08/10/2026
Since I breed both toy poodles and pomeranians, several people have asked the differences between the two, so I put this together to help explain:
Toy Poodles and Pomeranians can both be tiny, affectionate companion dogs, but their personalities, coats, and day-to-day care can feel surprisingly different.
Toy Poodle (listed first) VS Pomeranian (listed second)
Typical personality:
Very intelligent, people-focused, sensitive, eager to please
Bold, curious, confident, comical, often thinks they’re much bigger than they are
Training:
Usually extremely easy to train and quick to understand routines
Very intelligent too, but can be more independent and opinionated
Energy:
Playful and active but usually settles nicely with its person
Energetic, busy and often constantly investigating what everyone is doing
Affection:
Often deeply attached to one or several people and loves cuddling
Very affectionate but may also have a more outgoing, “I run this house” personality
Barking:
Can be alert barkers but are generally easier to train for quiet behavior
Naturally very alert and often more vocal; many Poms love announcing everything
Coat:
Curly, continuously growing coat that sheds very little
Thick double coat with a soft undercoat and longer outer coat; does shed
Grooming:
Requires regular professional grooming/haircuts, usually every 4–8 weeks
Requires regular brushing and coat maintenance, but does not require the same type of full haircut as a Poodle
Allergies:
Often better tolerated by people with dog allergies, although no breed is truly hypoallergenic
Generally not the better choice for someone sensitive to dog hair/dander
Appearance:
Elegant, curly-coated and can be groomed into many different styles, including the popular teddy-bear look
Fluffy, fox-like face, tiny ears and a beautiful plume tail carried over the back
Typical size:
Toy Poodles are 10 inches or under at the shoulder; many are around 4–8 lbs
Usually around 3–7 lbs
Children:
Often wonderful family dogs when children understand how to handle a tiny dog
Can also be wonderful with children, but their tiny size and sometimes feisty nature require supervision
Other pets:
Frequently adaptable with dogs, cats and other animals
Usually social but can be surprisingly bossy with other dogs
Watchdog personality:
Alert and observant
Excellent little alarm system—Poms tend to notice absolutely everything
Overall vibe:
“Smart little best friend who wants to understand what you want.”
“Tiny fluffy comedian with a huge personality and absolutely no idea how small they are.”
One of the biggest differences is the coat. A Toy Poodle's hair continues growing and needs clipping, while a Pomeranian has a true double coat that sheds and should generally be maintained rather than routinely shaved down.
The other major difference is personality. Toy Poodles tend to be exceptionally trainable and tuned into their owners. Pomeranians are also very smart, but they often have a little more sass and independence. They are famous for their puppy shenanigans and can be incredibly entertaining.
Both breeds can make wonderful companions. Someone wanting very little shedding, easy training and a highly people-oriented dog may lean toward a Toy Poodle. Someone who loves a fluffy coat, a bold personality and a hilarious little dog with tons of character may fall in love with a Pomeranian.
And, of course, these are general breed tendencies—each puppy has its own individual temperament.
