Why you Should Get the Pomeranian Instead of the Bergamasco Sheepdog.

Last Updated: Apr 11, 2022

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Pomeranian Versus Bergamasco Sheepdog: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Pomeranian and the Bergamasco Sheepdog 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 Bergamasco Sheepdog. 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 Bergamasco Sheepdog.

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 Bergamasco Sheepdog.

Pomeranian versus Bergamasco Sheepdog

Pomeranian versus Bergamasco Sheepdog: Overview

A very important difference between the Pomeranian and the Bergamasco Sheepdog is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Pomeranian is a tiny-sized dog while the Bergamasco Sheepdog 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 Bergamasco Sheepdog 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 Bergamasco Sheepdog: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Pomeranian to the Bergamasco Sheepdog 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 Bergamasco Sheepdog

FactorPomeranianBergamasco Sheepdog
Tolerates Being Alone1/53/5
Does NOT Drool5/55/5
Tendency NOT to Wander5/53/5
Life Span12 to 16 years13 to 15 years
Tolerates Hot Weather2/53/5
Kid-Friendly2/55/5
Dog Friendly2/54/5
Easy To Groom2/54/5
Does NOT chew on things4/54/5
Low Prey Drive4/54/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor4/54/5
Minimal Exercise Needs4/53/5
Friendly Toward Strangers3/54/5
General Health3/55/5
NOT Rambunctious3/52/5
Potential For Playfulness3/54/5
Weight3 to 7 pounds55 to 85 pounds
Adapts Well To Apartment Living4/53/5
Good For Novice Owners4/54/5
Easygoing2/54/5
Tolerates Cold Weather4/54/5
Does NOT Shed2/54/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight2/54/5
Easy To Train4/53/5
Intelligence4/55/5
Affectionate With Family5/54/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl1/53/5
Height7 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder20 to 24 inches
Average Lifespan14.0 years14.0 years
Average Price$2150No Data
Price Range$1500 – $2500No Data
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Legg-Calve-Perthes
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds22169

    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 Bergamasco Sheepdog. 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 Bergamasco Sheepdog is 95 out of 125.

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

    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 Bergamasco Sheepdog

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Pomeranian and the Bergamasco Sheepdog

    Below is a list of where the Pomeranian and the Bergamasco Sheepdog are most different:

  • Pomeranians do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly. However, Bergamasco Sheepdogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • The Similarities Between the Pomeranian and the Bergamasco Sheepdog

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

  • Both the Pomeranian and the Bergamasco Sheepdog do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Pomeranian and the Bergamasco Sheepdog cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
  • Both the Pomeranian and the Bergamasco Sheepdog are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Pomeranian and the Bergamasco Sheepdog have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Pomeranian and the Bergamasco Sheepdog do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
  • Both the Pomeranian and the Bergamasco Sheepdog have low exercise needs.
  • Both the Pomeranian and the Bergamasco Sheepdog adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Pomeranian and the Bergamasco Sheepdog are good for new dog owners.
  • Both the Pomeranian and the Bergamasco Sheepdog can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Pomeranian and the Bergamasco Sheepdog are very easy to train.
  • Both the Pomeranian and the Bergamasco Sheepdog are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Pomeranian and the Bergamasco Sheepdog are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Size Comparison of the Pomeranian versus Bergamasco Sheepdog

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Pomeranian and the Bergamasco Sheepdog.

    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 Bergamasco Sheepdog weighs 55 to 85 pounds when fully grown. The Bergamasco Sheepdog is 20 to 24 inches when fully grown.

    Size of Pomeranian versus Size of Bergamasco Sheepdog

    Lifespan of Pomeranian versus Bergamasco Sheepdog

    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 Bergamasco Sheepdog is between 13 to 15 years. The average lifespan of the Bergamasco Sheepdog is 14.0 years.

    The Bergamasco Sheepdog live as long as the Pomeranian.

    Pomeranian versus Bergamasco Sheepdog
    Pomeranian versus Bergamasco Sheepdog

    The Popularity of Pomeranian versus Popularity of Bergamasco Sheepdog

    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 Bergamasco Sheepdog over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Pomeranian is more popular with dog owners than the Bergamasco Sheepdog. 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 Bergamasco Sheepdog is 169 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Pomeranian

    Popularity of Pomeranian

    Popularity of Bergamasco Sheepdog

    Popularity of Bergamasco Sheepdog

    Year Pomeranian Popularity Rank Bergamasco Sheepdog Popularity Rank
    2013 19 no data
    2014 20 96.0
    2015 21 174.0
    2016 22 184.0
    2017 22 181.0
    2018 23 187.0
    2019 24 180.0
    2020 23 173.0
    2021 24 179.0

    Health Problems of Pomeranian versus Health Problems of Bergamasco Sheepdog

    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 Bergamasco Sheepdog are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.

    The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.

    Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the Pomeranian is prone to more genetic health problems than the Bergamasco Sheepdog.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Pomeranian than for the Bergamasco Sheepdog.

    6 health tests are recommended for Pomeranian while 2 tests are recommended for the Bergamasco Sheepdog.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Pomeranians and in Bergamasco Sheepdogs.

    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.

    Bergamasco Sheepdog Health Problems

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

  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Hip Dysplasia

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

    Tolerates Being Alone: Pomeranian versus Bergamasco Sheepdog

    Pomeranians do not like to be left alone.

    Bergamasco Sheepdogs can be left alone only for a short time.

    Do Pomeranians shed more than Bergamasco Sheepdogs?

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

    Bergamasco Sheepdogs do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Pomeranian or the Bergamasco Sheepdog?

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

    Bergamasco Sheepdogs are very easy to groom.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Pomeranian or the Bergamasco Sheepdog?

    Pomeranians do not get along well with other dogs.

    Bergamasco Sheepdogs get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Pomeranians good family dogs? What about Bergamasco Sheepdogs?

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

    Bergamasco Sheepdogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Is the Pomeranian Easier to Train than the Bergamasco Sheepdog?

    Pomeranians are very easy to train.

    Bergamasco Sheepdogs are fairly easy to train.

    Which one drools more, the Pomeranian or the Bergamasco Sheepdog

    Pomeranians do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Bergamasco Sheepdogs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    How Kid-friendly are Pomeranians and Bergamasco Sheepdogs?

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

    Bergamasco Sheepdogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Does the Pomeranian Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Bergamasco Sheepdog?

    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.

    Bergamasco Sheepdogs 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.

    Do Pomeranians Bark and Howl? What about Bergamasco Sheepdogs?

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

    Bergamasco Sheepdogs bark and howl, but not very much.

    Can Pomeranians Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Bergamasco Sheepdogs Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Pomeranians can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Bergamasco Sheepdogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Pomeranian vs. Bergamasco Sheepdog

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

    Bergamasco Sheepdogs have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Pomeranians Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Bergamasco Sheepdogs Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Bergamasco Sheepdogs can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Is the Pomeranian Better for Apartment Owners than the Bergamasco Sheepdog?

    Pomeranians adapt very well to apartment living.

    Bergamasco Sheepdogs adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Pomeranian or the Bergamasco Sheepdog?

    Pomeranians are very good for new dog owners.

    Bergamasco Sheepdogs are very good 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 Bergamasco Sheepdog. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Pomeranian to other breeds:

    Pomeranian versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi     Pomeranian versus Afador     Pomeranian versus Shiba Inu     Pomeranian versus Swedish Vallhund     Pomeranian versus Redbone Coonhound     Pomeranian versus Mastiff     Pomeranian versus Kooikerhondje     Pomeranian versus Shiranian     Pomeranian versus Sealyham Terrier     Pomeranian versus American Foxhound     Pomeranian versus Norwich Terrier     Pomeranian versus Bullmastiff     Pomeranian versus Boxer     Pomeranian versus Bluetick Coonhound     Pomeranian versus Lakeland Terrier     Pomeranian versus Schnoodle     Pomeranian versus Belgian Malinois     

    Conclusion: Pomeranian versus Bergamasco Sheepdog. 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 Bergamasco Sheepdog better suits you and your family.