Last Updated: Apr 12, 2022
Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Pomeranian Versus German Pinscher: Introduction
- Pomeranian versus German Pinscher: Overview
- Pomeranian versus German Pinscher: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Pomeranian and the German Pinscher
- The Similarities Between the Pomeranian and the German Pinscher
- Size Comparison of the Pomeranian versus German Pinscher
- Appearance (Colors) of the Pomeranian and the German Pinscher
- Lifespan of Pomeranian versus German Pinscher
- Temperament of the German Pinscher Versus the Pomeranian
- Price of Pomeranian versus Price of German Pinscher
- The Popularity of Pomeranian versus Popularity of German Pinscher
- Health Problems of Pomeranian versus Health Problems of German Pinscher
- Tolerates Being Alone: Pomeranian versus German Pinscher
- Do Pomeranians shed more than German Pinschers?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Pomeranian or the German Pinscher?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Pomeranian or the German Pinscher?
- Are Pomeranians good family dogs? What about German Pinschers?
- Is the Pomeranian Easier to Train than the German Pinscher?
- Which one drools more, the Pomeranian or the German Pinscher
- How Kid-friendly are Pomeranians and German Pinschers?
- Does the Pomeranian Have a Higher Prey Drive than the German Pinscher?
- Do Pomeranians Bark and Howl? What about German Pinschers?
- Can Pomeranians Tolerate Cold Weather? And can German Pinschers Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Pomeranian vs. German Pinscher
- Can Pomeranians Tolerate Hot Weather? Can German Pinschers Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Pomeranian Versus Other Dog Breeds
- Conclusion: Pomeranian versus German Pinscher. Which One is a Better Pet?
Pomeranian Versus German Pinscher: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Pomeranian and the German Pinscher? 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 Pomeranian and the German Pinscher 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 Pomeranian and the German Pinscher.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Pomeranian and the German Pinscher 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 Pomeranian and for the German Pinscher. 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 Pomeranian and the German Pinscher.
Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Pomeranian or the German Pinscher.
Pomeranian versus German Pinscher: Overview
A very important difference between the Pomeranian and the German Pinscher is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Pomeranian is a tiny-sized dog while the German Pinscher is a medium-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Pomeranian belongs to the Companion Dogs group. Companion Dogs 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.
On the other hand, the German Pinscher belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.
Pomeranian versus German Pinscher: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Pomeranian to the German Pinscher 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 Pomeranian and the German Pinscher
| Factor | Pomeranian | German Pinscher |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Life Span | 12 to 16 years | 12 to 14 years |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| General Health | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Weight | 3 to 7 pounds | 25 to 45 pounds |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Easygoing | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Train | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Height | 7 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder | 17 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Average Lifespan | 14.0 years | 13.0 years |
| Average Price | $2150 | $1670 |
| Price Range | $1500 – $2500 | $500 – $2500 |
| Temperament Score | 77.8 percent | 91.9 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | ||
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 22 | 137 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Pomeranian 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 German Pinscher. 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 Pomeranian is 79 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the German Pinscher is 78 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Pomeranian is a better pet than the German Pinscher. So, you should get a Pomeranian!
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Pomeranian and the German Pinscher
Below is a list of where the Pomeranian and the German Pinscher are most different:
The Similarities Between the Pomeranian and the German Pinscher
The Pomeranian and the German Pinscher are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Pomeranian and the German Pinscher are most similar:
Size Comparison of the Pomeranian versus German Pinscher
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Pomeranian and the German Pinscher.
The Pomeranian weighs 3 to 7 pounds when fully grown. The Pomeranian is 7 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
On the other hand, the German Pinscher weighs 25 to 45 pounds when fully grown. The German Pinscher is 17 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Appearance (Colors) of the Pomeranian and the German Pinscher
Pomeranian Colors
The Pomeranian comes in the following beautiful primary colors:
- Red / Chestnut / Orange
- Brown / Chocolate
- White / Cream
- Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
- Black
- Apricot / Beige
- Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)
- Merle (Blue)
- Sable
- Gray / Blue / Silver
- Bicolor
- Golden
- Brindle
The Pomeranian comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:
- Black
- White / Cream
- Brown / Chocolate
- Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
- Brindle
- Red / Chestnut / Orange
- Apricot / Beige
German Pinscher Colors
The German Pinscher comes in the following beautiful primary colors:
- Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
- Black
- Brown / Chocolate
The German Pinscher comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:
- Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
Lifespan of Pomeranian versus German Pinscher
The lifespan of the Pomeranian is between 12 to 16 years. The average lifespan of the Pomeranian is 14.0 years.
The lifespan of the German Pinscher is between 12 to 14 years. The average lifespan of the German Pinscher is 13.0 years.
The Pomeranian live longer than the German Pinscher.
Temperament of the German Pinscher Versus the Pomeranian
The German Pinscher has a better temperament than the Pomeranian.
This is because the temperament score for the German Pinscher is 91.9 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 77.8 percent, the Pomeranian has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
With its temperament score of 91.9 percent, the German Pinscher has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Pomeranian and the German Pinscher by measuring the temperaments of 36 Pomeranians and 37 German Pinschers.
Price of Pomeranian versus Price of German Pinscher
The average price of the Pomeranian puppy is $2150. The price of the Pomeranian typically ranges from $1500 – $2500. However, the price of a Pomeranian can be as low as $150 and as high as $10000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 1412 Pomeranian puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The average price of the German Pinscher puppy is $1670. The price of the German Pinscher typically ranges from $500 – $2500. However, the price of the German Pinscher can be as low as $400 and as high as $3000. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 13 German Pinscher puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Pomeranian is more expensive than the German Pinscher.
| Pomeranian | German Pinscher | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $2150 | $1670 |
| Price Range | $1500 to $2500 | $500 to $2500 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Pomeranian and German Pinscher. For different price points, the charts show how many Pomeranian puppies or how many German Pinscher puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of Pomeranians. The typical price range is shaded Green.
A breakdown of the prices of German Pinschers
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Pomeranian puppy or the German Pinscher 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.
The Popularity of Pomeranian versus Popularity of German Pinscher
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 Pomeranian and the German Pinscher over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Pomeranian is more popular with dog owners than the German Pinscher. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Pomeranian is 22 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the German Pinscher is 137 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Pomeranian
Popularity of German Pinscher
| Year | Pomeranian Popularity Rank | German Pinscher Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 19 | 130 |
| 2014 | 20 | 141 |
| 2015 | 21 | 138 |
| 2016 | 22 | 146 |
| 2017 | 22 | 136 |
| 2018 | 23 | 134 |
| 2019 | 24 | 123 |
| 2020 | 23 | 139 |
| 2021 | 24 | 146 |
Health Problems of Pomeranian versus Health Problems of German Pinscher
Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. There is nothing like a perfect dog breed.
Both the Pomeranian and the German Pinscher are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.
The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.
Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the Pomeranian is prone to more genetic health problems than the German Pinscher.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Pomeranian than for the German Pinscher.
6 health tests are recommended for Pomeranian while 4 tests are recommended for the German Pinscher.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Pomeranians and in German Pinschers.
Pomeranian Health Problems
Pomeranians are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Pomeranian puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a Pomeranian puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Pomeranian breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Pomeranians for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Pomeranians here.
German Pinscher Health Problems
German Pinschers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing German Pinscher puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a German Pinscher puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your German Pinscher breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen German Pinschers for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for German Pinschers here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in Pomeranians and German Pinschers
Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Pomeranian Breed is Patella problems.
This is because the Pomeranian ranks 1 out of 145 dog breeds for Patella problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 1542 Pomeranians, 456 of them had Patella problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Pomeranians, and how common these diseases are in Pomeranians relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the German Pinscher Breed is Advanced Cardiac problems.
This is because the German Pinscher ranks 11 out of 71 dog breeds for Advanced Cardiac problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 77 German Pinschers, 2 of them had Advanced Cardiac problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in German Pinschers, and how common these diseases are in German Pinschers relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
The table below lists the common health problems in Pomeranian and in German Pinscher and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Pomeranian and the German Pinscher:
| Disease | Pomeranian Rank | German Pinscher Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Patella problems | 1 out of 145 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Congenital Cardiac problems | 49 out of 159 dog breeds | 15 out of 159 dog breeds |
| Hips problems | 75 out of 198 dog breeds | 196 out of 198 dog breeds |
| Thyroid problems | 89 out of 115 dog breeds | 56 out of 115 dog breeds |
| Eyes problems | 171 out of 182 dog breeds | 110 out of 182 dog breeds |
| Advanced Cardiac problems | Not Common | 11 out of 71 dog breeds |
| Elbow problems | Not Common | 95 out of 144 dog breeds |
*To learn more about each of these diseases, go to OFA.org and search for the disease.
Again, most of these health problems can be prevented through health screening. Responsible breeders screen male and female dog parents for genetic problems. These breeders will only breed dogs that are free of genetic defects. That way, there is little or no chance that their puppies will grow up to have genetic health problems. Always ask a breeder for the list of health tests the breeder screens their dogs for before buying a puppy from such a breeder.
Tolerates Being Alone: Pomeranian versus German Pinscher
Pomeranians do not like to be left alone.
German Pinschers can be left alone only for a short time.
Do Pomeranians shed more than German Pinschers?
Pomeranians shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
German Pinschers shed moderately.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Pomeranian or the German Pinscher?
Pomeranians require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
German Pinschers are very easy to groom.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Pomeranian or the German Pinscher?
Pomeranians do not get along well with other dogs.
German Pinschers do not get along well with other dogs.
Are Pomeranians good family dogs? What about German Pinschers?
Pomeranians are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
German Pinschers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Is the Pomeranian Easier to Train than the German Pinscher?
Pomeranians are very easy to train.
German Pinschers are very easy to train.
Which one drools more, the Pomeranian or the German Pinscher
Pomeranians do have a very low tendency to drool.
German Pinschers do have a very low tendency to drool.
How Kid-friendly are Pomeranians and German Pinschers?
Pomeranians do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.
German Pinschers get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.
Does the Pomeranian Have a Higher Prey Drive than the German Pinscher?
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.
German Pinschers 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.
Do Pomeranians Bark and Howl? What about German Pinschers?
Pomeranians are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
German Pinschers bark and howl, but not very much.
Can Pomeranians Tolerate Cold Weather? And can German Pinschers Tolerate Cold Weather?
Pomeranians can very well tolerate cold weather.
German Pinschers can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Pomeranian vs. German Pinscher
Pomeranians do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
German Pinschers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Can Pomeranians Tolerate Hot Weather? Can German Pinschers Tolerate Hot Weather?
Pomeranians cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
German Pinschers can tolerate hot weather.
Is the Pomeranian Better for Apartment Owners than the German Pinscher?
Pomeranians adapt very well to apartment living.
German Pinschers adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Pomeranian or the German Pinscher?
Pomeranians are very good for new dog owners.
German Pinschers are OK for new dog owners.
Pomeranian Versus Other Dog Breeds
You may also be interested in how the Pomeranian compares to other breeds aside from the German Pinscher. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Pomeranian to other breeds:
Pomeranian versus Pomchi Pomeranian versus Whoodle Pomeranian versus Cavapoo Pomeranian versus Welsh Terrier Pomeranian versus Bordoodle Pomeranian versus Treeing Walker Coonhound Pomeranian versus Standard Schnauzer Pomeranian versus Japanese Chin Pomeranian versus Catahoula Bulldog Pomeranian versus Sheepadoodle Pomeranian versus Valley Bulldog Pomeranian versus Dutch Shepherd Pomeranian versus Chinese Crested Pomeranian versus Carolina Dog Pomeranian versus Boxer Pomeranian versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi Pomeranian versus Rhodesian Ridgeback
Conclusion: Pomeranian versus German Pinscher. 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 Pomeranian and the German Pinscher better suits you and your family.