Published Wednesday, October 27, 2021 by PremierPups
Charming, playful, smart, fun, and charismatic are just some of the many reasons why the Shih Pom and the Pomapoo are so loved. These small hybrid dogs are new to the canine world compared to other breeds and although they don’t have extensive histories, they both managed to conquer popularity charts. The Shih Pom and the Pomapoo are both immensely popular with dog lovers worldwide. They impress with caring personalities, an agile mindset, and a merry disposition. If you are faced with choosing between the two, keep reading to find out which little ray of doggy sunshine fits you best.
A puppy’s love is a pure thing and, here at Premier Pups, we aim to give our loving puppies the forever homes they deserve. Our specialized team of Puppy Agents is here to help you with the choosing process to make sure your new pup fits right in with your family.
Table of Contents
Shih Pom vs Pomapoo Overview
Shih Pom Overview
The Shih Pom puppies, a lovely mix between a Shih Tzu and a Pomeranian, first opened their eyes into the world during the late 1990s in North America. They were created as a new hypoallergenic breed of dog and have since proven themselves to be quite remarkable. Shih Poms are sweet dogs that like to treat their humans to cuddles and love.
Like Pomeranian puppies, they bond very quickly and can be trained easily with the proper motivation. They are friendly and well-mannered, and they love just about anyone.
Although they are not yet old enough to enter the American Kennel Club (AKC), the Shih Pom pups are recognized by other clubs around the world like the American Canine Hybrid Club and the International Designer Canine Registry. Other names the Shih Pom goes by are Shiranian, Pomshi, Pom-Tzu, and Shi Pomeranian.
Pomapoo Overview
The Pomapoo puppies are an extremely popular crossbreed of a Pomeranian and a Toy Poodle. Like their fluffy Shih Pom cousins, the Pomapoo pups come from North America and only appeared three to four decades ago.
The Pomapoo parents, the Pomeranian and the Poodle are among the smartest, most loyal, and most trainable dogs in the world, qualities they pass on to their Pomapoo puppy.
Pomapoos like to learn and are keen on impressing their trainer/owners so they are quick learners. They are also very friendly, joyful, and fond of dog games and sporting competitions. The Pomapoo is commonly known by other names like Pooranian, Pompoo, Pom-Doodle, and Pomeroodle, and is recognized by the American Canine Hybrid Club.
Shih Pom vs Pomapoo Overview Comparison
The Shih Pom and Pomapoo are two very lovely dog breeds and, although they haven’t been around for that long, they are among the world’s favorite companion pets. Both breeds were designed to be a good fit for dog lovers that suffered from pet-related allergies. They are both hypoallergenic thanks to their Pomeranian and Poodle parent breeds and they both shed little. Thanks to their mixed gene pools, both the Shih Pom and Pomapoo benefit from hybrid vigor which means that they live longer and healthier lives compared to their purebred parent breeds.
Shih Pom vs Pomapoo Overview Key Points
Comparison Table
| Breed | Shih Pom | Pomapoo |
| Parent breeds | Shih Tzu, Pomeranian | Pomeranian, Poodle |
| Place of origin | North America | North America |
| Date of origin | 1990 | 1980-1990 |
| Purpose | Companionship, hypoallergenic pet | Companionship, hypoallergenic pet |
| Breed type | Designer breed, hybrid | Poodle mix, doodle breed |
| Other names | Shiranian, Pomshi, Pom-tzu, Shi Pomeranian | Pooranian, Pompoo, Pomdoodle, Pomeroodle, Pom-doodle |
| Lifespan | 12-16 years | 12-14 years |
Shih Pom vs Pomapoo Temperament
Shih Pom Temperament
Cute, joyful, sweet, and playful, the Shih Pom dogs are always up for a game of fetch, a belly rub, or a cuddle. Although they are enthusiastic about running around, chasing their toys, or playing with their furry friends, their favorite activity remains to snuggle up on a lap and being doted on.
Despite their lapdog size and cuddly disposition, Shih Poms also love to go on long walks, play canine games, conquer obstacle courses, discover and explore new territories, and make new friends. They enjoy the occasional sprint and playdates at the neighborhood dog park but are also quite fond of spending their days napping at home.
As dogs that like to be in tune with their humans, Shih Poms will always find a way to match their owner’s energy and be a part of their daily routine whether by tagging along on a short jog or by spending the day lazing on the couch in front of the TV.
Shih Pom dogs become extremely attached to their human family and all they want is to be near them. They often shadow their owners and don’t take well to being left alone, which is why they make such a great fit for multi-pet households. They are friendly enough to share their toys and they are not particularly territorial.
Shih Poms are also smart and easy to train but they need proper motivation like their favorite toy or preferred treat to get them on the right track. Some Shih Pom puppies like to be praised while others prefer their training session to be a fun game. If they have the right motivation, these puppies will go all out to impress their trainer.
Pomapoo Temperament
The Pomapoos are fun, sassy, and cheerful little toy dogs that love to entertain and match everyone’s mood to theirs. They are happy all the time and like to show it by performing comical stunts for their family or by playfully inviting them along for a friendly chase. They love games like fetch or find it, and are very fond of being involved in all family activities.
Training them should be easy enough too as Pomapoo puppies love to play and learn in equal measure, and thanks to their awesome genes, they are also smart. These bright puppies want to please and if learning a complex trick or advanced command will get them there, they will be more than willing to put in the effort. They enjoy puppy treats and praise rewards, and they respond best to positive reinforcement training methods.
Like their Shih Pom friends, Pomapoos crave all the attention they can get. They enjoy being pampered and spoiled and will want to spend most of their evenings curled up on a lap and praised for being so impossibly adorable. Pomapoos love all their human family members equally and unconditionally, and they are known to bond quickly and remain loyal for life.
Outgoing, social, and naturally friendly, the Pomapoo dogs get along with just about everyone they meet from strangers to other dogs, pets, horses, and even cats. They are also great with kids but because of their small size, they are recommended to families with older kids who know how to be gentle around toy-sized dogs.
Shih Pom vs Pomapoo Temperament Comparison
Although they share a Pomeranian parent breed, the Shih Pom and Pomapoo are quite dissimilar in many aspects. Neither the Shih Pom nor the Pomapoo can be considered an active dog breed considering their size and exercise requirements. With that being said, the Pomapoo does tend to be a little more energetic than the Shih Pom. Shih Poms crave companionship and are more inclined to cuddle on a lap for most of the day as opposed to going on a hike or bike run. Pomapoos on the other hand love to go on long walks, jogs, and even short hikes.
More often than not, a dog’s independence is determined not only by genes but also by how he/she was raised, which in this case applies to both the Shih Pom and the Pomapoo who have often been described by their owners as both overly attached and independent. The Shih Pom dogs are generally regarded as attached dogs that are prone to separation anxiety if left alone for too long, while Pomapoos are regarded as the more independent ones. Occasionally, their roles are reversed, so it’s best to start training both the Shih Pom and Pomapoo puppies early on to avoid such issues later on.
As for their similarities, both the Shih Pom and the Pomapoo are fantastic companion pets and family dogs. They are both trainable with proper motivation and they both love to please. The Shih Pom and Pomapoo are equally loving of their human family, and they both share in their need for human interaction.
Shih Pom vs Pomapoo Temperament Key Points
Comparison Table
| Breed | Shih Pom | Pomapoo |
| Good with kids | Yes | Yes, better for older kids |
| Training | Easy, can be stubborn | Easy |
| Friendly | Yes | Yes |
| Separation anxiety | Can be prone to separation anxiety | Independent |
| Energy levels | Moderately active/laid-back | Moderately active/more energetic |
| Good for | Families with young kids, seniors | Couples, novice owners, active owners |
| Barking | Occasionally | Occasionally |
Shih Pom vs Pomapoo Appearance
Shih Pom Appearance
The Shih Pom dog is a small-sized pooch that charms with a friendly demeanor and a joyful disposition. The lovely Shih Pom has deep dark eyes, raised or hanging ears, a cute short muzzle, and a long beautiful fluffy tail. This little dog is not only cute and cuddly but also quite elegant and confident looking. He/she sports a long, straight, and glamorous coat that is solid-colored or multi-colored, low-shedding, and hypoallergenic.
The Shih Pom coat can be white, black, brown, orange, red, brindle, and sable, or various combinations of these colors. Small, compact, and cute, a fully grown Shih Pom weighs between 4 to 15 pounds and stands at 7 to 12 inches tall.
Pomapoo Appearance
The Pomapoo dogs are toy-sized, adorable, and very cuddly-looking. They appear happy, up for a chase, and affectionate. As toy dogs, the Pomapoos can grow up to 10 inches tall and weigh between 8 to 10 pounds fully grown. They have a small but sturdy-built body, pointy or floppy ears, deep brown or black eyes, a medium to small muzzle, and a puffy curled tail.
The Pomapoo coat is of a medium length, straight to wavy or curly, low-shedding, and hypoallergenic. The most common coat colors for a fully grown Pomapoo are white, black, fawn, sable, red, orange, merle, and brown. The Pomapoo coat can be a solid color or a variety of color combinations with patterns or markings.
Shih Pom vs Pomapoo Appearance Comparison
The Shih Pom and Pomapoo are two very gorgeous-looking dogs that have low-shedding coats and hypoallergenic qualities. Although they have some similar Pomeranian features, their general appearance is quite different. The Shih Pom is a tad bigger than the Pomapoo and has a long straight coat, while the Pomapoo is smaller and can have curly, wavy, or straight hair.
As mixed breeds, both the Shih Pom and Pomapoo can have a combination of features from both parent breeds or more features from one parent and less from the other. The Shih Pom and Pomapoo are not built to withstand an intense exercise routine nor extreme weather – be it hot or cold.
Shih Pom vs Pomapoo Appearance Key Points
Comparison Table
| Breed | Shih Pom | Pomapoo |
| Adult weight | 4-15 pounds | 8-10 pounds |
| Adult height | 7-12 inches | 8-10 inches |
| Coat type | Straight | Straight, wavy, curly |
| Colors | White, black, brown, orange, red, brindle, sable | Fawn, sable, red, orange, merle, brown, gray, white |
| Hypoallergenic | Yes | Yes |
| Shedding | Minimal | Minimal |
Shih Pom vs Pomapoo Comparison Conclusion
As we reach the end of our comparison, we can safely say that both the Shih Pom and the Pomapoo are exceptional dogs. They are intelligent, friendly, cheerful, and highly affectionate dogs that can bring nothing but joy into their forever homes. Luckily, these two breeds are quite different and each fits best with a certain owner. With that in mind, we recommend the stylish Shih Pom to families and retirees looking for a loving companion pet, and the brilliant little Pomapoo to couples and novice owners looking for a fun and outgoing pooch.
Elena R.
About The Author
Elena is a leading expert in the field of dog behavior, care, and training, with over a decade of experience in writing about dogs. As a published writer and lifelong dog enthusiast, Elena currently shares her home with three beloved canine companions. She is dedicated to staying up to date on the latest advancements in dog care and training, ensuring that her articles provide readers with accurate and valuable insights. With her extensive knowledge and passion for all things canine, Elena's contributions to the Premier Pups community offer both expertise and authority on a wide range of dog-related topics.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is more energetic: Shih Pom or Pomapoo? Both the Shih Pom and Pomapoo are lively and playful breeds. The Pomapoo might have a slight edge in energy levels due to the Poodle's working lineage, but both are active and enjoy playtime.
Shih Pom or Pomapoo, which barks more? Both breeds can be vocal, alerting their families to strangers or unusual noises. Pomeranians are known for their alert barking, so both mixes might inherit this trait. Individual dog personality plays a significant role here.
Do Shih Poms have separation anxiety vs. Pomapoos? Separation anxiety can occur in both breeds if they're left alone for extended periods. They thrive on human companionship and prefer being involved in family activities.
Should I get a Shih Pom or a Pomapoo? Your decision might hinge on size preference, coat type, and individual dog temperament. Both are loving breeds, but the Pomapoo might require more frequent grooming if it inherits the Poodle's curly coat.
Which is better: a Shih Pom or a Pomapoo? "Better" is subjective. Both breeds are affectionate, adaptable, and can be great companions. It all comes down to personal preference.
What is the lifespan of a Shih Pom vs. Pomapoo? Shih Poms typically have a lifespan of 12-16 years, while Pomapoos can live anywhere from 12-15 years with proper care.
Are Shih Poms easier to train than Pomapoos? Both breeds are intelligent but can sometimes be stubborn. The Pomapoo, with its Poodle heritage, might be slightly more eager to please and hence, more trainable. However, consistency is key for both breeds.
Do Shih Poms shed more than Pomapoos? Both breeds have a potential to be low-shedding. Pomapoos, especially those inheriting the Poodle's coat, might shed less and be more hypoallergenic. Regular grooming is essential for both.
Which is calmer: a Shih Pom or a Pomapoo? Both breeds are active and playful, but the Shih Pom, with its Shih Tzu lineage, might be a tad more laid-back indoors.