Last Updated: Apr 12, 2022
Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Pomeranian Versus Whippet: Introduction
- Pomeranian versus Whippet: Overview
- Pomeranian versus Whippet: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Pomeranian and the Whippet
- The Similarities Between the Pomeranian and the Whippet
- Size Comparison of the Pomeranian versus Whippet
- Appearance (Colors) of the Pomeranian and the Whippet
- Lifespan of Pomeranian versus Whippet
- Temperament of the Whippet Versus the Pomeranian
- Price of Pomeranian versus Price of Whippet
- The Intelligence of the Pomeranian versus the Intelligence of the Whippet
- The Popularity of Pomeranian versus Popularity of Whippet
- Health Problems of Pomeranian versus Health Problems of Whippet
- Tolerates Being Alone: Pomeranian versus Whippet
- Do Pomeranians shed more than Whippets?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Pomeranian or the Whippet?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Pomeranian or the Whippet?
- Are Pomeranians good family dogs? What about Whippets?
- Is the Pomeranian Easier to Train than the Whippet?
- Which one drools more, the Pomeranian or the Whippet
- How Kid-friendly are Pomeranians and Whippets?
- Does the Pomeranian Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Whippet?
- Do Pomeranians Bark and Howl? What about Whippets?
- Can Pomeranians Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Whippets Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Pomeranian vs. Whippet
- Can Pomeranians Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Whippets Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Pomeranian Versus Other Dog Breeds
- Conclusion: Pomeranian versus Whippet. Which One is a Better Pet?
Pomeranian Versus Whippet: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Pomeranian and the Whippet? 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 Whippet 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 Whippet.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Pomeranian and the Whippet 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 Whippet. 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 Whippet.
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 Whippet.
Pomeranian versus Whippet: Overview
A very important difference between the Pomeranian and the Whippet is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Pomeranian is a tiny-sized dog while the Whippet 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 Whippet belongs to the Hound Dogs group. Hound Dogs were bred to pursue and hunt warm-blooded animals. Hounds hunt by using their good sight or their good sense of smell. Dogs that belong to the Hound Group have strong prey drives and often will stop at nothing to catch what they are pursuing.
Pomeranian versus Whippet: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Pomeranian to the Whippet 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 Whippet
| Factor | Pomeranian | Whippet |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| 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 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| General Health | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Weight | 3 to 7 pounds | 18 to 48 pounds |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Easygoing | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Train | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Height | 7 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder | 18 to 22 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Average Lifespan | 14.0 years | 13.5 years |
| Average Price | $2150 | $2120 |
| Price Range | $1500 – $2500 | $1625 – $2600 |
| Temperament Score | 77.8 percent | 86.2 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | ||
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 22 | 58 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 23 | 51 |
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 Whippet. 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 Whippet is 86 out of 125.
Despite the higher Better-Pet score of the Whippet, we still believe that the Pomeranian is a better pet than the Whippet.
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 Whippet
Below is a list of where the Pomeranian and the Whippet are most different:
The Similarities Between the Pomeranian and the Whippet
The Pomeranian and the Whippet are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Pomeranian and the Whippet are most similar:
Size Comparison of the Pomeranian versus Whippet
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Pomeranian and the Whippet.
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 Whippet weighs 18 to 48 pounds when fully grown. The Whippet is 18 to 22 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Appearance (Colors) of the Pomeranian and the Whippet
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
Whippet Colors
The Whippet comes in the following beautiful primary colors:
- Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
- White / Cream
- Black
- Brindle
The Whippet comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:
- White / Cream
- Brindle
- Brown / Chocolate
Lifespan of Pomeranian versus Whippet
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 Whippet is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of the Whippet is 13.5 years.
The Pomeranian live longer than the Whippet.
Temperament of the Whippet Versus the Pomeranian
The Whippet has a better temperament than the Pomeranian.
This is because the temperament score for the Whippet is 86.2 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 86.2 percent, the Whippet has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Pomeranian and the Whippet by measuring the temperaments of 36 Pomeranians and 203 Whippets.
Price of Pomeranian versus Price of Whippet
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 Whippet puppy is $2120. The price of the Whippet typically ranges from $1625 – $2600. However, the price of the Whippet can be as low as $400 and as high as $3500. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 171 Whippet puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Pomeranian is more expensive than the Whippet.
| Pomeranian | Whippet | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $2150 | $2120 |
| Price Range | $1500 to $2500 | $1625 to $2600 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Pomeranian and Whippet. For different price points, the charts show how many Pomeranian puppies or how many Whippet 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 Whippets
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Pomeranian puppy or the Whippet 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 Intelligence of the Pomeranian versus the Intelligence of the Whippet
| Pomeranian | Whippet | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 23 out of 130 dog breeds | 51 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 Whippet has an obedience intelligence rank of 51 out of 130 dog breeds. The Whippet belongs to the `Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Whippets tend to learn new commands after 25 to 40 repetitions.
The Pomeranian is more intelligent than the Whippet.
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 Whippet
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 Whippet over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Pomeranian is more popular with dog owners than the Whippet. 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 Whippet is 58 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Pomeranian
Popularity of Whippet
| Year | Pomeranian Popularity Rank | Whippet Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 19 | 59 |
| 2014 | 20 | 56 |
| 2015 | 21 | 57 |
| 2016 | 22 | 60 |
| 2017 | 22 | 61 |
| 2018 | 23 | 61 |
| 2019 | 24 | 57 |
| 2020 | 23 | 59 |
| 2021 | 24 | 57 |
Health Problems of Pomeranian versus Health Problems of Whippet
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 Whippet 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 Whippet.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Pomeranian than for the Whippet.
6 health tests are recommended for Pomeranian while 5 tests are recommended for the Whippet.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Pomeranians and in Whippets.
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.
Whippet Health Problems
Whippets are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Whippet 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 Whippet puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Whippet 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 Whippets for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Whippets here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in Pomeranians and Whippets
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 Whippet Breed is Advanced Cardiac problems.
This is because the Whippet ranks 3 out of 71 dog breeds for Advanced Cardiac problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 1416 Whippets, 107 of them had Advanced Cardiac problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Whippets, and how common these diseases are in Whippets relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
The table below lists the common health problems in Pomeranian and in Whippet and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Pomeranian and the Whippet:
| Disease | Pomeranian Rank | Whippet Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Patella problems | 1 out of 145 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Congenital Cardiac problems | 49 out of 159 dog breeds | 7 out of 159 dog breeds |
| Hips problems | 75 out of 198 dog breeds | 191 out of 198 dog breeds |
| Thyroid problems | 89 out of 115 dog breeds | 108 out of 115 dog breeds |
| Eyes problems | 171 out of 182 dog breeds | 162 out of 182 dog breeds |
| Advanced Cardiac problems | Not Common | 3 out of 71 dog breeds |
| Baer Hearing Test problems | Not Common | 17 out of 21 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 Whippet
Pomeranians do not like to be left alone.
Whippets do not like to be left alone.
Do Pomeranians shed more than Whippets?
Pomeranians shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Whippets do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Pomeranian or the Whippet?
Pomeranians require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Whippets are very easy to groom.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Pomeranian or the Whippet?
Pomeranians do not get along well with other dogs.
Whippets get along very well with other dogs.
Are Pomeranians good family dogs? What about Whippets?
Pomeranians are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Whippets are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Is the Pomeranian Easier to Train than the Whippet?
Pomeranians are very easy to train.
Whippets are very easy to train.
Which one drools more, the Pomeranian or the Whippet
Pomeranians do have a very low tendency to drool.
Whippets do have a very low tendency to drool.
How Kid-friendly are Pomeranians and Whippets?
Pomeranians do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.
Whippets get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Does the Pomeranian Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Whippet?
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.
Whippets 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 Whippets?
Pomeranians are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Whippets are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Can Pomeranians Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Whippets Tolerate Cold Weather?
Pomeranians can very well tolerate cold weather.
Whippets cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Wanderlust Potential: Pomeranian vs. Whippet
Pomeranians do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Whippets have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Can Pomeranians Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Whippets Tolerate Hot Weather?
Pomeranians cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Whippets can tolerate hot weather.
Is the Pomeranian Better for Apartment Owners than the Whippet?
Pomeranians adapt very well to apartment living.
Whippets adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Pomeranian or the Whippet?
Pomeranians are very good for new dog owners.
Whippets 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 Whippet. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Pomeranian to other breeds:
Pomeranian versus Norwich Terrier Pomeranian versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi Pomeranian versus Lhasa Apso Pomeranian versus Dogo Argentino Pomeranian versus Cockalier Pomeranian versus Yorkipoo Pomeranian versus German Wirehaired Pointer Pomeranian versus Miniature Pinscher Pomeranian versus Chow Chow Pomeranian versus Black Russian Terrier Pomeranian versus Pomeranian Pomeranian versus Frenchton Pomeranian versus Swedish Vallhund Pomeranian versus Leonberger Pomeranian versus Irish Wolfhound Pomeranian versus German Shepherd Dog Pomeranian versus Shih Tzu Pomeranian versus Alaskan Klee Kai
Conclusion: Pomeranian versus Whippet. 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 Whippet better suits you and your family.