Pomeranian vs Schipperke

A Pomeranian
Photo: willc2
A Schipperke
Photo: JezevecStendencíLouhovatČaj

Side by side

Pomeranian
Schipperke
Adult weight
1.4–3.2 kg (3–7 lb) (breed club figure)1
3–9 kg (6.6–20 lb)2
Height
Males 18–24 cm; females 18–24 cm3
Males 27.9–33 cm; females 25.4–30.5 cm4
Lifespan
Median 12.2 years5
No sourced figure
Fully grown
10 months, both sexes6
Group
Spitz & primitive3
Sheepdogs & cattledogs2
Coat
No sourced figure
Double coat2
Shedding
No sourced figure
Moults most as the seasons change
Grooming
No sourced figure
A brush once a week
Exercise
No sourced figure
Plenty
Health
Kneecap slipping out of place (much more likely); Underactive thyroid (more likely)7,8
No sourced figure
Class
Lap dog
Companion

Which suits you

Size
The Schipperke comes in a wide range of sizes, 3–9 kg (6.6–20 lb) as an adult, against 1.4–3.2 kg (3–7 lb) for the Pomeranian.
Temperament
They differ most on prey drive (Pomeranian: usually fine with small pets; Schipperke: likely to chase small pets) and on activity (Pomeranian: happy with modest walks; Schipperke: a good daily walk and play).
Alike
Both are rated the same on loyalty: sticks close to its people.
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

Pomeranian
Spitz & primitive · Toy

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

Schipperke
Sheepdogs & cattledogs · Small

In temperament the Schipperke is confident, alert and curious, quick to notice change and ready to bark about it.

The Pomeranian page →The Schipperke page →

Breed traits

Day to day
Pomeranian
Schipperke
Activity
Differs
Happy with modest walks
A good daily walk and play
Intelligence
Differs
Learns readily, likes games
Needs daily brain work
Handler demand
Differs
Suits a first-time owner
Needs steady training
With people
Pomeranian
Schipperke
Affection
Differs
A lap or leaning dog
Affectionate on its own terms
Loyalty
Sticks close to its people
Sticks close to its people
Independence
Differs
Cooperative, with its own ideas
Decides for itself
Around the home
Pomeranian
Schipperke
Sensitivity
Average
Average
Voice
Very vocal
Very vocal
Prey drive
Differs
Usually fine with small pets
Likely to chase small pets
Breed explains only about 9% of how individual dogs differ in behaviour9. Meet the dog. A good breeder breeds for temperament as well as health, and matches each puppy's personality to the right home10,11.

Puppy growth

Reference curves · both sexes
The Schipperke grows to the heavier adult, about 6 kg against the Pomeranian's 2.3 kg.
Pomeranian
Schipperke
02.557.5102m4m6m9m12m18m
02.557.5102m3m4m6m9m12m18m

More comparisons

Compare the Pomeranian with
Chihuahua vs PomeranianJapanese Spitz vs PomeranianSchipperke vs Shetland Sheepdog (Sheltie)All breed comparisons →

Sources

Parts of this page were written by AI ·