Pomeranian or Welsh Springer Spaniel? On paper they differ most on apartment suitability, and on the scales Welsh Springer Spaniel is the heavier at 35–55 lbs. Here is how the two compare on everything that shapes an ordinary week.
This is for someone already down to Pomeranian and Welsh Springer Spaniel and deciding between them. For this pair the decision usually turns on apartment suitability, so those are covered first and in most detail. Anyone choosing from a flat has a clear answer here: Pomeranian rates 5/5 against 2/5. Breed history is left out; what follows is what you will actually live with.
Between Pomeranian and Welsh Springer Spaniel, apartment suitability is what separates them, and Pomeranian is the lower-effort dog of the two to keep.
Choose Pomeranian if you are in a flat or a smaller home, your walking routine is modest and a smaller dog suits your car, your home or your back.
Choose Welsh Springer Spaniel if you do not want a standing grooming appointment, shedding is a problem in your house and there are young children at home.
| Feature | pomeranian | welsh springer spaniel | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size class | small | medium | Equal |
| Weight | 3–7 lbs | 35–55 lbs | Equal |
| Height | 8–11 in | 17–19 in | Equal |
| Lifespan | 12–16 years | 12–15 years | pomeranian |
| Exercise need | Moderate (3/5) | High (4/5) | pomeranian |
| Grooming need | High (4/5) | Moderate (3/5) | welsh springer spaniel |
| Shedding | High (4/5) | Moderate (3/5) | welsh springer spaniel |
| Energy level | High (4/5) | High (4/5) | Equal |
| Barking | High (4/5) | Moderate (3/5) | welsh springer spaniel |
| Apartment suitability | Very high (5/5) | Low (2/5) | pomeranian |
| Good for first-time owners | Moderate (3/5) | Moderate (3/5) | Equal |
| Tolerates being alone | Low (2/5) | Low (2/5) | Equal |
| Trainability | Moderate (3/5) | High (4/5) | welsh springer spaniel |
| Good with kids | Moderate (3/5) | High (4/5) | welsh springer spaniel |
| Good with other dogs | Moderate (3/5) | High (4/5) | welsh springer spaniel |
| Friendly to strangers | Low (2/5) | Moderate (3/5) | welsh springer spaniel |
| Cost level | Moderate (3/5) | Moderate (3/5) | Equal |
| Coat | Double coat, fluffy | Medium, straight and water-resistant | Equal |
| Origin | Germany/Poland | Various | Equal |
| Typical monthly cost | $80–$150 | $100–$200 | Equal |
| Typical first-year cost | $1,200–$2,200 | $1,400–$2,900 | Equal |
The Welsh Springer Spaniel sits squarely in medium territory, 35-55 lbs and 17-19 inches, built more like a compact sporting dog than anything toy-sized. Against the Pomeranian's 3-7 lbs and 8-11 inches, it's roughly seven to ten times heavier at a comparable — if slightly taller — height.
The Welsh Springer rates high (4/5) for exercise need against the Pomeranian's moderate (3/5), with energy level tying at high (4/5) for both. As a sporting breed developed to flush and retrieve game, it wants purposeful activity, not just a lap around the block.
Grooming effort favors the Welsh Springer slightly, moderate (3/5) against the Pomeranian's high (4/5), and shedding follows the same pattern, moderate (3/5) against high (4/5). Its medium, water-resistant coat needs regular brushing but doesn't mat the way a Pomeranian's fluffier double coat can.
Apartment suitability favors the Pomeranian by a wide margin, very high (5/5) against the Welsh Springer's low (2/5) — a space and exercise issue more than a noise one, since barking actually favors the Welsh Springer, moderate (3/5) against the Pomeranian's high (4/5). Both breeds tolerate being alone poorly, tied at low (2/5).
The Welsh Springer rates high (4/5) for trainability against the Pomeranian's moderate (3/5), and both land at moderate (3/5) for first-time owners — an even score despite the training gap, since the Welsh Springer's exercise needs raise the bar for a beginner even as its trainability lowers it.
The Welsh Springer edges the Pomeranian across every household-fit measure: high (4/5) with kids versus moderate (3/5), high (4/5) with other dogs versus moderate (3/5), and moderate (3/5) friendliness to strangers versus the Pomeranian's low (2/5) — though its reserved-with-strangers temperament tag suggests that moderate score comes with some genuine caution built in, not indiscriminate friendliness.
Lifespans run close, 12-16 years for the Pomeranian against 12-15 for the Welsh Springer. Hypothyroidism is the one shared risk between the two health lists; the Welsh Springer's list otherwise centers on hip dysplasia, ear infections (a common issue for its long, low-set ears), epilepsy, and glaucoma.
Monthly costs run $100-$200 for the Welsh Springer against $80-$150 for the Pomeranian, with first-year totals at $1,400-$2,900 versus $1,200-$2,200 — a modest gap, in line with breeds of similar size.
Pomeranian weighs 3–7 lbs and lives 12–16 years; Welsh Springer Spaniel weighs 35–55 lbs and lives 12–15 years. The two diverge most on apartment suitability. They are level on tolerates being alone, cost level and energy level, so those cannot decide it. The comparison marks an easier option only where one exists. Facts like weight and country of origin are not scored. Both dogs are rated from the same dataset, which is what makes the numbers comparable with each other even though any individual dog sits somewhere inside its breed's range.
35-55 lbs and 17-19 inches — a true medium-sized sporting dog, roughly seven to ten times the weight of a 3-7 lb Pomeranian.
The Welsh Springer, rated moderate (3/5) for barking against the Pomeranian's high (4/5) — a modest gap, but a real one if noise is a concern.
Yes — rated high (4/5) against the Pomeranian's moderate (3/5), consistent with its background as a family-friendly sporting breed.
Not ideally — it rates low (2/5) for apartment suitability, against the Pomeranian's very high (5/5), driven mainly by its exercise needs.
The Welsh Springer runs $100-$200 a month versus the Pomeranian's $80-$150 — a gap of about $20-$50.
Hypothyroidism is the one overlap. The Welsh Springer's list also flags ear infections, a common issue tied to its long, low-set ears, along with epilepsy and glaucoma.
The Welsh Springer, rated moderate (3/5) against the Pomeranian's high (4/5) — not a dramatic gap, but noticeable if you're comparing coat maintenance.
The Welsh Springer leads on trainability and household fit and is only moderately more demanding to exercise, making it a solid all-around choice if you have the space; the Pomeranian remains the better fit for tight apartments.
$100-$200 for the Welsh Springer, $80-$150 for the Pomeranian.
The Welsh Springer needs high (4/5) exercise; the Pomeranian's moderate (3/5) need is easier to fit around a typical workday.
Close either way — 12-16 years for the Pomeranian, 12-15 for the Welsh Springer.
Health information here is general and is not veterinary advice. If your dog shows pain, sudden behaviour change, or worsening symptoms, consult a licensed veterinarian.
Some links on this site are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you, and we only suggest products we believe are helpful for dog owners.
Match your lifestyle to the right dog.
Take quizNot sure which breed is right for you? Take our 2-minute quiz to find out.
Take the quiz