Pomsky: Dog Breed Information & Pictures
The Pomsky is an adorable dog with adorable looks, which has become an increasingly popular choice for a pet, especially among people living in apartments and busy cities.
What may have started as an accidental crossbreed between a Pomeranian and a Siberian Husky, or was a direct result of a viral photo on social media, today is a designer breed with an increasing fan base.
But unfortunately, people who simply love the looks of this adorable mix often are unaware of what a handful a Pomsky pup can actually turn out to be. This is why there are many pups and dogs from this hybrid breed in the shelters, left behind by overwhelmed new owners.
If you really want to be prepared for what you should expect when you add a Pomsky to your family, read on to find out all of the details – good and not so good.
Basic characteristics
- Canine breed group: Mixed breed dogs
- Height at the shoulder: 10 to 15 inches
- Average weight: 7 to 38 lbs.
- Average lifespan: 12 – 15 years
- Coat color: they can vary in color and be grey and white, brown and red, blonde, blue merle and other colors and patterns
Overview of the Pomsky breed
The Pomsky is a relatively new hybrid breed, a mix of two of the most popular dog breeds – the Pomeranian and the Siberian Husky. Because of their unique looks, Pomskies have become one of the most popular designer breeds in the past few years.
Because of the big difference in size between the parents of the Pomsky, they are most often crossbred through artificial insemination to keep the dogs safe, and the mother is usually the Husky. Artificial insemination is expensive, so the Pomsky breeders charge a lot for puppies.
Since the demand for Pomskies is continuously growing, breeders are working on producing more and more dogs of this designer breed, which unfortunately has led to many of these dogs ending up in shelters.
The other problem is that people cannot withstand the total cuteness of the Pomsky puppies and rush on to buy them without fully understanding the care and responsibility that these dogs require.
Pomsky dogs inherit the thick coats of the Siberian Huskies, making them much more tolerant of cold weather than Pomeranians and other lapdogs.
They are also highly adaptable pups regarding the size of their living space, so they are perfect pets for owners who live in apartments. Plus, they have moderate exercise needs, so they are great pets to have if you live in the city.
Their coats can be in different colors, depending on their parent’s coloring.
Another feature of this hybrid breed is that they are quite loud dogs and can be pretty happy if not trained properly in time. As with any other dog, socializing the pup as early as possible is essential.
They are trainable dogs, but many of them inherit the famous stubbornness of their Husky parents, which can become quite a handful, especially for inexperienced and inpatient new owners.
Like with any other crossbreed, it is never clear exactly how the dog will turn out to be when it grows up and which traits it will inherit from each of its parents because genetics cannot be controlled completely by the breeders.
It isn’t easy to know how big your cute Pomsky puppy will grow up and what its personality will be.
The Poms and the Siberian Huskies are playful and affectionate by nature. Still, Pomeranians tend to be more one-person dogs, while Huskies are free souls and quite independent by nature.
Overall, the Pomsky can become your children’s best playmate if you have kids who are 6 years old or older. Younger children can accidentally hurt the Pomsky puppy when playing or handling it rougher than they should.
The Pomsky dogs have moderate exercise needs, so they will be pleased with a short or moderate walk and some playtime on a daily basis. If you take proper care of the Pomsky and feed it the right balanced diet, it can become an excellent athlete and participate in various dog sports such as obedience, agility, and others.
Since this designer breed is still pretty rare, and because of the high cost of crossbreeding the two breeds, the Pomsky pups can be quite expensive, so be prepared to pay somewhere between $2,500 and $5,000 for one.
Of course, you can check the shelters in your region for any abandoned Pomsky dogs up for adoption if you want to save money and give an unwanted dog a loving home.
If you decide to buy a Pomsky, check the health certificates provided by the breeders, certifying that they are free from the most common hereditary health conditions that Pomeranians and Siberian Huskies suffer from.
As for their size, your Pomsky can grow up to medium size or remain as small as a toy dog, depending on its parents and the genes it has inherited from them.
Typically, the dogs from this designer breed have fluffy, silky, soft coats and fluffy tails that shish over their backs. The Pomsky pups are among the cutest puppy dogs ever, along with their prick ears and cute fox-like faces.
History of the Pomsky
The Pomsky hybrid breed has a relatively short history.
The truth is that the designer breed is believed to have been started by a viral photo shared on social media of a Finnish Lapphund puppy which was tagged as a Pomsky – a crossbreed between a Husky and a Pomeranian. As the photo became viral, enthusiasts began working on actually producing such a crossbreed, and in 2012 the myth became true as two breeders from Arizona – Tressa Peterson from Apex Pomskies and Joline Phillips from Arctic Design Pomskies proceeded to create the first intentional litter of Pomskies through a Pomeranian Sire and Husky Dam.
By 2014, the newly developed hybrid breed grew in popularity so much that from 1 breeder in 2012, their number grew to over 30 in the USA.
Due to the difference in the parents and the fact that crossbreeding is quite unpredictable, Pomskies can be different in size, color, and temperament.
This means that there are no established regulations and standards for the appearance and size of the designer breed, and it has not been recognized by the American Kennel Club yet. Still, the Pomsky Club of America is working hard to popularize the hybrid breed and get it officially recognized.
The size of the Pomsky
Pomskies, even from the same litter, can vary in size. They can be toy-sized or grow up to be small or medium-sized dogs. The maximum weight of the Pomsky is about 38 lbs. but some pups weigh just about 7 lbs. So, acquiring a Pomsky puppy is a guessing game regarding the size.
The height of these adorable dogs can be from about 10 up to 15 inches at the shoulder.
The personality of the Pomsky
Pomsky loves the attention and knows its cuteness and comic behavior will attract the adoration of all humans around it. These dogs are highly adaptable to all kinds of homes and to change. Since they do not need extensive exercise and long walks, they are perfect dogs for apartment living.
Be warned that Pomskies tend to inherit the whining and howling tendencies of their chatty Husky parents, which, combined with the happiness of Pomeranians, can turn out to be quite a loud dog to have if you live in an apartment with thin walls and unfriendly neighbors.
Plus, they do shed quite a lot, so you should be prepared to clean the apartment much more often than you are used to once the Pomsky enters your household.
Even though Pomskies are very friendly to all family members, they often inherit the tendency to be one-person dogs from their Pomeranian parents.
In order to curb the yapping and howling and suppress their natural suspicion of strangers, you need to socialize the Pomsky from an early age by meeting it with as many people as possible and train the dog to restrain unwanted noisiness and behavior.
Otherwise, these adorable pups are the best thing to have in your home. They are sweet, love to play, and will adore you if you value them back.
You won’t need to spend hours of exhausting walks and playing fetch to keep your Pomsky happy, but if you are an active person, they won’t mind tagging along for a jog with you from time to time.
When properly trained and socialized, the Pomsky is the perfect companion dog for single owners and families with children who are old enough to understand that the cute little puppy is not a toy but a living thing.
Usually, the Pomsky will choose one favorite person in the household and can get along with other pets in the house, including dogs and cats. But remember that your Pomsky can inherit the strong prey drive of Huskies, and you can be faced with a problem if you already own a cat and want a Pomsky dog as a pet too.
The temperament of the Pomsky differs depending on how the genes have lined up as well as on the temperament of its parents, so always meet at least one of the parents before buying a Pomsky, and pick a puppy which comes to you is friendly, rather than one which prefers to stay in the corner or growls when you approach it.
Health care and common health problems for the breed
The Pomsky is prone to some inherited diseases from which the Pomeranians and Siberian Huskies often suffer. Common health problems for purebred parents include allergies, dislocated knees, hip dysplasia, epilepsy, eye problems, collapsing trachea, heart diseases, skin problems, and others. They are also very susceptible to dental problems, so you should start teaching your Pomsky from an early age that brushing its teeth will be a regular ritual at home.
Always ask the breeder for a health guarantee and certificates for tests performed on the parents for common health problems before buying a puppy. This will save you the troubles and worries and the vet bills for caring for a sick dog later on.
Reputable breeders carefully screen their dogs for breeding to produce the best and healthiest puppies, so always look for breeders with a good reputation who are willing to show you all the medical records and certifications.
You can protect your Pomsky dog from several obesity-related health problems later on, such as hip dysplasia, diabetes, and others by feeding it a healthy and well-balanced diet and keeping its weight under control.
Caring for the Pomsky
Since Pomskies are not hyper-energetic, they will feel happy and stay healthy if you take them one good walk every day. If your Pomsky pup has a higher energy level, you may want to spend some time playing with it until it is ready to relax and nap.
They are also very intelligent canines, so ensure you provide them with mentally stimulating toys and games to keep them happy. If they become bored, they can become destructive or depressed.
Since they have thick and warm coats, Pomskies, unlike other lap dogs, do not need to be clothed and bundled up, and they will happily go on nice long walks even when it’s freezing outside.
Socialization from early puppyhood is a must, and so is training. Keep in mind that you may end up with Pomsky with the stubbornness of a Siberian Husky, so be prepared to be a patient and consistent trainer. You should use positive reinforcement, praise the pups, and motivate them with food to get the best results.
Feeding the Pomsky
The quantity and type of food you give to your Pomsky depends on its size, activity level, and age. Since the dogs from this designer breed can be very different in size, weight and energy levels, it is hard to generalize about the recommended quantity of food to feed them, so it is best to ask your vet to give you guidelines about feeding your dog.
Related: 25 Best Dog Foods of 2022
Grooming the Pomsky
The adorable, soft, silky and fluffy coats of the Pomskies require quite a bit of grooming. Their thick and beautiful double coats help keep them warm in the cold weather, but they shed a lot. Regularly brushing can help with the shedding, but be prepared to find dog hairs throughout the house with a dog like this. Use a bristle brush to remove the dead hairs, help prevent matting, and distribute the skin oils, which will keep the coat healthy and shiny.
Their coats can be all kinds of colors. They can be grey and white like their Husky parents, or pure white, blonde, reddish-brown, brown or blue like Poms.
Also, be prepared for the heavy shedding seasons when your dog will blow coat. This is usually before summer and winter when you must brush it daily.
Since they are prone to dental problems, you should brush their teeth regularly, which will be much easier if you teach them to tolerate the procedure from an early age.
The same goes with nail trimming – the earlier you teach your Pomsky to stay still and allow you to trim its nails, the easier it will be on you later in life.
You should bathe the Pomsky as needed. You can do it once a week or once per month, depending on how dirty your pup gets, and whether you prefer to share a bed with it.
Socializing the Pomsky with pets and children
Pomskies get along with children who are aware of how to treat dogs properly, as well as with other dogs, but may nip if they feel threatened.
If they are properly socialized and have been raised with other dogs, they can become perfect pals and get along well with them.
The inherited prey drive may make life with a Pomsky and a cat under the same roof quite a bit of a hassle, so make sure you socialize the dog thoroughly from day one if you want your pets to get along.
Pomskies are smart animals and can start learning commands from a very early age of just 8 to 12 months, so don’t wait until your dog has become 6 months old before starting to train and socialize it.
As soon as it gets all of its vaccines, it is safe for the pup to meet other dogs and people, start training it, and meet with as many friendly dogs as possible.
Buying or adopting a Pomsky from a shelter
As stated previously, always consider adopting a Pomsky dog before buying one. There are a lot of abandoned dogs from this designer breed in the shelters, so check out the availability before spending money on a puppy.
And also, choose a reputable breeder with all the health certificates for the lineage of the dog before paying between $2,500 and $5,000 or more for a puppy from this crossbreed. And always go to see where the dog is coming from and ask to meet at least one of the parents before taking a Pomsky puppy home.
Final words
Pomskies are among one of the cutest designer breeds in existence. They are incredibly sweet, loving and adaptable dogs. At the same time, they can be quite vocal and can be as stubborn as their Husky parents, so be prepared to spend quite a bit of time socializing and training them, as well as grooming them and cleaning up dog hair from your carpets and furniture.
Otherwise, they require only moderate exercise and can adapt to living even in small-sized homes, so a Pomsky could be the perfect pet to have no matter where you live.
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