Why the Pomeranian is Better than the Australian Kelpie as a Pet

Last Updated: Apr 11, 2022

Quick Links: Table of Contents

• Pomeranian Versus Australian Kelpie: Introduction
• Pomeranian versus Australian Kelpie: Overview
• Pomeranian versus Australian Kelpie: Comparison Table
• The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Pomeranian and the Australian Kelpie
• The Similarities Between the Pomeranian and the Australian Kelpie
• Size Comparison of the Pomeranian versus Australian Kelpie
• Appearance (Colors) of the Pomeranian and the Australian Kelpie
• Lifespan of Pomeranian versus Australian Kelpie
• Temperament of the Australian Kelpie Versus the Pomeranian
• Price of Pomeranian versus Price of Australian Kelpie
• Adopting the Pomeranian versus Adopting the Australian Kelpie
• Tolerates Being Alone: Pomeranian versus Australian Kelpie
• Do Pomeranians shed more than Australian Kelpies?
• Which is Easier to Groom, the Pomeranian or the Australian Kelpie?
• Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Pomeranian or the Australian Kelpie?
• Are Pomeranians good family dogs? What about Australian Kelpies?
• Is the Pomeranian Easier to Train than the Australian Kelpie?
• Which one drools more, the Pomeranian or the Australian Kelpie
• How Kid-friendly are Pomeranians and Australian Kelpies?
• Does the Pomeranian Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Australian Kelpie?
• Do Pomeranians Bark and Howl? What about Australian Kelpies?
• Can Pomeranians Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Australian Kelpies Tolerate Cold Weather?
• Wanderlust Potential: Pomeranian vs. Australian Kelpie
• Can Pomeranians Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Australian Kelpies Tolerate Hot Weather?
• Pomeranian Versus Other Dog Breeds
• Conclusion: Pomeranian versus Australian Kelpie. Which One is a Better Pet?

Pomeranian Versus Australian Kelpie: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Pomeranian and the Australian Kelpie 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 Australian Kelpie. 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 Australian Kelpie.

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 Australian Kelpie.

Pomeranian versus Australian Kelpie: Overview

A very important difference between the Pomeranian and the Australian Kelpie is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Pomeranian is a tiny-sized dog while the Australian Kelpie 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 Australian Kelpie belongs to the Herding Dogs group. Herding Dogs were bred for moving livestock, including sheep, cattle, and even reindeer. Herding dogs work closely with their human shepherds, and their natural intelligence and responsiveness make them highly trainable. They have high levels of energy, which needs to be channeled properly to prevent destructive behavior. Herding breeds are protective of their people and property and make excellent watchdogs. Their intelligence, agility, and activity level make them well suited to dog sports.

Pomeranian versus Australian Kelpie: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Pomeranian to the Australian Kelpie 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 Australian Kelpie

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 Australian Kelpie. 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 Australian Kelpie is 72 out of 125.

Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Pomeranian is a better pet than the Australian Kelpie. So, you should get a Pomeranian!

The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Pomeranian and the Australian Kelpie

Below is a list of where the Pomeranian and the Australian Kelpie are most different:

The Similarities Between the Pomeranian and the Australian Kelpie

The Pomeranian and the Australian Kelpie are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Pomeranian and the Australian Kelpie are most similar:

Size Comparison of the Pomeranian versus Australian Kelpie

Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Pomeranian and the Australian Kelpie.

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 Australian Kelpie weighs 25 to 46 pounds when fully grown. The Australian Kelpie is 15 to 20 inches when fully grown.

Appearance (Colors) of the Pomeranian and the Australian Kelpie

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

Australian Kelpie Colors

The Australian Kelpie comes in the following beautiful primary colors:

• Brown / Chocolate
• Black
• Red / Chestnut / Orange
• Bicolor

The Australian Kelpie comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:

• Bicolor
• Brown / Chocolate
• Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
• White / Cream

Lifespan of Pomeranian versus Australian Kelpie

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 Australian Kelpie is between 10 to 15 years. The average lifespan of the Australian Kelpie is 12.5 years.

The Pomeranian live longer than the Australian Kelpie.

Temperament of the Australian Kelpie Versus the Pomeranian

The Australian Kelpie has a better temperament than the Pomeranian.

This is because the temperament score for the Australian Kelpie 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 Australian Kelpie has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Pomeranian and the Australian Kelpie by measuring the temperaments of 36 Pomeranians and 6 Australian Kelpies.

Price of Pomeranian versus Price of Australian Kelpie

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 Australian Kelpie puppy is $590. The price of the Australian Kelpie typically ranges from $500 – $600. However, the price of the Australian Kelpie can be as low as $100 and as high as $1000. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 20 Australian Kelpie puppies listed for sale from various sources.

The Pomeranian is more expensive than the Australian Kelpie.

The charts below show the price distribution for the Pomeranian and Australian Kelpie. For different price points, the charts show how many Pomeranian puppies or how many Australian Kelpie 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 Australian Kelpies

Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Pomeranian puppy or the Australian Kelpie 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 Australian Kelpie

You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Pomeranians and many Australian Kelpies 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 Ray Ray that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Pomeranians like Ray Ray on pefinder.com.

Also, like Pomeranians, Australian Kelpies are also available for adoption. For example, Chucho is a Male Australian Kelpie that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Australian Kelpies like Chucho that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

Buddy is the name of another Pomeranian (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.

You can find more Pomeranians and Australian Kelpies that are available for adoption on petfinder.

Tolerates Being Alone: Pomeranian versus Australian Kelpie

Pomeranians do not like to be left alone.

Australian Kelpies do not like to be left alone.

Do Pomeranians shed more than Australian Kelpies?

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

Australian Kelpies shed moderately.

Which is Easier to Groom, the Pomeranian or the Australian Kelpie?

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

Australian Kelpies are very easy to groom.

Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Pomeranian or the Australian Kelpie?

Pomeranians do not get along well with other dogs.

Australian Kelpies get along fairly well with other dogs.

Are Pomeranians good family dogs? What about Australian Kelpies?

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

Australian Kelpies are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

Is the Pomeranian Easier to Train than the Australian Kelpie?

Pomeranians are very easy to train.

Australian Kelpies are very easy to train.

Which one drools more, the Pomeranian or the Australian Kelpie

Pomeranians do have a very low tendency to drool.

Australian Kelpies do have a very low tendency to drool.

How Kid-friendly are Pomeranians and Australian Kelpies?

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

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

Does the Pomeranian Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Australian Kelpie?

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.

Australian Kelpies 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 Australian Kelpies?

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

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

Can Pomeranians Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Australian Kelpies Tolerate Cold Weather?

Pomeranians can very well tolerate cold weather.

Australian Kelpies can moderately tolerate cold weather.

Wanderlust Potential: Pomeranian vs. Australian Kelpie

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

Australian Kelpies have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

Can Pomeranians Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Australian Kelpies Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

Australian Kelpies can tolerate hot weather.

Is the Pomeranian Better for Apartment Owners than the Australian Kelpie?

Pomeranians adapt very well to apartment living.

Australian Kelpies do not adapt well to apartment living.

Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Pomeranian or the Australian Kelpie?

Pomeranians are very good for new dog owners.

Australian Kelpies 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 Australian Kelpie. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Pomeranian to other breeds:

Pomeranian versus Miniature Schnauzer     Pomeranian versus Chorkie     Pomeranian versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier     Pomeranian versus Affenpinscher     Pomeranian versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever     Pomeranian versus Cesky Terrier     Pomeranian versus Alaskan Malamute     Pomeranian versus Field Spaniel     Pomeranian versus American Foxhound     Pomeranian versus Mastiff     Pomeranian versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog     Pomeranian versus Dogo Argentino     Pomeranian versus Xoloitzcuintli     Pomeranian versus Norwegian Buhund     Pomeranian versus Bernedoodle     

Conclusion: Pomeranian versus Australian Kelpie. 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 Australian Kelpie better suits you and your family.