Doxiepom is originated from United States but Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois) is originated from Belgium. Doxiepom may grow 39 cm / 15 inches shorter than Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois). Doxiepom may weigh 18 kg / 39 pounds lesser than Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois). Both Doxiepom and Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois) has almost same life span. Doxiepom may have less litter size than Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois). Doxiepom requires Moderate maintenance. But Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois) requires Low maintenance
The Doxiepom is a small dog known as a designer breed which has originated from crossing the well known Dachshund dog with another well known pure-breed dog, the Pomeranian.
This has resulted in the hybrid breed – the Doxiepom.
Both these pure bred dogs have their own history each but the Doxiepom is a new dog breed. It is believed that this mix of Pomeranian and Dachshund was originally developed in the United States in the 1990’s and while he doesn’t have much of a history, you can have a look at the history of the parent dog breeds.
The Laekenois, from a variety of 4 Belgian Shepherds, and one of the rarest, is a working- or herding breed of dog which originated in Belgium. It is believed to have been around since the Middle Ages. The intelligent dog was also used for sending messages during the 1st World War. In most countries, all 4 of the dogs are considered the same breed with different varieties in coat types, but there are some instances where they are recognized as separate breeds.
An interesting aspect of these dogs is that until the advent of dog shows in the 1900s, the 4 varieties were intermixed, and today purebred Laekenois can sometimes give birth to smooth-coated puppies which can be registered as Malinois.
The Doxiepom is a small dog - a cross between the Dachshund and the Pomeranian, and this means he can have characteristics from each of these breeds.
They’re short dogs, standing at roughly 12cm to 27cm. A full grown Pomeranian Dachshund mix can weigh between 3kg and 12kg.
With a fairly long body from the Dachshund side, he has floppy ears or they can be semi-erect and the tail is long.
You can’t really say what the dog will look like exactly and the coat may be long or short with some of the coat colors being tan, black or brown.
Their dependent nature can mean these little dogs battling with separation anxiety, and he is a dog that doesn’t like being left alone for long periods of time.
He easily attaches himself to just one member of the family while being friendly and loving to everyone else as well.
They’e fun loving, playful dogs and want to be involved in their family’s activities, whether indoors or out. They’re friendly, but are aloof with strangers. He makes a great watchdog too, barking when strangers enter the property.
The Laekenois is a highly talented dog, highly energetic and extremely intelligent. He will make a superb family pet with owners who are firm and fair with him. The dog is bright, obedient, protective and somewhat territorial. He’ll guard what he believes is his as he is instinctively protective.
He will get on well with children in the home, and he can also be socialized to get on well with other pets in the home. Of course, the way an owner treats the dog, and any other dog for that matter, brings out different temperaments in a dog. To get the best from him he should be trained and socialized from an early age. He will need plenty of exercise if you don’t want him becoming destructive from sheer boredom.
The body is well proportioned, muscular and sturdy. He has an alert, intelligent face with erect ears, bright brown eyes and the nose black. The hair is dense on the long tail, but with no feathering like with the other breeds. The most common color is fawn with a reddish undertone. The chest is deep and the legs strong and straight. The Laekenois's medium length rough, wire coat can include colors from fawn to brownish and black in between.
One of the strong characteristics of the the Doxiepom is that he shares a strong bond with his human family.
He is such a amicable little dog, ready to join in with the children in their games as well as in the activities of the adults.
He craves human companionship, and if you provide him with a happy home, he promises to give you devoted companionship throughout his life.
The Belgian Laekenois is an energetic herding breed dog, and even though he will do well in an apartment if he is sufficiently exercised, big gardens and farms would be first choice for him. Wherever you offer him a home, make sure to exercise him regularly and give him plenty of attention, as he loves his human family.
He’ll make an exceptional watchdog and because he is so intelligent, he learns easily, responding readily to his owner’s instruction. He’ll protect his human family with his life. Social, lively, attractive and bright, anybody who has owned a Laekenois will vouch for his loyalty and devotion, making him a splendid pet.
The Doxiepom is a little dog who isn’t going to cost you a lot of time at the vet, however there are some typical dog illnesses that you will do well to know about.
Generally the Doxiepom has a lifespan of about 12 to 16 years and with good care, your pet can reach this age too.
As far as health problems go, your dog could be affected, although it is unlikely, as he is a robust dog breed.
Your pet could inherit health problems more common to either of the breeds. Little dogs suffer with their own set of heath problems and these could be back problems, dental- and eye disease and allergies.
A common health problem with a small dog like this is obesity. They don’t need a lot of food but because they’re so friendly and entertaining, some owners over-feed them.
The lifespan of the Belgian Laekenois is between 10 and 14 years of age, and he is a pretty robust breed, not prone to getting sick easily. However, as with most other dog breeds, he is predisposed to some concerning health conditions.
A frightening health issue in Belgian Shepherds is inherited epilepsy. It occurs in all four varieties. Your dog will have uncontrollable shaking that can last a few minutes. There are many causes of seizures but it is mostly an inherited disorder.
The most common eye disease is cataracts.
This is an inherited disease that causes the joints to develop improperly. He may even have difficulty getting up from lying down.
The Doxipom has moderate grooming requirements, shedding somewhat throughout the year, so brushing him twice a week will keep the coat shiny and healthy.
If your pet has turned out to have more long hair than short, he may require some professional grooming. His nails will also need clipping and his ears will also need to be checked for infection.
Small dogs often battle more with dental and gum problems, and plaque and tartar buildup results when food gets trapped between the teeth, leading to gingivitis which can lead to premature tooth loss. Keeping the teeth clean is therefore important.
Small dogs have quicker metabolisms than big dogs and they also mature faster than the larger dogs. Smaller dogs actually require more calories per kilogram than big dogs because they burn up energy faster than larger breeds.
It is therefore important to feed your small dog the right amount of food to support their growth rate and to maintain weight in adulthood. Homemade foods for your Doxiepom are always wonderful, but of course many people who work make use of some of the good commercially manufactured dog foods out of sheer convenience.
Go for the better quality brands which have top ingredients in them so as to avoid deficiencies.
Raw meat should also make up part of the diet – fish, chicken and red meat. Always make sure your pet has access to fresh, cool water.
The long, double coat of your Laekenois will need to be trimmed about twice a year otherwise he could look dirty and unkempt. Certainly with the coat he has, you will need to brush him at least twice a week to get rid of all those loose hairs.
He is a well muscled, athletic, energetic dog and his food, whether home-made or commercially manufactured, needs to be a high-quality food high in protein and packed full of minerals and vitamins. If you’re not sure about food type, speak to your vet, because as a dog expert, they will advise you on food appropriate to this dog breed and his energy needs. Whether you own a male or female Laekenois, feeding should be such that weight for an adult is maintained around 25–30kg.