Last Updated: Apr 12, 2022
Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Pomeranian Versus Harrier: Introduction
- Pomeranian versus Harrier: Overview
- Pomeranian versus Harrier: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Pomeranian and the Harrier
- The Similarities Between the Pomeranian and the Harrier
- Size Comparison of the Pomeranian versus Harrier
- Lifespan of Pomeranian versus Harrier
- Adopting the Pomeranian versus Adopting the Harrier
- The Popularity of Pomeranian versus Popularity of Harrier
- Health Problems of Pomeranian versus Health Problems of Harrier
- Tolerates Being Alone: Pomeranian versus Harrier
- Do Pomeranians shed more than Harriers?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Pomeranian or the Harrier?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Pomeranian or the Harrier?
- Are Pomeranians good family dogs? What about Harriers?
- Is the Pomeranian Easier to Train than the Harrier?
- Which one drools more, the Pomeranian or the Harrier
- How Kid-friendly are Pomeranians and Harriers?
- Does the Pomeranian Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Harrier?
- Do Pomeranians Bark and Howl? What about Harriers?
- Can Pomeranians Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Harriers Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Pomeranian vs. Harrier
- Can Pomeranians Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Harriers Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Pomeranian Versus Other Dog Breeds
- Conclusion: Pomeranian versus Harrier. Which One is a Better Pet?
Pomeranian Versus Harrier: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Pomeranian and the Harrier? 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 Harrier 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 Harrier.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Pomeranian and the Harrier 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 Harrier. 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 Harrier.
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 Harrier.
Pomeranian versus Harrier: Overview
A very important difference between the Pomeranian and the Harrier is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Pomeranian is a tiny-sized dog while the Harrier 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 Harrier belongs to the Hound Dogs group. Hound Dogs were bred to pursue and hunt warm-blooded animals. Hounds hunt by using their good sight or their good sense of smell. Dogs that belong to the Hound Group have strong prey drives and often will stop at nothing to catch what they are pursuing.
Pomeranian versus Harrier: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Pomeranian to the Harrier 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 Harrier
| Factor | Pomeranian | Harrier |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 5/5 | 1/5 |
| Life Span | 12 to 16 years | 10 to 12 years |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| 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 | 5/5 |
| General Health | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Weight | 3 to 7 pounds | 45 to 60 pounds |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Easygoing | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Train | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Height | 7 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder | 19 to 21 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Average Lifespan | 14.0 years | 11.0 years |
| Average Price | $2150 | No Data |
| Price Range | $1500 – $2500 | No Data |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | ||
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 22 | 184 |
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 Harrier. 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 Harrier is 81 out of 125.
Despite the higher Better-Pet score of the Harrier, we still believe that the Pomeranian is a better pet than the Harrier.
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!
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Pomeranian and the Harrier
Below is a list of where the Pomeranian and the Harrier are most different:
The Similarities Between the Pomeranian and the Harrier
The Pomeranian and the Harrier are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Pomeranian and the Harrier are most similar:
Size Comparison of the Pomeranian versus Harrier
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Pomeranian and the Harrier.
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 Harrier weighs 45 to 60 pounds when fully grown. The Harrier is 19 to 21 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Lifespan of Pomeranian versus Harrier
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 Harrier is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of the Harrier is 11.0 years.
The Pomeranian live longer than the Harrier.
Adopting the Pomeranian versus Adopting the Harrier
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Pomeranians and many Harriers 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, Harriers are also available for adoption. For example, Zoomi is a Male Harrier that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Harriers like Zoomi that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.
Rhva-Stray-Rh1213 is the name of another Pomeranian (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.
You can find more Pomeranians and Harriers that are available for adoption on petfinder.
The Popularity of Pomeranian versus Popularity of Harrier
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 Harrier over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Pomeranian is more popular with dog owners than the Harrier. 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 Harrier is 184 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Pomeranian
Popularity of Harrier
| Year | Pomeranian Popularity Rank | Harrier Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 19 | 173 |
| 2014 | 20 | 181 |
| 2015 | 21 | 183 |
| 2016 | 22 | 186 |
| 2017 | 22 | 183 |
| 2018 | 23 | 189 |
| 2019 | 24 | 186 |
| 2020 | 23 | 190 |
| 2021 | 24 | 188 |
Health Problems of Pomeranian versus Health Problems of Harrier
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 Harrier 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 Harrier.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Pomeranian than for the Harrier.
6 health tests are recommended for Pomeranian while 2 tests are recommended for the Harrier.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Pomeranians and in Harriers.
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.
Harrier Health Problems
Harriers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Harrier 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 Harrier puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Harrier 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 Harriers for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Harriers here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in Pomeranians and Harriers
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 Harrier Breed is Hips problems.
This is because the Harrier ranks 76 out of 198 dog breeds for Hips problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 375 Harriers, 58 of them had Hips problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Harriers, and how common these diseases are in Harriers relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
The table below lists the common health problems in Pomeranian and in Harrier and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Pomeranian and the Harrier:
| Disease | Pomeranian Rank | Harrier Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Patella problems | 1 out of 145 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Congenital Cardiac problems | 49 out of 159 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Hips problems | 75 out of 198 dog breeds | 76 out of 198 dog breeds |
| 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 Harrier
Pomeranians do not like to be left alone.
Harriers can be left alone only for a short time.
Do Pomeranians shed more than Harriers?
Pomeranians shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Harriers shed moderately.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Pomeranian or the Harrier?
Pomeranians require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Harriers are very easy to groom.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Pomeranian or the Harrier?
Pomeranians do not get along well with other dogs.
Harriers get along very well with other dogs.
Are Pomeranians good family dogs? What about Harriers?
Pomeranians are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Harriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Is the Pomeranian Easier to Train than the Harrier?
Pomeranians are very easy to train.
Harriers are not easy to train.
Which one drools more, the Pomeranian or the Harrier
Pomeranians do have a very low tendency to drool.
Harriers do have a very low tendency to drool.
How Kid-friendly are Pomeranians and Harriers?
Pomeranians do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.
Harriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Does the Pomeranian Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Harrier?
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.
Harriers 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 Harriers?
Pomeranians are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Harriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Can Pomeranians Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Harriers Tolerate Cold Weather?
Pomeranians can very well tolerate cold weather.
Harriers can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Pomeranian vs. Harrier
Pomeranians do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Harriers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Can Pomeranians Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Harriers Tolerate Hot Weather?
Pomeranians cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Harriers can tolerate hot weather.
Is the Pomeranian Better for Apartment Owners than the Harrier?
Pomeranians adapt very well to apartment living.
Harriers do not adapt well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Pomeranian or the Harrier?
Pomeranians are very good for new dog owners.
Harriers 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 Harrier. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Pomeranian to other breeds:
Pomeranian versus Saluki Pomeranian versus Japanese Chin Pomeranian versus French Spaniel Pomeranian versus Pomeranian Pomeranian versus Beaglier Pomeranian versus Newfoundland Pomeranian versus Belgian Tervuren Pomeranian versus Chinook Pomeranian versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle Pomeranian versus Affenhuahua Pomeranian versus Curly-Coated Retriever Pomeranian versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog Pomeranian versus Maltese Pomeranian versus German Longhaired Pointer Pomeranian versus Chi-Poo Pomeranian versus Whippet Pomeranian versus Shiloh Shepherd Pomeranian versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Pomeranian versus Xoloitzcuintli
Conclusion: Pomeranian versus Harrier. 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 Harrier better suits you and your family.