How to Tell a Pomeranian From an American Eskimo

Both members of the Spitz family, the American Eskimo and the Pomeranian come from very different origins. The older of the two breeds, Pomeranians were first bred in Germany in the 1800s. American Eskimos, as the name would suggest, originated in the United States in the 1900s. There are similarities between the two breeds, such as the double coat and curled tail typical of the Spitz family. They are, however, two distinctive breeds and aren't difficult to tell apart.

Instructions

    • 1

      Judge the size of the dog. Pomeranians weigh an average of 3 to 7 pounds, and stand 8 to 11 inches high. They are considered a toy breed by the American Kennel Club (AKC). Eskimos, on the other hand, weigh 20 to 40 pounds and can stand up to 19 inches. They are a medium-sized breed.

    • 2

      Look at the dog's color. By AKC standards, American Eskimos should be white. Some may have traces of cream in them. Pomeranians are a light tan or rusty red, and sometimes have black and cream markings.

    • 3

      Observe the dog's temperament. Pomeranians and Eskimos are both lively breeds, but Eskimos tend to save their energy for the outdoors, especially when it's cold. Pomeranians don't do well in cold weather. Eskimos also tend to be friendly with everyone, strangers and other animals included, where Pomeranians can be shy and reserved around strangers, dogs or other pets.