Chihuahua or Pomeranian: Which Small Breed Is Right For You?

The Chihuahua vs the Pomeranian: which pint-size pooch will be best suited to you and your lifestyle?

Small, sassy, and seriously cute, over the years, these breeds have made plenty of appearances in Hollywood (who can forget Elle Woods’ Chihuahua, Bruiser, in Legally Blonde?), yet these small-but-mighty pups live just as large beyond the silver screen.

Both fiercely loyal, the Pomeranian and the Chihuahua make for a great long-term companion to those who prefer a small dog. Read on to discover what makes these breeds unique, their ideal living environment, and what pet parents can expect when bringing one of these charismatic canines into their home.

Racheal Miller, an American Kennel Club-recognized Chihuahua breeder since 2008, first fell in love with the breed due to their big personality that doesn’t quite fit that tiny frame. “Chihuahuas are sassy,” Miller said in a Rover interview. “They often forget their size, but they’re smart and love to be with their people.”

When helping puppies find their forever family, Miller considers several factors regarding potential adopters. “A responsible breeder will weigh all family dynamics,” she says. “Children and Chihuahuas? It depends on the [temperament of the] children. I’ve placed several older puppies with families with children and it’s gone very well.”

Miller notes that while training a puppy is crucial, teaching children how to respect a new dog, particularly one of such a petite size, is just as important. “If you have children, it’s critical to help them understand how to respect the puppy,” she says. “Depending on their age, supervision may be required at all times. Chihuahua puppies are small. When you aren’t able to watch your puppy, make sure you have a safe space to put them.”

Noble Inglett, a Pomeranian breeder with 30 years of experience, shares a similar sentiment. “Poms are ready to give constant love and affection. They are wonderful with children but I prefer [placing puppies with] a family whose kids are at least school age,” Inglett told Rover. Like Miller, Inglett is recognized by the American Kennel Club for ethical breeding and puts special effort into finding the perfect home for Pomeranian puppies.

Chihuahua vs Pomeranian: Origins and History

Chihuahuas

Chihuahuas have been cherished companions since the 9th century. Hailing from Mexico, they are believed to descend from the Techichi, an extinct breed present during the Toltec civilization. During the Aztec empire in the 11th century, Chihuahuas were revered by wealthy nobles as spirit guides in the afterlife. It wasn’t until the 1800s that they arrived in the U.S., where they quickly gained popularity.

Pomeranians

Believe it or not, Pomeranians once descended from a larger breed of sled dog. Their distant relatives include the Siberian Husky, the Samoyed, and the Chow Chow. The rise to Pom-pularity began in 1800s England when Queen Victoria placed her Pomeranians in dog shows and helped breed Poms down to their current small size. By the 1900s, these canines were popular pets in U.S. households as well.

Modern Day

Today, Chihuahuas and Pomeranians are some of the most beloved small dogs. With similar temperament and care requirements, both breeds can be a good fit for pet lovers who want a little dog with big personality. For all their commonalities, there are plenty of differences too, and it’s important to find the breed that best fits your lifestyle and home.

Similarities and Differences

Deciding between a Chihuahua and a Pomeranian? Discover more about each breed below:

	Chihuahuas	Pomeranians	Summary
Size & Build	Typically less than 6 pounds, standing at 5-8 inches in height	Typically 3-7 pounds, standing at 6-7 inches in height	While both breeds have ‘teacup’ sizes that stand even smaller, these dogs often suffer from health issues due to their unnatural size.
Appearance	Notable physical features of a Chihuahua are their tiny, slender frame and big pointy ears. These dogs can be short-haired or long-haired, and typically have one of two facial types: the ‘apple head’ structure, which is shorter with a round head and eyes close together; or the ‘deer head’ structure, taller, with a slightly flatter head and eyes further apart.	Notable physical features of a Pomeranian are a soft, fuzzy coat and a fluffy arched tail. Some Poms feature a fox-like facial structure, while others are considered to be reminiscent of a teddy bear. Similar to the Chihuahua, Pomeranians have pointy ears, though smaller in size.	Chihuahuas have a slender frame and erect and pointy ears, and their face may be “apple” or “deer” shaped. Pom faces may resemble a fox or teddy bear. Their ears are pointy, but are shorter than a Chihuahua’s.
Coat Color & Type	Whether short-haired or long-haired, the Chihuahua’s smooth coat is fairly easy to maintain. They shed less than their Pomeranian counterparts and require sporadic brushing. The Chihuahua’s coat comes in black, cream, tan, brown, red, or a combination of these colorings.	It requires routine maintenance to keep a Pomeranian’s silky double coat looking its best. Anticipate a moderate amount of shedding from a Pom’s long coat, which comes in black, tan, grey, orange sable, cream, or a combination of these colorings.	Chihuahuas may be long- or short-haired, with hair in a range of colors. Pomeranians sport a fluffy, double coat, and they appear in a similar range of colors.
Health	Chihuahuas are at risk for eye problems, dental issues, hypoglycemia, knee problems, heart issues, hypothermia in cold conditions, and collapsed trachea due to excessive leash-pulling.	Pomeranians are at risk for eye problems, dental issues, hypoglycemia, knee problems, overheating due to their thick fluffy coat, and collapsed trachea due to excessive leash-pulling.	Both breeds require diligent toothbrushing, and the proper leash/harness for safe outdoor walks. Staying up-to-date on annual vet visits will help keep both breeds in good health. Miller notes that a responsible breeder will take into account family history when pairing two dogs for breeding. When working with a breeder, make sure to inquire about health history.
Average Lifespan	14-16 years	12-16 years	Adopting a dog is a long-term commitment. Both of these breeds can live up to 16 years, sometimes longer!
Grooming	Both long and short-haired Chihuahuas are low-maintenance when it comes to grooming needs. A simple weekly brushing will reduce shedding and help keep their coat healthy. A monthly bath is also important for keeping your Chihuahua feeling their best. Miller notes that many Chihuahuas enjoy bath time!	Brushing your Pomeranian’s gorgeous coat is one of the biggest requirements for grooming this breed. Whether your Pom keeps their coat long, or you choose to have their coat groomed down to the shorter ‘teddy bear’ style, finding the right brush/comb is essential. Routine brushing keeps their fur from tangling and reduces shedding, too. A monthly bath is also important for keeping your Pomeranian fresh and clean!	Pet parents should regularly care for their dog’s teeth, eyes, ears, nails, and glands. If you aren’t comfortable grooming at home, find a trusted groomer to assist with this routine care.
Energy Levels	Chihuahuas have a moderate energy level and require regular exercise.	Pomeranians have a moderate energy level and require regular exercise.	While these breeds aren’t the dogs to join you for a jog or hiking adventure, they still benefit from fresh air and strolls around the neighborhood. Ensure your small dog gets routine exercise for their physical and mental well-being!
Training	Chihuahuas are curious, smart, and feisty. In addition to proper barking etiquette, house training is important too, though this can be a challenge due to the breed’s stubborn nature. Many Chihuahuas are receptive to food-based training… so have those treats ready!	Pomeranians are headstrong, bold, and vocal. In addition to house training, you’ll want to teach your puppy proper barking etiquette. This breed is intelligent and eager to please their owner, which means they are easily trainable with positive reinforcement.	Both Chihuahuas and Poms often forget their small size! It’s important to supervise your pet in situations that involve new dogs or animals.
Sociability	While Chihuahuas are often leery in new social situations, diligent training and practice can prepare them for interactions with new people or animals. As with any breed, it’s important to supervise your Chihuahua in situations that involve new animals, especially given their dainty size.	Pomeranians might forget their size when entering a new social situation. They are typically less cautious than their Chihuahua counterparts, and supervision is necessary when introducing another dog or animal. With proper training and socialization, Poms are an extremely friendly breed.	Miller discusses the importance of socializing your new dog, no matter the breed: “It’s important to socialize your puppy,” she says. “Once fully vaccinated, enroll in an accredited puppy training course. Introducing them to new situations, sounds, and people is a top priority. If you are getting your dog from a responsible breeder, your puppy should have a good start on this road already.”
Personality	Intelligent, stubborn, sassy, eager to learn, curious, and loyal. Chihuahuas are fiercely loyal and make for a devoted companion once a trusted bond has been developed.	Charismatic, lively, intelligent, bold, independent, playful, curious, and loyal. Poms tend to form a strong bond with their human, and Inglett notes that these dogs are often eager to please their owner.	Both breeds are curious, loyal, and intelligent. Chihuahuas have a sassy, stubborn side, while Poms can be charismatic and independent.
Ideal Environment	Though adaptable to various settings, a Chihuahua’s ideal home is calm and quiet, with plenty of attention from their human. Their small size makes this breed a great fit for apartment or city living, though they still require daily exercise and playtime. If you live in a colder climate, your Chihuahua will need extra bundling in chillier temperatures. They enjoy spending most of their time indoors and should never be left alone when exploring outside (especially due to predators like coyotes).	A Pomeranian will be happiest in a home that provides them plenty of attention and mental stimulation. Due to their small size and lower-maintenance exercise needs, they are a great companion for someone living in a small apartment or city home. If you live in a warmer climate, you’ll want to make sure your Pom is cool and hydrated in hot weather. Their thick double coat puts them at higher risk for overheating and it’s important to familiarize yourself with strategies to help you avoid this dangerous condition.	A Chihuahua’s ideal home is calm and quiet, with plenty of attention from their human. A Pomeranian will be happiest in a home that provides them plenty of attention and mental stimulation. Both breeds are known to adapt to apartment or city living.
Ideal Human	Since Chihuahuas don’t like to be left alone, their ideal human has plenty of time and love to give! Someone who is retired or works from home would be a Chihuahua’s dream. Families with young children should be wary of the breed’s delicate size, though they can do well with older children or in quieter, calm, single-person homes. “If your family life is busy, an adolescent or adult Chihuahua is a better fit,” shares Miller. “Chihuahua puppies require more attention.”	Though fairly low-maintenance, it’s important to provide your Pomeranian with plenty of love and attention. Their ideal human can provide daily exercise and playtime, as well as keep up on their grooming needs. Families with young children should be wary of the breed’s delicate size, though they can do well with older children or single-person homes.	Both Chihuahuas and Pomeranians do well with attentive guardians with lots of time to offer love and attention. Fluffy Poms have additional grooming requirements, and in households with children, both do best when the kids are school age or older.

Conclusion

Whether you’re welcoming a smart, sassy Chihuahua into your home, or adding a charismatic, playful Pomeranian to the mix, adopting a dog is a huge step! If your heart is set on a puppy, make sure to do your research to find a trusted and reputable breeder. American Kennel Club-recognized breeders like Miller and Inglett can be found on the AKC Marketplace.

“It can take several weeks or months for a puppy to adjust to a new home, new people, and new schedule” reminds Miller. “It takes a whole lot of patience and time to train a puppy, but it’s worth it when you’ve got a well-adjusted dog.”

Those who don’t want to undergo puppy training might consider adopting an older dog from a shelter or rescue. Even popular breeds like Poms or Chihuahuas need re-homing in situations where an owner is no longer able to provide proper care. Not only are these older dogs generally house-trained, but often they have plenty of love to give!