The names Pomeranian and Teacup Pomeranian are both used often and sometimes interchangeably that it can cause confusion. Are they the same, do they mean the same thing?
Pomeranians and Teacup Pomeranians are the same things with the exception that teacup Pomeranians are promised to be much smaller in size. This tiny size does not come without controversy, deception, confusion, and higher prices.
- What’s The Difference Between A Pomeranian And A Teacup Pomeranian
- Are All Pomeranians Teacup Pomeranians
- Is There A Higher Damand For Teacup Pomeranians
- Are Teacup Pomeranians An Offical Dog Breed
- Is “Teacup Pomeranian” An Offical Name
- Are The Words “Teacup Pomeranian” A Marketing Ploy
- Are Pomeranians Going Extinct
- Should I Get A Pomeranian Or Teacup Pomeranian
- Tips For Buying A Teacup Pomeranian
- Final Thoughts
- Other Artices You May Enjoy!
What’s The Difference Between A Pomeranian And A Teacup Pomeranian
Pomeranians and Teacup Pomeranians are both small cheery and fluffy little dogs that are sure to add some joy and love to your life.
It can be confusing knowing if they are the same or different and if they are different what’s the difference.
Let’s dig into the similarities and differences between Pomeranians and Teacup Pomeranians starting with what exactly a standard Pomeranian is.
What Are Pomeranians
Pomeranians are perfect little companion dogs that are known for being gentle, cuddling, affectionate, and loving friends.
The fluffy Pomeranian wasn’t always a little lap dog, with origins in Northern Europe as tough working dogs pulling sleds, herding, hunting, and sounding alarms.
It’s hard to picture these small dogs doing such strenuous work, in reality, they were much larger than today’s Pomeranians at around 20-30 pounds in size.
It’s safe to say, that the original Pomeranian may have even been larger in size.
Pomeranians belong to a group of dogs that are often referred to as Spitz.
These Spitz, often originate from cold regions, were used for the same purposes and have similar statures with thick fluffy double coats, perky ears, and curly tails.
Some other Spitz are Siberian Huskys, Norwegian Elkhounds, and Samoyeds.
What Does A Pomeranian Look Like
Pomeranians are compact, active dogs with a soft dense coat of fluffy fur with fluffy plumed tails that curl over their backs.
Their muzzles are short and often referred to as being fox-like in expression and appearance.
The top of their heads is slightly rounded with soft perky ears set on top.
Pomeranians have a beautiful “mane” of fur that falls along their chest, with fluffy hindquarters to match.
How Big Do Pomeranians Get
The size standard for Pomeranians is a weight that is between 3 and 7 pounds with 4 to 6 pounds being what’s ideal for show dogs.
The majority of Pomeranians will be between 6 and 11 inches tall.
Some Pomeranians end up being bigger than this standard, possibly with genetics that dates back farther to their original ancestors.
These larger Pomeranians are sometimes called Throwback Pomeranians.
When Are Pomeranians Fully Grown
Pomeranians are fully grown when they reach one year of age with some not being fully grown until around 15 months of age.
What Colors Do Pomeranians Come In
Pomeranians come in a wide range of twenty-six different colors ranging from bright white to lavender and chocolate.
Do Pomeranians Shed A Lot
Although Pomeranians have glorious coats of fur, they do not shed as much as you would assume.
You can expect a Pomeranian to shed during seasonal changes twice a year, during the puppy uglies, and while weaning a little of puppies.
Individual factors can contribute to how much Pomeranians shed like the climate they live in and how often they are brushed.
What Is The Personality Of A Pomeranian
Pomeranians are known for having larger-than-life personalities.
They are big dogs in a small little bundle of fluff.
You can expect a Pomeranian to be bold, sassy, smart, affectionate, friendly, playful, and loyal.
Do Pomeranians Have Health Problems
Overall, Pomeranians are very healthy dogs.
That said, Pomeranians are prone to some health conditions that range from being very minor to life-threatening including, luxating Patellas, Collapsed Treacheas, eye conditions, ear inflammation, skin conditions, and heart disease.
How Long Do Pomeranians Live
The average lifespan for a Pomeranian is 12-14 years.
What Is The Lifespan Of A Pomeranian?
Are Pomeranians A Good Fit For A Family
Pomeranians are great family dogs. They are playful, cuddling, and are wonderful companions.
Even though, a Pomeranian would be perfect for many families they aren’t the best fit for everyone.
Pomeranians are not an ideal match for a home that has small children. A Pomeranian can easily be injured by an unaware child that is too rough.
Are Pomeranians Good Family Dogs?
Do Pomeranians Like To Bark
Pomeranians are vocal dogs that especially like to alert their owners to dangers or perceived dangers.
Even though Pomeranians like to bark, they are very intelligent dogs that can be easily trained to only bark under certain circumstances.
What Is The Price For A Pomeranian
Pomeranians cost anywhere between $800 and upwards of $7000.
There are many factors that contribute to this wide range of prices including location and coat color.
What Are Teacup Pomeranians
Teacup Pomeranians are regular Pomeranians that are often smaller in stature when compared to standard Pomeranians.
What Does A Teacup Pomeranian Look Like
A Teacup Pomeranian looks identical to a standard Pomeranian but is often smaller in stature or is promised to be.
Pomeranians can vary in appearance with some having facial features that are referred to as a Teddy Bear Pomeranian, Baby Doll Pomeranian, or Fax Faced Pomeranian.
Quite often people think the small show Pomeranian with fluffy fur and teddy bear face is a teacup Pomeranian, in actuality, they are a standard Pomeranian.
How Big Do Teacup Pomeranians Get
The small teacup size has become extremely desirable among many toy breeds with the Pomeranian being no exception.
A standard-sized Pomeranian already weighs between 3 and 7 pounds, some people are trying to appeal to the tiny miniature Pomeranian size and aim for small dogs that are under three pounds when fully grown.
Breeding dogs to such a small stature does not happen without ramifications.
When Are Teacup Pomeranians Fully Grown
Just like standard Pomeranians, Teacup Pomeranians are fully grown around their first birthday.
What Colors Do Teacup Pomeranians Come In
Teacup Pomeranians come in the same 26 color and pattern combinations as standard Pomeranians.
Do Teacup Pomeranians Shed A Lot
Teacup Pomeranians don’t shed more or less than a standard Pomeranian would.
Of course, the smaller the animal the less fur you would have to deal with but, all Pomeranians are small, to begin with.
Do Teacup Pomeranians Have Big Personalitites
Tiny Teacup Pomeranians have the same sassy and bold personalities as their standard-sized brothers and sisters.
Do Teacup Pomeranians Have Health Problems
The health concerns for Teacup Pomeranians far surpass the health problems that a standard-sized Pomeranian may encounter.
I first need to mention that there is a difference between a 3 or 4-pound show standard Pomeranian that comes from healthy bloodlines that were bred within a breeding program that is legit and has high standards.
That beautiful tiny Pomeranian is not what I am talking about.
What I am referring to are tiny teacup Pomeranians that are being bred by people who either don’t understand the outcomes or are using unethical breeding practices.
One of these practices is taking the runts of the litters and selecting them for breeding pairs with the intention of having puppies that are as small as possible.
These small puppies end up with numerous health conditions from heart issues to hypoglycemia.
It can be heartbreaking to see a pup that you love so dearly struggle and well as the additional expenses required to care for a sick dog.
How Long Do Teacup Pomeranians Live
The average lifespan for healthy Pomeranians is 12-14 years.
Many teacup Pomeranians suffer from health conditions that will often shorten their lives.
Are Teacup Pomeranians Good For A Family
A Teacup Pomeranian is not a good fit for a family for a variety of reasons.
Their tiny size makes them more vulnerable to accidents and trauma.
If you happen to receive a dog that has a health condition you may experience a lot of heartbreak and vet expenses along the way.
Are Teacup Pomeranians Yappy
Pomeranians enjoy making themselves known and a tiny teacup Pomeranian is just like the rest.
How Much Do Teacup Pomeranians Cost
Many breeders sell teacup Pomeranians or what is advertised as a teacup Pomeranian often at a higher price point when compared to standard Pomeranians.
I wouldn’t expect to get a Pomeranian that is being sold as a Teacup Pomeranian to be anything less than $3500.
Be careful when shopping for your puppy. Make sure you know what you are getting and that you are paying a fair price.
Are All Pomeranians Teacup Pomeranians
All Pomeranians are Pomeranians.
It sounds silly but, it is true. Some may be larger than others and be given names like Throwback Pomeranians and others may be small and are called teacup Pomeranians.
They are all the same.
Is There A Higher Damand For Teacup Pomeranians
There is a higher demand for small and fluffy teacup Pomeranians.
Overall, there is a large demand for all Pomeranians. They are one of the most popular dogs breeds and are highly sought after.
Are Teacup Pomeranians An Offical Dog Breed
Teacup Pomeranians are not an Offical Dog Breed.
The only official dog breed is the Pomeranian.
Is “Teacup Pomeranian” An Offical Name
“Teacup Pomeranian” is not an official name it is more of a title or nickname was given to smaller Pomeranians.
The nickname teacup is often given to anything that is small and “teacup” sized.
Are The Words “Teacup Pomeranian” A Marketing Ploy
When you are searching for a Pomeranian puppy you may come across some being advertized as “Teacup Pomeranians”
Knowing what you know now after reading what I’ve shared with you, you may wonder if these breeders are being deceitful or if it’s a marketing ploy?
It can be both. Since the term “Teacup Pomeranian” isn’t well defined it can be used to describe any Pomeranian.
You may have a completely legit and ethical breeder that is using the term because their puppies are often within the smaller end of the standard at 3-5 pounds. It’s not wrong in this case for the term to be used.
In other cases, it could be a marketing method being used to try to attract buyers searching for small Pomeranians. These puppies can be everything from healthy standard Pomeranians to puppies bred from unethical standards.
There is no way to know what the situation is from the advertisement.
You will need to do your due diligence and research the breeder, look for red flags, ask for references from previous buyers and the current vet.
Are Pomeranians Going Extinct
Between questionable breeding practices, small litters, and low survival rates it could be easy to question if Pomeranians are going extinct.
I do think the breed is at risk with one of the main factors being the desire for tiny teacup dogs.
It really needs to stop in my opinion and is a real tragedy for the breed.
Standard-sized Pomeranians already have a number of challenges that they face that breeding unhealthy miniature dogs negatively impacts the breed as a whole.
Should I Get A Pomeranian Or Teacup Pomeranian
I think you should get a Pomeranian if that’s the best fit for you.
It may be a small 3 or 4-pound ball of fluff or a big 10-pound boy like my Murphy, regardless just make sure that your dog is healthy and comes from a reputable breeder.
Tips For Buying A Teacup Pomeranian
My advice for buying a Pomeranian is to make sure you are getting your puppy from a reputable breeder.
Here is a little checklist that you can use to vet a breeder or puppy.
- Ask for refernces
- Ask to speak with the vet or see the vet certifacte of health
- If possible, see the puppies parents
- Evaulate the living conditons of the dogs
- Go with your gut- this is huge and hard to pinpoint exactly, sometimes you just know when something isn’t right
Where Can I Buy A Teacup Pomeranian
Look for breeders in your local area as well as the AKC Marketplace for breeders all over the country.
The puppies listed on the AKC marketplace are all from litters that are AKC registered.
We’ve purchased puppies from both methods. Our first two Pomeranians came from a wonderful local breeder and our most recent addition was found on the AKC Marketplace.
My husband traveled out of state directly to that breeder to bring our little Duke home.
The only reason we went to a different breeder than our original was due to the breeder putting their breeding program on hold.
Final Thoughts
Pomeranians are truly wonderful dogs regardless of their size, shape, or color.
They have easily become one of my biggest joys in life and I will never go without one or more as part of my family.
I hope you were able to get what you were looking for in this article and have the answers you need to help you on your Pomeranian journey.
