Last Updated: Apr 11, 2022
Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Pomeranian Versus Australian Shepherd: Introduction
- Pomeranian versus Australian Shepherd: Overview
- Pomeranian versus Australian Shepherd: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Pomeranian and the Australian Shepherd
- The Similarities Between the Pomeranian and the Australian Shepherd
- Size Comparison of the Pomeranian versus Australian Shepherd
- Appearance (Colors) of the Pomeranian and the Australian Shepherd
- Lifespan of Pomeranian versus Australian Shepherd
- Temperament of the Pomeranian Versus the Australian Shepherd
- Price of Pomeranian versus Price of Australian Shepherd
- The Popularity of Pomeranian versus Popularity of Australian Shepherd
- Health Problems of Pomeranian versus Health Problems of Australian Shepherd
- Tolerates Being Alone: Pomeranian versus Australian Shepherd
- Do Pomeranians shed more than Australian Shepherds?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Pomeranian or the Australian Shepherd?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Pomeranian or the Australian Shepherd?
- Are Pomeranians good family dogs? What about Australian Shepherds?
- Is the Pomeranian Easier to Train than the Australian Shepherd?
- Which one drools more, the Pomeranian or the Australian Shepherd
- How Kid-friendly are Pomeranians and Australian Shepherds?
- Does the Pomeranian Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Australian Shepherd?
- Do Pomeranians Bark and Howl? What about Australian Shepherds?
- Can Pomeranians Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Australian Shepherds Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Pomeranian vs. Australian Shepherd
- Can Pomeranians Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Australian Shepherds Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Pomeranian Versus Other Dog Breeds
- Conclusion: Pomeranian versus Australian Shepherd. Which One is a Better Pet?
Pomeranian Versus Australian Shepherd: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Pomeranian and the Australian Shepherd? 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 Shepherd 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 Shepherd.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Pomeranian and the Australian Shepherd 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 Shepherd. 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 Shepherd.
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 Shepherd.
Pomeranian versus Australian Shepherd: Overview
A very important difference between the Pomeranian and the Australian Shepherd is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Pomeranian is a tiny-sized dog while the Australian Shepherd 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 Shepherd 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 Shepherd: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Pomeranian to the Australian Shepherd 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 Shepherd
| Factor | Pomeranian | Australian Shepherd |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 5/5 | 1/5 |
| Life Span | 12 to 16 years | 12 to 15 years |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| General Health | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Weight | 3 to 7 pounds | 40 to 65 pounds |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Easygoing | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Easy To Train | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Height | 7 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder | 18 to 23 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Average Lifespan | 14.0 years | 13.5 years |
| Average Price | $2150 | $1180 |
| Price Range | $1500 – $2500 | $800 – $1500 |
| Temperament Score | 77.8 percent | 82.2 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | ||
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 22 | 15 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Pomeranian in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Australian Shepherd. 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 Shepherd is 70 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Pomeranian is a better pet than the Australian Shepherd. So, you should get a Pomeranian!
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Pomeranian and the Australian Shepherd
Below is a list of where the Pomeranian and the Australian Shepherd are most different:
The Similarities Between the Pomeranian and the Australian Shepherd
The Pomeranian and the Australian Shepherd are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Pomeranian and the Australian Shepherd are most similar:
Size Comparison of the Pomeranian versus Australian Shepherd
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Pomeranian and the Australian Shepherd.
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 Shepherd weighs 40 to 65 pounds when fully grown. The Australian Shepherd is 18 to 23 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Appearance (Colors) of the Pomeranian and the Australian Shepherd
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 Shepherd Colors
The Australian Shepherd comes in the following beautiful primary colors:
- Brown / Chocolate
- Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)
- Black
- Merle (Red)
- Gray / Blue / Silver
- Red / Chestnut / Orange
- Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
- Harlequin
- Merle (Blue)
- White / Cream
- Apricot / Beige
- Bicolor
- Golden
- Brindle
The Australian Shepherd comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:
- White / Cream
- Brown / Chocolate
- Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
- Red / Chestnut / Orange
- Black
- Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)
- Sable
- Gray / Blue / Silver
- Merle (Blue)
Lifespan of Pomeranian versus Australian Shepherd
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 Shepherd is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of the Australian Shepherd is 13.5 years.
The Pomeranian live longer than the Australian Shepherd.
Temperament of the Pomeranian Versus the Australian Shepherd
The Australian Shepherd has a better temperament than the Pomeranian.
This is because the temperament score for the Australian Shepherd is 82.2 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 82.2 percent, the Australian Shepherd has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Pomeranian and the Australian Shepherd by measuring the temperaments of 36 Pomeranians and 702 Australian Shepherds.
Price of Pomeranian versus Price of Australian Shepherd
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 Shepherd puppy is $1180. The price of the Australian Shepherd typically ranges from $800 – $1500. However, the price of the Australian Shepherd can be as low as $100 and as high as $12009. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 2674 Australian Shepherd puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Pomeranian is more expensive than the Australian Shepherd.
| Pomeranian | Australian Shepherd | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $2150 | $1180 |
| Price Range | $1500 to $2500 | $800 to $1500 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Pomeranian and Australian Shepherd. For different price points, the charts show how many Pomeranian puppies or how many Australian Shepherd 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 Shepherds
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Pomeranian puppy or the Australian Shepherd 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 Popularity of Pomeranian versus Popularity of Australian Shepherd
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 Australian Shepherd over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Australian Shepherd is more popular with dog owners than the Pomeranian. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Australian Shepherd is 15 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Pomeranian is 22 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Pomeranian
Popularity of Australian Shepherd
| Year | Pomeranian Popularity Rank | Australian Shepherd Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 19 | 20 |
| 2014 | 20 | 18 |
| 2015 | 21 | 17 |
| 2016 | 22 | 16 |
| 2017 | 22 | 17 |
| 2018 | 23 | 15 |
| 2019 | 24 | 13 |
| 2020 | 23 | 12 |
| 2021 | 24 | 12 |
Health Problems of Pomeranian versus Health Problems of Australian Shepherd
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 Australian Shepherd 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 Australian Shepherd is prone to more genetic health problems than the Pomeranian.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Australian Shepherd than for the Pomeranian.
6 health tests are recommended for Pomeranian while 7 tests are recommended for the Australian Shepherd.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Pomeranians and in Australian Shepherds.
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.
Australian Shepherd Health Problems
Australian Shepherds are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Australian Shepherd 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 Australian Shepherd puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Australian Shepherd 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 Australian Shepherds for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Australian Shepherds here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in Pomeranians and Australian Shepherds
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 Australian Shepherd Breed is Cataracts problems.
This is because the Australian Shepherd ranks 1 out of 5 dog breeds for Cataracts problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 107 Australian Shepherds, 2 of them had Cataracts problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Australian Shepherds, and how common these diseases are in Australian Shepherds relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
The table below lists the common health problems in Pomeranian and in Australian Shepherd and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Pomeranian and the Australian Shepherd:
| Disease | Pomeranian Rank | Australian Shepherd Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Patella problems | 1 out of 145 dog breeds | 103 out of 145 dog breeds |
| Congenital Cardiac problems | 49 out of 159 dog breeds | 60 out of 159 dog breeds |
| Hips problems | 75 out of 198 dog breeds | 150 out of 198 dog breeds |
| Thyroid problems | 89 out of 115 dog breeds | 66 out of 115 dog breeds |
| Eyes problems | 171 out of 182 dog breeds | 133 out of 182 dog breeds |
| Cataracts problems | Not Common | 1 out of 5 dog breeds |
| Multiple Drug Resistance (Mdr1) problems | Not Common | 2 out of 7 dog breeds |
| Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems | Not Common | 7 out of 32 dog breeds |
| Degenerative Myelopathy problems | Not Common | 12 out of 70 dog breeds |
| Shoulder problems | Not Common | 19 out of 22 dog breeds |
| Dentition Database problems | Not Common | 28 out of 49 dog breeds |
| Elbow problems | Not Common | 77 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 Australian Shepherd
Pomeranians do not like to be left alone.
Australian Shepherds do not like to be left alone.
Do Pomeranians shed more than Australian Shepherds?
Pomeranians shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Australian Shepherds shed moderately.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Pomeranian or the Australian Shepherd?
Pomeranians require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Australian Shepherds require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Pomeranian or the Australian Shepherd?
Pomeranians do not get along well with other dogs.
Australian Shepherds get along very well with other dogs.
Are Pomeranians good family dogs? What about Australian Shepherds?
Pomeranians are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Australian Shepherds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Is the Pomeranian Easier to Train than the Australian Shepherd?
Pomeranians are very easy to train.
Australian Shepherds are very easy to train.
Which one drools more, the Pomeranian or the Australian Shepherd
Pomeranians do have a very low tendency to drool.
Australian Shepherds do have a very low tendency to drool.
How Kid-friendly are Pomeranians and Australian Shepherds?
Pomeranians do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.
Australian Shepherds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Does the Pomeranian Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Australian Shepherd?
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 Shepherds 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 Shepherds?
Pomeranians are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Australian Shepherds are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Can Pomeranians Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Australian Shepherds Tolerate Cold Weather?
Pomeranians can very well tolerate cold weather.
Australian Shepherds can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Pomeranian vs. Australian Shepherd
Pomeranians do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Australian Shepherds have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Can Pomeranians Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Australian Shepherds Tolerate Hot Weather?
Pomeranians cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Australian Shepherds can tolerate hot weather.
Is the Pomeranian Better for Apartment Owners than the Australian Shepherd?
Pomeranians adapt very well to apartment living.
Australian Shepherds do not adapt well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Pomeranian or the Australian Shepherd?
Pomeranians are very good for new dog owners.
Australian Shepherds 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 Shepherd. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Pomeranian to other breeds:
Pomeranian versus Carolina Dog Pomeranian versus Pharaoh Hound Pomeranian versus Shichon Pomeranian versus Neapolitan Mastiff Pomeranian versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier Pomeranian versus Korean Jindo Dog Pomeranian versus Maltese Pomeranian versus Welsh Springer Spaniel Pomeranian versus Pomsky Pomeranian versus Golden Cocker Retriever Pomeranian versus American Pit Bull Terrier Pomeranian versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne Pomeranian versus Sheepadoodle Pomeranian versus American Foxhound Pomeranian versus Shiba Inu Pomeranian versus Lakeland Terrier
Conclusion: Pomeranian versus Australian Shepherd. 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 Shepherd better suits you and your family.