Poshie Basics

The fun-loving little Poshie brings together the outgoing personality of the Pomeranian and the playful but cautious nature of the Shetland Sheepdog for a loyal little family dog that is smart, easy to train and adores nothing more than hanging out with his family.

The Poshie brings the outgoing personality of the Pomeranian together with the playful nature of the Shetland Sheepdog.

Origin

Your Poshie is considered a Designer Dog and likely originated in the U.S. in the 1980’s when breeders first began crossing various pure-bred dogs in order to create smaller, hypo-allergenic or gentler variations of some of the more popular breeds.

Pedigree

The Poshie is not a purebred dog and therefore doesn’t qualify to be a member of the American Kennel Club (AKC). That said, both parent breeds are members; the Pomeranian joined their “toy” group back in 1888 while the Sheltie joined the “herding” group in 1911.

Food / Diet

Poshies are a high energy pooch that will need a top quality kibble designed for his age, size and activity level. Choose a nutrient rich product without a lot of fillers (carbs) that will cause him to over-eat to feel full. Keeping his weight in check is crucial for a dog that is prone to joint issues later in life. Feed him 2 to 3 times daily (versus free-feeding) and provide him with healthy treats and plenty of water.

The Poshie is a great family dog who is highly loyal, bonds closely with his owner and loves to cuddle.

Training

The Poshie’s DNA includes a dog with strong herding instincts and will require early socialization to break him of the need to herd other animals – which can make him an unpopular boy. This is an exceptionally bright dog that is known to train easily and requires fewer repetitions making the process fairly quick. Taking a consistent, rewards-based approach is the best way to encourage this pooch – lots of verbal praise and treats of your choice with get the results you want over time.

Weight

Your Poshie will weigh between 13 and 17 pounds.

Temperament / Behavior

The Poshie is a great family dog who is highly loyal, bonds closely with his owner and loves to cuddle. He gets along well with kids and can be trained to play nice with other dogs but is a little cautious around strangers and becomes quite vocal when he feels it is necessary – making him a great potential watchdog.

Common Health Problems

It’s typical for mixed-breed dogs to completely side-step the issues that plague their pure-bred parents however new owners should always be familiar with what their puppy can inherit. For the Poshie, that can include orthopedic issues including patellar luxation and Legg-Calve-Perthes disease as well as vision disorders.

Life Expectancy

The Poshie will typically live for between 12 and 16 years.

Exercise Requirements

The Poshie is a high-energy pooch who will need a lot of activity to keep them out of mischief. Short daily walks of no more than ½ hour, interactive indoor and outdoor playtime as well as the occasional visit to the dog park should be sufficient to keep him physically fit and mentally stimulated.

The Poshie bonds closely with his owners and loves to cuddle.

Recognized Clubs

Also known as the Sheltie Pom, the Poshie is recognized by the the Dog Registry of America, Inc. (DRA) American Canine Hybrid Club (ACHC), Designer Breed Registry (DBR), Designer Dogs Kennel Club (DDKC) and the International Designer Canine Registry (IDCR).

Coat

The Poshie’s long double-coat is typically fluffy like the Pomeranian and results in a dog that sheds moderately throughout the year but more heavily during typical shedding season (twice a year). He will require brushing 3 – 4 times a week to keep his fur mat- and tangle-free and bathing can be done only as needed. Because small dogs can run into dental issues, daily brushing should be an important part of his maintenance regimen.

Puppies

Poshie puppies are particularly small and while socialization and handling is important for this head-strong breed, it should always be supervised when children are involved. Tiny joints can become damaged and present as bigger issues for a dog that is already prone to joint issues.

Photo credit: Nick Chase 68/Shutterstock.com; Susan Schmitz/Shutterstock.com; Erik Lam/Shutterstock.com