Pomsky

Working

Size:

Grooming:

Exercise Level:

Trainability:

Barking Level:

Good with Children:

Good with other pets:

Affectionate:

Protective:

Height: 66 - 71cm M | 61 - 66cm F

Weight: 34 - 54kg M | 34 - 50kg F

Life Expectancy: 10 - 12 Years

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Introduction

The Pomsky is one of the cutest mixed breed dogs. He is a cross between the Pomeranian and the Siberian Husky. This dog breed is also called Pom Husky or Husky Pom.

As a small designer breed, the Pomsky can inherit either of his parents' temperament, but most of the time, he exhibits the ‘small dog syndrome’ from his Pomeranian parent. This mixed breed is a certified lapdog and was bred precisely for that purpose despite his working dog bloodline.

Are you thinking of getting a Pomsky? Here is a brief background of this adorable and attention-seeking designer dog.

History

What is a Pomsky?

The Pomsky dog breed is relatively new and has only been around for 2 decades. He is a Spitz-type dog breed that is a cross between the Pomeranian and the Siberian Husky.

The charming Pomsky's popularity shot off thanks to a 2011 Buzzfeed article. It was titled ‘The Pomeranian + Siberian Husky mix: The cutest designer dog breed ever?’ This small designer dog breed was still non-existent around this time.

The article used photos of other Pomeranian Husky mixed breeds. A photo of Tequila, a Finnish Lapphund that was photographed by Tommie Ohlson, was even included in the article.

Many dog lovers fell in love with the Pomsky breed, although he didn't exist yet. However, between the years 2011 and 2012, the first Pomsky litter was produced through artificial insemination. They were bred to be the ultimate lapdogs.

What made Pomskies rare and expensive is the big size difference of the parent breeds, so artificial insemination is necessary to prevent complications.

To understand more about the Pomsky dog breed, we must take a look at his parent breed’s origins. The Husky is thought to be created by the Chukchi, a Siberian nomad tribe that existed thousands of years ago.

This means he is one of the most ancient dog breeds in the world. The breed was mainly used as a transport dog.

At home, the Husky would sleep with children and keep them warm against the chilly temperature. He was then brought to Alaska in 1908 as the people needed sled dogs during the gold rush.

In 1925, the breed made a mark in history as Huskies Balto and Togo successfully led a group of sled dogs to Nome, Alaska, and delivered the diphtheria serum.

The origins of the other parent breed, the Pomeranian, started in the Province of Pomerania. This small breed is a descendant of Spitz-type dogs and a cousin of the American Eskimo Dog, the German Spitz, and the Samoyed.

The ancestors of the modern Pomeranian were huge dogs. A smaller variation of the breed emerged and became popular through the efforts of Queen Victoria. The breed was standardised from 1900 to the 1930s, which made them retain their small size.

Although the Pomsky dog breed is relatively new, America and Canada have established breed clubs. In fact, the Pomsky Club of America is one of the most active groups pushing for the breed to be officially recognised.

The Pomsky lacks specific and consistent traits. Thus, he is yet to be recognised by major kennel clubs, including the American Kennel Club and the Kennel Club in the UK. There are no breed standards established for this designer dog as he isn't acknowledged as an official dog breed.

The Pomsky, as expected with most cross-breeds, has attained popularity. This is because of more people seeking out dogs that are different from the usual Yorkie and Poodle.

In addition, the majority of people believe that cross-breeds are hypoallergenic and suffer from fewer health issues and, as such are ideal for people with allergies. This designer dog breed is still rare and often expensive to procure.

Appearance and Grooming

How big do Pomskies get?

The Pomsky breed most often takes on the physical features of the Siberian Husky with his soft and silky coat. On the other hand, this hybrid dog breed’s full-grown size is closer to the Pomeranian. He has an average weight of 16–21 kilos (35–51 pounds) and an average height of 50–56 centimetres (20–22 inches).

With that said, most people often describe the Pomsky dog breed as a mini Husky. However, this designer dog's physical appearance is not completely predictable as he can take after any of the parent breeds. Regardless, he is indeed a cute mixed breed dog.

The Pomsky is often produced according to generations. When two different breeds are used to create another breed, it is called outcrossing. The generations of offspring that were created by the parent breeds are named filial generations.

Filial generations possess two variations of one gene, which are inherited from the parents. Mixed breeds and designer dog breeds come in different generations. They may be referred to as F1, F2, F3, F1B, or F2B.

Understanding how various Pomsky generations are created is essential in learning the lineage of your puppy. Here is a summary of each of the Pomsky generations:

F1 Pomskies – bred by crossing a purebred Siberian Husky and a Pomeranian

F1B Pomskies – bred by backcrossing an F1 Pomsky with either a purebred Siberian Husky or Pomeranian

F2 Pomskies – bred by crossing two F1 Pomskies

F2B Pomskies – bred by crossing an F1 and F1B Pomskies

F3 Pomskies – bred by crossing two F2 Pomskies

In creating an F1 Pomsky, the dam should be the bigger of the two parents. This prevents hurting the dam when mating and avoids complications during pregnancy. So the mother of F1 Pomskies is a Husky, whilst the father is a Pom.

It is recommended to use a sire that is no more than 2 kilos larger than the dam when breeding further generations. Moreover, using a Husky male for breeding should always be avoided.

Beware that some Pomsky breeders advertise a miniature version of the breed called Teacup Pomsky. This is a shady marketing scheme that illicit breeders use to attract potential buyers.

Reputable breeders of this designer dog avoid producing very small Pomskies as their size makes them prone to several health problems. Thus, it is best for dog owners to choose a regular Pomsky puppy over a Teacup one.

Do Pomskies shed?

The Pomsky breed has a soft, fluffy, and silky coat that sheds a lot, especially during spring and autumn. Pomskies that inherited the Pomeranian's coat tend to shed more.

The double-coated Pomsky can sport various colours depending on which parent breed is more dominant. This mixed breed dog appears in colours or colour combinations of brown, cream, tan, and grey.

Regardless of which parent breed Pomskies take after, they require proper dog grooming. Since these mixed breed dogs sport double coats, they will require daily brushing to remove mats and tangles. Taking your Pomsky to the groomer every 3 months for coat trimming helps make grooming easier for you.

Other grooming needs of this mixed breed dog include brushing the teeth regularly (daily if possible), cleaning his ears, and trimming the nails every few weeks or once a month.

Temperament and Intelligence

A Pomsky dog’s temperament can be hard to predict and largely depends on his genetic makeup. However, most Pomsky puppies often inherit both their parents' desirable personality traits –intelligent, affectionate, lively, and confident.

Are Pomskies good dogs?

The Pomsky is an endearing designer breed. He is also highly protective and fearless, a trait that he inherited from the Pomeranian. Most Pomskies are moderately active and highly adaptable to change, so they are suitable as apartment dwellers.

Pomskies are is often vocal especially coming from two-parent breeds with barking or howling tendencies. This trait makes them great watchdogs, but awful neighbours.

Pomsky dogs tend to cling to one favourite family member, although they get along with the rest of the members in the same household. They should be properly trained and socialised at an early age, so they won't become nervous or aggressive around strangers.

Pomskies, especially puppies, can be skittish towards children. Children must be taught how to properly interact and handle dogs to gain their trust and make them feel secure. With that said, this mixed breed is a great companion for families with older children. When this lapdog is playing with small children, make sure to monitor their interaction to avoid accidents from occurring.

The Pomsky dog breed is friendly towards other pets, especially if they grew up together. However, be warned that this breed has a high prey drive. Always monitor your pets' interaction to ensure a peaceful and harmonious multi pet household.

The Pomsky designer dog inherited both of his parents' intelligence and, unfortunately, their stubborn streaks as well. With this said, he is easy to train, but he can be challenging to handle.

Dog owners should not give in to this dog breed’s small size and cuteness. Firm and consistent training will help your puppy to grow into a happy and balanced dog.

Nutrition and Feeding

Pomskies weighing no more than 1 kilo need 1/3–½ cups of food per day, whilst those that weigh 2–3 kilos require ½–¾ cups each day. Pomskies that are 3–4 kilos should be fed ½–¾ cups a day, and 4–5 kilo ones need to eat ¾–1 cups per day. Feed Pomskies weighing 5–7 kilos with 1–1 ¼ cups of food every day.

This mixed breed’s meals should be divided into 3–4 smaller portions throughout the day. It prevents him from gorging on food, which can lead to obesity.

Since this small designer dog breed is moderately active and playful, he should be provided with food that can supplement his nutritional needs. It is best to ask the veterinarian for advice concerning your dog's diet.

Typical calorie needs of an adult Pomsky per day:

Senior and less active: up to 690 calories daily
Typical adult: up to 780 calories daily
Physically active/working dog: up to 860 calories daily

Feed your Pomsky a dog food that is high in protein and meets his nutritional requirement based on his age, size, build, metabolism, activity level, and health.

Health and Exercise

How long does a Pomsky live?

The Pomsky breed can live up to 15 years. Since this designer dog breed is relatively new, any health problems he may be susceptible to remains unknown. However, he can inherit the common health disorders of both his parent breeds, such as:

Zinc-responsive Dermatosis

The Pomsky may inherit this disease from the Siberian Husky, which is highly vulnerable to zinc-responsive dermatosis.

When Pomskies lack zinc in their bodies, they may experience many health problems. These include diarrhoea, stunted growth, multiple infections, skin problems, and cracked and crusted footpads.

To treat this disease, the vet may require your dog to switch to dog food that contains significant amounts of zinc. Then they will prescribe zinc supplements. You can crush it and mix it with your puppy's food to make it palatable.

Collapsing Trachea

Collapsing trachea is a common health problem in small breeds. Thus, the Pomsky is at risk of developing this respiratory problem. This condition happens when the rings of the cartilage found along the tracheal wall weaken. It usually results in the breaking down of the trachea.

Persistent dry coughs accompanied by a goose honking sound are signs that your Pomsky puppy has a collapsing trachea. Be sure to take him to the vet for a proper diagnosis. The coughing can be a symptom of other health conditions such as congestive heart failure.

Potential diseases should be ruled out first before the vet can administer proper treatment. The collapsing trachea can be cured by medications, surgical correction, or the combination of both treatments.

Inguinal Hernias

The Pomeranian breed is prone to developing inguinal hernias. This painful disease is the result of the inguinal canal's enlargement.

It puts the stomach contents in danger of overflowing to the canal or the opening of the groin. This can be caused by genetics, physical trauma, obesity, and pregnancy.

Young female Pomskies are at risk of having inguinal hernias. This health issue's symptoms include bloody urine, vomiting, depression, appetite loss, and difficulty in urinating. Treatment for this condition is a surgery that involves the removal of irreducible hernias.

This health problem must not be ignored as it can lead to complications such as infections and strangulation of organs.

Hip Dysplasia

It is an orthopaedic disorder that occurs due to the deformity in the hip bones. This leads to the weakness of the affected Pomsky's hind legs. He will experience piercing pains, which can result in limping.

A Pomsky dog that is not given proper treatment for hip dysplasia can become permanently immobile. The vet may prescribe medications and suggest physical therapy to treat this condition.

If you are concerned that your Pomsky might inherit these health conditions, ask the breeder if their dogs and puppies undergo testing, specifically eye and hip evaluation. It will determine how likely they are to develop eye and joint disorders.

The Pomsky breed is an active and highly intelligent dog. As such, he must be given at least an hour of daily physical exercises and mentally stimulating activities. Keeping him busy will also prevent him from getting bored and developing unwanted behaviours at home.

The Pomsky also likes to roam around an open space, so if possible, let him walk or run freely in a fenced garden. This mixed breed loves to play, so involve him in fun activities like hide-and-seek and puzzle games. Potential owners must be warned that this small yet crafty dog is a master escaping artist, just like the Siberian Husky. If you have a back garden, check the fences if these are secure before letting your dog run off-lead.

Cost of Ownership

How much is a Pomsky?

If you are interested in bringing a Pomsky puppy home, you will likely need to go on a waiting list as this breed is rare in the UK. The price for a well-bred pedigree Pomsky puppy costs from £1,000–£2,500. If you want to adopt one, check out dog rescue groups or shelters for availability.

To ensure that your dog stays healthy at whatever age, provide him with high-quality dog food. Since the breed is small in size, he will consume small amounts of food. So, expect your Pomsky’s food to cost you £20–£30 a month.

Planning to welcome your home to your new pooch involves preparing his basic supplies. Dog accessories such as lead, collar, eating bowls, crate, bed, and toys have a combined estimated cost at around £100–£400.

Pomsky vet care is essential in keeping your dog disease-free. You will need to pay around £50–£60 for each session of routine veterinary consultation. Fees for initial vaccinations are around £100–150, whilst £50–£60 for yearly boosters. If you plan to spay or neuter your dog, expenses for these procedures range from £110–£397.

Consider acquiring pet insurance just in case your dog suddenly falls ill or gets into an accident. It is useful in keeping you from shelling out money to pay for costly treatments. A time-limited cover can cost £19 a month, whilst a lifetime one can cost up to £28 a month.