Bichon Frise vs. Pomeranian: Which Breed to Get?

Looking like a child’s toy, bichons and Pomeranians are cute small breeds with plenty of love to give. They can be the perfect companion for families, and they are highly recommended as therapy dogs. Despite the small body, bichons and Pomeranians require lots of time and affection.

If you found yourself here, you are likely torn between these two breeds, trying to figure out which one to get. To help you with that, let’s take a detailed look at both so you can make a well-informed decision and get the right puppy for your needs and household.

Bichon Frise vs. Pomeranian: A Detailed Comparison

While no doubt both of these breeds are extremely cute, there are also significant differences between them. As such, let’s take a look at those first.

History

Bichons are believed to be native to Spain, while the Pomeranian is considered a German breed, coming from Pomerania, Germany. Pomeranian dogs were first recorded in 1764 and are thought to be descendants of the German Spitz dogs.

Bichons are believed to have been developed in Spain, although they were originally larger dogs. Later on, more trait development happened in France, leading to the bichon we’ve come to know and love. Many specialists associate them with the “barbichon” family, along with Maltese, Havanese, and Bolognese dogs.

Appearance

Bichons and Pomeranians are both small breeds. The Pomeranian pooch typically reaches about half the weight of a bichon, approximately 3 to 7 pounds, and about 7 to 12 inches in height. Pomeranians have a fluffy coat that can come in a wide variety of colors, including brown, gray, red, white, or black. They are lovely toy pups with a fox-like appearance and curling tail.

The small, puffy bichon often comes with a white or cream coat, black nose, and round eyes. The fur is dense and curly, giving them a cloud-like look. Bichons are low shedders, but they require lots of grooming and maintenance to be kept in good condition. Similarly, Pomeranians shed moderately compared to other breeds, but they do not require as much grooming effort as bichons.

Aging Profile

Pomeranians can be expected to live between 12 and 16 years, while bichons have a life expectancy of 12-15 years. As such, either of the two will typically be able to stay with your family for a long time.

Both breeds reach maturity at approximately one-year-old.

Temperament

Pomeranians and bichons love playing and are loyal, gentle, and highly affectionate towards their owner. Pomeranians are not very stranger-friendly, but bichons frises can quickly make friends with other humans and pets. If you have small kids, bichons are quite tolerant, unlike Pomeranians. Despite this, you should never leave your small kids and dogs unsupervised.

If you live in a small flat or have other household members, bichons might be more suitable as they occasionally bark, while Pomeranians are more vocal as they are highly protective of their territory. At the same time, bichons might also be ideal for houses with large gardens because they love exploring and walking around.

The Pomeranian’s behavior is as bright as its little face. The pooch is loving, loyal, and has a huge personality. You can easily teach it simple commands and has lots of love for its owners.

Keep in mind that none of these two breeds are happy when left alone during the day. As they love human interaction, they may easily suffer from separation anxiety, which can quickly turn into damaging behaviors. Pomeranians love being in the center of attention, and both breeds thrive on their connections with you or other family members. However, they can get spoiled when pampered too much, which makes them fearful or shy.

Early socialization is essential for both breeds. Pomeranians are more independent and love to protect their owners. In case of early signs of aggressivity, you need to start adequate pup training as this can become worse when understood as a cute attitude from your dog. Similarly, bichons can be pretty resilient and stubborn, so they might not be suitable for novice owners.

Intelligence

Pomeranians are very intelligent, so training can be quite smooth as long as you have experience. Once you turn your pup into a well-mannered member of your family, you can easily take it with you wherever you go. They are highly attached pups, so they will expect to follow you everywhere. Pomeranians are also good watchdogs, so they will alert you whenever strangers get close.

On a similar note, Bichons have an inquisitive, smart personality. Although stubborn, they can be trained with ease when you praise them and offer them treats. You should avoid negative cues as bichons’ little hearts can be easily broken, and they will stop responding to your requests.

Other Things to Consider

Both breeds are susceptible to eye problems, so they require frequent care. They might have to be taken to the vet if you suspect any issues or discomfort. Bichons are also prone to ear infections and skin problems, especially if their coat is not groomed well. As such, they can be fairly high maintenance.

Both breeds are quite active, and they will happily accept long walks or a fun ball game. Bichons are often characterized by short bursts of energy as they start running around the house. They can be quite fast, so agility trials might be a good option for them.

Pomeranians should not be kept in high heat and humidity. Unfortunately, overheating can lead to a heat stroke. When you take your pooch outside during the summer, you need to watch them closely and take them back inside as soon as you notice any signs of overheating. Poms should not be kept outdoors either. Due to their small appearance, they might be considered prey by wild animals, such as hawks, owls, eagles, and others.

It’s best not leave your Pomeranian outdoors unattended and be extremely watchful if there are any predatory birds where you live. In this case, make sure you stick close to your Pomeranian to discourage any wild animals from coming close to your pup.

Finally, you should also be watchful with your pup when going outdoors. Poms do not seem to realize their small, frail stature, so they often use a “big dog” attitude when communicating with other animals. For instance, they might attack or chase off a bigger dog if they perceive it as a threat or even jump from a very high place. You need to monitor your pup to make sure it doesn’t harm itself.

Bichon Frise vs. Pomeranian: Which Should You Get as a Pet?

Bichons are one of the best choices if you have other pets in your household or smaller kids. They can get along with both other dogs as well as cats with some training. However, you should never leave your pup unattended with young, very active, or noisy children. Pomeranians may be suitable for households without children or with older ones, but supervision and teaching your children how to behave with the pooch are still necessary.

Poms and bichons are also recommended as therapy dogs or as companions for senior citizens. Novice owners may want to consider a training professional regardless of the breed because they can both be quite stubborn. If you prefer a hypoallergenic dog, bichons are recommended as they do not shed much, although they require a robust grooming routine.

Pomeranians are cute, smaller pups that can easily brighten up your household. They are excellent watchdogs and love playing, so they can be ideal for both apartments and houses, as long as you don’t mind being alerted each time a stranger approaches you. They are highly protective, extremely intelligent, and you can even teach them a few simple commands by yourself. They are more suitable if you need a lower-maintenance dog, but they do shed more, so they might not suit people with severe allergies.

Summary

All in all, you should definitely consider bichons and Pomeranians if you want a fun toy breed. They are very intelligent and always eager to please you, playful, loyal, and will love your attention. Regardless of your choice, make sure you educate your pup and pay attention to any possible medical issues to ensure they live a long, happy life.

If you have plenty of free time, either of these pups will be the perfect addition to your family! Alternatively, you can also look at the bichon-a-ranian, a mix between bichon frise and pomeranian.

Considering Other Breeds Too?

See how bichon frise compares with: Beagle | Bolognese | Boston Terrier | Brussels Griffon | Cavachon | Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | Cavapoo | Chihuahua | Cockapoo | Coton de Tulear | French Bulldog | German Shepherd | Golden Retriever | Goldendoodle | Havanese | Labrador Retriever | Lhasa Apso | Maltese | Maltipoo | Papillon | Poochon | Poodle | Pug | Samoyed | Schnauzer | Scottish Terrier | Shetland Sheepdog | Shichon | Shih Tzu | West Highland Terrier | Yorkshire Terrier