Why you Should Get the Pomeranian Instead of the American Hairless Terrier.

Last Updated: Apr 11, 2022

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Pomeranian Versus American Hairless Terrier: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Pomeranian and the American Hairless Terrier? 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 Hairless Terrier 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 Hairless Terrier.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Pomeranian and the American Hairless Terrier 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 Hairless Terrier. 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 Hairless Terrier.

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 Hairless Terrier.

Pomeranian versus American Hairless Terrier

Pomeranian versus American Hairless Terrier: Overview

A very important difference between the Pomeranian and the American Hairless Terrier is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Pomeranian is a tiny-sized dog while the American Hairless Terrier is a small-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 Hairless Terrier belongs to the Terrier Dogs group. Terrier Dogs were originally bred to go underground to hunt rodents and other small wild animals (vermin). Terriers come in a wide range of sizes and shapes, but all terriers are energetic, highly intelligent, and territorial. Terries also have the tendency to escape. They require a securely fenced yard.

Pomeranian versus American Hairless Terrier: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Pomeranian to the American Hairless Terrier 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 Hairless Terrier

FactorPomeranianAmerican Hairless Terrier
Tolerates Being Alone1/52/5
Does NOT Drool5/55/5
Tendency NOT to Wander5/53/5
Life Span12 to 16 years13 to 16 years
Tolerates Hot Weather2/53/5
Kid-Friendly2/54/5
Dog Friendly2/53/5
Easy To Groom2/55/5
Does NOT chew on things4/53/5
Low Prey Drive4/52/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor4/53/5
Minimal Exercise Needs4/53/5
Friendly Toward Strangers3/53/5
General Health3/54/5
NOT Rambunctious3/52/5
Potential For Playfulness3/55/5
Weight3 to 7 pounds10 to 16 pounds
Adapts Well To Apartment Living4/54/5
Good For Novice Owners4/53/5
Easygoing2/53/5
Tolerates Cold Weather4/51/5
Does NOT Shed2/55/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight2/52/5
Easy To Train4/53/5
Intelligence4/54/5
Affectionate With Family5/54/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl1/53/5
Height7 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder12 to 16 inches
Average Lifespan14.0 years14.5 years
Average Price$2150$1600
Price Range$1500 – $2500$1500 – $2000
Temperament Score77.8 percent83.3 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Legg-Calve-Perthes
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Congenital Deafness
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- Annual exams until at least Age 8 yrs (96mo)
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Legg-Calve-Perthes
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Primary Lens Luxation
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds22126

    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 Hairless Terrier. 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 Hairless Terrier is 82 out of 125.

    Despite the higher Better-Pet score of the American Hairless Terrier, we still believe that the Pomeranian is a better pet than the American Hairless Terrier.

    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!

    Pomeranian versus American Hairless Terrier

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Pomeranian and the American Hairless Terrier

    Below is a list of where the Pomeranian and the American Hairless Terrier are most different:

  • Pomeranians require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom. However, American Hairless Terriers are very easy to groom.
  • Pomeranians can tolerate cold weather. However, American Hairless Terriers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
  • Pomeranians shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies. However, American Hairless Terriers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • The Similarities Between the Pomeranian and the American Hairless Terrier

    The Pomeranian and the American Hairless Terrier are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Pomeranian and the American Hairless Terrier are most similar:

  • Both the Pomeranian and the American Hairless Terrier do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Pomeranian and the American Hairless Terrier do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Pomeranian and the American Hairless Terrier cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
  • Both the Pomeranian and the American Hairless Terrier do not get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Pomeranian and the American Hairless Terrier are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Pomeranian and the American Hairless Terrier do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
  • Both the Pomeranian and the American Hairless Terrier have low exercise needs.
  • Both the Pomeranian and the American Hairless Terrier adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Pomeranian and the American Hairless Terrier are good for new dog owners.
  • Both the Pomeranian and the American Hairless Terrier are easily disturbed by noise in their environments. They are sensitive to human tone. They will understand the tone of your voice when you try to correct their behaviors with a firm tone.
  • Both the Pomeranian and the American Hairless Terrier gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Pomeranian and the American Hairless Terrier are very easy to train.
  • Both the Pomeranian and the American Hairless Terrier are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Pomeranian and the American Hairless Terrier are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Size Comparison of the Pomeranian versus American Hairless Terrier

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Pomeranian and the American Hairless Terrier.

    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 Hairless Terrier weighs 10 to 16 pounds when fully grown. The American Hairless Terrier is 12 to 16 inches when fully grown.

    Size of Pomeranian versus Size of American Hairless Terrier

    Appearance (Colors) of the Pomeranian and the American Hairless Terrier

    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 Hairless Terrier Colors

    The American Hairless Terrier comes in the following beautiful primary colors:

    • Gray / Blue / Silver

    The American Hairless Terrier comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:

    • White / Cream

    Lifespan of Pomeranian versus American Hairless Terrier

    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 Hairless Terrier is between 13 to 16 years. The average lifespan of the American Hairless Terrier is 14.5 years.

    The American Hairless Terrier live longer than the Pomeranian.

    Pomeranian versus American Hairless Terrier

    Temperament of the American Hairless Terrier Versus the Pomeranian

    The American Hairless Terrier has a better temperament than the Pomeranian.

    This is because the temperament score for the American Hairless Terrier is 83.3 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 83.3 percent, the American Hairless Terrier has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Pomeranian and the American Hairless Terrier by measuring the temperaments of 36 Pomeranians and 6 American Hairless Terriers.

    Price of Pomeranian versus Price of American Hairless Terrier

    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 Hairless Terrier puppy is $1600. The price of the American Hairless Terrier typically ranges from $1500 – $2000. However, the price of the American Hairless Terrier can be as low as $1000 and as high as $2000. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 13 American Hairless Terrier puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Pomeranian is more expensive than the American Hairless Terrier.

    Pomeranian American Hairless Terrier
    Average Price $2150 $1600
    Price Range $1500 to $2500 $1500 to $2000

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Pomeranian and American Hairless Terrier. For different price points, the charts show how many Pomeranian puppies or how many American Hairless Terrier 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 Pomeranians. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of American Hairless Terriers

    A breakdown of the prices of American Hairless Terriers

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Pomeranian puppy or the American Hairless Terrier 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.

    Pomeranian versus American Hairless Terrier

    The Popularity of Pomeranian versus Popularity of American Hairless Terrier

    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 American Hairless Terrier over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Pomeranian is more popular with dog owners than the American Hairless Terrier. 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 American Hairless Terrier is 126 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Pomeranian

    Popularity of Pomeranian

    Popularity of American Hairless Terrier

    Popularity of American Hairless Terrier

    Year Pomeranian Popularity Rank American Hairless Terrier Popularity Rank
    2013 19 no data
    2014 20 no data
    2015 21 no data
    2016 22 106.0
    2017 22 126.0
    2018 23 136.0
    2019 24 124.0
    2020 23 129.0
    2021 24 135.0

    Health Problems of Pomeranian versus Health Problems of American Hairless Terrier

    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 Hairless Terrier 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 Hairless Terrier is prone to more genetic health problems than the Pomeranian.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the American Hairless Terrier than for the Pomeranian.

    6 health tests are recommended for Pomeranian while 9 tests are recommended for the American Hairless Terrier.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Pomeranians and in American Hairless Terriers.

    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:

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Legg-Calve-Perthes
  • Patellar Luxation

  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Pomeranians here.

    American Hairless Terrier Health Problems

    American Hairless Terriers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing American Hairless Terrier 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 Hairless Terrier puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your American Hairless Terrier 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 Hairless Terriers for:

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Congenital Deafness
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- Annual exams until at least Age 8 yrs (96mo)
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Legg-Calve-Perthes
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Primary Lens Luxation
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test

  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for American Hairless Terriers here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Pomeranians and American Hairless Terriers

    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:

  • Patella problems: Rank 1 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Congenital Cardiac problems: Rank 49 out of 159 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 75 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 89 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 171 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • 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 Hairless Terrier Breed is Patella problems.

    This is because the American Hairless Terrier ranks 65 out of 145 dog breeds for Patella problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 238 American Hairless Terriers, 5 of them had Patella problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in American Hairless Terriers, and how common these diseases are in American Hairless Terriers relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Patella problems: Rank 65 out of 145 Dog Breeds

  • The table below lists the common health problems in Pomeranian and in American Hairless Terrier and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Pomeranian and the American Hairless Terrier:

    Disease Pomeranian Rank American Hairless Terrier Rank
    Patella problems 1 out of 145 dog breeds 65 out of 145 dog breeds
    Congenital Cardiac problems 49 out of 159 dog breeds Not Common
    Hips problems 75 out of 198 dog breeds Not Common
    Thyroid problems 89 out of 115 dog breeds Not Common
    Eyes problems 171 out of 182 dog breeds Not Common

    *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 Hairless Terrier

    Pomeranians do not like to be left alone.

    American Hairless Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Do Pomeranians shed more than American Hairless Terriers?

    Pomeranians shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    American Hairless Terriers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Pomeranian or the American Hairless Terrier?

    Pomeranians require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    American Hairless Terriers are very easy to groom.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Pomeranian or the American Hairless Terrier?

    Pomeranians do not get along well with other dogs.

    American Hairless Terriers get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Are Pomeranians good family dogs? What about American Hairless Terriers?

    Pomeranians are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    American Hairless Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Is the Pomeranian Easier to Train than the American Hairless Terrier?

    Pomeranians are very easy to train.

    American Hairless Terriers are fairly easy to train.

    Which one drools more, the Pomeranian or the American Hairless Terrier

    Pomeranians do have a very low tendency to drool.

    American Hairless Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    How Kid-friendly are Pomeranians and American Hairless Terriers?

    Pomeranians do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.

    American Hairless Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Does the Pomeranian Have a Higher Prey Drive than the American Hairless Terrier?

    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 Hairless Terriers 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 Hairless Terriers?

    Pomeranians are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    American Hairless Terriers bark and howl, but not very much.

    Can Pomeranians Tolerate Cold Weather? And can American Hairless Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Pomeranians can very well tolerate cold weather.

    American Hairless Terriers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Wanderlust Potential: Pomeranian vs. American Hairless Terrier

    Pomeranians do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    American Hairless Terriers 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 Hairless Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Pomeranians cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    American Hairless Terriers can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Is the Pomeranian Better for Apartment Owners than the American Hairless Terrier?

    Pomeranians adapt very well to apartment living.

    American Hairless Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Pomeranian or the American Hairless Terrier?

    Pomeranians are very good for new dog owners.

    American Hairless Terriers 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 American Hairless Terrier. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Pomeranian to other breeds:

    Pomeranian versus Shichon     Pomeranian versus Lagotto Romagnolo     Pomeranian versus Pomchi     Pomeranian versus Scottish Terrier     Pomeranian versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon     Pomeranian versus Central Asian Shepherd Dog     Pomeranian versus Cockapoo     Pomeranian versus Ibizan Hound     Pomeranian versus Bluetick Coonhound     Pomeranian versus Plott     Pomeranian versus Kerry Blue Terrier     Pomeranian versus Flat-Coated Retriever     Pomeranian versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne     Pomeranian versus Field Spaniel     Pomeranian versus Australian Shepherd     Pomeranian versus Afador     Pomeranian versus Harrier     

    Conclusion: Pomeranian versus American Hairless Terrier. 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 Hairless Terrier better suits you and your family.