Pomsky

Wondering what a Pomsky is? Eager to learn about their personality and suitability as a pet? Read on to learn all about this “designer dog” that’s won the hearts of owners worldwide! 

Height: 10-15 inches
Weight: 9-14 kilos
Lifespan: 12-15 years
Pedigree? (registered with the KC?): No, this breed is not registered with the Kennel Club.

Positives and Negatives

Check out the Pomsky’s pros and cons below:

Pros:

•  Deeply affectionate towards their family
• Ideal for apartment living
• Suitable for first-time owners
• Intelligent and easy to train

Cons:

• Heavy shedder
• Strong prey drive
• Potential to develop behavioral issues such as Small Dog Syndrome
• Doesn’t like being left alone, could develop separation anxiety

Overview

The Pomsky is a cross-breed known commonly as a ‘designer dog’. Its parents are the Siberian Husky and Pomeranian, producing a very cute and cuddly looking pooch. This hybrid may be a newcomer in the doggy world but their popularity has skyrocketed amongst dog lovers across the world.

Pomsky litters can greatly vary. It can be unpredictable as to which traits and looks the Pomsky puppies may inherit.  Yet despite this, demand is still high for these canines. This leads many to ask how much is a Pomsky? Depending on the breeder, prices vary from £700-£3,000.

Plenty of Pomskies are given up every year. Some people fall in love with the cute cuddly face but forget the responsibility that comes with a dog. Always check your local rehoming center first to see if you can rescue a Pomsky.

Another question you might have is how big do Pomskies get? Siberian Huskies aren’t small, but a Pomsky full-grown, won’t exceed 15 inches in height. They aren’t very heavy either and shouldn’t surpass 14 kilos. Weight gain can be an issue that owners won’t notice due to the Pomskies thick, fluffy coat. Keep an eye on this.

History

The Pomeranian and Husky are both Spitz breeds. Due to this, they share some genetic background, behavior traits, and features. Pomsky dogs are thought to have first been created in 2009, although the first official Pomsky litter was registered in 2012. Due to the parent’s difference in size, artificial insemination is the only way to create puppies.

Many believe the demand for the Pomsky came from a post on Buzzfeed in 2011. Finnish Lapphund puppies went viral as a Pomeranian x Siberian Husky. Internet users were mesmerized and the post went viral. Breeders soon caught onto the trend and were also intrigued. Yet their fairly new existence hasn’t put off dog enthusiasts.

As a hybrid, designer dog the Pomsky size is perfect for those living in the city or small apartments. This pooch is adaptable to the modern way of life, making them ideal pets for a wider range of people. Their history may not be a long one, but that hasn’t stopped their surging popularity.

Recommended: Check out our guide about the Bouvier Des Flandres breed next.

Personality

Pomsky Temperament:

Pomskies are intelligent, lively, playful, affectionate, and confident dogs. They love their owners deeply and hate being away from their side. This breed can’t be left alone for long periods as they are prone to separation anxiety. Although small, Pomskies feel mighty and may develop behavioral issues such as Small Dog Syndrome.

Socialization is important to prevent this. The Husky Pomeranian also loves its own voice. If this isn’t curbed, barking and howling could become excessive. Sweet, cute, and cuddly, the Pomsky melts the hearts of many. But don’t be fooled, they are still excellent watchdogs and will always be protective over their family.

Is the Pomsky Good With Strangers?

Pomskies can become yappy around those they don’t know. Their protective side can view strangers as a threat. Socialization will be needed to help settle them down. As a natural watchdog the breed will always alert you to anybody entering their territory.

Is the Pomsky Good With Children?

Yes, this breed loves children. They’re playful and adore the attention. If there is something lively happening in the house, the Pomsky just has to be involved! Younger children should be supervised around this pet at all times. The Pomskies small size could make them susceptible to injuries. Overall, they make ideal family pets.

Is the Pomsky Ok With Other Dogs?

The Pomsky can get along well with other dogs, but this relies heavily on socialization. Their energetic and bubbly personality is great for playtime, but they could become fearful if they haven’t mixed with other dogs. This breed can live with other household pets including dogs and cats, but both should be introduced early.

Exercise

Although the Pomsky is suitable for apartment living, they still need daily exercise. Ideally, up to an hour, each day split into different walks. Pomskies love playing interactive games but do be careful they don’t over exert themselves. It could cause health problems such as joint issues.

This canine has a high prey drive and shouldn’t be allowed off-leash. Find an enclosed space where they can run freely, but make sure they can’t escape. A Pomsky will initiate a hunt if they spot a small animal running in the distance.

Recommended: Read our guide on Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier next.

Health

Below are the breed related health issues seen by the Pomsky. As this is a relatively new breed many of these conditions are related to the Pomeranian and Husky:

• Hip Dysplasia- Poor development of the hip joint leads to symptoms such as lameness, pain, inflammation, and swelling.
• Luxating Patellas- The kneecaps temporarily dislocate out of position. This can cause lameness.
• Hypothyroidism- A lack of hormones produced by the thyroid gland will cause symptoms such as a dull coat, excessive fur loss, weight gain, and a lack of tolerance to the cold.
• Collapsing Tracheas- Most commonly seen in Pomeranians, this condition will cause pain when breathing and coughing.
• Cataracts- An abnormal cloudiness appears in the eye after a change of lens. A small cloud won’t affect sight but a large one can cause blurriness and eventual blindness.
• Progressive Retinal Atrophy- Deterioration of the photoreceptor cells within the eyes will eventually cause blindness.
• Severe Hair Loss Syndrome- This condition is mostly seen in male Pomeranians. It can happen as a puppy or in adulthood. Puppies won’t grow an adult coat and older dogs will see their fur begin to thin, beginning at the back of their legs.

Intelligence & Training

Training a Pomsky can be relatively easy thanks to their intelligence. Unless of course, your pooch has picked up the stubborn trait of the Siberian Husky! Socialization is incredibly important for this small canine. A fearful or anxious dog could become aggressive.

Firm and consistent training will be needed but nothing harsh. The Pomsky is relatively sensitive and has a deep bond with their owner. If they become upset during training it may put them off future sessions. It will also be much harder to gain their attention. Positive training methods are the best way to get this canine to listen.

Yapping is a trait many find hard to control. Focus on curbing this as early as possible. Pomskies love using their voices as a way to communicate with their owners, but excessive barking isn’t ideal. Teach the Pomsky the silent command, rewarding them with food treats or affection when they are quiet.

Small Dog Syndrome is something the Pomsky can be prone to if training hasn’t been handled correctly. This could lead to barking, snapping, and lunging towards other dogs and even people. The dog believes they are bigger than they actually are, which could lead them into trouble.

Recommended: Check out our guide about the very popular Wire Fox Terrier.

Grooming

Pomskies shed fur all year round, but heaviest during Spring and Autumn. Their fluffy, soft coat keeps them warm from colder climates. Brush their coat once a week to remove dead fur, tangles, and mats. Brushing is also a good way to stimulate blood flow. A Bristle brush is the best tool to use on a Pomsky’s coat.

Baths should be given once every 4-12 weeks, taking place more frequently during the Summer months. Brush the Pomsky first before wetting their fur. Tangles are more difficult to remove when wet. Blow drying is best so the Pomsky doesn’t get debris attached to their wet fur.

Fur can be clipped or trimmed as and when needed. Areas around their anus should be trimmed more frequently for hygienic purposes. Cleaning underneath the eyes should take place daily. Tear stains could appear on their fur if this isn’t being done.

Nails should be kept short, filed, and trimmed every 3-4 weeks. Ears need to be cleaned once a week to prevent the build-up of debris. Teeth, however, will need brushing multiple times a week, although vets recommend this daily. Introduce these grooming techniques to the Pomsky as early as possible to prevent anxiousness.