Differences and Similarities between the Pomeranian and the Maremma Sheepdog.

Last Updated: Apr 12, 2022

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Pomeranian Versus Maremma Sheepdog: Introduction

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

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

Pomeranian versus Maremma Sheepdog

Pomeranian versus Maremma Sheepdog: Overview

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

The table below compares the Pomeranian to the Maremma 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 Maremma Sheepdog

FactorPomeranianMaremma Sheepdog
Tolerates Being Alone1/52/5
Does NOT Drool5/53/5
Tendency NOT to Wander5/54/5
Life Span12 to 16 years11 to 13 years
Tolerates Hot Weather2/52/5
Kid-Friendly2/54/5
Dog Friendly2/54/5
Easy To Groom2/52/5
Does NOT chew on things4/54/5
Low Prey Drive4/55/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor4/52/5
Minimal Exercise Needs4/52/5
Friendly Toward Strangers3/51/5
General Health3/55/5
NOT Rambunctious3/52/5
Potential For Playfulness3/52/5
Weight3 to 7 pounds65 to 100 pounds
Adapts Well To Apartment Living4/51/5
Good For Novice Owners4/51/5
Easygoing2/52/5
Tolerates Cold Weather4/54/5
Does NOT Shed2/51/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight2/51/5
Easy To Train4/51/5
Intelligence4/55/5
Affectionate With Family5/54/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl1/54/5
Height7 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder 23.5 to 28.5 inches
Average Lifespan14.0 years12.0 years
Average Price$2150$1080
Price Range$1500 – $2500$495 – $1500
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Legg-Calve-Perthes
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Shoulders
  • 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 Maremma 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 Maremma Sheepdog is 68 out of 125.

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

    Pomeranian versus Maremma Sheepdog

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Pomeranian and the Maremma Sheepdog

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

  • Pomeranians adapt well to apartment living. However, Maremma Sheepdogs do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Pomeranians are good for new dog owners. However, Maremma Sheepdogs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Pomeranians are very easy to train. However, Maremma Sheepdogs are not easy to train.
  • Pomeranians are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl. However, Maremma Sheepdogs are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • The Similarities Between the Pomeranian and the Maremma Sheepdog

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

  • Both the Pomeranian and the Maremma Sheepdog do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Pomeranian and the Maremma Sheepdog do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
  • Both the Pomeranian and the Maremma Sheepdog cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
  • Both the Pomeranian and the Maremma Sheepdog require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Both the Pomeranian and the Maremma Sheepdog are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Pomeranian and the Maremma Sheepdog have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Pomeranian and the Maremma Sheepdog 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 Maremma Sheepdog can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Pomeranian and the Maremma Sheepdog shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Pomeranian and the Maremma Sheepdog gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Pomeranian and the Maremma Sheepdog are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Pomeranian and the Maremma Sheepdog are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Size Comparison of the Pomeranian versus Maremma Sheepdog

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Pomeranian and the Maremma 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 Maremma Sheepdog weighs 65 to 100 pounds when fully grown. The Maremma Sheepdog is 23.5 to 28.5 inches when fully grown.

    Size of Pomeranian versus Size of Maremma Sheepdog

    Appearance (Colors) of the Pomeranian and the Maremma Sheepdog

    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

    Maremma Sheepdog Colors

    The Maremma Sheepdog comes in the following beautiful primary colors:

    • White / Cream

    The Maremma Sheepdog comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:

      Lifespan of Pomeranian versus Maremma 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 Maremma Sheepdog is between 11 to 13 years. The average lifespan of the Maremma Sheepdog is 12.0 years.

      The Pomeranian live longer than the Maremma Sheepdog.

      Pomeranian versus Maremma Sheepdog

      Price of Pomeranian versus Price of Maremma Sheepdog

      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 Maremma Sheepdog puppy is $1080. The price of the Maremma Sheepdog typically ranges from $495 – $1500. However, the price of the Maremma Sheepdog can be as low as $300 and as high as $4135. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 58 Maremma Sheepdog puppies listed for sale from various sources.

      The Pomeranian is more expensive than the Maremma Sheepdog.

      Pomeranian Maremma Sheepdog
      Average Price $2150 $1080
      Price Range $1500 to $2500 $495 to $1500

      The charts below show the price distribution for the Pomeranian and Maremma Sheepdog. For different price points, the charts show how many Pomeranian puppies or how many Maremma Sheepdog 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 Maremma Sheepdogs

      A breakdown of the prices of Maremma Sheepdogs

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

      Health Problems of Pomeranian versus Health Problems of Maremma 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 Maremma 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 Maremma Sheepdog.

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

      6 health tests are recommended for Pomeranian while 5 tests are recommended for the Maremma Sheepdog.

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

      Maremma Sheepdog Health Problems

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

    • Elbow Dysplasia
    • Eye Examination
    • Hip Dysplasia
    • Patellar Luxation
    • Shoulders

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

      More Discussions on Health Problems in Pomeranians and Maremma Sheepdogs

      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 Maremma Sheepdog Breed is Hips problems.

      This is because the Maremma Sheepdog ranks 59 out of 198 dog breeds for Hips problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 159 Maremma Sheepdogs, 27 of them had Hips problems.

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

    • Hips problems: Rank 59 out of 198 Dog Breeds

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

      Disease Pomeranian Rank Maremma Sheepdog 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 59 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 Maremma Sheepdog

      Pomeranians do not like to be left alone.

      Maremma Sheepdogs do not like to be left alone.

      Do Pomeranians shed more than Maremma Sheepdogs?

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

      Maremma Sheepdogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

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

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

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

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

      Pomeranians do not get along well with other dogs.

      Maremma Sheepdogs get along very well with other dogs.

      Are Pomeranians good family dogs? What about Maremma Sheepdogs?

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

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

      Is the Pomeranian Easier to Train than the Maremma Sheepdog?

      Pomeranians are very easy to train.

      Maremma Sheepdogs are not easy to train.

      Which one drools more, the Pomeranian or the Maremma Sheepdog

      Pomeranians do have a very low tendency to drool.

      Maremma Sheepdogs drool moderately.

      How Kid-friendly are Pomeranians and Maremma Sheepdogs?

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

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

      Does the Pomeranian Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Maremma 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.

      Maremma 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 Maremma Sheepdogs?

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

      Maremma Sheepdogs are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

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

      Pomeranians can very well tolerate cold weather.

      Maremma Sheepdogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

      Wanderlust Potential: Pomeranian vs. Maremma Sheepdog

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

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

      Can Pomeranians Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Maremma Sheepdogs Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

      Maremma Sheepdogs cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

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

      Pomeranians adapt very well to apartment living.

      Maremma Sheepdogs do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

      Pomeranians are very good for new dog owners.

      Maremma Sheepdogs 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 Maremma Sheepdog. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Pomeranian to other breeds:

      Pomeranian versus Akita     Pomeranian versus Shiba Inu     Pomeranian versus German Shorthaired Pointer     Pomeranian versus Maltipoo     Pomeranian versus Tibetan Terrier     Pomeranian versus Dogue de Bordeaux     Pomeranian versus Chinook     Pomeranian versus Akita Chow     Pomeranian versus Lancashire Heeler     Pomeranian versus Spanish Mastiff     Pomeranian versus American Foxhound     Pomeranian versus Beaglier     Pomeranian versus Cavachon     Pomeranian versus Schnoodle     Pomeranian versus Border Terrier     Pomeranian versus American Staffordshire Terrier     Pomeranian versus Irish Wolfhound     Pomeranian versus Mountain Cur     Pomeranian versus Glen of Imaal Terrier     Pomeranian versus Pomeranian     

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