, intelligent and entertaining. Their cute faces are hard to resist!

However, a Schip-A-Pom is not a good fit for every household.

For example, these little dogs can be mischievous, stubborn, vocal and difficult to train.

Let’s take a closer look at the Schip-A-Pom personality to see if this breed would be a good match for your lifestyle.

In this article we will explore Schip-A-Pom training, care, grooming, nutrition, and more.

Let’s get started!

What is a Schip-A-Pom?

First thing’s first—what exactly is a Schip-A-Pom?

A Schip-A-Pom is a designer breed that is a cross between two purebred dog breeds: The Schipperke and the Pomeranian.

This mix is also sometimes known as the Pomerke.

The Pomeranian Schipperke mix occasionally happens by accident, but usually it is the result of intentional breeding.

When two purebred dogs are mixed to create a hybrid, that new breed is called a designer breed.

The Schip-A-Pom is a fairly rare designer dog. Some examples of more well-known designer dogs include: Goldendoodles, Labradoodles, Schnoodles, Puggles and Maltipoos.

Designer dogs are a popular fad right now. If you get one, make sure you do it for the right reason. Do your research to make sure that the dog will be a long-term member of your family.

Do not purchase a designer dog simply because they are trendy or cool right now. These dogs can easily live 15 or 16 years, so make sure you are ready for a long-term commitment.

Schip-A-Pom History

What is the origin of the Schip-A-Pom?

The Schip-A-Pom is a fairly new creation.

Although there is no written history, this hybrid likely emerged within the last few decades.

On the other hand, the two parent breeds have ancient lineages.

The Schipperke’s ancestors date back to the 1690s in Belgium.

Pomeranians originated in Poland many centuries ago.

We can get a better sense of Schip-A-Pom temperament by analyzing the characteristics of the parent breeds.

Let’s take a closer look at the personality traits of the Schipperke and the Pomeranian. Of course, please keep in mind that individual temperament differences occur within all breeds.

Schipperke Characteristics

The Schipperke is part of the Non-Sporting Group according to the American Kennel Club (AKC).

Schipperkes were originally bred to be ratters, watchdogs and companions.

Due to their small size, they were sometimes brought aboard ships to keep boats free from vermin.

The Schipperke temperament is alert, inquisitive, and independent.

They can be challenging to train and are not usually recommended for first-time dog owners.

Check out this article for more information about the Schipperke temperament.

Pomeranian Characteristics

The Pomeranian is a small lap dog that was bred exclusively for companionship.

The Pomeranian is part of the Toy Group according to the AKC.

The Pom is known for being happy, affectionate, lively and vocal.

They can also be challenging to train—especially when it comes to potty training.

You can check out this article for more information about the Pomeranian temperament.

Schip-A-Pom Size and Appearance

The Schip-A-Pom is a cute, small, fluffy dog.

The typical Schip-A-Pom weight range is between 6 and 12 lbs. The Schipperke Pomeranian mix is lightly larger than a purebred Pomeranian and slightly smaller than a purebred Schipperke.

The average Schip-A-Pom height range is between 8 and 10 inches at the shoulder.

Schip-A-Poms come in a variety of different colors, although the most common color is black.

Schip-A-Pom Colors:

• Black
• Blue
• Sable
• Brown
• Cream
• Red

The Schip-A-Pom coat is thick and dense. It requires a lot of grooming, which we will discuss in the next section.

Schip-A-Poms have a “fox-like” face with a pointy nose and erect ears. Their tails are often curly.

A Guide to Schip-A-Pom Grooming

Schipperke Pomeranian mixes have thick fur that requires a lot of upkeep. Be prepared to do a lot of brushing and combing if you get one of these dogs.

Schip-A-Poms have a dense undercoat and a longer overcoat.

Their fur needs to be brushed daily, sometimes multiple times per day during shedding season.

Schip-A-Poms should also go to a professional groomer a few times per year for a hair trim. Grooming costs can add up quickly, so make sure you factor this into the budget.

Schip-A-Pom Shedding

Does the Schipperke Pomeranian mix shed much?

Yes, the Schip-A-Pom is a moderate to heavy shedder. Especially a few times per year when they blow their coats during “shedding season.”

If you are not a fan of dog hair in your house, you might want to think twice about getting this mix.

Is the Schip-A-Pom Hypoallergenic?

The Schipperke Pomeranian mix is not a hypoallergenic breed.

If you are looking for a hypoallergenic pet, please check out this article for a list of breeds that are hypoallergenic.

Schip-A-Pom Training

Schip-A-Poms are clever little dogs, but that does not mean that they are easy to train!

Schip-A-Poms have a reputation for being stubborn and independent-minded.

You will have to be creative and patient if you find yourself training a Schip-A-Pom!

If you get your Schip-A-Pom as a puppy, it is a great idea to sign them up for a puppy socialization class. These classes (also called Puppy Pre-K classes) are perfect for helping your puppy learn important canine social skills during their prime socialization period.

After Puppy Pre-K, you can sign up for a basic obedience class.

Just make sure you find a trainer that uses exclusively positive-reinforcement training methods.

Positive-reinforcement (or reward-based) training is the most effective and humane training method.

If a trainer uses words like “dominant” or “alpha” or wants you to use pinch collars or shock collars, this is a red flag! Keep looking for a different trainer.

Try to find a trainer that uses 100% force-free methods.

Schip-A-Pom Training Challenges

According to many Schip-A-Pom owners, these little dogs can be notoriously difficult to housetrain.

Small dogs cannot hold their bladders for as long as larger dogs can.

If you work long hours, you will probably need to install a dog door or put down puppy pee pads. You could also try hiring a dog walker to take your dog for a walk in the middle of the day, or you could sign your Schip-A-Pom up for doggie daycare.

Advanced Schip-A-Pom Training

After you and your Schip-A-Pom have mastered basic training, you can sign up for more advanced activities.

For example, Schip-A-Poms make great therapy dogs! They excel at cheering people up and spreading joy wherever they go!

They can also participate in canine sports like agility, freestyle, rally obedience, nosework, dirt dog, and so much more!

Schip-A-Pom Exercise

Do not be fooled by their small size!

Schip-A-Poms are actually very energetic, and they need plenty of daily exercise.

Exercise activities can include walking, jogging, hiking, or mental exercise like obedience training or brain games.

If your Schipperke Pomeranian mix does not get enough exercise it might develop behavior issues.

Staying Healthy: Schip-A-Pom Health Issues

Before you bring home any new pet, talk with a vet about what to expect in terms of medical care.

All breeds are prone to some genetic medical conditions.

Luckily, mixed breed dogs are generally healthier than purebreds. This is because there is more variety in their gene pools.

However, it is still a good idea to become familiar with the health conditions that can affect Pomeranians and Schipperkes.

Talk with your vet about the following health concerns:

• Patellar Luxation
• Collapsing Trachea
• Cataracts
• Skin Issues and Allergies
• Thyroid Conditions
• Heart Problems
• Dental Disease

Preventative Care for your Schip-A-Pom

The best way to keep your Schipperke Pomeranian mix happy and healthy is to bring him to the vet at least once per year.

Follow your vet’s instructions on all necessary vaccinations and medications (such as monthly flea and heartworm prevention).

As your dog gets older, you will probably want to run senior bloodwork every year and do dental cleanings every few years.

Schip-A-Pom Lifespan

With good care, your Schipperke Pomeranian mix can live a very long life.

The life expectancy for this mix can be anywhere from 12 to 18 years.

Schip-A-Pom Nutrition

Feeding your Schip-A-Pom a high-quality dog food is one way to keep him healthy for as long as possible.

Your vet can help you pick the right nutrition for your Schip-A-Pom.

Some owners prefer dry food while others prefer canned. Some people do a mixture of both.

Try to avoid commercial dog foods that include a lot of filler ingredients such as corn or animal by-products. Especially if those ingredients are listed first on the list of ingredients.

Schip-A-Pom Rescue and Adoption

Do you think the Schip-A-Pom might be the perfect dog for you?

If so, let’s explore the different options for adding a Schip-A-Pom to your home.

We would highly recommend looking into adoption as your first choice.

Why Adopt a Schip-A-Pom?

There are many reasons to adopt a pet.

Every year, millions of animals become homeless and end up in animal shelters around the United States.

There is already a serious overpopulation of animals in this country.

Rather than buy a puppy from a breeder, it is best to adopt one that is already here and already in need of a home.

There are other benefits of adoption as well!

Adopted animals often come with a little bit of prior training. They are usually past the destructive chewing stage.

Finally, adopting a pet is much more economical than purchasing a puppy from a breeder. If you are looking to save some money, adopting a pet is a good way to do so.

How to Find a Schip-A-Pom for Adoption

If you are looking for adoptable Schip-A-Poms, a good place to start is at your local animal shelter or humane society.

Talk to the staff and let them know that you are looking to adopt a Schipperke Pomeranian mix (they might not be familiar with the nickname).

Even if they do not have one immediately, they might be able to place your name on a waiting list and call you if one becomes available.

You can also reach out to rescue groups. Rescue groups are organizations that specialize in helping a particular breed or mix. You can use the internet to look for Schipperke Rescues and Pomeranian Rescues in your region.

There are some helpful adoption websites that you can peruse as well. For example, check out Petfinder.com, Adoptapet.com and Getyourpet.com.

Facebook is another excellent tool for connecting with the rescue community.

Finding a Schip-A-Pom for Sale from a Reputable Breeder

The one down-side of adoption is that it can be very hard to find Schip-A-Pom puppies available for adoption.

There are many joys of adopting older dogs (like sleeping through the night!) but if you absolutely must get a puppy, it may be hard to find one for adoption—although not impossible.

If you end up working with a breeder to purchase a Schip-A-Pom puppy, just be ready to invest a lot of time and effort to make sure that you acquire your puppy from an ethical source and not from a puppy mill or a backyard breeder.

Finding a Good Ship-A-Pom Breeder

Try contacting members of the local Pomeranian and/or Schipperke clubs to see if they can put you in touch with a reputable breeder that breeds Schip-A-Poms.

Once you have identified a potential Schip-A-Pom breeder, make an appointment to visit the breeder in person.

Never buy puppies sight-unseen over the internet or from a pet store.

Always make sure you visit the breeder yourself. This is the only way to make sure that the puppy comes from a high-quality, ethical breeder.

A good breeder will encourage your visit. They will be happy to show you vet records and AKC registration.

Here are some other signs of a good breeder:

• They will have a small number of dogs on the property
• They will specialize in only one breed
• The breeding dogs will live inside as pets
• The breeder will have a waiting list (good breeders will not overbreed their dogs)
• They will ask you to sign a contract promising to return the dog if things do not work out
• They will ask questions to make sure you can provide a good home for a puppy

On the other hand, here are some red flags. If you notice any of these, keep looking for an alternative:

• The breeder have puppies available at all times
• They are willing to ship puppies
• They have multiple different breeds for sale
• The breeder does not want you to visit the property
• The animals live out of the house in kennels or cages
• The breeder is more interested in taking your money than asking questions to make sure that you are a responsible dog owner

Unfortunately, there are many unscrupulous breeders out there who are just trying to make quick money off of unwitting puppy buyers. Invest the extra time and effort to make sure that you do not get scammed.

Schip-A-Pom Price

How much does a Schip-A-Pom cost?

If you adopt from a shelter or rescue group the adoption fee will probably be between $75 and $300. The adoption fee usually includes spay/neuter, vaccines and microchip.

If you purchase a Schip-A-Pom puppy from a breeder, the price will probably be between $500 and $1000, although it could be higher depending on the breeder and the bloodline.

Thank you for taking the time to learn more about the Schip-A-Pom. We hope that this article has answered your questions about this adorable hybrid.

Calvin L.

Calvin is the co-founder and one of the main contributors to dogtemperament.com. He has been an avid dog lover all his life. He enjoys researching and sharing great ideas on how you can avoid common pitfalls of dog ownership and build the most loving and enjoyable relationship with your dog.