Pomeranians and Chihuahuas are both small lap dogs that have gained celebrity status but, are Pomeranians related to Chihuahuas?
Pomeranians and Chihuahuas are not related. Although, they may have many similarities like stature, intelligence, and loyalty. These very popular companions come from vastly different backgrounds.
In this article, I will compare two of our favorite little companions the fluffy Pomeranian and the sassy Chihuahua.
- Where Are Pomeranians From
- Where Do Chihuahuas Come From
- Are Pomeranians And Chihuahuas Toy Dogs
- Comparison Of Pomeranians And Chihuahuas Physical Traits
- Do Pomeranians And Chihuahuas Have Similar Personalities
- What Are The Similarites Between Pomeranians And Chihuahuas
- What Are The Biggest Differences Between Chihuahuas And Pomeranians
- Are Long Haired Chihuahuas The Same As Pomeranians
- Do Chihuahuas And Pomeranians Have The Same Grooming Needs
- Are Pomeranians More Popular Than Chihuahuas
- Do Pomeranians Cost More Than Chihuahuas
- Can A Pomeranian Be Bred With A Chihuahua
- Do Pomeranians Or Chihuahuas Get Along Better With Other Pets
- Final Thoughts
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Where Are Pomeranians From
Pomeranians originate from Northern Europe in Poland and Germany. The region was once known as Pomerania.
Pomeranians used to be much larger in size (20-30lbs) and were used as working dogs. They would assist their owners with hunting, herding, and protection.
In the 1800’s Queen Victoria became very fond of Pomeranians and made a lasting impact on the breed’s popularity.
The Queen had a desire for her Pomeranians to be small enough to cuddle with her on her lap. At one point she had over thirty Pomeranians which were bred into the smaller companions we know of today.
Many of the Queens Pomeranians became champion show dogs that gained a lot of attention for the breed.
Where Do Chihuahuas Come From
Chihuahuas are an ancient breed that stems way back to the Toltecs in Ancient Mexico. Chihuahuas at that time were known as Techichi.
The Aztecs overtook the Toltecs in the 12th century and have gained the most recognition for long ago Chihuahua.
It was the Aztecs that bred the Chihuahua into the smaller-sized dog that it is today.
Once the Spanish conquered, the Ancient Techichi was lost.
In the 19th Century, The Americans discovered a dog that resembled the Techichi in the Mexican State of Chihuahua.
The Americans brought these little dogs back to The United States where they have grown in popularity ever since.
Are Pomeranians And Chihuahuas Toy Dogs
Pomeranians and Chihuahuas are both very small dogs that are grouped into the toy dog group by dog clubs and organizations.
Comparison Of Pomeranians And Chihuahuas Physical Traits
| TRAIT | POMERANIAN | CHIHUAHUA |
| Weight | 3-7 lbs | 3-6 lbs |
| Height | 6-12 inches | 5-8 inches |
| Life Span | 12-16 years | 14-16 years |
| Health | Healthy | Healthy |
| Colors | 26 | 7 |
| Energy | Medium | Medium |
| Ears | Small Pricked Ears | Large Rectangular Ears |
| Dog Breed Group | Toy | Toy |
Do Pomeranians And Chihuahuas Have Similar Personalities
Pomeranians and Chihuahuas have very similar personalities they are both bold, independent and love to be the center of attention.
Both dogs have a reputation of being stubborn and can suffer from separation anxiety.
What Are Pomeranains Like
- Fiesty
- Friendly
- Intelligent
- Playful
- Loyal
- Confident
- Affectionate
- Cuddly
- Outgoing
- Athletic
- Protective
What Are Chihuahuas Like
- Fearless
- Vocal
- Territorial
- Affectionate
- Demanding
- Fast Learners
- Curious
- Devoted
- Lively
- Excitable
What Are The Similarites Between Pomeranians And Chihuahuas
There are many similarities between Pomeranians and Chihuahuas starting with their overall small stature, comparable lifespans, loyalty, and intelligence.
The most obvious similarities are.
- Lifespan
- Headshape
- Size
- Intelligence
- Exercise Needs
- Barking
- Loyalty
- Housebreaking
- Health
- Family Friendly
Lifespan
Both Pomeranians and Chihuahuas have a similar lifespan ranging from 12 to 16 years.
Head Shape
Pomeranians and Chihuahuas both have domed-shaped heads with Chihuahuas being more pronounced.
Size
Chihuahuas and Pomeranians are very similar in size both averaging between 3-7 pounds.
There are many Pomeranians that are taller and larger than the standard making them often bigger than Chihuahuas.
Intelligence
Both Pomeranians and Chihuahuas are known as intelligent dogs.
Of course, intelligence does vary from dog to dog.
Exercise Needs
Pomeranians and Chihuahuas have an average amount of energy and neither requires a lot of exercise.
A short daily walk with some playtime is enough for these small breeds.
Barking
Both dog breeds have a bad reputation for being barkers like many small breeds do.
In reality, Pomeranians and Chihuahuas may have a tendency to bark and be protective but, it’s nothing that good training can’t fix.
Loyalty
Pomeranians and Chihuahuas are both extremely loyal to their owners.
They both can become very attached and can suffer from separation anxiety.
A Chihuahua and Pomeranian is happiest when it’s next to its owner.
Housebreaking
Pomeranians and Chihuahuas are both known for being difficult to housetrain.
I find this is really subjective and every dog will be different.
The amount of time that you have available for training and if the puppy is in a home with a housebroken dog makes a difference.
Health
Both breeds are very healthy overall with similar health concerns like collapsed tracheas and luxating patellas.
Chihuahuas do have a health concern of their own called an open molera, which is an opening at the top of their skull similar to human babies.
Family Friendly
Chihuahuas and Pomeranians are both great with families and make wonderful companions.
The only exception for both breeds would be homes with really small children. Chihuahuas and Pomeranians are both small dogs that can easily get mishandled or stepped on by an excited and unknowing child.
What Are The Biggest Differences Between Chihuahuas And Pomeranians
Besides both being adorable little companions with many similarities there are some distinct differences.
- Origin
- Coats
- Grooming Needs
- Shedding
- Ear Shape
Origin
Pomeranians originate from Europe in a land once known as Pomerania.
Chihuahuas orginate from ancient Mexico.
Coats
Pomeranians have fluffy double coats that come in 26 different colors and patterns.
Chihuahuas have two different coat variations, short hair, and double-coated long hair. Chihuahuas also only come in 7 different colors.
Grooming Needs
Pomeranians have dense double coats that require routine brushing and care to prevent mats.
A short-haired Chihuahua on the other hand doesn’t require the same amount of grooming that a Pomeranian needs to keep their coats looking good.
Long-haired Chihuahuas would be similar in grooming needs to a Pomeranian.
Shedding
Pomeranians will appear to shed more than Chihuahuas due to the seasonal shedding of their double coats.
Ear Shape
Pomeranians have small pricked ears.
Chihuahuas have large rectangular ears.
Are Long Haired Chihuahuas The Same As Pomeranians
Although, both Pomeranians and Chihuahuas can have long double coats they are not the same.
Do Chihuahuas And Pomeranians Have The Same Grooming Needs
Short-haired Chihuahuas don’t require as much grooming in comparison to Pomeranians. A short-haired Chihuahua only needs to be brushed once every couple of weeks where a Pomeranian should be brushed weekly.
Long-haired Chihuahuas and Pomeranians require weekly brushing to keep the coats from getting matted.
The long-haired Chihuahua and Pomeranian have thick double coats that will experience seasonal shedding twice a year.
Are Pomeranians More Popular Than Chihuahuas
Pomeranians are more popular than Chihuahuas but, Chihuahuas are not that far behind.
The AKC has Pomeranains listed as the 22nd most popular dog in the United States where the Chihuahua is listed as number 30.
Do Pomeranians Cost More Than Chihuahuas
Pomeranians and Chihuahuas are very comparable in price.
Both dog breeds can range from $1000 to over $5000 depending on the dog and where you are getting it from.
Can A Pomeranian Be Bred With A Chihuahua
Pomeranians and Chihuahuas can be bred together, this new mixed breed is called a Pomchi or Pom-Chi.
A Pomchi can have distinct traits from either or both breeds. Some Pomchis may look more like Pomeranians while others resemble Chihuahuas.
Pomchi can come in many colors and coat variations.
You can expect a Pomchi to be a small lapdog that can be up to 7lbs and 11 inches tall.
The lifespan of a Pomchi is long and fulfilling at 15 years.
Do Pomeranians Or Chihuahuas Get Along Better With Other Pets
Pomeranians tend to get along better with other pets compared to Chihuahuas.
Chihuahuas tend to be more territorial and are more likely to show aggression towards another animal out of jealousy.
Final Thoughts
Pomeranians and Chihuahuas are both adorable small dogs that make wonderful companions.
They may look related but, they are not and have vastly different histories.
These two little dogs do have many similarities and some differences. It can be hard to decide which one you like better.
The easy answer would be to get one of each but, Chihuahuas do best when they are in an all Chihuahua home.
Regardless both dogs are sure to add joy and love into you lives.
