Why you Should Get the Pomeranian Instead of the Shihpoo.

Last Updated: Apr 12, 2022

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Pomeranian Versus Shihpoo: Introduction

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

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

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 Shihpoo.

Pomeranian versus Shihpoo

Pomeranian versus Shihpoo: Overview

Both the Pomeranian and the Shihpoo are similar in size. The Pomeranian and the Shihpoo are both tiny-sized dogs.

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 Shihpoo belongs to the Mixed Breed Dogs group. Mixed Breed Dogs are not purebred dogs.

Pomeranian versus Shihpoo: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Pomeranian to the Shihpoo 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 Shihpoo

FactorPomeranianShihpoo
Tolerates Being Alone1/52/5
Does NOT Drool5/55/5
Tendency NOT to Wander5/54/5
Life Span12 to 16 years13 to 17 years
Tolerates Hot Weather2/52/5
Kid-Friendly2/53/5
Dog Friendly2/52/5
Easy To Groom2/52/5
Does NOT chew on things4/53/5
Low Prey Drive4/54/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor4/55/5
Minimal Exercise Needs4/54/5
Friendly Toward Strangers3/54/5
General Health3/53/5
NOT Rambunctious3/53/5
Potential For Playfulness3/54/5
Weight3 to 7 pounds8 to 18 pounds
Adapts Well To Apartment Living4/55/5
Good For Novice Owners4/52/5
Easygoing2/52/5
Tolerates Cold Weather4/53/5
Does NOT Shed2/55/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight2/52/5
Easy To Train4/52/5
Intelligence4/54/5
Affectionate With Family5/55/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl1/54/5
Height7 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder8 to 18 inches
Average Lifespan14.0 years15.0 years
Average Price$2150$1590
Price Range$1500 – $2500$1200 – $2000
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Legg-Calve-Perthes
  • Patellar Luxation
  • No Data

    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 Shihpoo. 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 Shihpoo is 84 out of 125.

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

    This is because Pomeranians are much cuter but you cannot put a score on cuteness. If you could put a score on cuteness, then the Pomeranian will come out on top.

    Also, we are biased in favor of the Pomeranian :-). We are for the Pomeranian. So get a Pomeranian!

    Pomeranian versus Shihpoo

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Pomeranian and the Shihpoo

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

  • Pomeranians shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies. However, Shihpoos do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • Pomeranians are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl. However, Shihpoos are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • The Similarities Between the Pomeranian and the Shihpoo

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

  • Both the Pomeranian and the Shihpoo do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Pomeranian and the Shihpoo do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Pomeranian and the Shihpoo 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 Shihpoo cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
  • Both the Pomeranian and the Shihpoo do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.
  • Both the Pomeranian and the Shihpoo do not get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Pomeranian and the Shihpoo require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Both the Pomeranian and the Shihpoo are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Pomeranian and the Shihpoo have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Pomeranian and the Shihpoo do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
  • Both the Pomeranian and the Shihpoo have low exercise needs.
  • Both the Pomeranian and the Shihpoo adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Pomeranian and the Shihpoo 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 Shihpoo can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Pomeranian and the Shihpoo gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Pomeranian and the Shihpoo are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Pomeranian and the Shihpoo are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Size Comparison of the Pomeranian versus Shihpoo

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

    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 Shihpoo weighs 8 to 18 pounds when fully grown. The Shihpoo is 8 to 18 inches when fully grown.

    Size of Pomeranian versus Size of Shihpoo

    Appearance (Colors) of the Pomeranian and the Shihpoo

    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

    Shihpoo Colors

    The Shihpoo comes in the following beautiful primary colors:

    • Black
    • White / Cream
    • Gray / Blue / Silver
    • Apricot / Beige
    • Bicolor
    • Brown / Chocolate

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

    • Gray / Blue / Silver
    • White / Cream
    • Black

    Lifespan of Pomeranian versus Shihpoo

    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 Shihpoo is between 13 to 17 years . The average lifespan of the Shihpoo is 15.0 years.

    The Shihpoo live longer than the Pomeranian.

    Pomeranian versus Shihpoo

    Price of Pomeranian versus Price of Shihpoo

    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 Shihpoo puppy is $1590. The price of the Shihpoo typically ranges from $1200 – $2000. However, the price of the Shihpoo can be as low as $300 and as high as $4325. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 283 Shihpoo puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Pomeranian is more expensive than the Shihpoo.

    Pomeranian Shihpoo
    Average Price $2150 $1590
    Price Range $1500 to $2500 $1200 to $2000

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Pomeranian and Shihpoo. For different price points, the charts show how many Pomeranian puppies or how many Shihpoo 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 Shihpoos

    A breakdown of the prices of Shihpoos

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

    Adopting the Pomeranian versus Adopting the Shihpoo

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Pomeranians and many Shihpoos 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 Paddington that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Pomeranians like Paddington on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Pomeranians, Shihpoos are also available for adoption. For example, Toby is a Male Shihpoo that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Shihpoos like Toby that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The Pomeranian and the Shihpoo can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    Teddy is the name of another Pomeranian (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.

    Also, Yoshi is an adorable Male Shihpoo on petfinder.com that you can adopt.

    Pomeranians and Shihpoos are always available for adoption. Images from petfinder.com

    You can find more Pomeranians and Shihpoos that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Pomeranian versus Shihpoo

    Pomeranians do not like to be left alone.

    Shihpoos do not like to be left alone.

    Do Pomeranians shed more than Shihpoos?

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

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

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Pomeranian or the Shihpoo?

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

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

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

    Pomeranians do not get along well with other dogs.

    Shihpoos do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Pomeranians good family dogs? What about Shihpoos?

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

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

    Is the Pomeranian Easier to Train than the Shihpoo?

    Pomeranians are very easy to train.

    Shihpoos are not easy to train.

    Which one drools more, the Pomeranian or the Shihpoo

    Pomeranians do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Shihpoos do have a very low tendency to drool.

    How Kid-friendly are Pomeranians and Shihpoos?

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

    Shihpoos get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

    Does the Pomeranian Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Shihpoo?

    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.

    Shihpoos 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 Shihpoos?

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

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

    Can Pomeranians Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shihpoos Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Pomeranians can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Shihpoos can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Pomeranian vs. Shihpoo

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

    Shihpoos 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 Shihpoos Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

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

    Is the Pomeranian Better for Apartment Owners than the Shihpoo?

    Pomeranians adapt very well to apartment living.

    Shihpoos adapt very well to apartment living.

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

    Pomeranians are very good for new dog owners.

    Shihpoos 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 Shihpoo. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Pomeranian to other breeds:

    Pomeranian versus Puli     Pomeranian versus King Shepherd     Pomeranian versus Shichon     Pomeranian versus Rhodesian Ridgeback     Pomeranian versus Bluetick Coonhound     Pomeranian versus Lhasapoo     Pomeranian versus Portuguese Pointer     Pomeranian versus Newfoundland     Pomeranian versus Sheepadoodle     Pomeranian versus Australian Kelpie     Pomeranian versus Dogo Argentino     Pomeranian versus Siberian Husky     Pomeranian versus Labrador Retriever     Pomeranian versus Chihuahua     Pomeranian versus Shiba Inu     Pomeranian versus Pug     Pomeranian versus Lagotto Romagnolo     Pomeranian versus English Toy Spaniel     

    Conclusion: Pomeranian versus Shihpoo. 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 Shihpoo better suits you and your family.