Last Updated: Apr 12, 2022
Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Pomeranian Versus Shiba Inu: Introduction
- Pomeranian versus Shiba Inu: Overview
- Pomeranian versus Shiba Inu: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Pomeranian and the Shiba Inu
- The Similarities Between the Pomeranian and the Shiba Inu
- Size Comparison of the Pomeranian versus Shiba Inu
- Appearance (Colors) of the Pomeranian and the Shiba Inu
- Lifespan of Pomeranian versus Shiba Inu
- Temperament of the Shiba Inu Versus the Pomeranian
- Price of Pomeranian versus Price of Shiba Inu
- Adopting the Pomeranian versus Adopting the Shiba Inu
- The Popularity of Pomeranian versus Popularity of Shiba Inu
- Health Problems of Pomeranian versus Health Problems of Shiba Inu
- Tolerates Being Alone: Pomeranian versus Shiba Inu
- Do Pomeranians shed more than Shiba Inus?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Pomeranian or the Shiba Inu?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Pomeranian or the Shiba Inu?
- Are Pomeranians good family dogs? What about Shiba Inus?
- Is the Pomeranian Easier to Train than the Shiba Inu?
- Which one drools more, the Pomeranian or the Shiba Inu
- How Kid-friendly are Pomeranians and Shiba Inus?
- Does the Pomeranian Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Shiba Inu?
- Do Pomeranians Bark and Howl? What about Shiba Inus?
- Can Pomeranians Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shiba Inus Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Pomeranian vs. Shiba Inu
- Can Pomeranians Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shiba Inus Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Pomeranian Versus Other Dog Breeds
- Conclusion: Pomeranian versus Shiba Inu. Which One is a Better Pet?
Pomeranian Versus Shiba Inu: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Pomeranian and the Shiba Inu? 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 Shiba Inu 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 Shiba Inu.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Pomeranian and the Shiba Inu 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 Shiba Inu. 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 Shiba Inu.
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 Shiba Inu.
Pomeranian versus Shiba Inu: Overview
A very important difference between the Pomeranian and the Shiba Inu is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Pomeranian is a tiny-sized dog while the Shiba Inu is a small-sized dog.
Furthermore, both the Pomeranian and the Shiba Inu are Companion Dogs. This means both the Pomeranian and the Shiba Inu 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.
Pomeranian versus Shiba Inu: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Pomeranian to the Shiba Inu 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 Shiba Inu
| Factor | Pomeranian | Shiba Inu |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Life Span | 12 to 16 years | 12 to 16 years |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| General Health | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Weight | 3 to 7 pounds | 17 to 23 pounds |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Easygoing | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| 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 | 13 to 17 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Average Lifespan | 14.0 years | 14.0 years |
| Average Price | $2150 | $2130 |
| Price Range | $1500 – $2500 | $1600 – $2500 |
| Temperament Score | 77.8 percent | 67.9 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | ||
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 22 | 44 |
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 Shiba Inu. 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 Shiba Inu is 82 out of 125.
Despite the higher Better-Pet score of the Shiba Inu, we still believe that the Pomeranian is a better pet than the Shiba Inu.
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 Shiba Inu
Below is a list of where the Pomeranian and the Shiba Inu are most different:
The Similarities Between the Pomeranian and the Shiba Inu
The Pomeranian and the Shiba Inu are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Pomeranian and the Shiba Inu are most similar:
Size Comparison of the Pomeranian versus Shiba Inu
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Pomeranian and the Shiba Inu.
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 Shiba Inu weighs 17 to 23 pounds when fully grown. The Shiba Inu is 13 to 17 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Appearance (Colors) of the Pomeranian and the Shiba Inu
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
Shiba Inu Colors
The Shiba Inu comes in the following beautiful primary colors:
- Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
- Black
- Red / Chestnut / Orange
- Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)
- Golden
- Gray / Blue / Silver
- Bicolor
- Brown / Chocolate
- Apricot / Beige
- White / Cream
- Sable
The Shiba Inu comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:
- White / Cream
- Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
- Black
- Brindle
Lifespan of Pomeranian versus Shiba Inu
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 Shiba Inu is between 12 to 16 years. The average lifespan of the Shiba Inu is 14.0 years.
The Shiba Inu live as long as the Pomeranian.
Temperament of the Shiba Inu Versus the Pomeranian
The Pomeranian has a better temperament than the Shiba Inu.
This is because the temperament score for the Pomeranian is 77.8 percent while the temperament score for the Shiba Inu is 67.9 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 67.9 percent, the Shiba Inu has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Pomeranian and the Shiba Inu by measuring the temperaments of 36 Pomeranians and 28 Shiba Inus.
Price of Pomeranian versus Price of Shiba Inu
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 Shiba Inu puppy is $2130. The price of the Shiba Inu typically ranges from $1600 – $2500. However, the price of the Shiba Inu can be as low as $600 and as high as $6995. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 283 Shiba Inu puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Pomeranian is more expensive than the Shiba Inu.
| Pomeranian | Shiba Inu | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $2150 | $2130 |
| Price Range | $1500 to $2500 | $1600 to $2500 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Pomeranian and Shiba Inu. For different price points, the charts show how many Pomeranian puppies or how many Shiba Inu 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 Shiba Inus
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Pomeranian puppy or the Shiba Inu 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.
Adopting the Pomeranian versus Adopting the Shiba Inu
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Pomeranians and many Shiba Inus 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 Teddy that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Pomeranians like Teddy on pefinder.com.
Also, like Pomeranians, Shiba Inus are also available for adoption. For example, Shiba Inu-Yoshi is a Male Shiba Inu that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Shiba Inus like Shiba Inu-Yoshi that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.
Tom is the name of another Pomeranian (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.
Also, Archie!!! is an adorable Male Shiba Inu on petfinder.com that you can adopt.
You can find more Pomeranians and Shiba Inus that are available for adoption on petfinder.
The Popularity of Pomeranian versus Popularity of Shiba Inu
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 Shiba Inu over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Pomeranian is more popular with dog owners than the Shiba Inu. 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 Shiba Inu is 44 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Pomeranian
Popularity of Shiba Inu
| Year | Pomeranian Popularity Rank | Shiba Inu Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 19 | 46 |
| 2014 | 20 | 47 |
| 2015 | 21 | 45 |
| 2016 | 22 | 44 |
| 2017 | 22 | 45 |
| 2018 | 23 | 44 |
| 2019 | 24 | 45 |
| 2020 | 23 | 43 |
| 2021 | 24 | 42 |
Health Problems of Pomeranian versus Health Problems of Shiba Inu
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 Shiba Inu 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 Shiba Inu.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Pomeranian than for the Shiba Inu.
6 health tests are recommended for Pomeranian while 3 tests are recommended for the Shiba Inu.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Pomeranians and in Shiba Inus.
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.
Shiba Inu Health Problems
Shiba Inus are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Shiba Inu 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 Shiba Inu puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Shiba Inu 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 Shiba Inus for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Shiba Inus here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in Pomeranians and Shiba Inus
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 Shiba Inu Breed is Dentition Database problems.
This is because the Shiba Inu ranks 22 out of 49 dog breeds for Dentition Database problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 200 Shiba Inus, 12 of them had Dentition Database problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Shiba Inus, and how common these diseases are in Shiba Inus relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
The table below lists the common health problems in Pomeranian and in Shiba Inu and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Pomeranian and the Shiba Inu:
| Disease | Pomeranian Rank | Shiba Inu Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Patella problems | 1 out of 145 dog breeds | 31 out of 145 dog breeds |
| Congenital Cardiac problems | 49 out of 159 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Hips problems | 75 out of 198 dog breeds | 141 out of 198 dog breeds |
| Thyroid problems | 89 out of 115 dog breeds | 91 out of 115 dog breeds |
| Eyes problems | 171 out of 182 dog breeds | 170 out of 182 dog breeds |
| Dentition Database problems | Not Common | 22 out of 49 dog breeds |
| Elbow problems | Not Common | 53 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 Shiba Inu
Pomeranians do not like to be left alone.
Shiba Inus can be left alone for some time without problems.
Do Pomeranians shed more than Shiba Inus?
Pomeranians shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Shiba Inus shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Pomeranian or the Shiba Inu?
Pomeranians require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Shiba Inus are very easy to groom.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Pomeranian or the Shiba Inu?
Pomeranians do not get along well with other dogs.
Shiba Inus get along fairly well with other dogs.
Are Pomeranians good family dogs? What about Shiba Inus?
Pomeranians are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Shiba Inus are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Is the Pomeranian Easier to Train than the Shiba Inu?
Pomeranians are very easy to train.
Shiba Inus are not easy to train.
Which one drools more, the Pomeranian or the Shiba Inu
Pomeranians do have a very low tendency to drool.
Shiba Inus do have a very low tendency to drool.
How Kid-friendly are Pomeranians and Shiba Inus?
Pomeranians do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.
Shiba Inus get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.
Does the Pomeranian Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Shiba Inu?
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.
Shiba Inus have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.
Do Pomeranians Bark and Howl? What about Shiba Inus?
Pomeranians are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Shiba Inus are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Can Pomeranians Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shiba Inus Tolerate Cold Weather?
Pomeranians can very well tolerate cold weather.
Shiba Inus can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Pomeranian vs. Shiba Inu
Pomeranians do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Shiba Inus have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Can Pomeranians Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shiba Inus Tolerate Hot Weather?
Pomeranians cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Shiba Inus can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Is the Pomeranian Better for Apartment Owners than the Shiba Inu?
Pomeranians adapt very well to apartment living.
Shiba Inus adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Pomeranian or the Shiba Inu?
Pomeranians are very good for new dog owners.
Shiba Inus 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 Shiba Inu. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Pomeranian to other breeds:
Pomeranian versus American Hairless Terrier Pomeranian versus Pharaoh Hound Pomeranian versus Greyhound Pomeranian versus Boxerdoodle Pomeranian versus American Water Spaniel Pomeranian versus Spinone Italiano Pomeranian versus Welsh Springer Spaniel Pomeranian versus Finnish Spitz Pomeranian versus Norwegian Lundehund Pomeranian versus American Pit Bull Terrier Pomeranian versus Carolina Dog Pomeranian versus Basenji Pomeranian versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Pomeranian versus Tibetan Spaniel Pomeranian versus Bolognese Pomeranian versus Briard Pomeranian versus Newfoundland
Conclusion: Pomeranian versus Shiba Inu. 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 Shiba Inu better suits you and your family.