| Chihuahua | Pomeranian | |
|---|---|---|
| Lifespan | 14-16 years | 12-16 years |
| Size | Toy | Toy |
| Weight | 3-6 lb | 3-7 lb |
| Energy | Moderate | Moderate |
| Grooming | Low | High |
| Shedding | Moderate | High |
| With kids | Not ideal for young kids | Not ideal for young kids |
Chihuahuas are genuinely fragile, with thin, easily broken leg bones and, in some dogs, a soft spot in the skull that can persist into adulthood, and despite the tiny, portable image they are one of the most surrendered breeds in American shelters, not a low-commitment accessory.
Under that huge coat is a genuinely fragile three-to-seven-pound dog with a real risk of a collapsing windpipe, a slipping kneecap, and dental disease that starts young, not the low-maintenance lap ornament the coat photos suggest.
Chihuahua ·
Pomeranian
Health problems, origin and what living with each is actually like.