Last Updated: Apr 12, 2022
Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Pomeranian Versus Pug: Introduction
- Pomeranian versus Pug: Overview
- Pomeranian versus Pug: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Pomeranian and the Pug
- The Similarities Between the Pomeranian and the Pug
- Size Comparison of the Pomeranian versus Pug
- Appearance (Colors) of the Pomeranian and the Pug
- Lifespan of Pomeranian versus Pug
- Temperament of the Pomeranian Versus the Pug
- Price of Pomeranian versus Price of Pug
- Adopting the Pomeranian versus Adopting the Pug
- The Intelligence of the Pomeranian versus the Intelligence of the Pug
- The Popularity of Pomeranian versus Popularity of Pug
- Health Problems of Pomeranian versus Health Problems of Pug
- Tolerates Being Alone: Pomeranian versus Pug
- Do Pomeranians shed more than Pugs?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Pomeranian or the Pug?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Pomeranian or the Pug?
- Are Pomeranians good family dogs? What about Pugs?
- Is the Pomeranian Easier to Train than the Pug?
- Which one drools more, the Pomeranian or the Pug
- How Kid-friendly are Pomeranians and Pugs?
- Does the Pomeranian Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Pug?
- Do Pomeranians Bark and Howl? What about Pugs?
- Can Pomeranians Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Pugs Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Pomeranian vs. Pug
- Can Pomeranians Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Pugs Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Pomeranian Versus Other Dog Breeds
- Conclusion: Pomeranian versus Pug. Which One is a Better Pet?
Pomeranian Versus Pug: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Pomeranian and the Pug? 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 Pug 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 Pug.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Pomeranian and the Pug 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 Pug. 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 Pug.
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 Pug.
Pomeranian versus Pug: Overview
A very important difference between the Pomeranian and the Pug is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Pomeranian is a tiny-sized dog while the Pug is a small-sized dog.
Furthermore, both the Pomeranian and the Pug are Companion Dogs. This means both the Pomeranian and the Pug 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.
Pomeranian versus Pug: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Pomeranian to the Pug 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 Pug
| Factor | Pomeranian | Pug |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Life Span | 12 to 16 years | 12 to 15 years |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| General Health | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Weight | 3 to 7 pounds | 14 to 18 pounds |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Easygoing | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Easy To Train | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Height | 7 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder | 10 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Average Lifespan | 14.0 years | 13.5 years |
| Average Price | $2150 | $1620 |
| Price Range | $1500 – $2500 | $1200 – $1875 |
| Temperament Score | 77.8 percent | 91.7 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | ||
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 22 | 31 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 23 | 57 |
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 Pug. 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 Pug is 80 out of 125.
Despite the higher Better-Pet score of the Pug, we still believe that the Pomeranian is a better pet than the Pug.
This is because Pomeranians are much cuter but you cannot put a score on cuteness. If you could put a score on cuteness, then the Pomeranian will come out on top.
Also, we are biased in favor of the Pomeranian :-). We are for the Pomeranian. So get a Pomeranian!
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Pomeranian and the Pug
Below is a list of where the Pomeranian and the Pug are most different:
The Similarities Between the Pomeranian and the Pug
The Pomeranian and the Pug are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Pomeranian and the Pug are most similar:
Size Comparison of the Pomeranian versus Pug
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Pomeranian and the Pug.
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 Pug weighs 14 to 18 pounds when fully grown. The Pug is 10 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Appearance (Colors) of the Pomeranian and the Pug
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
Pug Colors
The Pug comes in the following beautiful primary colors:
- Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
- Black
- Apricot / Beige
- Brown / Chocolate
- Brindle
- Bicolor
- White / Cream
- Red / Chestnut / Orange
The Pug comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:
- Black
- White / Cream
- Gray / Blue / Silver
- Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
Lifespan of Pomeranian versus Pug
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 Pug is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of the Pug is 13.5 years.
The Pomeranian live longer than the Pug.
Temperament of the Pomeranian Versus the Pug
The Pug has a better temperament than the Pomeranian.
This is because the temperament score for the Pug is 91.7 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 91.7 percent, the Pug has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Pomeranian and the Pug by measuring the temperaments of 36 Pomeranians and 48 Pugs.
Price of Pomeranian versus Price of Pug
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 Pug puppy is $1620. The price of the Pug typically ranges from $1200 – $1875. However, the price of the Pug can be as low as $300 and as high as $6525. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 654 Pug puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Pomeranian is more expensive than the Pug.
| Pomeranian | Pug | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $2150 | $1620 |
| Price Range | $1500 to $2500 | $1200 to $1875 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Pomeranian and Pug. For different price points, the charts show how many Pomeranian puppies or how many Pug 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 Pugs
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Pomeranian puppy or the Pug 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 Pug
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Pomeranians and many Pugs 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 Cash that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Pomeranians like Cash on pefinder.com.
Also, like Pomeranians, Pugs are also available for adoption. For example, Meatball is a Male Pug that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Pugs like Meatball that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.
Buddy is the name of another Pomeranian (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.
Also, Pascal is an adorable Male Pug on petfinder.com that you can adopt.
You can find more Pomeranians and Pugs that are available for adoption on petfinder.
The Intelligence of the Pomeranian versus the Intelligence of the Pug
| Pomeranian | Pug | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 23 out of 130 dog breeds | 57 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 5 To 15 Repetitions | Tend To Learn New Commands After 40 To 80 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 Pug has an obedience intelligence rank of 57 out of 130 dog breeds. The Pug belongs to the `Fair Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Pugs tend to learn new commands after 40 to 80 repetitions!.
The Pomeranian is more intelligent than the Pug.
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 Pug
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 Pug over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Pomeranian is more popular with dog owners than the Pug. 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 Pug is 31 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Pomeranian
Popularity of Pug
| Year | Pomeranian Popularity Rank | Pug Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 19 | 31 |
| 2014 | 20 | 33 |
| 2015 | 21 | 33 |
| 2016 | 22 | 32 |
| 2017 | 22 | 31 |
| 2018 | 23 | 28 |
| 2019 | 24 | 31 |
| 2020 | 23 | 29 |
| 2021 | 24 | 33 |
Health Problems of Pomeranian versus Health Problems of Pug
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 Pug 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 Pug is prone to more genetic health problems than the Pomeranian.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Pug than for the Pomeranian.
6 health tests are recommended for Pomeranian while 7 tests are recommended for the Pug.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Pomeranians and in Pugs.
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.
Pug Health Problems
Pugs are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Pug 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 Pug puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Pug 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 Pugs for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Pugs here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in Pomeranians and Pugs
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 Pug Breed is Hips problems.
This is because the Pug ranks 1 out of 198 dog breeds for Hips problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 942 Pugs, 676 of them had Hips problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Pugs, and how common these diseases are in Pugs relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
The table below lists the common health problems in Pomeranian and in Pug and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Pomeranian and the Pug:
| Disease | Pomeranian Rank | Pug Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Patella problems | 1 out of 145 dog breeds | 32 out of 145 dog breeds |
| Congenital Cardiac problems | 49 out of 159 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Hips problems | 75 out of 198 dog breeds | 1 out of 198 dog breeds |
| Thyroid problems | 89 out of 115 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Eyes problems | 171 out of 182 dog breeds | 60 out of 182 dog breeds |
| Necrotizing Meningoencephalitis problems | Not Common | 1 out of 1 dog breeds |
| Tracheal Hypoplasia problems | Not Common | 1 out of 4 dog breeds |
| Elbow problems | Not Common | 2 out of 144 dog breeds |
| Degenerative Myelopathy problems | Not Common | 14 out of 70 dog breeds |
| Legg-Calve-Perthes problems | Not Common | 14 out of 40 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 Pug
Pomeranians do not like to be left alone.
Pugs do not like to be left alone.
Do Pomeranians shed more than Pugs?
Pomeranians shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Pugs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Pomeranian or the Pug?
Pomeranians require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Pugs are very easy to groom.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Pomeranian or the Pug?
Pomeranians do not get along well with other dogs.
Pugs get along very well with other dogs.
Are Pomeranians good family dogs? What about Pugs?
Pomeranians are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Pugs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Is the Pomeranian Easier to Train than the Pug?
Pomeranians are very easy to train.
Pugs are fairly easy to train.
Which one drools more, the Pomeranian or the Pug
Pomeranians do have a very low tendency to drool.
Pugs do have a very low tendency to drool.
How Kid-friendly are Pomeranians and Pugs?
Pomeranians do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.
Pugs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Does the Pomeranian Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Pug?
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.
Pugs have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.
Do Pomeranians Bark and Howl? What about Pugs?
Pomeranians are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Pugs are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Can Pomeranians Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Pugs Tolerate Cold Weather?
Pomeranians can very well tolerate cold weather.
Pugs cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Wanderlust Potential: Pomeranian vs. Pug
Pomeranians do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Pugs do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Can Pomeranians Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Pugs Tolerate Hot Weather?
Pomeranians cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Pugs cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Is the Pomeranian Better for Apartment Owners than the Pug?
Pomeranians adapt very well to apartment living.
Pugs adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Pomeranian or the Pug?
Pomeranians are very good for new dog owners.
Pugs are very good 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 Pug. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Pomeranian to other breeds:
Pomeranian versus Rhodesian Ridgeback Pomeranian versus Mudi Pomeranian versus Dogo Argentino Pomeranian versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog Pomeranian versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi Pomeranian versus Yorkipoo Pomeranian versus Gordon Setter Pomeranian versus Chow Chow Pomeranian versus Havanese Pomeranian versus Spanish Mastiff Pomeranian versus Komondor Pomeranian versus Australian Cattle Dog Pomeranian versus Collie Pomeranian versus Cairn Terrier Pomeranian versus Australian Shepherd Pomeranian versus Schnoodle Pomeranian versus Finnish Lapphund Pomeranian versus Boston Terrier
Conclusion: Pomeranian versus Pug. 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 Pug better suits you and your family.