Last Updated: Apr 12, 2022
Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Pomeranian Versus Pointer: Introduction
- Pomeranian versus Pointer: Overview
- Pomeranian versus Pointer: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Pomeranian and the Pointer
- The Similarities Between the Pomeranian and the Pointer
- Size Comparison of the Pomeranian versus Pointer
- Appearance (Colors) of the Pomeranian and the Pointer
- Lifespan of Pomeranian versus Pointer
- Temperament of the Pointer Versus the Pomeranian
- Price of Pomeranian versus Price of Pointer
- Adopting the Pomeranian versus Adopting the Pointer
- The Intelligence of the Pomeranian versus the Intelligence of the Pointer
- The Popularity of Pomeranian versus Popularity of Pointer
- Health Problems of Pomeranian versus Health Problems of Pointer
- Tolerates Being Alone: Pomeranian versus Pointer
- Do Pomeranians shed more than Pointers?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Pomeranian or the Pointer?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Pomeranian or the Pointer?
- Are Pomeranians good family dogs? What about Pointers?
- Is the Pomeranian Easier to Train than the Pointer?
- Which one drools more, the Pomeranian or the Pointer
- How Kid-friendly are Pomeranians and Pointers?
- Does the Pomeranian Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Pointer?
- Do Pomeranians Bark and Howl? What about Pointers?
- Can Pomeranians Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Pointers Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Pomeranian vs. Pointer
- Can Pomeranians Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Pointers Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Pomeranian Versus Other Dog Breeds
- Conclusion: Pomeranian versus Pointer. Which One is a Better Pet?
Pomeranian Versus Pointer: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Pomeranian and the Pointer? 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 Pointer 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 Pointer.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Pomeranian and the Pointer 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 Pointer. 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 Pointer.
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 Pointer.
Pomeranian versus Pointer: Overview
A very important difference between the Pomeranian and the Pointer is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Pomeranian is a tiny-sized dog while the Pointer 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 Pointer belongs to the Sporting Dogs group. Sporting Dogs were bred to help hunters catch and retrieve feathered game. Some sporting dog breeds such as Retrievers, which were built for swimming, were bred to hunt waterfowl in water. Whereas sporting dog breeds like setters, spaniels, and pointing breeds were bred to hunt quail, pheasant, and other game birds nest on grasslands. Many Sporting Group breeds have thick, water-repellent coats that protect them from harsh hunting conditions.
Pomeranian versus Pointer: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Pomeranian to the Pointer 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 Pointer
| Factor | Pomeranian | Pointer |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 5/5 | 1/5 |
| Life Span | 12 to 16 years | 12 to 15 years |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| General Health | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Weight | 3 to 7 pounds | 45 to 75 pounds |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Easygoing | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Train | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| 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 | 1 foot, 11 inches to 2 feet, 4 inches tall at the |
| Average Lifespan | 14.0 years | 13.5 years |
| Average Price | $2150 | $970 |
| Price Range | $1500 – $2500 | $700 – $1300 |
| Temperament Score | 77.8 percent | 90.0 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | ||
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 22 | 115 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 23 | 43 |
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 Pointer. 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 Pointer is 75 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Pomeranian is a better pet than the Pointer. So, you should get a Pomeranian!
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Pomeranian and the Pointer
Below is a list of where the Pomeranian and the Pointer are most different:
The Similarities Between the Pomeranian and the Pointer
The Pomeranian and the Pointer are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Pomeranian and the Pointer are most similar:
Size Comparison of the Pomeranian versus Pointer
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Pomeranian and the Pointer.
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 Pointer weighs 45 to 75 pounds when fully grown. The Pointer is 1 foot, 11 inches to 2 feet, 4 inches tall at the when fully grown.
Appearance (Colors) of the Pomeranian and the Pointer
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
Pointer Colors
The Pointer comes in the following beautiful primary colors:
- Gray / Blue / Silver
- White / Cream
- Brown / Chocolate
- Black
- Red / Chestnut / Orange
- Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)
- Merle (Blue)
- Bicolor
The Pointer comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:
- White / Cream
- Brown / Chocolate
- Red / Chestnut / Orange
- Black
- Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
- Gray / Blue / Silver
Lifespan of Pomeranian versus Pointer
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 Pointer is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of the Pointer is 13.5 years.
The Pomeranian live longer than the Pointer.
Temperament of the Pointer Versus the Pomeranian
The Pointer has a better temperament than the Pomeranian.
This is because the temperament score for the Pointer is 90.0 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 90.0 percent, the Pointer has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Pomeranian and the Pointer by measuring the temperaments of 36 Pomeranians and 20 Pointers.
Price of Pomeranian versus Price of Pointer
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 Pointer puppy is $970. The price of the Pointer typically ranges from $700 – $1300. However, the price of the Pointer can be as low as $300 and as high as $1700. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 19 Pointer puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Pomeranian is more expensive than the Pointer.
| Pomeranian | Pointer | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $2150 | $970 |
| Price Range | $1500 to $2500 | $700 to $1300 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Pomeranian and Pointer. For different price points, the charts show how many Pomeranian puppies or how many Pointer 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 Pointers
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Pomeranian puppy or the Pointer 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.
Adopting the Pomeranian versus Adopting the Pointer
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Pomeranians and many Pointers 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 Pomeranian named Teddy that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Pomeranians like Teddy on pefinder.com.
Also, like Pomeranians, Pointers are also available for adoption. For example, Rhva-Stray-Rh1 is a Male Pointer that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Pointers like Rhva-Stray-Rh1 that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.
Paddington is the name of another Pomeranian (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.
You can find more Pomeranians and Pointers that are available for adoption on petfinder.
The Intelligence of the Pomeranian versus the Intelligence of the Pointer
| Pomeranian | Pointer | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 23 out of 130 dog breeds | 43 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 5 To 15 Repetitions | Tend To Learn New Commands After 25 To 40 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:
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 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 Pointer has an obedience intelligence rank of 43 out of 130 dog breeds. The Pointer belongs to the `Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Pointers tend to learn new commands after 25 to 40 repetitions.
The Pomeranian is more intelligent than the Pointer.
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 Pomeranian versus Popularity of Pointer
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 Pointer over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Pomeranian is more popular with dog owners than the Pointer. 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 Pointer is 115 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Pomeranian
Popularity of Pointer
| Year | Pomeranian Popularity Rank | Pointer Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 19 | 114 |
| 2014 | 20 | 119 |
| 2015 | 21 | 114 |
| 2016 | 22 | 117 |
| 2017 | 22 | 113 |
| 2018 | 23 | 114 |
| 2019 | 24 | 115 |
| 2020 | 23 | 116 |
| 2021 | 24 | 120 |
Health Problems of Pomeranian versus Health Problems of Pointer
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 Pointer 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 Pointer.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Pomeranian than for the Pointer.
6 health tests are recommended for Pomeranian while 5 tests are recommended for the Pointer.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Pomeranians and in Pointers.
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.
Pointer Health Problems
Pointers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Pointer 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 Pointer puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Pointer 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 Pointers for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Pointers here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in Pomeranians and Pointers
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 Pointer Breed is Congenital Cardiac problems.
This is because the Pointer ranks 17 out of 159 dog breeds for Congenital Cardiac problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 78 Pointers, 1 of them had Congenital Cardiac problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Pointers, and how common these diseases are in Pointers relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
The table below lists the common health problems in Pomeranian and in Pointer and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Pomeranian and the Pointer:
| Disease | Pomeranian Rank | Pointer Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Patella problems | 1 out of 145 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Congenital Cardiac problems | 49 out of 159 dog breeds | 17 out of 159 dog breeds |
| Hips problems | 75 out of 198 dog breeds | 137 out of 198 dog breeds |
| Thyroid problems | 89 out of 115 dog breeds | 44 out of 115 dog breeds |
| Eyes problems | 171 out of 182 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Elbow problems | Not Common | 66 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 Pointer
Pomeranians do not like to be left alone.
Pointers do not like to be left alone.
Do Pomeranians shed more than Pointers?
Pomeranians shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Pointers shed moderately.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Pomeranian or the Pointer?
Pomeranians require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Pointers are very easy to groom.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Pomeranian or the Pointer?
Pomeranians do not get along well with other dogs.
Pointers get along very well with other dogs.
Are Pomeranians good family dogs? What about Pointers?
Pomeranians are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Pointers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Is the Pomeranian Easier to Train than the Pointer?
Pomeranians are very easy to train.
Pointers are very easy to train.
Which one drools more, the Pomeranian or the Pointer
Pomeranians do have a very low tendency to drool.
Pointers do have a very low tendency to drool.
How Kid-friendly are Pomeranians and Pointers?
Pomeranians do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.
Pointers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Does the Pomeranian Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Pointer?
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.
Pointers 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 Pointers?
Pomeranians are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Pointers bark and howl, but not very much.
Can Pomeranians Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Pointers Tolerate Cold Weather?
Pomeranians can very well tolerate cold weather.
Pointers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Wanderlust Potential: Pomeranian vs. Pointer
Pomeranians do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Pointers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Can Pomeranians Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Pointers Tolerate Hot Weather?
Pomeranians cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Pointers can tolerate hot weather.
Is the Pomeranian Better for Apartment Owners than the Pointer?
Pomeranians adapt very well to apartment living.
Pointers do not adapt well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Pomeranian or the Pointer?
Pomeranians are very good for new dog owners.
Pointers are not the best dogs 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 Pointer. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Pomeranian to other breeds:
Pomeranian versus Bulldog Pomeranian versus Basset Hound Pomeranian versus Estrela Mountain Dog Pomeranian versus Entlebucher Mountain Dog Pomeranian versus Standard Schnauzer Pomeranian versus Chow Chow Pomeranian versus Cane Corso Pomeranian versus Sheepadoodle Pomeranian versus Spanish Mastiff Pomeranian versus Kishu Ken Pomeranian versus Aussiedoodle Pomeranian versus Goldador Pomeranian versus Shetland Sheepdog Pomeranian versus Chinese Shar-Pei Pomeranian versus Golden Retriever Pomeranian versus Bouvier des Flandres Pomeranian versus Great Pyrenees
Conclusion: Pomeranian versus Pointer. 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 Pointer better suits you and your family.