Breed Comparison: Pekingese Versus Pomeranian

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Pekingese Versus Pomeranian: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Pekingese and the Pomeranian? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Pekingese and the Pomeranian better suits you.

We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Pekingese and the Pomeranian.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Pekingese and the Pomeranian is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.

Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Pekingese and for the Pomeranian. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Pekingese and the Pomeranian.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Pekingese or the Pomeranian.

Pekingese versus Pomeranian

Pekingese versus Pomeranian: Overview

Both the Pekingese and the Pomeranian are similar in size. The Pekingese and the Pomeranian are both tiny-sized dogs.

Furthermore, both the Pekingese and the Pomeranian are Companion Dogs. This means both the Pekingese and the Pomeranian were bred to be companions for humans. Their main goal in life is to be with people, and they will be very sad if left to themselves for long hours day after day.

Pekingese versus Pomeranian: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Pekingese to the Pomeranian based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.

When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets

Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.

However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.

Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Pekingese and the Pomeranian

Factor Pekingese Pomeranian
Tolerates Hot Weather 1/5 2/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 1/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 5/5 4/5
Life Span 12 to 15 years 12 to 16 years
Easygoing 4/5 2/5
Kid-Friendly 2/5 2/5
Dog Friendly 2/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 3/5
General Health 2/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 4/5 3/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 4/5 4/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 1/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 2/5
Easy To Train 3/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 5/5
Potential For Playfulness 3/5 3/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 4/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 2/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 1/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 4/5
Height 6 to 9 inches tall at the shoulder 7 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder
Weight 7 to 14 pounds 3 to 7 pounds
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 14.0 years
Average Price $1930 $2150
Price Range $1288 – $2500 $1500 – $2500
Temperament Score 93.3 percent 77.8 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Legg-Calve-Perthes
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 86 21
    Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) 73 23

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Pekingese in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Pomeranian. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.

    The Better-Pet score for the Pekingese is 77 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Pomeranian is 79 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Pomeranian is a better pet than the Pekingese. So, you should get the Pomeranian!

    Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

    Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the Pekingese and the Pomeranian so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    Pekingese versus Pomeranian

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Pekingese and the Pomeranian

    Below is a list of where the Pekingese and the Pomeranian are most different:

  • Pekingeses have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets. However, Pomeranians have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
  • The Similarities Between the Pekingese and the Pomeranian

    The Pekingese and the Pomeranian are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Pekingese and the Pomeranian are most similar:

  • Both the Pekingese and the Pomeranian cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
  • Both the Pekingese and the Pomeranian do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Pekingese and the Pomeranian require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Both the Pekingese and the Pomeranian do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
  • Both the Pekingese and the Pomeranian do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.
  • Both the Pekingese and the Pomeranian do not get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Pekingese and the Pomeranian are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Pekingese and the Pomeranian have the tendency to develop certain health problems.
  • Both the Pekingese and the Pomeranian have low energy levels. They do not require a lot exercise time.
  • Both the Pekingese and the Pomeranian have low exercise needs.
  • Both the Pekingese and the Pomeranian are good for new dog owners.
  • Both the Pekingese and the Pomeranian can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Pekingese and the Pomeranian shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Pekingese and the Pomeranian are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Pekingese and the Pomeranian are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Pekingese and the Pomeranian adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Pekingese and the Pomeranian are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Pekingese versus Pomeranian

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Pekingese and the Pomeranian.

    Pekingeses weigh 7 to 14 pounds when fully grown. Pekingeses are 6 to 9 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Pomeranians weigh 3 to 7 pounds when fully grown. Pomeranians are 7 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Pekingese versus Pomeranian

    The lifespan of Pekingeses is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Pekingeses is 13.5 years.

    The lifespan of Pomeranians is between 12 to 16 years. The average lifespan of Pomeranians is 14.0 years.

    Pomeranians live longer than Pekingeses.

    Pekingese versus Pomeranian

    Temperament of the Pomeranian Versus the Pekingese

    The Pekingese has a better temperament than the Pomeranian.

    This is because the temperament score for the Pekingese is 93.3 percent while the temperament score for the Pomeranian is 77.8 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).

    The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.

    Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and are protective of their owners.

    The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.

    With its temperament score of 93.3 percent, the Pekingese has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 77.8 percent, the Pomeranian has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Pekingese and the Pomeranian by measuring the temperaments of 15 Pekingeses and 36 Pomeranians.

    Price of Pekingese versus Price of Pomeranian

    The average price of the Pekingese puppy is $1930. The price of the Pekingese typically ranges from $1288 – $2500. However, the price of a Pekingese can be as low as $700 and as high as $7500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 138 Pekingese puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Pomeranian puppy is $2150. The price of the Pomeranian typically ranges from $1500 – $2500. However, the price of the Pomeranian can be as low as $150 and as high as $10000. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 1412 Pomeranian puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Pomeranian is more expensive than the Pekingese.

    Pekingese Pomeranian
    Average Price $1930 $2150
    Price Range $1288 to $2500 $1500 to $2500

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Pekingese and Pomeranian. For different price points, the charts show how many Pekingese puppies or how many Pomeranian puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of Pekingeses. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Pekingeses. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Pomeranians

    A breakdown of the prices of Pomeranians

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Pekingese puppy or the Pomeranian puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.

    Nevertheless, when looking to buy a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.

    You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.

    Pekingese versus Pomeranian

    Adopting the Pekingese versus Adopting the Pomeranian

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Pekingeses and many Pomeranians are currently available for adoption.

    These adorable and cute dogs are waiting in dog shelters hoping that someday someone will rescue them. Furthermore, adoption costs are lesser than the cost of a new puppy. Dog adoption costs are usually around $300. In addition to your local dog shelter, a good place online to see dogs that are available for adoption is petfinder.com.

    Below is an adorable Male Pekingese named Jack And Pinot that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Pekingeses like Jack And Pinot on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Pekingeses, Pomeranians are also available for adoption. For example, Berkley is a Male Pomeranian that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Pomeranians like Berkley that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The Pekingese and the Pomeranian can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    Leo is the name of another Pekingese (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.

    Also, Desi is an adorable Male Pomeranian on petfinder.com that you can adopt.

    Pekingeses and Pomeranians are always available for adoption. Images from petfinder.com

    You can find more Pekingeses and Pomeranians that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    The Intelligence of the Pekingese versus the Intelligence of the Pomeranian

    Pekingese Pomeranian
    Intelligence Rank 73 out of 130 dog breeds 23 out of 130 dog breeds
    Trainability Tend To Learn New Commands After 80 To 100 Repetitions Or More! Tend To Learn New Commands After 5 To 15 Repetitions

    Professor Stanley Coren, the famous psychology/neuropsychological professor and, dog lover/trainer measured and ranked the intelligence of about 130 different dog breeds.

    According to Prof. Stanley Coren, the total intelligence that a dog demonstrates is the addition of three types of intelligence. These intelligence types are:

  • Instinctive Intelligence: This is the natural intelligence a dog has because of what the dog was bred for. This type of intelligence comes from instinct. For example, dog breeds that were bred for guarding will have high `guarding` instinctive intelligence, while dog breeds that were bred for hunting will what high `hunting` instinctive intelligence. However, you cannot compare the intelligence of dog breeds based on instinctive intelligence because such a comparison will not make sense.
  • Adaptive Intelligence (learning and problem-solving ability): This indicates what a dog can learn to do for himself or herself. It includes learning and benefiting from experience with his environment, solving new problems, and so forth. Adaptive intelligence is specific to each dog, and not breed specific. Thus, two dogs can have remarkably different levels of adaptive intelligence even if they are of the same breed.
  • Working/Obedience Intelligence: This intelligence is the closest to what we might call school-learning ability and it is based upon what the dog can learn to do when instructed by humans. Importantly, different dog breeds have different learning abilities. Also, science has shown that some dog breeds can learn faster than some other breeds. This means certain dog breeds tend to have higher working/obedience intelligence than some other breeds. Dogs with high Working/Obedience Intelligence are smart and easy to train.
  • Prof. Coren showed that the Working/Obedience Intelligence of different dog breeds can be measured reliably. Thus, he was able to rank different dog breeds based on their Working/Obedience Intelligence.

    This is important because according to Prof. Coren, 51 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from its genes while 49 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from the dog`s environmental circumstances.

    To rank the intelligence of dog breeds, Prof. Coren employed the help of 208 dog obedience judges in North America to fill out a detailed survey on dog obedience. This number represented more than half of all of these judges in North America at the time. He also employed 63 veterinarians and 14 guard dog experts to collect data on the personality of different dog breeds.

    Prof. Coren found that the Pekingese has an obedience intelligence rank of 73 out of 130 dog breeds. The Pekingese belongs to the `Lowest Degree of Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Pekingeses tend to learn new commands after 80 to 100 repetitions or more!.

    The Pomeranian has an obedience intelligence rank of 23 out of 130 dog breeds. The Pomeranian belongs to the `Excellent Working Dogs` category. This means that Pomeranians tend to learn new commands after 5 to 15 repetitions.

    The Pomeranian is more intelligent than the Pekingese.

    However, Prof. Coren noted that a dog should not be judged based on its intelligence alone, that other factors such as sociability, adorability, and compatibility with the owner are other very important factors that new dog owners need to consider when deciding on a new dog.

    The Popularity of Pekingese versus Popularity of Pomeranian

    Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).

    The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the Pekingese and the Pomeranian over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Pomeranian is more popular with dog owners than the Pekingese. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Pomeranian is 21 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Pekingese is 86 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Pekingese

    Popularity of Pekingese

    Popularity of Pomeranian

    Popularity of Pomeranian

    Year Pekingese Popularity Rank Pomeranian Popularity Rank
    2013 77 19
    2014 82 20
    2015 80 21
    2016 93 22
    2017 88 22
    2018 92 23
    2019 83 24
    2020 95 23

    Tolerates Being Alone: Pekingese versus Pomeranian

    Pekingeses can be left alone only for a short time.

    Pomeranians do not like to be left alone.

    Do Pekingeses shed more than Pomeranians?

    Pekingeses shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Pomeranians shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Pekingese or the Pomeranian

    Pekingeses do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Pomeranians do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Pekingese or the Pomeranian?

    Pekingeses require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Pomeranians require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Does the Pekingese Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Pomeranian?

    Pekingeses have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.

    Pomeranians have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other pets.

    Do Pekingeses Bark and Howl? What about Pomeranians?

    Pekingeses are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Pomeranians are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Can Pekingeses Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Pomeranians Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Pekingeses can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Pomeranians can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Pekingese vs. Pomeranian

    Pekingeses have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    Pomeranians do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    Can Pekingeses Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Pomeranians Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Pekingeses cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Pomeranians cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Pekingese or the Pomeranian?

    Pekingeses do not get along well with other dogs.

    Pomeranians do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Pekingeses good family dogs? What about Pomeranians?

    Pekingeses are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Pomeranians are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Pekingeses and Pomeranians?

    Pekingeses do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.

    Pomeranians do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.

    Is the Pekingese Easier to Train than the Pomeranian?

    Pekingeses are fairly easy to train.

    Pomeranians are very easy to train.

    Is the Pekingese Better for Apartment Owners than the Pomeranian?

    Pekingeses adapt very well to apartment living.

    Pomeranians adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Pekingese or the Pomeranian?

    Pekingeses are very good for new dog owners.

    Pomeranians are very good for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Pekingese

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Pekingese that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Pekingese:

  • Dandie Dinmont Terrier (72 percent match with Pekingese). Here is our comparison of the Pomeranian vs Dandie Dinmont Terrier.
  • Mal Shi (72 percent match with Pekingese). Here is our comparison of the Pomeranian vs Mal Shi.
  • Pomsky (72 percent match with Pekingese). Here is our comparison of the Pomeranian vs Pomsky.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Pomeranian

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Pomeranian that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Pomeranian:

  • Pomapoo (81 percent match with Pomeranian). Here is our comparison of the Pekingese vs Pomapoo.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Pekingese and how the Pomeranian compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Pekingese and of the Pomeranian to other breeds:

    Pekingese Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Pekingese versus Brussels Griffon     Pekingese versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne     Pekingese versus Black and Tan Coonhound     Pekingese versus Bulldog     Pekingese versus Bull Terrier     Pekingese versus Leonberger     Pekingese versus Valley Bulldog     Pekingese versus Samoyed     Pekingese versus Bullmastiff     Pekingese versus American Staffordshire Terrier     Pekingese versus Pomsky     Pekingese versus Peek A Poo     Pekingese versus Sealyham Terrier     Pekingese versus Newfoundland     Pekingese versus Keeshond     Pekingese versus Belgian Tervuren     Pekingese versus Affenhuahua     Pekingese versus Kishu Ken     Pekingese versus German Wirehaired Pointer     Pekingese versus Finnish Lapphund     Pekingese versus Pyrenean Shepherd     Pekingese versus Patterdale Terrier     Pekingese versus Australian Terrier     Pekingese versus Plott     Pekingese versus Kooikerhondje     

    Pomeranian Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Pomeranian versus Standard Schnauzer     Pomeranian versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon     Pomeranian versus Pomsky     Pomeranian versus King Shepherd     Pomeranian versus Basenji     Pomeranian versus Beaglier     Pomeranian versus Belgian Sheepdog     Pomeranian versus Sussex Spaniel     Pomeranian versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi     Pomeranian versus Cockapoo     Pomeranian versus Great Pyrenees     Pomeranian versus Cairn Terrier     Pomeranian versus Tibetan Terrier     Pomeranian versus Canaan Dog     Pomeranian versus Bedlington Terrier     Pomeranian versus Norwegian Lundehund     Pomeranian versus Bull Terrier     Pomeranian versus Collie     Pomeranian versus Dutch Shepherd     Pomeranian versus Bracco Italiano     Pomeranian versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog     Pomeranian versus Beaglier     Pomeranian versus Akita Chow     Pomeranian versus Keeshond     Pomeranian versus Entlebucher Mountain Dog     

    Conclusion: Pekingese versus Pomeranian. Which One is a Better Pet?

    In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Pekingese and the Pomeranian better suits you and your family.