Large Munsterlander vs Chiapom - Breed Comparison

The Chi-Pom or Chiapom comes from mixing the Pomeranian and the Chihuahua, and both these dogs are toy breeds and known as companion dogs.

These little dogs each have their own individual histories, but but being a cross breed, the Chi-Pom’s history isn’t well documented particularly well.

Nobody seems to know precisely when this new dog breed came into being, but they were first bred in the United States.

The Large Münsterländer hails from the Münster region in Germany. It was in 1919 that the first breed club was founded.

The dog’s ancestors were different Spaniel breeds as well as the German Longhaired Pointer. The dog quickly became a sought after hunting dog in Europe.

The Large Munsterlander Association of America is the only official breed organization for this dog. The dog was recognized by the United Kennel Club in 2006.

The Chi-Pom or Chiapom isn’t a pure bred dog, but a cross between the Chihuahua and the Pomeranian. This toy breed’s coat can be shortish like the Chihuahua or feathery and medium to long like with the Pomeranian, and the coat will be soft and shiny.

He has pointed ears, much like a fox, and the long tail is carried upward and curls over the back. The coat can be a solid color such as white, tan, cream, fawn, brown or gray, with the most common color being light brown.

If he takes more after the Pomeranian, he may need to have his hair cut. The typical Pomchi dog’s head is more round that the Pomeranian but with the narrow muzzle. The eyes are large and dark.

The Chiapom is a small dog that measures just 15 – 25cm in height and weighs between 2 and 8kg.

Temperament:

Pomchis are intelligent and inquisitive, having a temperament which comes from either of the two breeds which are quite similar.You’re definitely going to have an entertaining little dog, one who is energetic, curious and alert.

He isn’t a good choice with small children as he gets nervous and aggravated when handled improperly. Nervous and hurt, he may nip and then often he gets the blame, whereas he just shouldn’t have to put up with small children.

He loves to be in the company of his human family who treat him well, and he doesn’t like to be left alone. He is an intelligent little dog and is eager to learn. Therefore, even though he is small, training and socialization will be good for him and give him an even more amicable disposition.

The medium to large Large Munsterlander stands between 60 to 65cm at the withers and weighs about 28 to 32kg.

When you look at him, you get the feeling that you’re looking at a springer spaniel. He has long broad feathery ears and also a long feathery tail. The head is fairly broad and somewhat rounded.

The coat of the dog is long and dense, and is quite wavy with feathering around the legs and tail. He can be black and white or be a reddish brown with patches or ticking because of the piebald gene. If you allow your Large Munsterlander to become a parent, the average litter of this dog is 5 to 10 puppies.

Temperament:

The Large Munsterlander is essentially a tracking, retrieving dog. He makes an excellent hunting dog and these instincts are strong within this particular breed. It is why some breeders only give their puppies to serious hunters.

He is an active dog, and because he loves to retrieve, ball games will suit him down to the ground. Take him with you on your walks as he is a naturally athletic, active dog.

He loves water too and won’t need a second invitation from you to jump right into dams or pools. He is such an easy going dog, getting on well with children and pets in the home and being a good first choice for first time dog owners too. However, he requires plenty of exercise.

Because he is a hunting and retrieving dog, he will be far better suited to living in a home where there is a fair sized garden. He isn’t regarded as a city dwelling dog. These are dogs that just love to be outside and running around.

The Large Munsterlander can be a boisterous dog, so teaching him some basic commands such as ‘come, stay, lie-down, sit or heel’ will improve the way he behaves inside the home and when in the company of other people.

Training and socialization will do him the world of good and it means you can take your dog anywhere – he’ll always be well behaved, becoming a calm, gentle dog.

Crossing two breeds of dog is the in-thing these days, and its not surprising that lovers of small breed dogs would think to mix the Chihuahua and the Pomeranian.

The Chiapom is affectionate, playful and good-natured with their human family. They are full of personality, are spunky and brave, believing they can protect their families. He may be too frail for this but he alerts you to danger with his barking.

With the Chiapom, you’re going to have an awesome little friend who will stand by you in thick and thin.

As a sporting dog, the Large Munsterlander loves his exercise. You can involve him in all kinds of outdoor activities, and he’ll readily join in, from swimming, to hiking to ball games to just plain running for the fun of it.

Always be careful with puppies though, before you involve such a young dog with such strenuous exercise. For a better chance of avoiding hip dysplasia, it is better to wait till he is about 12 months old before you involve him in too many lively activities.

He’s an easily trainable dog too, and the fact that he is a calm, gentle dog who is loving and loyal makes him an excellent pet choice.

Being a cross bred, the Chiapom will be healthier than the purebred Chihuahua or Pomeranian. He is full of personality, but sometimes he can have his fair share of doggy troubles too.

He is more prone to injuries just because he gets under your feet all the time. We look at one or two health issues with this small breed that you should be aware of -

Pancreatitis:

This is an ailment which can be found in all dogs but it occurs more in smaller dogs. An inflamed pancreas from trauma, infection or a metabolic disorder can mean your little dog vomiting, being uncomfortable with stomach pain and shivering.

Tracheal Collapse:

This is a disease which involves the trachea which is also known as the windpipe. When the windpipe weakens, it becomes difficult to breath. Obesity in your pet as well as dust and kennel cough can contribute to this ailment.

All dogs can develop some health problems no matter how healthy they are, but when they are happy dogs, they’re well fed, exercised and loved, they have a better chance of reaching a ripe old age.

Large Munsterlanders are generally healthy dogs. Some conditions reported in the breed which are highly unlikely to affect your dog, but are good knowing about are hip dysplasia, cataracts and osteochondrosis.

Osteochondrosis:

This is a common condition where the joints of quickly growing puppies are affected. The surface of the joint doesn’t convert into bone in certain areas. The result is thickened cartilage which detaches from the surrounding normal cartilage, forming a flap.

Osteochondrosis causes the development of osteoarthritis, affecting certain joints of the dog. Both genetics and the wrong diet are causes of osteochondrosis.

It isn’t always possible to feed your dog wholesome food, but always try to get the very best quality food there is. Also, don’t allow your young Large Munsterlander to be involved in strenuous exercise before he reaches one year of age. Pounding around can put abnormal weight on the joints which can spell problems when the dog is older. Osteochondrosis mostly affects large and giant breed dogs.

The Pomchi is a small dog who is looked upon essentially as an indoors dog, so it is quite able to adapt to apartment living as he won’t require large doses of exercise.

With some stimulating toys, he is able to exert energy indoors and will love to chase a ball down the passage. He certainly won’t do well in cold weather and being left outdoors.

Grooming:

The Chiapom often has the longer hair of the Pomeranian so it becomes necessary to give your little dog a good brush twice a week for the hair to remain tangle-free and to keep it shiny and silky.

Be gentle though as he has very sensitive skin.

You’ll notice with your Pomchi that he could possibly have overactive tear ducts so that they have a discharge. A small damp cloth can be used to wipe his eyes.

Diet:

Small breed dogs often require more calories than larger dogs because of their higher metabolic rates. He is a small dog that will require all the right vitamins and minerals.

Commercial dog foods are certainly convenient, and the best quality ones contain the nutrients a dogs needs to remain health. It is always beneficial for your 4-legged friend if you can include some brown rice, a little bit of cooked chicken and vegetables in his diet. However, if you are uncertain about the nutrition requirements of your pet, speak to your vet and get help with a food that caters for your dog’s age, breed and activity levels.

Diet:

The Large Munsterlander puppy will require 4 meals a day. When he reaches a year of age, you can give him two smaller meals a day.

He is a large, active dog and if you feed him manufactured dog food, make sure its high quality and that it caters to his age and energy levels. His dry kibble can be mixed with cooked chicken, brown rice or pasta and cooked or raw vegetables occasionally.

Raw meat can be expensive, but every dog requires some raw meat in the diet every now and then. Without some raw meat, you dog may well suffer with skin problems and a dull coat.

If your dog is still an active hunting dog, a high fat, high protein diet will be good for him. When in any kind of doubt, speak to a dog expert or your vet about how to feed him for health and longevity.

Exercise:

As a sporting hunting dog, the Large Munsterlander has high exercise needs. He most certainly won’t do well in a tiny city garden as he is an outdoor dog wanting to be running and exercising. If you choose this particular dog breed, make sure that you take him on walks, allow him off his leash in the park, play ball games with him and take him with you when you go on hikes.

Grooming:

With his silky coat, you want to be brushing your pet twice a week. If he has been out hunting with you, while brushing him, check for twigs, grass and burrs tangled in the hair.

Other basic care includes trimming the nails, keeping the ears clean and dry inside, brushing the teeth with a canine-approved pet toothpaste and toothbrush for good overall health.