While breeding and selling Pomeranians, I’ve encountered more than a few amusing situations where clients brought in an adult dog weighing nearly 7 kg (15.4 lb) and insisted it was a Pom. If you love Pomeranians, you’ve probably seen photos of “Poms” weighing over 5 kg (11 lb), with long muzzles, droopy coats, tall legs — and most of these “Poms” are white.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but with those characteristics, your dog carries more Japanese Spitz blood than Pomeranian. So how do you tell whether your dog is a Pomeranian or a Japanese Spitz?

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What Is a Japanese Spitz?

Japanese Spitz dog with white fluffy coat

The Japanese Spitz is a companion dog in the Spitz family, originating from Japan. They have snow-white coats accented by three black dots — the eyes and nose — giving them a perpetually smiling expression.

Around 1920, larger Spitz dogs were brought into Japan via Siberia and northeastern China. By 1936, the Japanese continued importing larger Spitz from Canada, the United States, Australia, and China to refine their breed. Today’s Japanese Spitz is a loyal house dog that bonds closely with people, enjoys being near their owners, doesn’t make excessive noise, and doesn’t bark unnecessarily — traits that have made them increasingly popular.

Distinguishing Japanese Spitz from Pomeranian

Pomeranians originated in Germany, while Japanese Spitz came from Japan. Compared to the Japanese Spitz, Pomeranians have a body length about 6 cm (2.4 in) shorter and weigh up to 6 kg (13.2 lb) less. Both breeds have similar lifespans.

Pomeranian

Pomeranians are sweet, cheerful little dogs with small, bright faces and a slightly aristocratic personality. They weigh 1.5–4 kg (3.3–8.8 lb) on average and stand 17–28 cm (6.7–11 in) tall.

The Pom’s coat is thick and fluffy, covering the body evenly like a cotton ball. Coat colors are highly diverse — the most common are brown, red, orange, white, and black-and-tan. The tail fans out and folds flat against the back. The ideal body frame is square in proportion, with a short back and broad chest.

Japanese Spitz

The Japanese Spitz is a small to medium-sized dog, noticeably larger than the Pomeranian. They stand 25–38 cm (9.8–15 in) tall in both males and females, and weigh 5–10 kg (11–22 lb) on average. The coat is thick and white. This breed has a pointed muzzle, erect ears, and a tail that curls over the back.

Why the Vietnamese Market Gets Confused

In Vietnam’s current market, Chinese traders still flood the country with Japanese Spitz and sell them to customers as Pomeranians at low prices. It’s easy to see why: Japanese Spitz are easier to breed and produce far more puppies per litter than Poms. A Japanese Spitz can have up to 8 puppies, while a Pomeranian typically has only 2–4.

To avoid spending time, affection, and effort raising a dog you proudly think is a Pomeranian, only to be shocked when it grows up and turns out to be a Japanese Spitz, equip yourself with solid knowledge about Pomeranians and seek out reputable pet shops or breeding kennels.

I love Pomeranians deeply — for their captivating beauty, the innocent sweetness in their faces, and their incredibly endearing personalities. I want to share this with everyone who loves Poms, so you can experience those wonderful moments with a true Pomeranian — and so the gene pool of this remarkable breed, brought here by pioneering breeders, doesn’t get diluted with Japanese Spitz. I hope you find your perfect Pom.