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Dameranian
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Introduction
The dameranian is a loyal dog with a sweet disposition. He relishes being with his family and loves to have a fun time bonding with them. His friendliness extends to other people and animals as well. This lovable dog breed is not yet recognised by the Kennel Club.
History
The dameranian, a hybrid dog, is a descendant of the dachshund and the Pomeranian. He comes in many names such as Doxie Pom, Pomdach, Pom weenie, Pom-a-weenie, and Pomeranian weiner dog. The exact origins of this hybrid dog remain unclear since it is a fairly new breed.
However, it is thought that the dameranian has long existed due to accidental breeding between both parent breeds, the dachshund and the Pomeranian. It is only in the last few years, specifically between 1990 and 2000, that the dameranian has been intentionally bred. Similar to most designer dogs, he was first created in the United States.
Appearance and Grooming
The dameranian has two sizes: small size- or medium-size dog. He has an apple-shaped head and a slightly elongated nose. The Doxie Pom's body length is longer as he inherited it from the dachshund. He has a short stature because of his short legs.
A Doxie Pom's furry ears may stand upright like a Pomeranian’s or droop down like a dachshund’s. It depends on which parent breed he takes it from.
The coat of a dameranian may vary in type. The long-haired ones may possess the long and dense coat of the Pomeranian. Meanwhile, others will either have the short and smooth coat or long- and wire-haired fur of the dachshund. Black, blond, and brown are the common coat colours of a dameranian.
Grooming
When grooming a dameranian, brush his coat at least once a week. Pomdach sheds throughout the year, so it must be done consistently. This will prevent mats and tangles from forming and get rid of dirt. Bathe him only when it is required. Avoid washing him too much to prevent his coat and skin from drying out.
Inspect and clean his ears at least once a month. If your dameranian has droopy ears, he is more prone to ear infections. This is because air cannot freely flow in the droopy ears, which results in the accumulation of debris and bacterial growth.
Be sure to clean his ears on a weekly basis. Tooth brushing should be a daily routine to prevent periodontal diseases, which is a common health problem in dogs.
Temperament and Intelligence
The dameranian is solely bred to be a very affectionate companion dog. Pomdach is highly devoted to his human companions and wants to be with them at all times. Whilst he is closely attached to his family, he may have a strong bond with a particular family member.
The Pomdach's love for humans may have drawbacks as he may suffer from separation anxiety. If left to his devices for a long time, he may develop unwanted behaviours such as excessive barking. Make sure that he has a companion at home when most of the family is out. You can also manage his separation anxiety through proper training.
A good-natured and extroverted dog, the dameranian won’t hesitate to approach and befriend strangers. He does well with children and other pets as well. However, he must be supervised when interacting with them. Due to his small build, he may easily get hurt if he is carelessly handled by kids or being rowdy with bigger dogs.
The dameranian may also possess a ‘small dog complex,’ which makes him behave like he is big and intimidating. It can cause him to challenge other dogs that may even be twice his size. To stop this behaviour, make sure to start his training and socialisation at an early age. This will play a big role in honing him to be a well-sociable dog as he matures.
Fun Fact
There are five different types of generations that one can choose from when inbreeding a dameranian. F1 is the offspring of a purebred dachshund and a purebred Pomeranian. F1b is a puppy produced by mating an F1 and a purebred dachshund or an F1 and a purebred Pomeranian.
F2 is bred by crossing two F1s, whilst F2b came from an F2 and a purebred dachshund or an F2 and a purebred Pomeranian. Lastly, an F3 is produced by mating two F2s.
Intelligence
In training, the dameranian is very eager to please you, thus learning commands can be an easy feat for him. However, he may still be prone to being stubborn. Thus, your patience, firmness, and consistency are a must during training sessions. Since the dameranian is food-motivated, use positive reinforcements and give him praise and treats as a reward for a job well done.
Nutrition and Feeding
In general, dogs need six basic nutrients to have healthy body growth. It includes water, carbohydrates, fats, minerals, protein, and vitamins. Carbs and fat provide your dameranian with the energy he needs. Protein aids his muscle development and adds lustre to his coat. Vitamins and minerals help in boosting his immune system. Water is essential to keep him hydrated. Losing 10 per cent of the water in his body may lead to fatal complications.
The deficiency of basic nutrients can result in a wide range of health problems. When choosing dog food for your dameranian, pick one with premium quality that fits his current life stage. It contains the right amount of nutrients and minerals that your dog needs.
Feeding
A three- to four-month-old dameranian puppy needs at least 1–2 cups of dog food daily. When he reaches five to seven months of age, feed him around ¾–1 ½ cups of food each day. As soon as he turns eight to twelve months old, he requires approximately 2/3–1 cup of food a day. Split his meals into three small portions to avoid him from gorging on food.
An adult dameranian weighing at least 3.5kg needs around ½ cup of food daily. A minimum of ¾ cup of food should be given to a fully grown 4.5kg dameranian daily. If he weighs around 7kg, provide him with 1 cup of food each day. A 9kg adult dameranian needs about 1 1/3 cups of food per day. A Pom weenie's meals should be divided into two servings to prevent overeating.
Exercise
The dameranian may be a small dog, but he is full of zest. It is a common misconception that small dog breeds do not need exercise. For a dameranian to unleash his pent-up energy, he needs at least thirty minutes to an hour of daily exercise.
If you have a spacious backyard or home, why not play fun dog activities with him? Frisbee, obstacle course, hide-and-seek, dog puzzle games, and even learning new tricks will give him the workout he needs. Make sure that your backyard fence is secure to keep him from getting away.
Health and Exercise
Small dog breeds like the dameranian have a longer life span compared to their larger counterparts. The dameranian can live up to sixteen years if he is well-cared-for. However, he is still prone to a few health issues that may affect his longevity. Here is a list of the prevalent diseases found in the dameranian breed that you should know of:
- Hip dysplasia
- Patellar luxation
- Allergies
- Intervertebral disk disease
- Dental problems
- Epilepsy
Setting preventive measures will help minimise your dameranian's susceptibility to these diseases. Do not skip necessary vaccinations, boosters, and health tests.
Regular visits to the vet for check-ups are a must too. This will help the vet keep track of your dog's health and detect early signs of health problems. Thus, making it easier to provide early treatment and cure the disease.
Cost of Ownership
If you are looking for a healthy and well-bred dameranian puppy, the price tag may be £600 to over £1,000. His food costs are approximately £240–£288 annually. Buying necessary items such as dog bed, crate, and toys will cost around £200–£400.
Vet check-up fees are about £30 per session. Expenses for initial vaccines are at least £100, whilst annual boosters are approximately £50 per shot. Opting to have pet insurance for a healthy dameranian puppy will require you to pay an average of £20–£30 monthly on average.
Dameranian Breed Highlights
- The dameranian is a highly affectionate companion with great loyalty for his owner.
- He is an extroverted dog that enjoys the company of people and other animals.
- He has minimal grooming needs, although he may need to be brushed often.
- He is highly trainable because of his eager-to-please personality.
- He is an energetic dog that requires daily but minimal exercise.
Are you sure the Dameranian is the best breed for you? Take the Pet Breed Selector Quiz to find your perfect breed match.
Dog Breed Selector Quiz
Disclaimer:
The information, including measurements, prices and other estimates, on this page is provided for general reference purposes only.
The information, including measurements, prices and other estimates, on this page is provided for general reference purposes only.
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