Chihuahua vs Pomeranian

A Chihuahua
Photo: Joselodos
A Pomeranian
Photo: willc2

Side by side

Chihuahua
Pomeranian
Adult weight
1–3 kg (2.2–6.6 lb) (breed club figure)1
1.4–3.2 kg (3–7 lb) (breed club figure)2
Height
Males 12.7–20.3 cm; females 12.7–20.3 cm (breed club figure)1
Males 18–24 cm; females 18–24 cm3
Lifespan
Median 11.8 years4
Median 12.2 years4
Fully grown
10 months, both sexes5
Group
Companion & toy6
Spitz & primitive3
Coat
Short coat or long coat6
No sourced figure
Shedding
Sheds through the year
No sourced figure
Exercise
A modest amount
No sourced figure
Health
Kneecap slipping out of place (much more likely); Corneal ulcers (more likely)7,8
Kneecap slipping out of place (much more likely); Underactive thyroid (more likely)7,9
Class
Lap dog
Lap dog

Which suits you

Size
The Chihuahua comes in a wide range of sizes, 1–3 kg (2.2–6.6 lb) as an adult, against 1.4–3.2 kg (3–7 lb) for the Pomeranian.
Temperament
They differ most on independence (Chihuahua: decides for itself; Pomeranian: cooperative, with its own ideas) and on handler demand (Chihuahua: needs steady training; Pomeranian: suits a first-time owner).
Alike
Both are rated the same on activity: happy with modest walks.
Neither is the better dog in general. Which suits you depends on your home, your days and the care you can give.
Take the breed matcher

What they're like

Chihuahua
Companion & toy · Toy

The Chihuahua is alert and bold, and quick to bark at unfamiliar sounds or people.

Pomeranian
Spitz & primitive · Toy

In temperament the Pomeranian is inquisitive, bold and lively, with a confidence well beyond its size.

The Chihuahua page →The Pomeranian page →

Breed traits

Day to day
Chihuahua
Pomeranian
Activity
Happy with modest walks
Happy with modest walks
Intelligence
Learns readily, likes games
Learns readily, likes games
Handler demand
Differs
Needs steady training
Suits a first-time owner
With people
Chihuahua
Pomeranian
Affection
A lap or leaning dog
A lap or leaning dog
Loyalty
Sticks close to its people
Sticks close to its people
Independence
Differs
Decides for itself
Cooperative, with its own ideas
Around the home
Chihuahua
Pomeranian
Sensitivity
Differs
Needs a calm, predictable home
Average
Voice
Very vocal
Very vocal
Prey drive
Usually fine with small pets
Usually fine with small pets
Breed explains only about 9% of how individual dogs differ in behaviour10. Meet the dog. A good breeder breeds for temperament as well as health, and matches each puppy's personality to the right home11,12.

Puppy growth

Reference curves · both sexes
The Pomeranian grows to the heavier adult, about 2.3 kg against the Chihuahua's 2 kg.
Chihuahua
Pomeranian
012342m4m6m9m12m18m
012342m3m4m6m9m12m18m

More comparisons

Compare the Chihuahua with
Chihuahua vs PapillonChihuahua vs Jack Russell TerrierJapanese Spitz vs PomeranianChihuahua vs Miniature PinscherChihuahua vs Great DaneChihuahua vs XoloitzcuintliAll breed comparisons →

Sources

Parts of this page were written by AI ·