8-10 lbs
5-7"
United States
The Dameranian is a mixture of the Dachshund and Pomeranian. He is a small to medium sized dog, depending on the size of his direct parents. He is a very loving dog, and generally bonds to his family, especially one member. He is often referred to as “amicable.” He has a tendency to shed and will need a moderate amount of grooming. He may suffer from separation anxiety if left for long stretches of time. He may be a bit of a barker thanks to the Pom parentage; he should be able to mix well with other dogs and animals. He is happy in any type of home.
There is not a lot of information on the Dameranian breed itself, but we can learn about the parent breeds in order to understand what to expect from the hybrid breed. The tiny Dachshund originates in Germany where he was a badger dog. Drawings depicting the Dachshund date back to the 15th century. He was also used to hunt foxes and den animals. In the 18th and 19th centuries, breeders began to work toward a dog who was elongated, had strong legs, and could follow a badger into its den. This is how the Dachshund of today came to be. Over time, they began to be introduced into a companion-type role. Royalty all over Europe, including Queen Victoria, were fond of the breed. In the 1950s, the Dachshund became a popular family pet, and that popularity as a companion dog still remains today. The Pomeranian is distantly related to the Northern Spitz family of dogs. Poms have always been popular; it is said that Martin Luther (the church reformer), Michelangelo, Isaac Newton, and Mozart all owned Pomeranians. The Pomeranian was also popular in royal circles. Even Queen Victoria owned a Pomeranian, and many believe that Queen Victoria – who was quite the dog breeder – is influential in breeding the smaller size into Pomeranians. The Pomeranian is recognized by the American Kennel Club; it was added to the studbook in 1888. It has always been a very popular breed, especially since its introduction in America.
The Dameranian will be a combination of both parent breeds, the Dachshund and the Pomeranian. The Dachshund may have either a smooth or wirehaired coat. The Smooth’s coat is short and shiny. Colors vary – some may be a solid color, generally red or cream, with a few black hairs. There are two-colored Dachshunds; they are generally black, chocolate, wild boar (a grizzled color), gray or fawn with tan or cream markings. There are also dappled Dachshunds who may have a merle pattern in their coats. Wirehaired Dachshunds have short, thick, hard hair as a topcoat with a soft undercoat. The same colors apply to the Wirehaired Dachshund as do the Smooth. There are also Longhaired Dachshunds. Their coat is long, and slightly wavy. The Pomeranian is considered a toy-sized dog. The Pom comes in many colors including black, black and tan, blue and tan, chocolate and tan, cream, cream sable, orange, red, sable, brindle, and white. At its highest weight, the Pomeranian is normally only seven pounds. The Pomeranian has a long top coat and a short undercoat. Most often seen with a smooth coat, the Dameranian may have ears that flop down or they can be erect. The eyes typically have the shape and color of the Dachshund.
The Dameranian will most likely have a pretty easy grooming routine, but one that must be done consistently. No matter whether your hybrid ends up with a smooth or fluffy, long or short coat, the minimum you should brush him is once a week. Matted fur can occur if the coat is long and silky. Shedding is always seen no matter what length the coat. A pin brush will work in any texture of fur and is a great brush for removing tangles. If your Dameranian has long ears, check them often for dirt and moisture buildup. Small dogs are known for dentition problems and periodontal disease - do not neglect the teeth. Brush them daily if possible. Nail care is essential, a biweekly clipping should suffice.
A look at the parent breeds can give us an idea of what type of behavior to expect from the hybrid breed. The Dachshund is a lively, playful little dog. He is brave and bold; however, he may also be a little on the stubborn side. He loves to cuddle with his family (remember, he may choose one member over other members to especially bond with). Sometimes if they are alone too much they will display anxious behaviors. Wirehaired Dachshunds tend to be mischievous. Longhaired Dachshunds tend to be calm, and Smooth Dachshunds are a mixture of the two. With proper socialization, the Dachshund is a happy, loving little addition to your family. The Pomeranian is considered an extroverted dog who loves other people and animals. However, he believes he is much bigger than he actually is, and he may challenge other dogs at times. He is alert and curious. He may be prone to barking; it is recommended that training to stop barking on command begin at an early age. Most Pomeranians that are properly socialized do not exhibit the aggressiveness mentioned previously. This also helps with small children, as some Poms are not good with children unless socialized properly. Your Dameranian is apt to be a little bundle of fire - ready for action and bossing everyone around. Use positive reinforcement in training and you should be able to teach him to behave.
The Dameranian is a fairly active dog. It is recommended that he gets ample exercise to ensure that he does not put on weight. He may or may not be prone to wandering (depending on his parentage), but it would be wise to keep him on a leash unless you are in a fenced-in area. He will enjoy short, brisk walks with you as well as a visit to the dog park. He is generally able to get along with other dogs and pets if he has had the opportunity to mix with them on a regular basis. He may also enjoy playtime with the children of your family.
Written by Kathleen Egger
Published: 11/09/2017, edited: 02/24/2021
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