Differences and Similarities between the Pomeranian and the Black Russian Terrier.

Last Updated: Apr 11, 2022

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Pomeranian Versus Black Russian Terrier: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Pomeranian and the Black Russian 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 Black Russian 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 Black Russian 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 Black Russian Terrier.

Pomeranian versus Black Russian Terrier

Pomeranian versus Black Russian Terrier: Overview

A very important difference between the Pomeranian and the Black Russian Terrier is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Pomeranian is a tiny-sized dog while the Black Russian Terrier is a giant-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 Black Russian Terrier 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 Black Russian Terrier: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Pomeranian to the Black Russian 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 Black Russian Terrier

FactorPomeranianBlack Russian Terrier
Tolerates Being Alone1/52/5
Does NOT Drool5/53/5
Tendency NOT to Wander5/53/5
Life Span12 to 16 years10 to 11 years
Tolerates Hot Weather2/53/5
Kid-Friendly2/55/5
Dog Friendly2/52/5
Easy To Groom2/52/5
Does NOT chew on things4/52/5
Low Prey Drive4/54/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor4/51/5
Minimal Exercise Needs4/52/5
Friendly Toward Strangers3/52/5
General Health3/53/5
NOT Rambunctious3/53/5
Potential For Playfulness3/55/5
Weight3 to 7 pounds80 to 140 pounds
Adapts Well To Apartment Living4/53/5
Good For Novice Owners4/52/5
Easygoing2/52/5
Tolerates Cold Weather4/54/5
Does NOT Shed2/53/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight2/53/5
Easy To Train4/54/5
Intelligence4/54/5
Affectionate With Family5/54/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl1/53/5
Height7 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder26 to 28 inches at the shoulder
Average Lifespan14.0 years10.5 years
Average Price$2150$2830
Price Range$1500 – $2500$2500 – $3375
Temperament Score77.8 percent93.9 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Legg-Calve-Perthes
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Agouti DNA Test
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Dominant Black DNA Test
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Juvenile Laryngeal Paralysis & Polyneuropathy
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds22120

    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 Black Russian 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 Black Russian Terrier is 74 out of 125.

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

    Pomeranian versus Black Russian Terrier

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Pomeranian and the Black Russian Terrier

    Below is a list of where the Pomeranian and the Black Russian Terrier are most different:

  • Pomeranians do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly. However, Black Russian Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Pomeranians do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful. However, Black Russian Terriers do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • The Similarities Between the Pomeranian and the Black Russian Terrier

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

  • Both the Pomeranian and the Black Russian Terrier do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Pomeranian and the Black Russian Terrier cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
  • Both the Pomeranian and the Black Russian Terrier do not get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Pomeranian and the Black Russian Terrier require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Both the Pomeranian and the Black Russian Terrier have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Pomeranian and the Black Russian Terrier adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Pomeranian and the Black Russian 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 Black Russian Terrier can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Pomeranian and the Black Russian Terrier shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Pomeranian and the Black Russian Terrier gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Pomeranian and the Black Russian Terrier are very easy to train.
  • Both the Pomeranian and the Black Russian Terrier are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Pomeranian and the Black Russian Terrier are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Size Comparison of the Pomeranian versus Black Russian Terrier

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Pomeranian and the Black Russian 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 Black Russian Terrier weighs 80 to 140 pounds when fully grown. The Black Russian Terrier is 26 to 28 inches at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Size of Pomeranian versus Size of Black Russian Terrier

    Lifespan of Pomeranian versus Black Russian 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 Black Russian Terrier is between 10 to 11 years. The average lifespan of the Black Russian Terrier is 10.5 years.

    The Pomeranian live longer than the Black Russian Terrier.

    Pomeranian versus Black Russian Terrier

    Temperament of the Pomeranian Versus the Black Russian Terrier

    The Black Russian Terrier has a better temperament than the Pomeranian.

    This is because the temperament score for the Black Russian Terrier is 93.9 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 93.9 percent, the Black Russian Terrier has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Pomeranian and the Black Russian Terrier by measuring the temperaments of 36 Pomeranians and 164 Black Russian Terriers.

    Price of Pomeranian versus Price of Black Russian 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 Black Russian Terrier puppy is $2830. The price of the Black Russian Terrier typically ranges from $2500 – $3375. However, the price of the Black Russian Terrier can be as low as $250 and as high as $4500. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 30 Black Russian Terrier puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Black Russian Terrier is more expensive than the Pomeranian.

    Pomeranian Black Russian Terrier
    Average Price $2150 $2830
    Price Range $1500 to $2500 $2500 to $3375

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Pomeranian and Black Russian Terrier. For different price points, the charts show how many Pomeranian puppies or how many Black Russian 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 Black Russian Terriers

    A breakdown of the prices of Black Russian Terriers

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

    The Popularity of Pomeranian versus Popularity of Black Russian 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 Black Russian Terrier over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Pomeranian is more popular with dog owners than the Black Russian 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 Black Russian Terrier is 120 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Pomeranian

    Popularity of Pomeranian

    Popularity of Black Russian Terrier

    Popularity of Black Russian Terrier

    Year Pomeranian Popularity Rank Black Russian Terrier Popularity Rank
    2013 19 118
    2014 20 127
    2015 21 116
    2016 22 119
    2017 22 116
    2018 23 118
    2019 24 114
    2020 23 126
    2021 24 127

    Health Problems of Pomeranian versus Health Problems of Black Russian 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 Black Russian 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 Black Russian Terrier is prone to more genetic health problems than the Pomeranian.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Black Russian Terrier than for the Pomeranian.

    6 health tests are recommended for Pomeranian while 7 tests are recommended for the Black Russian Terrier.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Pomeranians and in Black Russian 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.

    Black Russian Terrier Health Problems

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

  • Agouti DNA Test
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Dominant Black DNA Test
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Juvenile Laryngeal Paralysis & Polyneuropathy

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

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Pomeranians and Black Russian 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 Black Russian Terrier Breed is Hyperuricosuria problems.

    This is because the Black Russian Terrier ranks 2 out of 11 dog breeds for Hyperuricosuria problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 219 Black Russian Terriers, 3 of them had Hyperuricosuria problems.

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

  • Hyperuricosuria problems: Rank 2 out of 11 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 10 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 10 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 33 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Dentition Database problems: Rank 43 out of 49 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 86 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 96 out of 145 Dog Breeds

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

    Disease Pomeranian Rank Black Russian Terrier Rank
    Patella problems 1 out of 145 dog breeds 96 out of 145 dog breeds
    Congenital Cardiac problems 49 out of 159 dog breeds Not Common
    Hips problems 75 out of 198 dog breeds 10 out of 198 dog breeds
    Thyroid problems 89 out of 115 dog breeds 86 out of 115 dog breeds
    Eyes problems 171 out of 182 dog breeds 33 out of 182 dog breeds
    Hyperuricosuria problems Not Common 2 out of 11 dog breeds
    Elbow problems Not Common 10 out of 144 dog breeds
    Dentition Database problems Not Common 43 out of 49 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 Black Russian Terrier

    Pomeranians do not like to be left alone.

    Black Russian Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Do Pomeranians shed more than Black Russian Terriers?

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

    Black Russian Terriers shed moderately.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Pomeranian or the Black Russian Terrier?

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

    Black Russian Terriers require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Pomeranian or the Black Russian Terrier?

    Pomeranians do not get along well with other dogs.

    Black Russian Terriers do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Pomeranians good family dogs? What about Black Russian Terriers?

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

    Black Russian Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Is the Pomeranian Easier to Train than the Black Russian Terrier?

    Pomeranians are very easy to train.

    Black Russian Terriers are very easy to train.

    Which one drools more, the Pomeranian or the Black Russian Terrier

    Pomeranians do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Black Russian Terriers drool moderately.

    How Kid-friendly are Pomeranians and Black Russian Terriers?

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

    Black Russian Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Does the Pomeranian Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Black Russian 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.

    Black Russian Terriers 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 Black Russian Terriers?

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

    Black Russian Terriers bark and howl, but not very much.

    Can Pomeranians Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Black Russian Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Pomeranians can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Black Russian Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Pomeranian vs. Black Russian Terrier

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

    Black Russian 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 Black Russian Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Black Russian Terriers can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Is the Pomeranian Better for Apartment Owners than the Black Russian Terrier?

    Pomeranians adapt very well to apartment living.

    Black Russian Terriers adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Pomeranian or the Black Russian Terrier?

    Pomeranians are very good for new dog owners.

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

    Pomeranian versus Brittany     Pomeranian versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog     Pomeranian versus English Cocker Spaniel     Pomeranian versus German Shorthaired Pointer     Pomeranian versus Papillon     Pomeranian versus Bouvier des Flandres     Pomeranian versus Goldador     Pomeranian versus Keeshond     Pomeranian versus Basset Hound     Pomeranian versus Pekingese     Pomeranian versus Lowchen     

    Conclusion: Pomeranian versus Black Russian 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 Black Russian Terrier better suits you and your family.