Last Updated: Apr 12, 2022
Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Pomeranian Versus Schipperke: Introduction
- Pomeranian versus Schipperke: Overview
- Pomeranian versus Schipperke: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Pomeranian and the Schipperke
- The Similarities Between the Pomeranian and the Schipperke
- Size Comparison of the Pomeranian versus Schipperke
- Appearance (Colors) of the Pomeranian and the Schipperke
- Lifespan of Pomeranian versus Schipperke
- Temperament of the Pomeranian Versus the Schipperke
- Price of Pomeranian versus Price of Schipperke
- Adopting the Pomeranian versus Adopting the Schipperke
- The Intelligence of the Pomeranian versus the Intelligence of the Schipperke
- The Popularity of Pomeranian versus Popularity of Schipperke
- Health Problems of Pomeranian versus Health Problems of Schipperke
- Tolerates Being Alone: Pomeranian versus Schipperke
- Do Pomeranians shed more than Schipperkes?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Pomeranian or the Schipperke?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Pomeranian or the Schipperke?
- Are Pomeranians good family dogs? What about Schipperkes?
- Is the Pomeranian Easier to Train than the Schipperke?
- Which one drools more, the Pomeranian or the Schipperke
- How Kid-friendly are Pomeranians and Schipperkes?
- Does the Pomeranian Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Schipperke?
- Do Pomeranians Bark and Howl? What about Schipperkes?
- Can Pomeranians Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Schipperkes Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Pomeranian vs. Schipperke
- Can Pomeranians Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Schipperkes Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Pomeranian Versus Other Dog Breeds
- Conclusion: Pomeranian versus Schipperke. Which One is a Better Pet?
Pomeranian Versus Schipperke: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Pomeranian and the Schipperke? 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 Schipperke 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 Schipperke.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Pomeranian and the Schipperke 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 Schipperke. 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 Schipperke.
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 Schipperke.

Pomeranian versus Schipperke: Overview
Both the Pomeranian and the Schipperke are similar in size. The Pomeranian and the Schipperke are both tiny-sized dogs.
Furthermore, both the Pomeranian and the Schipperke are Companion Dogs. This means both the Pomeranian and the Schipperke 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 Schipperke: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Pomeranian to the Schipperke 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 Schipperke
| Factor | Pomeranian | Schipperke |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 5/5 | 1/5 |
| Life Span | 12 to 16 years | 13 to 15 years |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| 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 | 4/5 |
| 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 | 11 to 18 pounds |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| 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 | 1/5 |
| Easy To Train | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Height | 7 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder | 10 to 15 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Average Lifespan | 14.0 years | 14.0 years |
| Average Price | $2150 | $1220 |
| Price Range | $1500 – $2500 | $900 – $1500 |
| Temperament Score | 77.8 percent | 91.5 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | ||
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 22 | 109 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 23 | 15 |
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 Schipperke. 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 Schipperke is 73 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Pomeranian is a better pet than the Schipperke. So, you should get a Pomeranian!

The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Pomeranian and the Schipperke
Below is a list of where the Pomeranian and the Schipperke are most different:
The Similarities Between the Pomeranian and the Schipperke
The Pomeranian and the Schipperke are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Pomeranian and the Schipperke are most similar:
Size Comparison of the Pomeranian versus Schipperke
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Pomeranian and the Schipperke.
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 Schipperke weighs 11 to 18 pounds when fully grown. The Schipperke is 10 to 15 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

Appearance (Colors) of the Pomeranian and the Schipperke
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
Schipperke Colors
The Schipperke comes in the following beautiful primary colors:
- Black
- White / Cream
- Brown / Chocolate
The Schipperke comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:
Lifespan of Pomeranian versus Schipperke
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 Schipperke is between 13 to 15 years. The average lifespan of the Schipperke is 14.0 years.
The Schipperke live as long as the Pomeranian.

Temperament of the Pomeranian Versus the Schipperke
The Schipperke has a better temperament than the Pomeranian.
This is because the temperament score for the Schipperke is 91.5 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 91.5 percent, the Schipperke has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Pomeranian and the Schipperke by measuring the temperaments of 36 Pomeranians and 130 Schipperkes.
Price of Pomeranian versus Price of Schipperke
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 Schipperke puppy is $1220. The price of the Schipperke typically ranges from $900 – $1500. However, the price of the Schipperke can be as low as $500 and as high as $2000. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 83 Schipperke puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Pomeranian is more expensive than the Schipperke.
| Pomeranian | Schipperke | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $2150 | $1220 |
| Price Range | $1500 to $2500 | $900 to $1500 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Pomeranian and Schipperke. For different price points, the charts show how many Pomeranian puppies or how many Schipperke 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 Schipperkes
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Pomeranian puppy or the Schipperke 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 Schipperke
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Pomeranians and many Schipperkes 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 Rue that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Pomeranians like Rue on pefinder.com.
Also, like Pomeranians, Schipperkes are also available for adoption. For example, Rufus is a Male Schipperke that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Schipperkes like Rufus that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

Teddy is the name of another Pomeranian (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.
Also, Jake is an adorable Male Schipperke on petfinder.com that you can adopt.

You can find more Pomeranians and Schipperkes that are available for adoption on petfinder.
The Intelligence of the Pomeranian versus the Intelligence of the Schipperke
| Pomeranian | Schipperke | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 23 out of 130 dog breeds | 15 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 5 To 15 Repetitions | 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:
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 Schipperke has an obedience intelligence rank of 15 out of 130 dog breeds. The Schipperke belongs to the `Excellent Working Dogs` category. This means that Schipperkes tend to learn new commands after 5 to 15 repetitions.
The Schipperke is more intelligent than the Pomeranian.
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 Schipperke
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 Schipperke over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Pomeranian is more popular with dog owners than the Schipperke. 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 Schipperke is 109 out of about 200 dog breeds.

Popularity of Pomeranian

Popularity of Schipperke
| Year | Pomeranian Popularity Rank | Schipperke Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 19 | 109 |
| 2014 | 20 | 109 |
| 2015 | 21 | 109 |
| 2016 | 22 | 112 |
| 2017 | 22 | 110 |
| 2018 | 23 | 105 |
| 2019 | 24 | 106 |
| 2020 | 23 | 114 |
| 2021 | 24 | 115 |
Health Problems of Pomeranian versus Health Problems of Schipperke
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 Schipperke 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 Schipperke is prone to more genetic health problems than the Pomeranian.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Schipperke than for the Pomeranian.
6 health tests are recommended for Pomeranian while 7 tests are recommended for the Schipperke.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Pomeranians and in Schipperkes.
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.
Schipperke Health Problems
Schipperkes are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Schipperke 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 Schipperke puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Schipperke 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 Schipperkes for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Schipperkes here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in Pomeranians and Schipperkes
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 Schipperke Breed is Legg-Calve-Perthes problems.
This is because the Schipperke ranks 5 out of 40 dog breeds for Legg-Calve-Perthes problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 295 Schipperkes, 4 of them had Legg-Calve-Perthes problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Schipperkes, and how common these diseases are in Schipperkes relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
The table below lists the common health problems in Pomeranian and in Schipperke and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Pomeranian and the Schipperke:
| Disease | Pomeranian Rank | Schipperke Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Patella problems | 1 out of 145 dog breeds | 54 out of 145 dog breeds |
| Congenital Cardiac problems | 49 out of 159 dog breeds | 36 out of 159 dog breeds |
| Hips problems | 75 out of 198 dog breeds | 142 out of 198 dog breeds |
| Thyroid problems | 89 out of 115 dog breeds | 50 out of 115 dog breeds |
| Eyes problems | 171 out of 182 dog breeds | 165 out of 182 dog breeds |
| Legg-Calve-Perthes problems | Not Common | 5 out of 40 dog breeds |
| Elbow problems | Not Common | 93 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 Schipperke
Pomeranians do not like to be left alone.
Schipperkes can be left alone only for a short time.
Do Pomeranians shed more than Schipperkes?
Pomeranians shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Schipperkes shed moderately.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Pomeranian or the Schipperke?
Pomeranians require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Schipperkes are very easy to groom.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Pomeranian or the Schipperke?
Pomeranians do not get along well with other dogs.
Schipperkes do not get along well with other dogs.
Are Pomeranians good family dogs? What about Schipperkes?
Pomeranians are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Schipperkes are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Is the Pomeranian Easier to Train than the Schipperke?
Pomeranians are very easy to train.
Schipperkes are not easy to train.
Which one drools more, the Pomeranian or the Schipperke
Pomeranians do have a very low tendency to drool.
Schipperkes do have a very low tendency to drool.
How Kid-friendly are Pomeranians and Schipperkes?
Pomeranians do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.
Schipperkes get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Does the Pomeranian Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Schipperke?
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.
Schipperkes 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 Pomeranians Bark and Howl? What about Schipperkes?
Pomeranians are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Schipperkes are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Can Pomeranians Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Schipperkes Tolerate Cold Weather?
Pomeranians can very well tolerate cold weather.
Schipperkes can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Pomeranian vs. Schipperke
Pomeranians do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Schipperkes have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Can Pomeranians Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Schipperkes Tolerate Hot Weather?
Pomeranians cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Schipperkes cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Is the Pomeranian Better for Apartment Owners than the Schipperke?
Pomeranians adapt very well to apartment living.
Schipperkes adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Pomeranian or the Schipperke?
Pomeranians are very good for new dog owners.
Schipperkes 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 Schipperke. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Pomeranian to other breeds:
Pomeranian versus Black Russian Terrier Pomeranian versus Pomeranian Pomeranian versus Canaan Dog Pomeranian versus Papillon Pomeranian versus French Spaniel Pomeranian versus Cocker Spaniel Pomeranian versus Norwich Terrier Pomeranian versus Neapolitan Mastiff Pomeranian versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle Pomeranian versus Saluki Pomeranian versus Pyredoodle Pomeranian versus Belgian Sheepdog Pomeranian versus Shiba Inu Pomeranian versus Kishu Ken Pomeranian versus Belgian Tervuren Pomeranian versus Kooikerhondje Pomeranian versus Akbash
Conclusion: Pomeranian versus Schipperke. 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 Schipperke better suits you and your family.