Teacup Pomeranian vs Pomeranian: The Key Differences (With Pictures)

Is there anything cuter than a tiny, living, breathing ball of fluff? We don’t think so, which is probably why Pomeranians have consistently been in the top 15 registered American Kennel Club dog breeds over the last ten years. These exceptionally cute dogs may be small, but they have huge personalities, which is part of what draws people to them.

If you’re considering adopting a Pomeranian in the future, you might wonder if a Teacup Pomeranian or standard size Pom would be best for your needs. While these dogs are almost identical in personality, they do have their differences.

Keep reading to learn about the similarities and differences between Teacup Pomeranians and Pomeranians.

Visual Differences

At a Glance

Teacup Pomeranian Overview

Teacup Pomeranians aren’t actually a separate breed from standard-size Poms. These tiny pups are just like their normal-sized counterparts, except for the fact that they’ve been bred to be smaller. It used to be that teacup dogs were the result of two naturally tiny dogs that were bred together. Unfortunately, the popularity of teacup pups led breeders to resort to unethical tactics to create smaller and smaller dogs. This includes breeding runts and inbreeding, both of which can cause genetic issues and malformations.

Personality / Character

The Teacup Pomeranian is the ultimate lap dog. They are a people-pleasing and adorable breed with sweet and playful temperaments. Don’t let their small size fool you, though. Like their larger counterparts, the Teacup Pomeranian can sometimes be spunky and a bit feisty. They may be wary of strangers and tend to bark until you’ve had a chance to train them properly.

Teacup Pomeranians are full of energy, but at the same time love a good snuggle fest on the couch. They’re exceptionally loyal to their owners but may not be the best choice for families with small children. They are a fragile breed that needs to be treated gently.

Training

Like their larger counterparts, Teacup Pomeranians are intelligent little pups that love to please their humans. Basic training commands should be easy for your dog to learn, but the sooner you start training and socialization, the better. This is especially true when it comes to getting an early start on potty training. Also, because Teacup Poms have such small bladders, they may need to be let outside more often.

Health & Care

Teacup Pomeranians are exceptionally small, with most only reaching three pounds by the time they’re full grown. They are quite fragile and require special attention due to their tiny stature. Owners must be mindful of how they’re handling their dogs and be careful not to drop them. Their small bones can break easily, so it’s important to stay vigilant about your surroundings at all times.

Teacup dogs, in general, may be prone to certain health issues. According to PetMD, they may be more at risk of developing heart defects, hypoglycemia, seizures, respiratory problems, and collapsing trachea.

Owners of pint-sized Pomeranians need to be on top of their small dog’s feeding schedules, too. If these tiny pups miss even just one meal, their blood sugar levels could drop to dangerous levels. In addition, they have high metabolisms and can only eat small portions at a time, so stick to a regular, predictable feeding schedule as much as possible.

Suitable for:

Teacup Poms are a great dog breed for anyone looking for a fun, feisty, and loyal companion. However, because they are so fragile, they are best suited for families without small children.

Pomeranian Overview

Pomeranians are a toy breed, though they descended from much larger Spitz-type dogs. Poms became increasingly popular as companion pets during the 18^th century when royal owners began keeping them as pets. Queen Victoria had a particularly tiny Pomeranian, leading to the smaller variety becoming more popular. During her lifetime alone, the size of the breed decreased by half.

Personality / Character

Like their smaller teacup counterparts, standard-size Pomeranians make fun-loving and energetic companions. They’re very playful and love to be the center of attention. They are a very affectionate and loyal dogs and aren’t afraid to show their owners how much they love them with many kisses and face licks. Most Poms get along great with children, but supervision is necessary around young kids to ensure they don’t handle them too roughly.

This breed is very extroverted with a larger-than-life personality. They are highly curious and love to inspect new things in their space.

Training

Poms can be headstrong, which can make training a challenge. That said, they are highly intelligent and eager to learn. In addition, they respond well to clicker training and positive reinforcement, so with some time and patience, you could have a very well-trained pup.

Socialization is another vital piece of your dog’s development. Without proper socialization and training, unwanted behaviors like nipping, separation anxiety, and excessive barking can occur.

Health & Care

Though standard-size Pomeranians are larger than the teacup variety, they’re still very small dogs. Care must be taken to prevent any injuries.

According to PetMD, Pomeranians may be prone to several health conditions including hypoglycemia, dry eye, cataracts, distichiasis, collapsed trachea, and hip dysplasia. To reduce the risk of your pup developing hypoglycemia, ensure you’re feeding it at least twice or thrice daily.

You may want to talk to your vet about adding omega-3 fatty acids or joint supplements into your pup’s diet to prevent skin or joint issues.

Suitable for:

The standard-size Pomeranian is suitable for people looking for a loyal and affectionate companion. However, even though they’re larger than their teacup counterparts, they may not be the best fit for families with small children.

Which Breed Is Right for You?

Since Teacup Pomeranians and standard-size Pomeranians are genetically the same, you really can’t go wrong choosing either. The major difference is their size and some of the health conditions the pup may run into.

Consider your lifestyle and housing situation when deciding which size will work best for you. Who you share your home with can be a huge determining factor. People with small children shouldn’t opt for the teacup variety as they’re extremely fragile.

See Also: 

• Pomsky vs. Pomeranian: Choose the Right One For You

• Chow Chow Vs. Pomeranian: Breed Overview & Differences

Featured Image Credit: (L) Amy Devine, Shutterstock | (R) Trent Pickering, Unsplash