If you’ve started shopping for a Pomeranian and noticed that prices vary wildly depending on colour, you’re not imagining things. Some colours genuinely command a much higher price than others — sometimes double or more. The short answer is that rarity, breeding difficulty, and demand all drive the gap, and knowing which colours fall into which category can save you from overpaying or being misled by a seller.
What I’ve Noticed After Years With Sash
- Coat colour is one of the biggest factors affecting Pomeranian price, but it’s rarely explained clearly to buyers.
- Rare colours like merle, lavender, and pure white can cost significantly more than common shades like orange or orange sable.
- Higher price doesn’t always mean better health or temperament — knowing what drives cost helps you make a smarter choice.
How Colour Affects Pomeranian Pricing
The American Kennel Club recognises a wide range of Pomeranian colours and patterns, from the classic orange to more unusual shades like blue, beaver, and merle. Breeders who specialise in producing rare or fashionable colours typically charge more because producing those colours consistently takes more knowledge, more selective pairing, and often more failed litters before getting the result they want. Supply is lower, demand is often higher, and the price reflects that equation.
It’s worth knowing the basics of how Pomeranian colour genetics work. Coat colour is determined by two base pigments — eumelanin (black/brown) and phaeomelanin (red/yellow) — modified by various genes that dilute, restrict, or pattern those pigments. A breeder producing blue Pomeranians, for example, is working with a dilute gene that affects eumelanin. That dilution is recessive, meaning both parents must carry it. That limits the gene pool and the number of breeders who can reliably produce it. You can read more about how these traits tie into Pomeranian appearance standards if you want the full picture.
Common Colours and What They Typically Cost
These are the colours you’ll find most readily, and they tend to sit at the lower end of the price range. That doesn’t make them lesser dogs — Sash is an orange sable and she is, objectively, perfect.
| Colour | Rarity | Typical Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Orange | Very common | £1,000 – £2,000 |
| Orange sable | Very common | £1,000 – £2,000 |
| Black | Common | £1,200 – £2,200 |
| Cream | Common | £1,200 – £2,500 |
| Wolf sable | Moderate | £1,500 – £2,800 |
| Chocolate | Moderate | £1,500 – £3,000 |
Orange and orange sable are the most historically common Pomeranian colours. If you’ve seen a Pomeranian in a film or advert, it was almost certainly orange. Because they’re so common, breeders can produce them easily, prices stay relatively accessible, and you’ll find plenty of choice. That’s actually a good thing if you’re a first-time buyer — more reputable breeders to choose from and less pressure to rush into a decision.
Rare Colours and Why They Cost More
This is where pricing starts to climb steeply. Rarity is the main driver, but it’s worth unpacking what makes a colour genuinely rare versus artificially hyped.
White Pomeranians
A true pure white Pomeranian — with no cream or lemon tones — is harder to breed than it looks. Many puppies sold as white are actually pale cream, and the difference only becomes obvious as the adult coat comes in. Genuinely white Pomeranians typically cost between £2,500 and £4,000 from a reputable breeder.
Blue and Blue Sable
Blue is a dilute of black, produced when a dog carries two copies of the dilution gene. The coat appears as a steel grey with a blue-grey sheen. Blue Pomeranians are relatively uncommon and tend to be priced between £2,500 and £4,500. It’s worth noting that the dilute gene has been associated with a condition called Colour Dilution Alopecia (CDA), which can cause coat thinning and skin issues. This isn’t guaranteed, but it’s something to discuss with any breeder of blue or blue sable dogs. If your dog does develop skin sensitivity, using a sensitive skin dog shampoo can help manage irritation.
Beaver
Beaver is a warm, muted brownish tone caused by dilution of the chocolate gene. It’s a genuinely unusual colour that many people haven’t even heard of. Expect to pay £2,500 to £4,000 for a beaver Pomeranian from a reputable source.
Lavender
Lavender — sometimes called Isabella — is one of the rarest Pomeranian colours. It results from the combination of the chocolate and dilution genes, producing a pale, smoky pinkish-grey coat. Very few breeders in the UK or US work with lavender lines, and prices regularly exceed £4,000 to £6,000 or more.
Merle
Merle is a pattern rather than a colour — it creates a mottled, dappled effect across the base coat and is one of the most visually striking looks in the breed. It’s also one of the most controversial. Merle is not a naturally occurring pattern in Pomeranians and was introduced through crossbreeding, which means it’s not recognised by the AKC as a standard colour. The health concerns around merle are serious: two merle dogs bred together can produce double merle offspring with severe eye and hearing defects. Despite this, merle Pomeranians are often priced between £3,500 and £7,000+ because of their visual appeal and social media popularity. If you’re considering a merle, make sure you understand the genetic risks and source from a breeder who health-tests rigorously.
Patterns That Affect Price Too
Colour isn’t the only variable. Certain patterns also push prices up.
- Parti — a white base with patches of any other colour. Parti Pomeranians have become very fashionable and typically command a premium of £500 to £1,500 above the equivalent solid colour.
- Tri-colour — a parti dog with the addition of tan points. Extremely rare and priced accordingly.
- Brindle — tiger-stripe patterning. Uncommon in Pomeranians and often priced similarly to rare solid colours.
What Sash Taught Me About Colour Hype
When I was looking for my Pomeranian, I briefly fell down a rabbit hole of lavender and merle puppies on social media. The photos were stunning. The prices were eye-watering. And the more I researched, the more I realised that the rarest-coloured puppies weren’t always coming from the most responsible breeders — sometimes quite the opposite. Breeders chasing colour trends sometimes prioritise coat appearance over health testing, temperament, and structural soundness.
I ended up with Sash, an orange sable, from a breeder who health-tested both parents and was completely transparent about the lines she used. Sash has a full, correct double coat, a sturdy little frame, and the temperament of someone who is absolutely certain she runs the household. I’ve never once wished she was a different colour. Keeping that double coat in top condition does take commitment — a good Pomeranian grooming brush has been one of my most-used purchases.
If you’re new to the breed, I’d suggest reading up on Pomeranian breed information before getting too focused on colour. Understanding what a well-bred Pomeranian should look like structurally and temperamentally will help you evaluate any breeder properly, regardless of what colour puppies they’re producing.
Red Flags to Watch For When Buying a Rare-Colour Pomeranian
- No health testing documentation for parents (hips, eyes, heart, and DNA testing for relevant conditions)
- Sellers using terms like “exotic” or “ultra-rare” without being able to explain the genetics behind the colour
- Puppies available immediately with no waiting list for a supposedly rare colour
- Merle-to-merle breeding with no disclosure of the risks
- Prices that seem suspiciously low for a colour that should be hard to produce
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the rarest Pomeranian colour?
Lavender (also called Isabella) is widely considered the rarest naturally occurring Pomeranian colour. It requires a dog to carry two copies each of both the chocolate gene and the dilution gene, which makes it extremely difficult to produce consistently. Very few breeders specialise in lavender lines, which is why prices for lavender Pomeranians are among the highest in the breed.
Are merle Pomeranians recognised by the AKC?
No. The American Kennel Club does not recognise merle as a standard Pomeranian colour because it is not a naturally occurring pattern in the breed. Merle was introduced through crossbreeding with other breeds. This doesn’t affect a dog’s ability to be registered in some cases, but it does matter for conformation showing and raises questions about genetic purity and associated health risks.
Does a Pomeranian’s colour affect its temperament or health?
Colour itself doesn’t determine temperament, but certain colour genetics can be linked to specific health considerations. Dogs carrying the dilution gene (blue, lavender, beaver) have a risk of Colour Dilution Alopecia, which can cause coat thinning and skin problems. Merle genetics carry risks of eye and hearing abnormalities, particularly in double merle dogs. Always ask breeders about health testing specific to the colour lines they work with.
Why do parti Pomeranians cost more than solid-coloured ones?
Parti Pomeranians have a white base with patches of colour, and producing a correctly marked parti requires both parents to carry the parti gene. Because the gene pool of parti-producing dogs is smaller than that of solid-colour dogs, and because the look has become fashionable, demand outstrips supply and prices are higher. A parti version of a common colour like orange will typically cost noticeably more than a solid orange puppy from the same quality of breeder.
Is it worth paying more for a rare-coloured Pomeranian?
Only if the higher price reflects responsible breeding practices — health testing, proper socialisation, and transparent genetics — rather than colour hype alone. A rare colour from a poorly-bred litter is not worth a premium price and may cost you significantly more in vet bills over the dog’s lifetime. Prioritise the breeder’s reputation and health testing record over the colour you want, and the colour will be a bonus rather than the reason for your choice.