When people recite the famous proverb “opposites attract,” they probably are not referring to dog breeds. However, you could say the Pomeranian German Shepherd mix is a suitable blend of two breeds who are physically near-opposites.
A natural mystery you might ask is, what traits do each of the parent breeds add to the German shepherd Pomeranian mix, and how do they create a desirable pet?
The German Shepherd Pomeranian mix, sometimes called a German Pomeranian, is a compact, medium-sized designer dog with long hair and a curled tail. He has a splendid expression with prominent dark eyes and a ruff around the neck, perhaps extending to the shoulders. His parent breeds have a working background, making the German Pomeranian a loyal, affectionate, active, and steady partner.
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German Shepherd Pomeranian Mix Overview
German Shepherds draw their heritage from generic herding dogs from three regions in Germany. In 1899 Max von Stephanitz selected the leading dog to go into the GSD registry, Hektor Linksrhein next, Horand von Grafrath, from the Thuringian region.
The German Shepherd found quick to use as a general working dog with good guarding instincts. The AKC recognized the GSD breed in 1913. The Pomeranian descends from a large working German Spitz type that rose to prominence in the 1800s.
She obtained her name from a term meaning “around the sea” about Pomerania of the Baltic Sea and investing regions encompassing parts of Germany and Poland.
Pomeranians have initially been working dogs weighing about 30 pounds and used for sleighs and guarding field and livestock. The English later developed the toy or dwarf Spitz that became the modern Pomeranian around the mid-1850s. The AKC approved the Pomeranian in 1888.
Origins of the GSD-Pomeranian are murky, but the dog mix probably has its roots in the United States after the 1990s. Possible motivations for such a mix are purely speculative. Still, they may include health reasons or the creation of a giant dog for children, a friendlier dog for families, and a more intimidating watchdog.
German Shepherd Standard and Faulted Colors
The GSD is a medium-sized to large dog. Females are noticeably smaller, and the breed standard calls for a more feminine appearance than for males. German Shepherds are 22 to 24 inches tall and weigh 48 to 70 pounds in contrast to males who are 24 to 26 inches at the shoulders and up to 90 or 95 pounds.
A German Shepherd, no matter where she falls in the size range, has a distinctive presence and profile. She is more extended than she is tall at a ratio of 10:8 with a long bushy tail she carries low, large upright ears, and a sloping topline which is color in show lines.
A German Shepherd also has a rather long squarish muzzle, almond-shaped dark eyes, and a dome-shaped forehead. German Shepherds, or Alsatians, have heavy double coats, short to ordinary coarse hairs overlying dense wooly fur. The standard includes a variety of colors, most recommended by the American Kennel Club and other registries.
| Standard Colors | Faulted Colors |
| Black and tan | Blue – solid blue, blue and tan, blue bicolor |
| Black and red | Liver – solid liver, liver and white, liver bicolor, liver and tan |
| Black and silver | |
| Solid red | |
| Solid black | |
| Bicolor | |
| Sable |
White German Shepherds, according to the AKC, are to be immediately dismissed from the show ring. However, white Shepherds can compete in other GSD-specific contests. White GSD clubs hold conformation shows separate from the AKC.
Panda German Shepherds began with one family line that had a rare genetic mutation. The probability exists that this color variation has occurred in various litters in separate cases. As 35% of the dog’s coat is white, Panda Shepherds do not suit for AKC shows and must undergo rigorous genetic screenings for you even to register them as a pure breed.
Pomeranian Standard and Faulted Colors
Pomeranians are only about seven to twelve inches tall and weigh between three and seven or eight pounds. Average of all Spitz members, they have a wedge-shaped head, straight ears, a dense dual coat, and a tail they carry over their backs. They tend to be relatively square and thick in shape.
| Standard Colors | Detail |
| Brown | Chocolate, brown, or beaver |
| Lavender | Similar to the double-dilute Isabella GSD |
| Cream | Born white |
| Black | |
| Blue | Dilute black like the GSD |
| Orange | Wild sable as puppies are born sable and become a solid auburn |
| Sable | Red Sable or cream sable; Wolf sable with dark coloring instead of reds is a dominant color pattern |
| Brindle | Includes blue brindle |
| Tan points | Cholate and tan, blue and tan, or black and tan |
| White | |
| Parti | color and piebald |
| Merle | Dilution gene affecting the black hairs |
German Pomeranian Color Combination
German Pomeranian will likely resemble a throwback of his artic Pomeranian ancestors. Expect a medium dog from 30 to 45 pounds and standing about 13 to 15 inches at the shoulders.
He will have medium-sized prick ears, large slightly tilted eyes, and a triangular head with a tapered muzzle and slightly domed brow. Your GSD hybrid should be compact and well-balanced with a long-reaching stride and evidence of strength through the body. His tail will probably be moderately long, and he will at least carry it up and slightly curved if not entirely over his back.
- Brown
- Red or orange
- Cream
- Fawn
- Sable
- White
- Parti-colored – White with black
- Brindle
- Blue
- Black and Tan
Interesting Things Need to Know About Grooming the German Pomeranian?
Both the German Shepherd and Pomeranian have a dense double coat and shed moderately throughout the year. Both breeds undergo great shedding and coat replacement at seasonal times twice annually.
Rarely, a German Shepherd has long fur with no undercoat whatsoever. Since lacking an undercoat is a heavily punished fault in the show ring, breeders have over generations selected for a dense fluffy inner hair layer. It keeps invisible sun rays from reaching your dog’s skin and insulates her from the heat.
In cases of long hair combined with a thick undercoat, you need a detangler. Otherwise, you will use a de-shedder for the undercoat, a pin brush for leftover tufts that get trapped, and a soft-bristled tool to provide the finishing touches.
You need to brush your GSD at least twice a week, if not daily. Bathing will help with shedding, although too much shampooing may dry out or irritate your Shepherd’s sensitive skin. If washing more than once every few months, you should consider alternating with shampoo-less soakings.
A Pomeranian has a long plush outer coat with a soft, dense undercoat. Poms are prone to cover, and you need to brush them at least three times a week. Of course, daily brushing is ideal, as well as baths every three to four weeks a steel brush or comb to eliminate the undercoat and loose top hairs in one fell swoop.
A Pomeranian’s coat insulates her from moisture and freezing weather. It gives her limited protection from hot weather as Poms were originally Arctic dogs.
Many Pomeranian owners choose not to deal with the Pom’s heavy coat and traditionally clip it close. Your German Shepherd Pomeranian mix will need you to brush her at least three times a week, but ideally every day.
Your hybrid will likely have medium or long fur with a thick undercoat. Both medium and long-haired dogs will have longer fringes of hair on their legs, tails, and ears.
Use the same brushing tools you would for a GSD and bathe every couple of months. Some people may be influenced to shave their GSD Pom mix, but the double coat does protect against cold and hot weather.
A German Pom’s coat will probably not be as effective into the heat as a purebred German Shepherd’s. Make sure to check your dog’s ears at least once a week for any unusual odour, redness, or discharge clean excess debris. You should clip your pet’s nails every six to eight weeks. Finally, talk to your vet about an oral hygiene regimen.
Pom Shepherd Mix Exercise Requirements
If you have had any exposure to Pom German Shepherd Mix, you are no doubt familiar with their high energy levels and exercise requirements. You only have to check out their proficiency in the police force and in the military to recognize their athleticism and strength.
German Shepherds need two or more hours of exercise per day, with a large part dedicated to rigorous activity and some on mental stimulation.
Breeders have had moderate success in decreasing the intensity and exercise requirements in their lines. Do not allow the pint-size of the Pomeranian fool you. Historically Artic working dogs, a Pomeranian’s energy level resembles that of a Siberian Husky. According to research.
Pomeranians need 40 to 90 minutes of exercise daily split into two to three sessions. Like Shepherds, they require vigorous activity, mental training, and socialization.
Plan on exercising your GSD-Pomeranian mix 60 to 115 minutes a day over multiple sessions. Puppies up to eight months of age need considerably less strenuous activity, so your focus should be on more training and socialization.
When exercising your dog, he ideally needs about half of his time to fasten in hard running or other high-intensity exercises such as playing fetch, tag chasing, agility, or roughhousing. You can spend 20% of his remaining time on training obedience or other intellectually inspiring tasks and the rest on cooldown or a comfortable walk.
Is German Pomeranian Good Guard Dog Or Not?
The German Shepherd is a traditional and active guard dog. Her background involves a longstanding culture of guarding livestock and then people and property.
Ideally, a German Shepherd gives quite a bit of warning in the form of posturing and barking before actually biting or attacking. A German Shepherd’s attitude towards strangers is so distinctive as to be part of the breed standard.
German Shepherd Pomeranian is often polite but reserved, not lending himself readily to petting from guests. Show lines, however, have worked to produce a more laid-back and friendlier dog geared more towards the pet market. Nevertheless, you will rarely find a Shepherd as bubbly as a Labrador or Golden Retriever.
In contrast to the GSD, Pomeranians are friendly and engaging. Inherently bold, Poms are not afraid to seek contact and attention from your guests. Lack of shyness does not mean Pomeranians do not have a healthy dose of suspicion.
Poms make loud alarmists, sometimes barking constantly at any suspicious activity or intrusions. If unchecked, Pomeranians can become problem barkers. You can expect your GSD-Pom will not be a quiet or stealthy animal. German Pomeranians make excellent watchdogs, proclaiming visitors and trespassers alike.
Mixes who inherit more German Shepherd traits will be wary of visitors and may show a drift towards territorial aggression. Those more like Pomeranians will bark a lot but be helpful and charming.
German Pomeranian Mix Health Issues
Keep in mind any hereditary problem of a dog can pass down to its offspring, even if the puppy is a hybrid. Dogs inherit some issues to varying degrees, and hybridization does appear to decrease the occurrence of at least a few health-related problems.
Some of the health improvements seen in mutts scientists credit to a larger gene pool. Other experts argue mixed breeds are just as prone to obtain genetic diseases as purebreds.
Further, low numbers of particular breed combinations may skew the results when checking how often something like hip dysplasia occurs in litters.
An additional complicating factor is mixed breeds can develop problems separate from their parent breeds, particularly with multiple ages. The best approach to getting a designer dog is to narrow your searches to reputable breeders. Due diligence may not be likely with casual breedings or shelter dogs who need shelters.
Hip Dysplasia
Among the most common dilemmas of large-breed dogs, hip dysplasia affects nearly 20% of German Shepherds.
Elbow Dysplasia
Affects the elbow joint furthermore to hip dysplasia, albeit the elbow is more complicated.
Degenerative Myelopathy
It causes degeneration of the nervous system, leading to progressive weakness and paralysis.
Hypothyroidism
The thyroid gland does not produce enough hormones.
Diabetes
A blood sugar disorder that differs in its tool from the disease in cats.
Pannus
A pinkish membrane grows over the cornea of the eye secondary to inflammation.
Epilepsy
Skin Allergies
German Shepherds tend to have nervous skin.
Pancreatic Sufficiency
The pancreas does not secrete enough proteins to digest food. Dogs fail to gain weight or thrive.
Hypoglycemia
Many toy breeds suffer from a rapid lowering of their blood sugar, a condition that can be life-dangerous.
Luxating Patella
another common affliction of toy breeds, a luxating patella, means the kneecap moves out of position occasionally or regularly, causing lameness and gait abnormalities.
Heart conditions
Pomeranians can suffer from a congenital disability, patent ductus arteriosus two major heart arteries do not separate correctly, requiring surgery, or degenerating heart valves later in life.
Collapsing trachea
Yet another common toy dog problem, the tracheal rings that support the windpipe, is weak, allowing the trachea to snap closed at times. The condition, which makes an intermittent honking or gasping cough, can worsen over time. Irritants and allergies exacerbate the problem.
Coat-loss syndrome
Your Pom could experience thinning and loss of his glorious coat, often secondary to male hormones. Neutered dogs do not suffer commonly from this problem.
Distichiasis
An extra set of eyelashes That is more inclined to rubbing against the eyes.
Legg Calve Perthes disease
Probably related to the disrupted blood supply to the head of the femur, the femoral head subsequently degenerates, resulting in a painful condition. Pomeranians are a sensitive breed, according to the OFA.
German Pomeranian Personality and Temperament
Temperament is much less predictable than size and other physical traits. Especially with parent breeds with such diversity in personality as the GSD and Pomeranian, it is hard to decide where the middle might be.
Nevertheless, you can draw a few conclusions about certain pet qualities based on a knowledge of how the separate breeds may perform. German Shepherds are bold, dominant, self-assured, and durable. Unless victims of reckless breeding, which may allow insecurity and fear creep in, a GSD approaches work and life with a single-minded focus, determination, intelligence, and willingness.
In the home, German Shepherds are loyal, protective, and devoted with a tendency to bond more firmly with particular individuals while extending their protection to all family members. They tend to have a strong prey drive and possess moderate dog assault.
These traits make them a menace to small animals and canids they do not know. Shepherds can be great around children with persistent training and socialization, although you should never trust them around different kids. Pomeranians, are surprisingly related to the GSD in bravery and self-confidence.
However, Poms are lively, humorous, and cheerful. Leaving their working importance behind, they are charismatic companions who do not know a stranger. Pomeranians can be great with children, but their tiny size makes them vulnerable to injury.
They are questionable around other dogs. While friendly with dogs their size, they carry a bravado attitude around large canids, seeming to believe they are much bigger than they are. Their improper posturing and tiny stature leave them susceptible to severe injury by medium or more enormous dogs.
German Pomeranian Relation With Family
Your German Pomeranian will be a loyal family companion, perhaps forming strong bonds with one person but more likely being everyone’s pet. Your mixed dog will do fine with any animal she grows up with, and probably most you introduce to her slowly. She will require supervision around dogs who are more unlimited than her as she may display a challenging character that would annoy the other animal.
German Shepherd Pom should do excellently with children, primarily when raised with them. Her larger size will ensure she is sturdier than her Pomeranian origin. German Pomeranians may be a little protective of the family but show minimum guarding instincts. Your German Shepherd mix should be neither aggressive nor timid with strangers.
The Pom’s ranking places her in the proper working dog group with Bernese Mountain Dogs and Belgian Malinois even notwithstanding her current status as an escort dog. Your Shepherd Pomeranian mix will be alert, lively, intelligent, and easy to train.
A firm presence and self-assurance are crucial on your part as your dog will likely be pushy and use her cleverness for damage as can both the German Shepherd and Pom. A significant exception is Pomeranians can be difficult to potty train, so be aware your mix may inherit such tendencies.
German Shepherd Pomeranian Mix Feeding
A lot of times, diet is done on a per-dog basis. Each one is unique and has different dietary requirements. Most dogs in the U.S. are overweight. A mix like this one that is prone to hip and elbow dysplasia should be on fish oil and glucosamine and chondroitin supplements as soon as possible. Overfeeding any dog is not a good idea as that can exacerbate health problems such as elbow and hip dysplasia.
