I always had this soft spot for Pomeranians dog breed. There is just something about that fluffy fur ball , those cute pointy little ears, and those tiny adorable foxy faces that just puts me in awe every single time I see them.
As someone who spent way too much time comparing small dog breeds, I started noticing how many other spitz type dogs look like they could be related to the Pomeranian breed. And to be honest, Some of them have such a strong resemblance that surprises even experienced dog lovers.
Where do Pomeranians Come From?
Before getting into the lookalikes, a little context helps.
Standard Pomeranians in the late 1700s were significantly larger than the toy dog breed we know today. They trace back to larger spitz breeds from Central Europe — working dogs built for cold weather and hard terrain.
Queen Victoria famously fell in love with the smaller versions and helped popularize the compact, fluffy look that defines the breed today. The American Kennel Club now recognizes Pomeranians as one of the most popular small breeds in the United States — and that popularity has only grown since.
What makes them stand out beyond their physical appearance is their personality. Intelligent dogs with a bold spirit, fierce loyalty, and an affectionate nature that fills a room despite their small size. They sometimes behave like guard dogs in a toy breed body — and honestly that contrast is part of their charm.
The Iconic Thick Double Coat
What I love most about Pomeranian dogs is probably their thick double coat. It gives them that dramatic, luxurious fluffy look, even though they’re relatively cute tiny little dogs that can sit comfortably on your lap in the living room.
Yet fun fact, that same fluffy coat also connects them to other spitz heritage breeds that were originally built for cold weather and harsh climates.
Spitz Type Breeds That Look Like Pomeranians
Most of the breeds on this list share spitz heritage with the Pomeranian. But one of them is not just related, it is the direct parent breed the Pomeranian was developed from.
1. German Spitz
The German Spitz is not just similar to a Pomeranian, it is the direct parent breed the Pomeranian was developed from.
Brought to the Pomerania region of Central Europe centuries ago, the smaller versions of these dogs eventually became what we now call the Pomeranian. The resemblance is obvious for good reason. Same thick double coat, same foxy face, same erect ears and confident posture — just in a slightly larger frame depending on the variety.
If the Pomeranian is the pocket version, the German Spitz is the original.
2. Japanese Spitz
If you have ever seen a Japanese Spitz in person you understand why they top this list.
Their white coat is extraordinary — dense, cloud-like, and somehow always clean looking. Their physical characteristics mirror the Pomeranian almost exactly: erect ears, expressive eyes, foxy faces, and that same proud upright posture.
The main difference is size. Japanese Spitz dogs are noticeably larger than Pomeranians but still compact enough to be comfortable apartment dogs. They share the same affectionate nature, love being close to their people, and make great companions for pet parents who want that Pomeranian look in a slightly bigger frame.
Their spitz heritage is unmistakable and their friendly nature makes them one of the easiest breeds on this list to live with day to day.
3. Keeshond
The Keeshond is another direct member of the German Spitz family and one of the most visually distinctive breeds on this list.
Their thick double coat comes in a striking grey and black combination, and those famous spectacle markings around the eyes give them an expression that is completely their own. They are noticeably larger than a Pomeranian but the spitz heritage is unmistakable in every feature, the erect ears, the foxy face, the proud upright posture.
A bigger, grey, slightly more serious Pomeranian. That is the Keeshond in one sentence.
4. Shiba Inu
The Shiba Inu shares the same spitz-type dogs ancestry and it shows immediately.
Those almond-shaped eyes, erect ears, and thick double coat are all classic spitz traits. Their foxy faces and confident posture give them a look that immediately reminds most people of a Pomeranian — just scaled up considerably.
The biggest difference is temperament and exercise needs. Shiba Inus are independent, strong-willed, and need significantly more physical activity than a Pomeranian. They are not as openly affectionate and take more patience to train.
Fun fact: Shiba Inus were originally bred as hunting dogs in Japan, which explains that focused, alert energy they never quite switch off.
5. American Eskimo Dog
The American Eskimo Dog is one of those breeds that surprises people every time.
They come in toy, miniature, and standard sizes — which means some of them sit very close to Pomeranian territory in terms of small size. Their thick double coat, expressive eyes, and bold personality make them instantly recognizable as spitz breeds.
American Eskimo Dogs are among the most intelligent dogs on this list. They thrive on mental stimulation, training challenges, and close attention from their families. Leave them bored and they will find their own entertainment — which is rarely what you had in mind.
Their physical appearance is striking. That white coat and fox-like face draws attention everywhere they go. They are excellent with families and adapt well to different living situations as long as their exercise needs are genuinely met.
6. Eurasier
Developed in Germany by crossing the Chow Chow, Keeshond, and Samoyed, the Eurasier is essentially a medium sized spitz dog that inherited the best visual traits from all three.
That thick double coat, foxy face, and erect ears make the Pomeranian connection immediately obvious. They are calm, deeply loyal, and one of the most affectionate breeds on this entire list. Considerably larger than a Pomeranian but unmistakably from the same family.
7. Finnish Spitz
The Finnish Spitz is essentially a Pomeranian stretched into a medium-sized frame.
Those sharp foxy faces and solid colors (typically a warm golden red) are immediately familiar. Their erect ears, thick coats, and alert expression all point directly to shared spitz heritage.
They were originally bred as hunting dogs in Finland, which means their exercise needs are considerably higher than a Pomeranian’s. They are vocal, energetic, and deeply loyal to their families but they need owners who can match their energy and give them proper care and genuine physical activity every day.
8. Finnish Lapphund
If dramatic fluff is what you are after, the Finnish Lapphund delivers.
Originally bred for herding reindeer in cold climates, their thick double coat puts even the Pomeranian’s impressive coat in perspective. Their body shape is more robust and athletic, built for work rather than lap time.
Finnish Lapphunds are gentle, intelligent, and highly adaptable. Their spitz heritage shows in their erect ears and facial features, and their affectionate nature makes them wonderful family dogs. The biggest difference from a Pomeranian is their exercise needs — these are working dogs at heart and they need to move.
9. Norwegian Elkhound
The Norwegian Elkhound is one of the oldest ancient breed lines on this list.
Their thick coats, erect ears, and confident bearing connect them clearly to the same spitz-type dogs family. They are significantly larger than Pomeranians and were historically used as sled dogs and hunting companions in Scandinavia.
Size differences aside, the shared DNA is visible. The same weather-resistant thick double coat, the same alert expression, the same independent spirit that runs through all spitz breeds.
10. Icelandic Sheepdog
The Icelandic Sheepdog is a good choice for anyone drawn to the Pomeranian look but wanting something with more athleticism and working dog energy.
Their erect ears, thick double coat, and facial features all speak to deep spitz heritage. They are cheerful, social, and form strong bonds with their families — genuinely affectionate dogs that love being involved in everything happening around them.
Their physical characteristics are more athletic than the Pomeranian and their exercise needs reflect their herding origins. But in terms of appearance and common traits, the resemblance is undeniable.
11. Volpino Italiano
The Volpino Italiano is a rare breed that most people have never heard of until they see one next to a Pomeranian.
The resemblance is almost uncanny. Same compact body shape, same luxurious coats, same foxy faces and bright expressive eyes. They come in solid colors including white and red and their physical appearance is so close to a Pomeranian that even experienced dog lovers do a double take.
They are affectionate dogs with a lively, playful energy — genuinely wonderful companions for those who want the Pomeranian look in something a little less common. A Pomeranian share of personality traits is very much present here.
12. Swedish Vallhund
The Swedish Vallhund is one of the more unexpected entries on this list.
At first glance the herding dog body shape does not scream Pomeranian. But look closer at the erect ears, the thick coats, and the alert facial features and the spitz heritage becomes clear. They are low to the ground and sturdy — more Corgi-like in body shape — but the ancestral connection to spitz breeds from Central Europe is well documented.
13. Chow Chow
The Chow Chow sits at the more surprising end of this list — but the connection is real.
Their thick double coat and erect ears tie them to the same ancient spitz heritage. The biggest difference is temperament and body shape. Chow Chows are significantly larger, considerably more reserved with strangers, and carry a serious expression that could not be further from the Pomeranian’s animated face.
Chow Chows were historically used as guard dogs. A far cry from the pampered toy breed life most Pomeranians enjoy. But underneath those beautiful coats the shared ancestry is undeniable.
14. Harzer Fuchs
Also called the Harz Fox, this rare German breed from the Harz mountain region is considered one of the closest living ancestors of the modern Pomeranian. The thick double coat in fox red or golden sable, the erect ears, the foxy face — the resemblance is unmistakable. Just in a medium sized frame rather than a toy one.
They are gentle, loyal, and deeply affectionate. Everything you would expect from a breed this closely connected to Pomeranian dogs.
The catch? They are nearly extinct. Breeding programs exist almost exclusively in Germany and finding one outside Europe is exceptionally rare.
Fluffy But Not Spitz
Not every Pomeranian look alike shares the same ancestry.
Bichon Frise and Shih Tzu both carry that fluffy cloud-like appearance that draws immediate comparisons. But their silky coat and long coat textures are completely different from the thick double coat of a true spitz breed. Their facial features are softer, rounder, and less fox-like — and their body shape reflects entirely different breeding origins.
The long-haired Chihuahua is another breed that comes up in these conversations. Similar small size, similar energy — but without the dense undercoat that gives Pomeranian dogs their signature puffed-out silhouette.
The Shetland Sheepdog or Sheltie is another breed that draws constant Pomeranian comparisons despite coming from completely different origins. That flowing thick double coat, the delicate foxy face, the erect ears and expressive eyes give them a look that stops people in the same way a Pomeranian does.
Health, Grooming, and What to Know Before Choosing
Pomeranian dogs come with some health issues worth knowing about. Low blood sugar is a concern in very small dogs, and regular grooming is non-negotiable if you want to keep that fluffy coat in good condition — several times a week at minimum without exception.
The same applies to most breeds on this list. Thick coats and luxurious coats require consistent close attention and proper care to stay healthy and mat-free.
Whether you are choosing a purebred dog or a Pomeranian mix, genetics matter significantly. Research your breeder carefully. Ask about health testing. A responsible breeder makes an enormous difference in the long-term health and temperament of any small breeds dog.
Final Thoughts
What connects every breed on this list, from the Japanese Spitz to the Chow Chow to the Icelandic Sheepdog — is a shared ancestry in spitz breeds built for cold climates, hard work, and close partnership with people.
Pomeranian dogs distilled all of that history into a toy breed that fits in a living room and follows you from room to room with absolute devotion. Their breed’s adaptability, their affectionate nature, and that unmistakable fluffy coat make them genuinely one of a kind.
But if you are drawn to that look and that spirit — there is a whole family of breeds waiting to be discovered. Every one of them carries a little piece of the same bold history in a different-sized frame.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is the smallest dog that looks like a Pomeranian?
The Volpino Italiano comes closest in size while still maintaining that distinctive Pomeranian look. The long-haired Chihuahua also draws comparisons in terms of small size but lacks the thick double coat that defines the true spitz look.
Are Pomeranians related to Chow Chows?
Yes — both trace back to ancient spitz type dogs from Central Europe and Asia. The shared ancestry shows in their thick double coats and erect ears. Beyond that the differences are significant. Chow Chows are much larger, considerably more reserved, and were historically working guard dogs rather than companion animals.
What is the difference between a Pomeranian and a Japanese Spitz?
The most obvious difference is size — Japanese Spitz dogs are noticeably larger. Both share a fluffy white coat, erect ears, and an affectionate personality. The Japanese Spitz also tends to be slightly calmer and less vocal than a Pomeranian.
What dog looks most like a Pomeranian?
The Japanese Spitz is the closest lookalike — same fluffy white coat, same foxy face, same erect ears and expressive eyes. The main difference is size. The Volpino Italiano is another almost identical match but is significantly rarer and harder to find.
What breeds are related to Pomeranians?
Pomeranians belong to the spitz family — a group of breeds that share common ancestry from Central Europe. Related breeds include the Japanese Spitz, American Eskimo Dog, Finnish Spitz, Norwegian Elkhound, Shiba Inu, Finnish Lapphund, Icelandic Sheepdog, Swedish Vallhund, and Chow Chow among others.
Is a Shiba Inu similar to a Pomeranian?
They share the same spitz heritage and many physical characteristics — erect ears, thick double coat, foxy face, and almond-shaped eyes. The biggest differences are size and temperament. Shiba Inus are significantly larger, more independent, and have much higher exercise needs than Pomeranians.
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