Last Updated: Apr 11, 2022
Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Pomeranian Versus American Bulldog: Introduction
- Pomeranian versus American Bulldog: Overview
- Pomeranian versus American Bulldog: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Pomeranian and the American Bulldog
- The Similarities Between the Pomeranian and the American Bulldog
- Size Comparison of the Pomeranian versus American Bulldog
- Appearance (Colors) of the Pomeranian and the American Bulldog
- Lifespan of Pomeranian versus American Bulldog
- Temperament of the American Bulldog Versus the Pomeranian
- Price of Pomeranian versus Price of American Bulldog
- Adopting the Pomeranian versus Adopting the American Bulldog
- The Intelligence of the Pomeranian versus the Intelligence of the American Bulldog
- Health Problems of Pomeranian versus Health Problems of American Bulldog
- Tolerates Being Alone: Pomeranian versus American Bulldog
- Do Pomeranians shed more than American Bulldogs?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Pomeranian or the American Bulldog?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Pomeranian or the American Bulldog?
- Are Pomeranians good family dogs? What about American Bulldogs?
- Is the Pomeranian Easier to Train than the American Bulldog?
- Which one drools more, the Pomeranian or the American Bulldog
- How Kid-friendly are Pomeranians and American Bulldogs?
- Does the Pomeranian Have a Higher Prey Drive than the American Bulldog?
- Do Pomeranians Bark and Howl? What about American Bulldogs?
- Can Pomeranians Tolerate Cold Weather? And can American Bulldogs Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Pomeranian vs. American Bulldog
- Can Pomeranians Tolerate Hot Weather? Can American Bulldogs Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Pomeranian Versus Other Dog Breeds
- Conclusion: Pomeranian versus American Bulldog. Which One is a Better Pet?
Pomeranian Versus American Bulldog: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Pomeranian and the American Bulldog? 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 American Bulldog 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 American Bulldog.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Pomeranian and the American Bulldog 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 American Bulldog. 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 American Bulldog.
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 American Bulldog.
Pomeranian versus American Bulldog: Overview
A very important difference between the Pomeranian and the American Bulldog is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Pomeranian is a tiny-sized dog while the American Bulldog is a large-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 American Bulldog belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.
Pomeranian versus American Bulldog: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Pomeranian to the American Bulldog 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 American Bulldog
| Factor | Pomeranian | American Bulldog |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Life Span | 12 to 16 years | 10 to 16 years |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| General Health | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Weight | 3 to 7 pounds | 60 to 120 pounds |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Easygoing | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Train | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| 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 | 20 to 28 inches |
| Average Lifespan | 14.0 years | 13.0 years |
| Average Price | $2150 | $1380 |
| Price Range | $1500 – $2500 | $800 – $1600 |
| Temperament Score | 77.8 percent | 86.9 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | ||
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 23 | 77 |
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 American Bulldog. 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 American Bulldog is 70 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Pomeranian is a better pet than the American Bulldog. So, you should get a Pomeranian!
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Pomeranian and the American Bulldog
Below is a list of where the Pomeranian and the American Bulldog are most different:
The Similarities Between the Pomeranian and the American Bulldog
The Pomeranian and the American Bulldog are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Pomeranian and the American Bulldog are most similar:
Size Comparison of the Pomeranian versus American Bulldog
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Pomeranian and the American Bulldog.
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 American Bulldog weighs 60 to 120 pounds when fully grown. The American Bulldog is 20 to 28 inches when fully grown.
Appearance (Colors) of the Pomeranian and the American Bulldog
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
American Bulldog Colors
The American Bulldog comes in the following beautiful primary colors:
- White / Cream
- Black
- Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)
- Gray / Blue / Silver
- Brown / Chocolate
- Bicolor
- Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
- Brindle
- Red / Chestnut / Orange
The American Bulldog comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:
- Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
- White / Cream
- Black
- Red / Chestnut / Orange
- Brindle
- Gray / Blue / Silver
- Brown / Chocolate
Lifespan of Pomeranian versus American Bulldog
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 American Bulldog is between 10 to 16 years. The average lifespan of the American Bulldog is 13.0 years.
The Pomeranian live longer than the American Bulldog.
Temperament of the American Bulldog Versus the Pomeranian
The American Bulldog has a better temperament than the Pomeranian.
This is because the temperament score for the American Bulldog is 86.9 percent while the temperament score for the Pomeranian is 77.8 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).
The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.
Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and are protective of their owners.
The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.
With its temperament score of 77.8 percent, the Pomeranian has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
With its temperament score of 86.9 percent, the American Bulldog has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Pomeranian and the American Bulldog by measuring the temperaments of 36 Pomeranians and 214 American Bulldogs.
Price of Pomeranian versus Price of American Bulldog
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 American Bulldog puppy is $1380. The price of the American Bulldog typically ranges from $800 – $1600. However, the price of the American Bulldog can be as low as $150 and as high as $8000. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 495 American Bulldog puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Pomeranian is more expensive than the American Bulldog.
| Pomeranian | American Bulldog | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $2150 | $1380 |
| Price Range | $1500 to $2500 | $800 to $1600 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Pomeranian and American Bulldog. For different price points, the charts show how many Pomeranian puppies or how many American Bulldog 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 American Bulldogs
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Pomeranian puppy or the American Bulldog 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 American Bulldog
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Pomeranians and many American Bulldogs 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 Paddington that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Pomeranians like Paddington on pefinder.com.
Also, like Pomeranians, American Bulldogs are also available for adoption. For example, Cedric is a Male American Bulldog that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more American Bulldogs like Cedric that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.
Tom is the name of another Pomeranian (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.
Also, Mongo (In Foster) is an adorable Male American Bulldog on petfinder.com that you can adopt.
You can find more Pomeranians and American Bulldogs that are available for adoption on petfinder.
The Intelligence of the Pomeranian versus the Intelligence of the American Bulldog
| Pomeranian | American Bulldog | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 23 out of 130 dog breeds | 77 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 5 To 15 Repetitions | Tend To Learn New Commands After 80 To 100 Repetitions Or More! |
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 American Bulldog has an obedience intelligence rank of 77 out of 130 dog breeds. The American Bulldog belongs to the `Lowest Degree of Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that American Bulldogs tend to learn new commands after 80 to 100 repetitions or more!.
The Pomeranian is more intelligent than the American Bulldog.
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.
Health Problems of Pomeranian versus Health Problems of American Bulldog
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 American Bulldog 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 American Bulldog is prone to more genetic health problems than the Pomeranian.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the American Bulldog than for the Pomeranian.
6 health tests are recommended for Pomeranian while 7 tests are recommended for the American Bulldog.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Pomeranians and in American Bulldogs.
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.
American Bulldog Health Problems
American Bulldogs are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing American Bulldog 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 American Bulldog puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your American Bulldog 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 American Bulldogs for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for American Bulldogs here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in Pomeranians and American Bulldogs
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 American Bulldog Breed is Lipofuscinosis Am Bulldog problems.
This is because the American Bulldog ranks 1 out of 1 dog breeds for Lipofuscinosis Am Bulldog problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 386 American Bulldogs, 1 of them had Lipofuscinosis Am Bulldog problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in American Bulldogs, and how common these diseases are in American Bulldogs relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
The table below lists the common health problems in Pomeranian and in American Bulldog and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Pomeranian and the American Bulldog:
| Disease | Pomeranian Rank | American Bulldog Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Patella problems | 1 out of 145 dog breeds | 27 out of 145 dog breeds |
| Congenital Cardiac problems | 49 out of 159 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Hips problems | 75 out of 198 dog breeds | 19 out of 198 dog breeds |
| Thyroid problems | 89 out of 115 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Eyes problems | 171 out of 182 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Lipofuscinosis Am Bulldog problems | Not Common | 1 out of 1 dog breeds |
| Elbow problems | Not Common | 17 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 American Bulldog
Pomeranians do not like to be left alone.
American Bulldogs do not like to be left alone.
Do Pomeranians shed more than American Bulldogs?
Pomeranians shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
American Bulldogs do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Pomeranian or the American Bulldog?
Pomeranians require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
American Bulldogs are very easy to groom.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Pomeranian or the American Bulldog?
Pomeranians do not get along well with other dogs.
American Bulldogs do not get along well with other dogs.
Are Pomeranians good family dogs? What about American Bulldogs?
Pomeranians are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
American Bulldogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Is the Pomeranian Easier to Train than the American Bulldog?
Pomeranians are very easy to train.
American Bulldogs are very easy to train.
Which one drools more, the Pomeranian or the American Bulldog
Pomeranians do have a very low tendency to drool.
American Bulldogs have a very high tendency to drool.
How Kid-friendly are Pomeranians and American Bulldogs?
Pomeranians do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.
American Bulldogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Does the Pomeranian Have a Higher Prey Drive than the American Bulldog?
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.
American Bulldogs 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 American Bulldogs?
Pomeranians are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
American Bulldogs are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Can Pomeranians Tolerate Cold Weather? And can American Bulldogs Tolerate Cold Weather?
Pomeranians can very well tolerate cold weather.
American Bulldogs cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Wanderlust Potential: Pomeranian vs. American Bulldog
Pomeranians do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
American Bulldogs have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Can Pomeranians Tolerate Hot Weather? Can American Bulldogs Tolerate Hot Weather?
Pomeranians cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
American Bulldogs cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Is the Pomeranian Better for Apartment Owners than the American Bulldog?
Pomeranians adapt very well to apartment living.
American Bulldogs do not adapt well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Pomeranian or the American Bulldog?
Pomeranians are very good for new dog owners.
American Bulldogs 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 American Bulldog. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Pomeranian to other breeds:
Pomeranian versus Whippet Pomeranian versus Irish Setter Pomeranian versus Boykin Spaniel Pomeranian versus Norwegian Lundehund Pomeranian versus Standard Poodle Pomeranian versus Pomapoo Pomeranian versus Braque du Bourbonnais Pomeranian versus Lowchen Pomeranian versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen Pomeranian versus Labradoodle Pomeranian versus Fila Brasileiro Pomeranian versus Miniature Pinscher Pomeranian versus Toy Fox Terrier Pomeranian versus Tibetan Terrier Pomeranian versus Shiranian
Conclusion: Pomeranian versus American Bulldog. 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 American Bulldog better suits you and your family.