Pomeranian vs Chihuahua: a shrunk down spitz against the world's smallest breed

Both breeds weigh 2 to 3 kg and are among the smallest dogs recognized anywhere, but their backstories differ completely. The Pomeranian descends from much larger spitz sled and farm dogs of the Baltic region, shrunk dramatically during Queen Victoria's lifetime from show dogs of around 13 kg (30 lb) down to today's 1.4 to 3.2 kg standard. The Chihuahua's history traces to Mexico, likely linked to the Techichi, a small companion dog kept by the Toltecs and later the Aztecs, with no comparable history of once being a much larger breed.

Height differs a little too: the Pomeranian stands 18 to 24 cm, while the Chihuahua ranges a touch taller and more variable at 15 to 23 cm depending on build.

This is the clearest practical difference. The Pomeranian carries a thick double coat that stands away from the body, rated 4 for both shedding and grooming, needing a brush two or three times a week and daily during a heavy seasonal shed. The Chihuahua comes in smooth and long coated varieties, both rated a much lighter 2 for grooming, with the smooth coat needing only a weekly rub with a rubber mitt.

Anyone choosing based purely on grooming time should lean toward the Chihuahua, especially the smooth coated variety, while anyone who loves the fluffy spitz look should expect to commit real weekly time to the Pomeranian's coat.

Both breeds are bold well beyond their size and both bark a great deal, rated at the maximum for barking, alert to visitors, noises and anything unfamiliar near the door. The Chihuahua tends to bond even more intensely with a single chosen person and can be prickly with strangers without careful socialization, while the Pomeranian is generally a little more evenly sociable across the household.

Neither breed suits a home hoping for a quiet dog, and both need consistent, gentle training on a quiet cue rather than shouting, which many small dogs treat as an invitation to bark along.

The Chihuahua feels the cold especially sharply, rated at the very bottom of cold tolerance, and many owners fit a coat below about 10 degrees C (50 degrees F). The Pomeranian copes with cold considerably better thanks to its thick double coat, rated a moderate 4, though both breeds are fragile enough that falls, rough handling and overly enthusiastic children pose a real injury risk.

Both benefit from a harness rather than a collar, since pressure on the throat is a particular concern for toy breeds prone to a collapsing windpipe.

Both breeds share slipping kneecaps, dental disease and tracheal collapse as common concerns, and both are famously long lived for a dog. The Chihuahua often edges ahead here, commonly living 14 to 17 years against the Pomeranian's already impressive 12 to 16, making it one of the longest lived breeds of any size. The Pomeranian carries some additional specific risks, including heart problems such as patent ductus arteriosus and the hair loss condition alopecia X, which the Chihuahua does not share.

Both breeds do best with breeders who avoid producing the very smallest, so called teacup individuals, since extreme smallness in either breed is linked to more fragile bones and a higher risk of low blood sugar in puppies.

A 2.5 kg Pomeranian eats only about 40 to 60 g of dry food a day, similar to a 2.5 kg Chihuahua's 40 to 55 g, so feeding costs are essentially identical at this tiny scale and stay very low compared with any larger breed.

Grooming costs favor the Chihuahua clearly, since it needs no professional trims, while a Pomeranian owner who prefers the full fluffy look may want occasional professional grooming help during a heavy seasonal shed. Both rate at the top for apartment suitability and suit small city homes very well.