Is a Pomsky the Right Dog for You
Adorable and fluffy little clowns, Pomskies love attention. Their diminutive size makes them ideal for apartments and small living spaces, as long as they're provided with plenty of exercise.
The Pomsky dog is not a true breed but, rather, a cross between the Siberian husky and the Pomeranian.
Size:
Weight Range: 20-30 lbs.
Height: 10-15 in.
Features:
Appearance can vary, depending on which parent breed's genes are more dominant. Often they have the coloring and markings of a Siberian husky combined with the fluffy coat of a Pomeranian.
Coat:
Length: Short to Long
Characteristics: Double-coated
Colors: Gray and white, black and white, red and white, blue and white, pure white, brown, tan Overall Grooming Needs: Moderate to High
Because Pomskies are technically a mixed-breed dog, there's no breed standard for appearance or temperament, and it can be impossible to predict which parent breed Pomsky puppies will take after the most. Ideally, Pomskies resemble miniature wolves or small huskies, but some may look more like larger-than-normal Pomeranians in terms of shape and coloring.
Even Pomsky puppies born to the same litter may vary widely in appearance from one another, with some appearing more husky-like and others appearing more Pomeranian.
Pomskies are larger than a purebred Pomeranian, who weighs less than 10 pounds, but still small enough to fit on a lap, unlike a full-grown husky. Some Pomskies are bred with purebred Pomeranians in order to produce smaller dogs, although the breed is still new enough that the majority of Pomskies are a 50-50 mix of husky and Pomeranian.
Expectations:
Exercise Requirements: 1 hour/day
Energy Level: High
Longevity Range: 13-15 yrs.
Tendency to Drool: Low
Tendency to Snore: Low
Tendency to Bark: Medium to High
Tendency to Dig: Low
Social/Attention Needs: High
Personality:
Temperament: Loving, friendly, energetic, playful
Pomeranians and huskies share a number of personality traits that usually get passed on to their hybrid offspring. These include intelligence, playfulness, confidence and an affectionate and loving nature. Both breeds also tend to be on the noisy side, with huskies being talkative and Pomeranians being prone to yipping. As a result, Pomskies are typically vocal dogs who aren't a good fit for someone with a low tolerance for noise, or for an apartment with thin walls and easily annoyed neighbors.
Good Watchdogs
Pomskies also tend to be protective, which can increase their tendency to bark, especially around strangers. They do, however, make excellent watchdogs. They have a fiercely loyal streak, which means they may latch onto one member of the household as their primary person, although they generally tend to get along well with everyone.
With Children
Pomskies make fun pets for families however, they can be skittish around small children. Unlike Huskies, Pomeranians can sometimes be skittish around young children and some Pomsky puppies can display this tendency. So, keep that in mind if you plan on bringing a Pomsky into your family.
Willful and Stubborn
Another trait that first-time owners aren't often prepared for is that they can be quite willful and stubborn, making them difficult to train in spite of their high intelligence.
They require calm and assertive leadership and a whole lot of patience. Because of this, Pomskies aren't a good fit for inexperienced dog owners, who may feel overwhelmed by and frustrated with the breed's strong personality.
Exercise
Pomskies have a lot of energy and need about an hour of daily exercise and play to stay fit and avoid boredom. A few daily walks or being let out to play in a fenced-in yard or engaged in a game of fetch several times throughout the day can satisfy their exercise needs.
Apartment Living
They're small enough that they can make good apartment dogs, provided they're walked two or three times a day or provided ample opportunities to burn off their energy at a dog park.. Providing them with puzzle toys and indoor activities can also prevent boredom-induced behavior problems and help them stay calm.
Shedding
They can be prone to shedding throughout the year, and usually their coats will blow out once a year. They need to be brushed daily to keep up with the shedding, and living with one of these dogs will probably involve a lot of vacuuming or sweeping.
Health Issues
Pomskies share genetic predispositions to certain health issues with both of their parents. These include allergies and skin problems, patellar luxation, hip dysplasia, collapsing trachea, epilepsy and heart disease. They're also prone to dental problems and need regular teeth cleanings and daily tooth brushing.
As Pomskies have been around for less than 10 years, experts can only estimate their average life expectancy. But based on both of their parent breeds, it's generally expected that healthy Pomskies should live anywhere from 13 to 15 years.
Food / Diet
Pomskies usually possess a great deal of energy and are extremely playful, so they need the right fuel to keep them going! Yet even though these are the traits they’ve gotten from their Husky ancestors, it doesn’t mean they should eat the same foods as their ancestors. You should always keep in mind that Pomskies come in a smaller package than Huskies and as a result will have different nutritional needs than both of their ancestral breeds.
They should be provided with a high-quality variety of dry kibble that can supplement all their dietary needs.
Training
Pomskies are highly intelligent and respond well to reward based training methods. However, they can sometimes inherit the Pomeranian’s stubbornness and the willfulness of the Siberian Husky. That’s a tough combination for training and should therefore be handled with calm and assertive leadership. Failure to do so can result in “small dog syndrome” and other behavioral problems. For instance, Pomskies can be prone to resource guarding like the Pomeranians, and catching early signs of this behavioral issue will help you eliminate it before it becomes a serious issue.
For most new dog owners, it’s important to start with the basics such as potty training and learning to walk on a leash. Depending on the breeder you’ve got your Pomsky from and the puppy’s age, they might already know a trick or two, but it’s also highly likely you’ll need to be the one who housetrains them.
Training a puppy is not an easy task, but it’s important to teach your Pomsky fur baby manners while they’re still young. If they sniff out that you’re not an alpha, they’ll shamelessly exploit your weak side to their advantage. Any smart pupper is capable of this, so it’s always important to establish your alpha role in the relationship early and often. Otherwise you’ll be stuck with a not-so-pleasant pup and nobody wants that.
Puppy Litters
Most Pomsky litters have 5 to 7 pups, and each of the littermates can be completely different than the others: it’s all about the genetic lottery when it comes to Pomeranian Husky mixes!
Pomsky puppies are adorable, but this does not mean that you should decide on getting one simply because you like their appearance. Getting a puppy is a big responsibility and you need to make sure you’ll be able to commit to it.
While Pomsky owners won’t always know what to expect due to the big variations in the designer breed standards, one thing’s for sure: they’ll need to provide proper socialization and training for their Huskeranian puppy. That’s true of any dog. Never bring home a pup unless you are certain that you can handle the responsibilities. It’s not fair to either of you to start a relationship with a dog unless you are prepared to follow through.
