Pom Information

Complete List of Dogs That Look Like Pomeranians

Pomeranian Headquarters

Sharing is caring!

Last Updated on 09/09/2023 by Dochlaggie. Post first published on May 1, 2021.

Pomeranian dogs are incredible animals in many ways, so they’re usually in high demand among people from all walks of life. Demand generally exceeds the supply of this amazing canine.

The good news is that there are numerous other dogs like Pomeranians, but they also have their own distinct features. Dogs similar to Pomeranian pups include Spitz and non-Spitz dog breeds.

As you read on, you’ll learn about these other dogs that look like Pomeranians and what qualities they have that make them stand out compared to Pomeranians. In the end, you can read a table that compares each dog to Pomeranians regarding their origin, average height, weight, and lifespan.

Dogs That Look Like Pomeranians
Dogs That Look Like Pomeranians

What Does a Pomeranian Dog Look Like?

Pomeranians are friendly, playful, active, and loyal, making them great companions and wonderful show dogs. Pomeranians became more popular, largely because Queen Victoria imported them from Pomerania (hence the name), in Germany, to England over a century ago. She owned several of them and was believed to have reduced the original Pomeranian size.

A Pomeranian has a double thick coat that can be seen in many colors. He may have just one color (solid), two colors (parti-colored), or three colors (tri-colored. His tail is thick and plumed, his ears are erect and small, and he has a compact, square body. People with an intimate knowledge of Pomeranians can never be fooled.

Although the Pomeranian is one of the German Spitz dogs, unlike the others from Germany, the Pomeranian came through the northeast part of Europe and now Poland and West Germany; hence the name – Pomeranian.

If a person doesn’t know much about this special breed, numerous dogs have some resemblance to the Pomeranian. Variations may be in a dog’s height, weight, and/or size, differences in their body and/or coat and color, facial features, and some might be large Pomeranian breeds.

The bottom line is that none will possess all the traits that go into creating the remarkable canine known as the Pomeranian.

Now it’s time to learn what dog breeds resemble the Pomeranian in some way.

Dogs That Look Like Pomeranians

Dogs That Look Like Pomeranians
Dogs That Look Like Pomeranians

German Spitz

• Pomeranian. (Aka the: Zwerg Spitz, Deutscher Spitz, and Dwarfspitz). This is a toy dog and the smallest of the German Spitz dogs.
• Miniature Spitz or Kleinspitz.
• Medium Spitz or Mittelspitz.
• Wolfsspitz (aka Keeshond).
• Giant Spitz. (aka Grossespitz).

The Pomeranian’s muzzle is 1/3 of his skull, whereas the other dogs that comprise the German Spitz family each have a longer muzzle that measures approximately half of his skull.

The ears of all dogs stand erect and can always be seen. However, the Pomeranian’s ears are often masked by his fluffy head.

There are different Pomeranian breed types because there are plenty of ways each breed can stand out compared to the typical Pomeranian. As mentioned, country of origin, height, weight, and life span are the beginning.

When you ask the question — what does a Pomeranian look like? — You also need to factor in things such as color(s) and patterns, facial features, the characteristics and personality of each dog, how well they socialize, and so on.

Pomeranians can be any of 20 or more colors and patterns, whereas the German Spitz dogs can only be one of 8 colors.

In the table at the end of this article, you’ll see the average height, weight, and lifespan of all the dogs mentioned, including the various German Spitz breeds.

It’s valuable information to help you if you want to add a new canine to your existing family (regardless of whether they’re all human, a mix of humans and dogs, or maybe people, dogs, and other creatures as well.

Miniature Spitz or Kleinspitz

Miniature Spitz
Miniature Spitz

    

POMERANIAN versus

Kleinspitz

Origin

Germany & Poland

Germany

Height

7 – 12 inches

9-11 inches

Weight

1.8 – 3.0 kgs

5-10 kgs

Lifespan

12 - 16 years

14-16 years

The Kleinspitz is the next smallest, after the Pomeranian, but the smallest German Spitz to have originated in Germany. This breed’s average statistics are in the table at the end of this article, as are all the German Spitz dogs.

Medium Spitz or Mittel Spitz

POMERANIAN versus

Mittelspitz

Origin

Germany & Poland

Germany

Height

7 – 12 inches

12 - 15 inches

Weight

1.8 – 3.0 kgs

7 -11 kg

Lifespan

12 - 16 years

13-15 years

Despite this Standard or Mittelspitz being one of the German Spitz groups since ancient times, it wasn’t until 1969 that it was officially added to the standard German Spitz family.

Because both the Giant Spitz and this breed produce fewer than 100 puppies per year, both dogs are declared as being in danger of extinction.

Keeshond (aka Wolfspitz)

Keeshond
Keeshond

The Keeshond was a watchdog and companion on boats and barges traveling the Dutch rivers and canals during the 17th and 18th centuries. The AKC officially recognized the Keeshond in 1930.

This dog has other names, including Smiling Dutchman, Deutscher Wolfspitz, and the Dutch Barge Dog.

This dog is on the list as he’s a great watchdog and an excellent companion. The Keeshond is interesting because he’s a big Pomeranian breed and is a wolf-sable colored dog.

Giant Spitz (aka Grossespitz)

Despite being the biggest German Spitz dog, the Giant Spitz is still considered a medium-sized animal compared to many other dogs. He’s also known as the Deutscher Grossspitz, Deutscher Spitz Klein Giant, Gross Spitz, and the Great Spitz.

The Pomeranian (toy Spitz) and the Giant Spitz were bred to be companions by King George 1st in 1714 while on the English throne.

The connection was made through his wife, who was German nobility, and they brought the German Spitz dogs with them.

By the late 1700s, Queen Charlotte, wife of George III, had several white German Spitz types they also bred for companions. The Mittelspitz remained as a working dog.

General German Spitz History

The German Spitz breeds became unpopular once World War One was over because of powerful anti-German attitudes and a growing disinterest in breeding dogs.

When these dogs were brought to America, their name changed to the American Eskimo Dog. However, after World War II, interest in breeding was still very low.

Since the 1970s, a lot has happened. Interest in these breeds increased, and the dogs became popular in Britain, Australia, and Germany. Some get imported to the US, but the breed is still regarded as rare. Different clubs recognized some of the Spitz dogs and not others.

Some allowed different sizes to be interbred; others didn’t permit this. Now we look at some other dogs similar to Pomeranians but not clearly German Spitz dogs.

Japanese Spitz

Japanese Spitz
Japanese Spitz

The Japanese Spitz, as you might guess, originated in Japan. There’s no clear breed history of this dog, but the typical belief is that they’re descended from the White German Spitz and look almost the same as a white Pomeranian.

Despite their diminutive size, they’re ideal watchdogs because they’re alert and extremely courageous, even against dogs that are bigger than themselves. They also get along with other pets and are safe around children.

The Japanese Spitz is bigger than a typical Pomeranian and is sometimes nicknamed a Japanese Pomeranian dog. The Japanese Spitz only needs low maintenance because their coat is dry compared to other Spitz dogs, and dirt won’t stick to it.

A Japanese Spitz looks almost the same as the Samoyed, known as the mini-Samoyed. This breed is recognized by the KC and the FCI but not by the AKC.

Indian Spitz

The Indian Spitz is an ancient native of India. He’s healthy and doesn’t require much grooming or attention from a vet.

He easily adapts to the country’s tropical climate. He’s energetic, intelligent, active, alert, and useful as a watchdog and companion. However, he doesn’t play nice with dogs and other animals, so he’s not a wise choice if you already have pets.

American Eskimo Dog

American Eskimo Dog
American Eskimo Dog

The American Eskimo Dog has its origins in Germany, where it was known as the German Spitz dog. After the First World War, with so much hatred towards anything German, he became the American Spitz and then the American Eskimo Dog.

He’s still regarded as being a small dog. He has the same fluffy coat, curled tail, and wedge-shaped face as a Pomeranian. He’s also known as the Alaskan Spitz because he easily adapts to cold climates.

He’s an alert, smart, extremely energetic, playful dog, and this combination of characteristics means he is an ideal watchdog and great companion. In obedience trials, he generally ranks among the highest scorers.

Volpino Italiano

The Volpino Italiano is closely related to the Pomeranian but is slightly larger. He’s an Italian dog known by a few other names, such as Cane Di Firenze, Cane del Quirinale, and Volpino. He resembles a small white fox, hence the name, because vulpes means “fox.”

This dog is sometimes confused with the Alaskan Spitz and the White Pomeranian. The Volpino Italiano is friendly and gets along with other pets.

This is a rare breed, and in 1965, only five dogs were registered, meaning the breed was virtually extinct at that point. The FCI recognizes this breed, unlike the AKC.

Finnish Spitz

Finnish Spitz
Finnish Spitz

This dog’s original names were the Finnish Barking Birddogs and the Suomenpystrykorva (that translates as the Finnish Cock-Eared Dog).

Nearly two millennia ago, people brought them from the Russian Volga River to a country now called Finland. When they were out hunting and discovered their prey, they would make a ringing bark that sounded more like yodeling.

The Finnish Spitz dog is the country’s national dog. They were bred to hunt various different-sized prey, from rodents to squirrels and even bears.

They’re hardy, active, powerful animals ideal for yard and farm living, and despite being hunters, they’re also friendly and reliable around other pets and children. They don’t mature until they’re approx four years of age.

This dog is one of the fox-faced dog breeds in some ways, with a muscular body, erect ears, a plumed, curved tail, and a flat head. He also looks like a Pomeranian (as do most Spitz dogs).

If you want a dog that’s a bit like a Pomeranian but you can’t get an actual Pom, then this all-rounder might be your best choice.

Finnish Lapphund

Finnish Lapphund
Finnish Lapphund

The Finnish Lapphund is another Spitz dog and is medium in size. He’s a Finland native and is an excellent hunting dog and a reindeer herder.

Sami tribes developed this dog breed by creating a hybrid between a dog and a wolf, intending to build the hunting ability of wolves. This was a Finnish Lapphund Pomeranian mix with the best attributes of each breed.

The Finnish Lapphund is stronger and bigger and is ideal for yard and farm living. He’s sturdy, athletic, and energetic and is a reliable dog for families, especially those with children.

This dog is nearly twice as big as a Pomeranian, and their similarities include a fluffy coat, a curled tail, perky, small ears, and a triangular foxy face.

Their differences include straighter, longer fur, and a calmer attitude. They love plenty of human interaction, as well as plenty of energetic playing.

Tibetan Spaniel

Tibetan Spaniel
Tibetan Spaniel

The Tibetan Spaniel originates in Tibet and can easily cope with the extremely cold weather that exists there. He’s actually not a Spaniel. The reality is that he’s a toy dog breed and bears a striking resemblance to the Pomeranian.

Even though he’s small, he’s alert, active and highly energetic. He’s also devoted to his owners and is courageous, making him an excellent watchdog.

The Tibetan Spaniel easily adapts to extremely cold weather.

Long-Haired Chihuahua

Long-Haired Chihuahua
Long-Haired Chihuahua

This Long-Haired Chihuahua is a very small toy dog, originally from Mexico. He’s a devoted dog who, despite his size, is courageous and fiercely protective of his family. He’s aloof and reserved when strangers are around. He’s an intelligent dog and can be easily trained. However, because he’s easy to provoke, he’s not the ideal dog for home owners who have small children.

This is the only toy dog that’s a bit smaller than a Pomeranian. He can adapt to humid, warm weather.

A Chihuahua usually wouldn’t resemble a Pomeranian, but if it’s a Long-Haired Chihuahua, then you’ll notice a few similarities.

 His coat is a lot thinner, regardless of whether he has one or two coats, as the fur hugs his body. His legs and body are leaner and you may even think he’s a Pomeranian experiencing the “puppy uglies.”

Samoyed

Samoyed
Samoyed

The Samoyed is a medium–large size herding dog that resembles a Spitz dog, originally from the harsh Siberian section of Russia.

He’s a strong, intelligent, hardy animal, an excellent working dog, and a great companion. His name is derived from the Samoyedic people in Siberia, who trained this creature to hunt for reindeer.


The giant Samoyed resembles a Spitz, and he can live in harsh cold weather.

The Samoyed resembles the fluffy Pomeranian dog, with his wedge-shaped face and incredibly fluffy coat. This breed is more accepting of humans, and that also includes strangers and will demonstrate his incredibly friendly personality to everyone.

The Pomsky

The Pomsky is a cross between two dog breeds: a Pomeranian and a Husky. What you end up with is a dog with special Husky colors. The Pomeranian’s personality is dominant in this dog, so he’s full of attitude and energy.

He’s also very affectionate, and that comes from both breeds. Pomskies are nearly always bred by artificial insemination due to the different sizes of both dogs. This is because natural breeding would likely be unsafe.

Schipperke

Schipperke
Schipperke

The Schipperke originated in Belgium and is another dog that resembles a fox, as the Pomeranian does. One major difference is that his coat is only one color – black. The hair is also much shorter than a Pom, so he can’t be called a fur ball. In a way, he looks like a Pomeranian, but with a trimmed solid black coat.

The Schipperke often keeps his winning puppy personality for a couple of years, so be prepared for plenty of puppy mischief because he makes the perfect pet.

Papillon

Papillon
Papillon

The Papillon looks a little like a young Pomeranian with a fox face before his full adult coat growing in. This dog is nicknamed “Pappy” and is similar in height and weight to a Pomeranian. There are also a few differences. His coat is single, silky, and always parti-colored. His big ears have fringes and stand up.

A Pomeranian has a dense double coat that can be one or a mix of colors and/or patterns. His ears are smaller and triangular in shape.

Because the Papillon dog is similar to Pomeranian attributes, some breeders like to mix both dogs to create a “designer dog” with the nickname “Paperanian.” It’s unlikely that any kennel club would officially accept such a hybrid dog.

Japanese Chin

Japanese Chin
Japanese Chin

The Japanese Chin may be mistaken for an older Japanese Pomeranian if you don’t look at his face. His coat is flatter than a young Pomeranian. Despite his name, the Japanese Chin originally came from China.

The fur of this dog never has solid colors. Instead, the colors are either tri or parti-colors. Looking at his face, it’s obvious he’s not a Pomeranian.

The Japanese Chin is a brachycephalic breed, as is the (Asian) Pomeranian, two of over a dozen dog breeds. The word means “short head” and covers several descriptive features.

Pomeranians and other dogs that meet the brachycephalic breed requirements have short noses and flat faces that look squished inwards or flattened. These features can make it difficult for the dog to breathe properly.

Dogs That Look Like Pomeranians Conclusion

Pomeranians are an incredible breed for so many reasons. As mentioned, it means they’re always in demand and get snapped up by breeders and trainers and show people long before the general public gets a chance.

Good luck if you have your heart set on a Pomeranian, and nothing else will do. However, if you’re flexible and get a dog that suits your personality and needs, perhaps one or more of the dogs in this article will tempt you. You’ll likely get a dog much faster with an open mind.

Bear in mind, always do your due diligence when considering any dog because plenty of scammers are keen to take your money and give you nothing in return. Ask questions, and if the answers aren’t satisfactory, consider trying elsewhere.

Copyright Pomeranian.org. All Rights Reserved.

Dogs That Look Like Pomeranians
Dogs That Look Like Pomeranians

References and Further Reading:
[1] Official Standard of the Pomeranian (AKC). American Kennel Club, 2011.
[2] English Kennel Club Pomeranian Breed Standard, 2017.
[3] Denise Leo, The Pomeranian Handbook.
[4] Milo G. Denlinger “The Complete Pomeranian.”
[5] Kimbering Pomeranians “1891-1991”.
[6] William Taplin’s “The Sportsman’s Cabinet.”
[7]  E. Parker “The Popular Pomeranian.”
[8] Lilla Ives “Show Pomeranians.”

 

 

 

 

dogs that look like pomeranians
Dogs that look like Pomeranians

About

Dochlaggie

Pomeranians are my passion, and I have shared my life with these darling little dogs for many decades. The creator and face behind this website is published author and Pomeranian breed authority Denise Leo of Dochlaggie Pomeranians.

Denise Leo
Denise Leo