What is the difference between a Pomeranian and a German? Description of the breed and similarities

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Today, Spitz is very popular among dog owners. Their cute appearance and variety make it possible for everyone to choose a dog for themselves.

There are two types of Spitz (Pomeranian and German) that most dog lovers mistakenly consider to be the same breed. There is an opinion that the Pomeranian is the same as the German, only smaller. However, there are actually differences between these breeds.

Factor differences

Many believe that the division of Spitz into German and Pomeranian is based on their size. However, apart from this, their exterior is also significantly different.

In order to be able to distinguish between these two breeds, you need to know how the Pomeranian differs from the German in the following parameters:

• origin;
• name;
• size;
• head shape;
• wool cover;
• color;
• tail;
• front paws;
• number of teeth.

Based on the knowledge of these differences, one can easilydetermine which Spitz is Pomeranian and which is German.

History of the origin of the German Spitz

The roots of the German Spitz pedigree go back to the Stone Age. The formation of this breed took place against the background of natural conditions, which influenced the fact that strong and intelligent individuals have survived to this day. Experts in dog breeding believe that the ancestors of the German Spitz were the piled Spitz and the peat dog.

The ancient history of this breed of dog has led to the fact that it is currently the ancestor of many decorative breeds. Despite this, the original German Spitz were almost twice the size of their modern representatives.

It is known that earlier this breed was working and served as a guard. Later, German Spitz became interested in the appearance of the family of the monarchs of Germany, which became the reason for their great popularity - each representative of the nobility considered it his duty to get a dog of this breed. Thus, the German Spitz quickly won a place in European royal courts.

In addition to the fact that they have spread throughout Europe, work has begun to reduce their size. Thanks to selective selection in the 18th century, small Spitz bred began to act as pets. Large individuals, as before, continued to be used for hunting.

Origin of the Pomeranian

During the reign of Queen Victoria, German Spitz were imported into England. They were brought from Pomerania, which at that time washistorical region of Germany. Based on this, the Spitz began to be called Pomeranian. Dog breeders at the Royal Court of England continued to work on breeding this breed, which resulted in the development of a dog that differed from the German Spitz in small size, appearance and beautiful coat.

In the 20th century, the Pomeranian was brought to America. In the United States, breeding work continued to cross it with various breeds, as a result, miniature pets, known today as the Pomeranian, were bred. That is why the United States is considered the birthplace of this dog. After the work of American breeders, there were significant differences between the German and Pomeranian Spitz.

Currently, the breed bred in Europe is of the German type, and in the USA it is of the Pomeranian type.

Thus, the first difference between these breeds was their origin, since the formation of the German Spitz was due to natural selection, and the breeders bred the Pomeranians.

Breed name

As mentioned above, the Pomeranian owes its name to the German region - Pomerania. In the USA their name is shortened to simple pomeranian, they are also called in Canada and England. According to the FCI system, the Spitz were named according to their size. In the Russian Federation of cynologists, the names of breeds were given Russian-language counterparts:

• grossspitz is called big;
• Mittlespitz - medium;
• Kleinspitz - small;
• zwergspitz - miniature;
• keeshonda –wolf or wolfspitz.

In the RFC, the Pomeranian is not recognized as an independent breed and is classified as a miniature species. However, since the FCI is an official international organization, its standards are followed throughout the world and the Pomeranian is considered a separate breed.

Sizes

When looking at the representatives of these two breeds, it becomes obvious how the Pomeranian differs from the German, and above all it is the size.

German Spitz can grow up to 55 cm and weigh about 30 kg. Pomeranians, in turn, grow no higher than 22 cm at the withers. According to the American standard, the Pomeranian is allowed to be up to 28 cm tall. It weighs no more than 3.5 kg.

Thus, we can conclude that the height and weight of the Pomeranian and German are different. These differences make it easier for dog lovers to recognize these breeds.

After reading the description of the breed in the photo, you will clearly notice the differences between the Pomeranian and the German.

Colour Features

The Pomeranian has no clear standards regarding color. 9 colors are considered acceptable: red, orange, blue, white, blue and tan, cream, two-tone, chocolate, black and tan.

The color standard for German Spitz depends on their height. Wolf Spitz corresponds exclusively to the zone-gray color of the coat. Grossspitz have a more varied color: white, brown or black. Medium, small and miniaturebreeds can have white, orange, brown, cream and slate gray coats.

In cases of spotted Spitz, the base color should be white. Black, brown, orange or gray spots should be located mainly on the body. In orange colored dogs, the coat color should be uniform and in the middle of the color range.

In individuals with black color, the undercoat and guard hair should also be black. Marks of white or any other color are not allowed. Brown Spitz, like orange, should have a uniform color throughout the theme. White Spitz on the coat should not have yellowness, their color should be snow-white. Often, yellowness can appear on their ears, which is a violation of the international standard. The coat of the zoned gray dogs is silver gray with a black tailbone.

The difference between the German and Pomeranian in color is insignificant. The reason for this is their common roots. Therefore, when choosing a dog, you should not be guided by color differences in the description of the breeds of the German and Pomeranian Spitz.

Below in the photo you can see the color of the German and the orange.

Head

In the description of the German and Pomeranian breeds, there is also a difference in the size of the dog's head. If it is difficult to distinguish a German from an orange in height and color, then the differences in the structure of the head of representatives of these breeds are obvious.

Pomeranian-type dogs have small, pointed and fairly wide-set ears. muzzlethey are short with a clear transition to the forehead. Outwardly, they vaguely resemble little bear cubs. The woolen cover on the head of Pomeranians is similar in shape to a cap. Thick hair is also present on the cheeks.

German Spitz do not have such a cap, and a narrow muzzle (similar to a fox) is covered with smooth hair. The forehead line of the Germans is smoothed, gradually turning to the muzzle. The pointed ears are set close together.

Tail

Also, the Pomeranian differs from the German in its tail and its set. Pomeranian has a bushy tail. It is straight or semicircular and thrown over the back of the dog.

The tail of the German Spitz is located above the back and twists into a ring (maybe two rings).

In the photo, the differences between the German Spitz and the Pomeranian are clearly visible in the tail.

Wool

The coat of representatives of these breeds also has its own characteristics. In particular, the structure is different, which can be easily identified by running your hand over it.

Representatives of the Pomeranian type of Spitz have a double coat. The outer hair in it is completely absent or there is very little of it. The structure of wool resembles springs. The undercoat of these dogs is long and soft, requiring special care. It feels like a ball of cotton to the touch. It must be trimmed regularly, thereby giving a certain shape. In addition, Pomeranians need frequent bathing.

The Germans, like the Pomeranians, have a woolen coverconsists of outer hair and undercoat. However, their guard hairs are straight and longer, thanks to which it lies close to the body of the dog. Its ability to secrete a secret helps in cleaning the coat. Their undercoat is short and wavy, so they don't need as much grooming as the Pomeranian.

It is clearly seen in the photo how the Pomeranian Spitz differs from the German in a woolen cover.

Paw setting

Another difference between the Pomeranian and the German is the set of the front paws. In individuals belonging to the German breed, the pasterns of the forelimbs are located at an angle of 20 degrees to the surface on which the dog stands. Their American relatives set their front paws exceptionally perpendicular to the surface than the Pomeranian and differs from the German one.

Teeth

In addition to all of the above, German and Pomeranian Spitz differ in the number of teeth. The Germans are characterized by the presence of a full set of teeth, their number is 42. In Pomeranian dogs, the standards allow the absence of some premolars.

Next, you can see in the photo how the Pomeranian and German Spitz differ, if you pay attention to the teeth.

It is impossible to answer unequivocally which breed is better: Pomeranian or German. The reason for this is their common history of origin. Since they have common stages of development, internally they do not differ at all. Their differences are only in appearance.