Are Pomeranians Two Different Breeds? Clearing Up the Confusion

The question “are there two different Pomeranian breeds?” is one of the most common we receive from people just starting to research this breed. The short answer: no, there is only one breed. Pomeranian, often shortened to Pom, is the internationally recognized name for this breed. However, the confusion surrounding this isn’t as simple as it appears.

Pomeranian: One Breed According to International Standards

According to the VKA (Vietnam Kennel Association) — the official organization managing purebred dogs in Vietnam and a member of the FCI (Fédération Cynologique Internationale) — Pomeranian is the internationally recognized name for this breed. Worldwide, this breed is registered exclusively as Pomeranian, belonging to the Spitz and Primitive types group, FCI classification number 97.

When you register a Pom’s pedigree with VKA, the breed is recorded as “Pomeranian” according to international standards. There is no difference in bloodline, appearance, or breed standards — these are simply different names for the same breed.

Why Does This Confusion Exist?

The problem lies here: many dog sellers without professional knowledge or clear pedigree documentation deliberately create a distinction between different names. They often claim that one name refers to mixed or unclear-origin Poms, while “Pomeranian” or “Pom” refers to purebred dogs.

This is a deliberate bait-and-switch tactic. The goal is to justify selling mixed-breed or undocumented dogs at lower prices while creating the impression that dogs called “Pomeranian” are more expensive and “premium.” In reality, the name doesn’t determine the breed — pedigree documentation and origin are what matter.

How to Distinguish Purebred Pomeranians from Mixed Breeds

Instead of relying on names, you need to look at these substantive factors:

Pedigree Documentation

This is the most important evidence. A purebred Pomeranian must have a pedigree certificate from VKA or international organizations like AKC (USA), KC (UK), or CKU (China). This documentation clearly lists the parents, grandparents, and previous generations, proving purebred lineage.

If the seller has no documentation, or only a self-written “guarantee letter,” then no matter what they call the puppy — Pomeranian, Pom, or anything else — you have no way to verify its origin.

Physical Appearance According to Breed Standards

Purebred Pomeranians have very clear physical characteristics according to FCI standards: wedge-shaped head with short muzzle (skull-to-muzzle ratio approximately 2:1), small erect ears set high, thick double coat with straight outer coat and soft undercoat, tail curled high over the back, and square body proportions (shoulder height nearly equal to body length).

Mixed breeds typically have longer muzzles, large droopy ears, sparse coat or missing undercoat, straight or slightly curved tail instead of tightly curled. However, for inexperienced buyers, visual identification is very difficult, especially when the dog is young.

Kennel Origin

Research the kennel where you plan to buy. Reputable kennels are typically VKA members, have transparent websites and social media, willingly show you the parents, and provide complete documentation. Bánh Bò Pomeranian has operated since 2012, specializing in FCI-standard Pomeranians with clear VKA pedigrees, and always provides full documentation for each puppy.

In contrast, sellers of unclear-origin dogs typically have no fixed address, won’t show the parents, and avoid questions about documentation.

Other Names for the Pomeranian Breed

Besides Pomeranian, this breed has several other names depending on language and region:

• Pom: Common English abbreviation for Pomeranian.
• 博美犬 (Bó Měi Quǎn): Chinese name, meaning “beautiful dog from Pomerania.”
• ポメラニアン (Pomeranian): Japanese name, transliterated from English.
• Dwarf Spitz or Zwergspitz: Names used in some European countries, meaning “dwarf Spitz.”

All these names refer to the same breed, recognized by FCI with unified breed standards worldwide.

Real Experience from Bánh Bò Pomeranian

In over 10 years of operation, we’ve encountered many cases of customers confused by misleading information in the market. Some have asked: “I see other places selling one type much cheaper than Pomeranian — which should I buy?” In reality, they’re comparing a mixed-breed dog of unclear origin with a purebred dog with documentation — two completely different things in terms of quality and value.

We’ve also seen cases where customers bought “cheap Poms” from unclear sources, only to find after raising them that the dog grew up looking nothing like a Pomeranian — long muzzle, sparse coat, much larger size than promised. By then, they realized they’d bought a mixed breed, but it was too late to get their money back or hold the seller accountable.

Advice When Buying a Pomeranian

To avoid buying mixed-breed or unclear-origin dogs, you should:

• Don’t rely on names to judge quality. Different names refer to the same breed.
• Research the kennel thoroughly: operating history, organizational memberships, willingness to show parents.
• Don’t focus only on price. A purebred Pom has high costs for breeding, care, vaccinations, and documentation — it cannot be sold as cheaply as mixed breeds.
• Ask clearly about health guarantees and post-sale support. Reputable kennels always provide lifetime consultation for your puppy.

Don’t Let Names Fool You

Pomeranian is a single breed with no variations. The confusion only exists because some sellers lack knowledge or deliberately create it to sell mixed breeds at lower prices. When choosing a Pom, focus on pedigree documentation, kennel origin, and physical standards — not names.

If you’re looking for a purebred Pomeranian with clear VKA/FCI pedigree, the Bánh Bò Pomeranian team is always ready to answer your questions. Chat with us on WhatsApp to see our puppies and their parents in person, and learn more about the international breeding standards we follow.