Pomsky [Siberian Husky & Pomeranian Mix]: An Ultimate Guide


Pomsky An Ultimate Guide

The adorable Pomsky is a designer dog breed that is a cross of a Siberian Husky and a Pomeranian. Crossing two breeds of differing sizes is tricky, and most breeders use artificial insemination to get Pomskies. 

A Husky and a Pomeranian cross was done to get a medium-sized Husky looking smaller and infinitely cuter with the Pomeranian gene. The result is a baby-faced Pomsky that is smaller and more suited for less experienced dog owners. 

Pomskies – A Brief History

The arrival of Pomskies in the US was actually an accident. A picture of a Finnish Lapphund called Tequila was leaked on Buzzfeed and incorrectly labeled as a Pomeranian and Siberian Husky mix. The images started finding their way to other social media platforms, and it was clear that the demand for a Pomeranian Husky mix was present. 

An accidental litter appeared in Australia, where a breeder claims that her Husky escaped and had an “oops” litter with her female Pomeranian that was also on the property.

Pomskies came to the US when Tressa Peterson, an established dog breeder, saw a mislabeled photo of Tequila, the Finnish Lapphund, and got fascinated with the idea of crossing both breeds to achieve a similar-looking dog

Eventually, Tressa Peterson found a suitable Husky and had her impregnated with her Pomeranian by artificial insemination, and the first litter of Pomsky puppies was born in the US.

Proving hugely popular, the demand for Pomsky puppies skyrocketed, and with it, the number of breeders. Together with Tressa Peterson, several dog breeders have started lobbying to get Pomskies accepted into the AKC (American Kennel Club) as a registered breed. 

Temperament

Pomskies are loyal, loving dogs that will make beautiful additions to families. They are medium to high energy dogs that require quite a bit of exercise and don’t like to be left alone for too long. The recommended maximum time is 8 hours. 

Siberian Huskies can be stubborn and require some training. They are intelligent dogs that need constant stimulation, or they could get into trouble and engage in destructive behavior such as chewing, barking, or escaping. They are escape artists that will burrow under fences and try to get out any chance they have. 

Pomskies are a little more toned down because of the Pomeranian genes. Poms are fast learners, and their role as lap dogs has made them easier to handle for inexperienced owners.

Despite this, Pomskies are still dogs that might potentially have a stubborn streak in them and be difficult to train and control. They will be suited to an experienced and active owner who likes going on runs, walks, and hikes. They are moderate barkers and tend to be quite vocal. 

Grooming Needs

Pomskies have moderately high grooming needs. The coats of the Husky will be high-shedding, and it will be likely that you will vacuum balls of fluff, especially during the hotter months.

They blow their coats and shed seasonally, usually in spring and fall. They also require brushing every other day or so to remove the dead hair and skin. They shed year-round and are double-coated dogs that suit colder climates. They also aren’t hypoallergenic and won’t be suitable for owners with allergies. 

Food + Diet

The lack of regulation on pet food has led to a multitude of lousy pet food choices. Some dogs have even died after eating pet food that the FDA has since recalled.

Pomskies are high-energy dogs that need ongoing nutrition. Choose only from high-quality food brands like Wild Earth. Vegan dog parents who might want their pets to be vegan can choose from the range that V-dog has. 

Puppies below 6 months need to be fed a minimum of 3 servings daily. Puppies and adult dogs over 6 months can be fed 2 times a day.

The amount to feed is based on the weight of your Pomsky. As a general rule: 

2 to 4 lbs – 1/3 to 1/2 cups per day

5 to 8 lbs – 1/2 to 3/4 cups per day

8 to 10 lbs – 1/2 to 3/4 cups per day

10 to 12 lbs – 3/4 to 1 cup per day

13 to 17 lbs – 1 to 1 1/4 cups per day

17 to 35 lbs – 2 to 3 cups per day

Puppies under 12 months should be fed puppy food that has a higher nutritional content than adult dogs. They grow at a rapid rate and have different needs. 

When your Pomsky grows into an adult, or you are considering switching food, always change gradually by mixing the new kibble with the old, in increasing amounts. Switching food abruptly can lead to gastrointestinal upsets.

When in doubt, it’s best to check with your veterinarian for your Pomsky’s dietary requirements.

Appearance

photo of pomsky puppies

Because they are a mixed breed, Pomskies can have a wide range of looks. Their eyes can be striking blue or brown, depending on how much of the Husky gene they took. Their coats are generally thick and fluffy, while their size can range from a small dog to a medium-sized athlete. 

Their coats can have a range of sizes, while their markings can be plain colored or follow the Husky black or tan “mask.” 

They can be 10lbs or 35lbs, depending on which parent they take after. Their lifespan is 12 to 16 years, and they measure up at 10 to 15 inches at the shoulder. 

Teacup Pomskies are even smaller. Breeding pairs of teacup Pomskies are the runts of the litter, the smallest puppy. A teacup Pomsky will grow to about 10 inches at the shoulder and weigh between three to eight pounds. 

Being smaller, they are more suited to smaller living spaces and might do relatively well in apartments. Their fragile and diminutive size might make them unsuitable for households with rambunctious kids that could accidentally injure them. 

Common Health Problems For Pomskies

Despite all your care, Pomskies are susceptible to the problems of both parent breeds.

The Siberian Husky is prone to eye conditions, hip dysplasia, and hypothyroidism. Pomeranians have been known to suffer from luxating patellas (displaced knees), collapsing tracheas, and seizures.

Pomskies have a few health risks that can include:

  • Allergies
  • Hip dysplasia
  • Glaucoma
  • Cataracts
  • Epilepsy
  • Collapsing trachea
  • Skin problems

To ensure your Pomsky’s health, always check with your breeder to clear the parents of all genetic issues, which will lower the risk of your pup. OFA certs will clear the hips of both parents from dysplasia.

Exercise Needs

Their cute lap dog looks are deceiving. Pomskies are medium to high energy dogs that require a bunch of exercise. In addition to a good morning walk or run, they will need multiple play sessions throughout the day.

Although the Pomeranian is bred to be a cuddly lap dog, the Siberian Husky was bred to run many miles a day pulling weight. Huskies are incredibly high-energy working dogs that love to run. 

A Pomsky will be the mix of the two, but still require high levels of exercise and mental stimulation. The lack of physical activity might lead to destructive behaviors like chewing, digging, and barking. 

A minimum hour walk daily is recommended with several other play sessions in between. Pomskies will not suit households that are sedentary, but if you’re an active individual that loves to run and hike, your Pomsky will be the ideal companion for you!

Wondering if Pomskies like the water and can swim? Read our article Do Pomskies Like To Swim? All You Need to Know

Breeder Selection 

Pomskies can cost between $1,000 and $3,000 depending on a few factors such as breeder standards, eye and coat color, and lineage. A cross of two show-quality purebred parents can cost up to $5,000! 

Backyard breeders or puppy millers sell their puppies for a lot lower. Read all about puppy mills here and why you shouldn’t go for cheap. A puppy mill or backyard breeder will have unsocialized dogs and puppies lacking social skills, potentially leading to behavioral problems in the future. 

If you’re thinking of adding a Pomsky to your family, first check with local shelters and rescue groups. Pomskies are high-energy dogs that may not suit most inexperienced dog owners, and dogs given up to shelters do not necessarily mean behavior problems.

All Pomsky puppies should come from Husky mothers, with no exceptions. It is not safe for Pomeranian mothers to carry a litter of what could be potentially Husky-sized puppies.

Selecting a breeder is no mean feat. Navigating unethical backyard breeders is a pain, so we’ve put together a shortlist of things to look for in your breeder selection. 

1. They keep their puppies in an open, spacious home and are happy to show you around.

2. Their adult dogs have various certifications and participate in other activities like dog shows, temperament tests, and obedience classes.

3. They are proud to present the parents of the litter who are friendly, happy dogs that indicate good socialization and loving homes. 

4. You might start to feel interrogated when talking to a good breeder. They will be all up in your business and asking deeply personal questions to ensure their puppies go to the best possible home. Don’t be offended; this is good and shows they are careful about where their puppies go. 

5. They will be happy to provide ongoing advice and information, often asking for constant updates throughout the pup’s life. Again, this is a good thing and maintains their strict requirements for the well-being of their puppies. Please treat this as your puppy having aunties and uncles throughout its life! 

6. References can work both ways. You can ask your veterinarian or local kennel clubs for recommendations on breeders, and likewise, the breeder might ask you for character references. When that happens, it is a good idea to contact your references to ensure the breeder actually checked up on you.

7. Scrutinize the sales contract with a fine-toothed comb. What does the health guarantee cover? Some health guarantees state that if you return a dog, you can have another one. Who would return their sick puppy in exchange for another one? Unethical breeders are counting on that and use it to wiggle their way out of responsibility. 

8. A good contract highlights your obligations, what is guaranteed by the breeder, and detail specific health checks that have to be done. They will always have a Return To Breeder (RTB) clause, which is your puppy’s best safety net. The RTB clause will prevent the pup from going to a shelter or unsuitable home, should you need to give it up for any reason.

9. Good breeders focus on the parents, while bad breeders focus on the pups. Pups sell. Who can resist looking at puppy photos and not want one? An ethical breeder will be proud of the accomplishments of the sire and dam much more than they focus on their puppies.

10. Good breeders have infrequent litters, usually just once a year. Dams should not be bred on their first heat, typically at six months. AKC rules specify to register a litter; the dam has to be between 8 months and 12 years of age while the sire is 7 months to 12 years. (Source: AKC)

11. Check all the certificates of the parents. A good breeder will have countless documents on various health checks, DNA tests, and vaccination records and be happy to share them with you. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is a great resource, and most breeders will also have OFA certification.

12. Also, check the AKC certifications of the sire and dam. Pomsky breeding pairs should be pure Siberian Husky and Pomeranian, or two Pomsky parents. This can be checked with a DNA certificate or an AKC registration certificate.


Questions To Ask A Breeder

Questions for a breeder

Now that you’ve done your research and shortlisted a bunch of potential breeders, it might be a good idea to visit them and check out their facilities. If that’s not possible, use video calls, email correspondence, and request plenty of updates and photos. 

To start with, a few “deal-breaker” questions can quickly weed out the unethical breeders that you shouldn’t touch with a ten-foot pole.

1. Can you provide a DNA test for the parents? The grandparents?

2. Check the DNA test results for any “at-risk” or “carrier” conditions. Dogs at risk should not be bred. A dog with a carrier condition can still be bred with another dog without the condition. If you are unsure how to interpret the test results, check with a veterinarian.

3. Can you provide the AKC registration papers or the OFA test results?

4. If I have to give the puppy up, what then? The correct answer would be for the breeder to tell you to bring it back to them with no exceptions.

5. How often do you have litters? Look out for breeders that say they have two or more litters a year from the same parents. It is normal to wait for months for a single litter from good breeders. 

6. Do you offer any health guarantees?

7. When can I take my new puppy home? Pomsky puppies cannot leave their litter before 8 weeks of age.

8. Can I visit the puppies? Ask this even though it is not possible. Ethical breeders will always allow a visit and are transparent about the conditions their dogs are kept in.


Once you’ve eliminated those with unsatisfactory answers, a few further questions can give you a better idea of the breeder’s qualities.

1. Do you have an application process?

2. How are your puppies socialized?

3. Can you provide references from your veterinarian and at least 3 households that have bought your puppies?

4. Have the puppies been de-wormed and received their first round of vaccinations?

5. What food do your puppies get fed once they are weaned? Be wary of generic dog food unsuitable for puppies and look for high-quality, small breed puppy food.

6. Where will be the puppies spend the first 8 weeks?

7. Can I have any information on the temperament and activities of the parents?

8. Have any of your puppies gotten sick?

9. Do you require a deposit, and what is your refund policy?

10. Why are you breeding Pomskies?


Bringing Your New Pomsky Puppy Home

So you’ve done your homework, researched your breeder, and are now ready to bring home your Pomsky puppy. What else would you need?

Puppy proofing your home: Puppies love to chew and get into everything. You’ll want to get wires and electronics off the floor and onto where they can’t reach. Get down on your hands and knees and put yourself on the level that your new puppy will be. Check out everything that the puppy will have access to and remove any dangers.

Cleaning supplies: Pups have accidents. Plenty of them! Potty training takes a while, and in the meantime, you’re going to be cleaning up a lot of spills. Enzymatic cleaners are your best friend. They work on a biological level and attack protein, oils, and carbohydrates.

Also, odor eliminators will prevent future accidents. Dogs are creatures of habit and will mark over previous spots, so a good odor eliminator will be a part of any dog owner’s arsenal.

In addition, Pomskies shed a fair bit, making a good vacuum a necessary addition to your cleaning supplies.

Pet supplies: To prepare for your new family member, proper dog supplies are necessary. A collar, leash, crate, wet wipes, shampoo, and some bedding will go a long way to keeping puppers happy. Puppies chew a lot, so perhaps use some old blankets as bedding before investing in an expensive dog bed that will just be chewed up.

High-quality kibble is also a relatively large expense. Pomskies are medium-sized dogs that have enormous appetites. In addition to the essentials, treats, chew toys, and a good brush will all help you better care for your new puppy.

Final Thoughts 

Pomskies make a great addition to the family, but they are not for everyone. They can be an active, stubborn breed that requires a firm hand and positive training methods.

They also can be high-energy dogs that require frequent exercise and a fenced yard. If you think the Pomsky is a breed for you, we wish you the best of luck in your hunt for your new bestie! 

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