The Pomeranian Husky mix breed, also known as Pomsky, has recently gained popularity among dog lovers, and it is for good reasons too!
Pomsky is a mix between Pomeranian and Siberian Husky. Siberian husky combined with Pomeranian, Pomsky have the majestic look of a Siberian Husky and the fluffy adorability of a Pomeranian. This irresistibly fluffy and cute small-size mixed breed dog is a great alternative for pet lovers who love huskies but don't have the space for a purebred husky as this breed is apartment living friendly.
Let's take a look at some of the characteristics of the cute Pomeranian Husky so you can decide if this little mischievous breed is right for you.
Breed Characteristics
Adaptability
How easily a dog deals with living in an apartment. Despite the dog's size, you should also consider energy level, calmness, and friendliness.
Some breeds bond very closely with their family and are more prone to panic and separation anxiety when left alone. When left alone, they can become very destructive, bark, whine, chew and cause mayhem. These breeds do best in a home with a family member around during the day, can go to work with their owner, or recommend attending doggy day care if the owner is not home during the day.
Low sensitivity dogs are easygoing, tolerant, and resilient. They can handle a noisy and chaotic household, a loud or assertive owner, and tolerate an inconsistent or variable routine.
Short coat and little to no coat breeds are vulnerable to cold climates. These breeds will have a low cold tolerance and need to live inside in a cool climate and should have a jacket or sweater on for chilly walks.
Breeds with a thick and double coat are vulnerable to overheating. Breeds with a short nose and flat face are also vulnerable as they can't pant as well to cool themselves off. If these breeds of dog live in a warm and humid environment, you will need to be extra cautious about taking them outdoor in the heat.
Friendliness
Friendliness towards cats and humans is very different. Some breeds are gentle and accept cats readily as part of the family. Some breeds will chase, fight, or rough play with a cat and cause severe injury. However, no matter the breed, proper socialization, and training can improve the situation.
Friendliness towards other dogs. Some dogs may try to dominate other dogs and attack and fight, while others would rather play. However, no matter the breed, proper socialization, and training can improve the situation.
How affectionate a breed is likely to be with family members or other people he knows well. Some breeds are independent, some breeds can be aloof with everyone but their owner, while others treat everyone they know like it's their best friend.
Breed, however, isn't the only factor affecting affection levels. Proper socialization and training can improve the situation.
Kid-friendly dogs should be gentle with children, be more tolerant of screaming and running children as well as other children's behavior.
How welcoming a breed is likely to be towards strangers. Some dogs will greet a stranger with wagging tails, while others are shy, reserved, cautious, or aggressive. However, no matter the breed, proper socialization, and training can improve the situation.
Health And Grooming
Amount of bathing, brushing, trimming, and professional grooming needs. Consider how much time, patience, and budget you have for this type of care when looking at the grooming effort needed. All breeds require regular nail trimming.
Drool-prone dogs may drape ropes of slobber on your arm or wet spots on your clothes when they come over to say hello. If you've got a laid-back attitude toward slobber, fine. But if you are a neat freak, dogs that are drool prone may not be the right choice for you.
Due to poor breeding practices, some breeds are prone to certain genetic health problems. However, this doesn't mean that every dog of that breed will develop those diseases, and it just means that they're at an increased risk.
If you're adopting or rescuing a puppy, it's a good idea to find out which genetic illnesses are common to the breed you're interested in. You may also want to ask if your shelter or rescue has information about the physical health of your potential pup's parents and other relatives.
If you are purchasing from a breeder, be sure to do your research. Purchase from a reputable breeder and ask for the parent's health records to understand what potential health issue your pup may have.
Amount and frequency of dog hair shedding.
If you are getting a dog, you'll need to deal with some level of dog hair on your clothes and in your house. However, shedding does vary greatly among the breeds. Some dogs shed year-round, some "blow" seasonally, some do both, and some shed hardly at all.
Trainability
Easy-to-train dogs are more adept at forming an association between a prompt, an action, and a reward (such as treats, appraise, or toys). Other dogs need more time, patience, and repetition during training.
Dogs bred for jobs requiring decision-making, intelligence, and concentration, need to exercise their brains. Such as, dogs bred to run all day need to exercise their bodies. If they don't get the mental stimulation they need, they can become destructive and exhibit behaviors such as digging and chewing. Obedience training and interactive dog toys are good ways to give a dog a brain workout, as are dog sports and careers, such as agility and search and rescue.
Common in most breeds during the puppy stage. Mouthiness means a tendency to nip, chew, and play-bite (a soft, fairly painless bite that doesn't puncture the skin). Mouthy dogs are more likely to use their mouths to hold or "herd" their human family members, and they need the training to learn that it's fine to gnaw on chew toys but not on people. Mouthy breeds tend to really enjoy squeaky toys, as well as a good chew on a toy that's been stuffed with kibble and treats.
Dogs who were bred to hunt have an inborn desire to chase--and sometimes kill. Anything whizzing by, such as cats, squirrels, or rabbits, can trigger that instinct. Dogs who like to chase need to be leashed or kept in a fenced area when outdoors, and you'll need a high, secure fence in your yard. These breeds generally aren't a good fit for homes with smaller pets that can look like prey, such as cats, hamsters, or small animals. Breeds that were originally used for bird hunting, on the other hand, generally won't chase. But you'll probably have difficulty getting their attention when birds fly by.
Some breeds are more vocal than others. When choosing a breed, think about how often the dog vocalizes with barks or howls. While some breeds will bark at every passing bird, some may use other sounds to express themselves.
Physical And Mental Needs
The amount of physical and mental stimulation a breed needs. High-energy breeds are ready to go and eager for their next adventure. Low-energy breeds are like couch potatoes - they're happy to lay around and sleep.
Some breeds do fine with a slow evening stroll around the block. Others need daily, vigorous exercise, especially those originally bred for physically demanding jobs, like herding or hunting.
How much mental stimulation a breed needs to stay happy and healthy. Purpose-bred dogs can have jobs that require decision-making, problem-solving, concentration, or other qualities. Without the brain exercise they need, they can be destructive and have unwanted behavior issues.
A dog's inclination to be protective of his family members, home, yard, or even car.
A breed's tendency to alert you that strangers are around. These breeds are more likely to react to any potential threat, whether it's the mailman or a squirrel outside the window.
Parent Breeds
Pomsky is considered a designer dog breed between Pomeranian, the smallest of the spitz breeds, and Siberian Husky, a breed known to be the best sled dog. In the same litter, you can get a Pomsky that looks more like Siberian huskies and one that looks more like Pomeranian.
Pomsky Puppies
The first recorded litter of Pomsky puppies was born in March 2012. Therefore, most of the Pomskies you see today are the first generation of their breed. For this reason, a small amount of information is known.
Pomsky is still quite rare, and these cute puppies can be hard to find and expensive. So, how much does a Pomeranian Husky cost? A purebred Pomeranian Husky costs anywhere between $1,000 to $5,000 from a good breeder. However, Pomsky can end up in the care of animal shelters or rescues, be sure to consider adoption first.
Origin
The origin of the Pomsky dog breed is particularly unique. It began in 2011 when a BuzzFeed article suggested how cute a hybrid of a husky and a Pomeranian would be and then provided photos of what the little designer breeds might look like. This article took off, and people fell in love with the still nonexistent breed. Given the size difference between the breeds, it was unrealistic to hope that a real Pomeranian Husky could ever be bred.
However, in late 2011 or 2012, artificial insemination was beginning to be used for crossbreeding different species that would otherwise be unsafe or inhuman to breed otherwise. And so, with the help of artificial insemination, the Pomeranian Husky, or the Pomsky, finally became a reality.
This hybrid designer-breed dog is still very new and is thus not recognized by any kennel clubs, including organizations like American Kennel Club. Owners looking to buy will need to do vigorous research to find a reputable breeder to ensure that humane and safe breeding has been practiced and that the little puppies come from healthy and purebred dog parents.
Avoid puppy mill operations and backyard breeders, as they can come with innumerable health issues, and you may not get what you think you paid for. Not to mention, the natural breeding of this breed is not an option for a variety of reasons. Be sure to consider adoption and rescue first.
Height: 13-18"
Weight: 20-30 lbs
Height: 10-15"
Weight: 20-30 lbs
Life Span: 12-15
Breed Group: Hybrid
Size
The Pomeranian Husky's size varies, as the two breeds of parents are very different in size. Pomsky is typically a small to a medium-sized dog that grows to be between 10 and 18 inches and weighs about 20 to 30 pounds.
Personality
Pomeranian Huskies are very playful dogs and have mischievous personality traits. They are loyal to their family and outgoing and friendly when properly trained and socialized. They are very smart dogs and can be a bit willful, but they love to make their owner happy.
Husky can be chatty, howling and whining, and Pomeranian can be yappy. This combination makes Pomsky a very vocal dog. For people who are sensitive to noise or have a low tolerance for noise, Pomsky may not be a good fit.
Image source: Depositphotos
Appearance/Colors
Pomeranian Huskies get a wide color and pattern palette from both Husky and Pomeranian parents. They can come in brown, chocolate, liver, red, gray, blue, and white coat colors. Bicolored, tricolored, brindle, flecked, ticked, speckled, and tuxedos are possible patterns.
Their coat consists of a medium-length double coat that makes them appear like fluffier huskies. Their eyes can be anything from hazel to sky blue, and some Pomsky puppies will even have two different eye colors.
Temperament
Pomeranian Huskies can make good family dogs due to their playfulness and energy. However, their smaller size may make them wary of very small children. They can also be hyper-vigilant around strangers due to their loyalty to their families. If they are trained and socialized early, you can counter much of this, and they will be well-behaved and fun dogs. These designer dogs can get along well with other dogs, though they may chase smaller pets, including cats, around due to their prey drive.
Diet/Nutritional Needs
Pomeranian Huskies have dietary needs like any other dog. They need fresh water at all times and quality canine food that is appropriate for their age, size, and activity levels. You can consult with your vet about the best time to transition your Pomsky puppy to adult food and for advice on quantity.
You should avoid giving your dog too many treats or scars of human food since this can lead to obesity and many health issues. Dental chews can also be offered regularly to help maintain dental health.
If you are unsure about your dog's diet, be sure to consult with your veterinarian.
Image source: PikWizard
Activity/Exercise Needs
Pomeranian Huskies are very active dogs with a pretty high drive, thanks to their Husky parents. These dogs will require rigorous daily activities to maintain optimum physical and mental health. These dogs love walks, running, hiking, fetch, playing in a dog park, and other traditional outdoor activities, but they also enjoy swimming and snow sports.
To keep your Pomeranian Husky mentally challenged, you should get puzzle toys or a food puzzle feeder bowl. Without regular activity and mental engagement, your Pomeranian Husky will likely develop destructive behaviors such as chewing, barking, whining, and urinating indoors.
Grooming Needs
One of the primary downsides of owning a Pomeranian Husky is that this dog breed is a heavy shedder. Its double coat sheds year-round but can get even worse in the summer. This breed will require daily brushing to keep as much of the shedding at bay as possible.
Pomeranian Huskies will require regular and routine trips to the groomers to trim their hair. This should be once a month during the summer and once every three months in the less shedding seasons.
It would be best if you tried to trim your dog's nails once a month and regularly examine your dog's ears for any inflammation. Veterinarians recommend daily teeth brushing, and you can give dog dental chews to help maintain dental health.
Adaptability
Pomeranian Huskies are a pretty adaptable and flexible dog breed. They can be taught to get along with children, other dogs, and possibly other small pets with proper obedience training.
Pomskies are good apartment dogs, provided they get plenty of exercise every day. Otherwise, their barking could become annoying to any neighbors. This breed does tend to suffer from separation anxiety as well, so don't get this dog if you won't be able to incorporate it into daily life. This dog breed is very cold weather tolerant and does fine in the heat so long as it has water and shade.
Trainability
Pomskies are highly intelligent dogs and must be trained and socialized rigorously and early if they are going to be polite and well-mannered adult dogs. They can be challenging to train as their stubbornness can sometimes translate into "small dog syndrome." However, you can train this learned behavior.
Pomskies tend to be mischievous, willful, and even cunning, so you must be consistent and use positive reinforcement to maintain your bond with your dog while still training it to obey you.
Training and socialization should begin with this Pomeranian mix as soon as possible and should be maintained throughout your dog's life.
Image source: Flickr
Life Expectancy
A healthy, well-bred Pomeranian Husky has a life expectancy of 12-15 years.
Potential Health Issues
It is still relatively early in the breed's history to predict what the Pomeranian Husky's health issues will be. They are relatively healthy designer dogs and come from relatively healthy breeds, but a few health concerns come with the individual parent breeds.
A Pomeranian Dogs Health Issues
Dental Problems
This can include too many teeth, resulting in overcrowding and increased plaque and tartar buildup.
Ear Issues
Common ear issues include infection, wax buildup, blockage, and overgrown hair.
Skin Conditions
Skin conditions like dermatitis can be common among Pomsky. Other conditions can vary from parasite infestation, mange, ringworm, bacterial or fungal infections, and allergies.
Siberian Husky Health Issues
Eye Conditions and Sensitivities
The most common eye problems associated with the Husky breed are juvenile cataracts, corneal dystrophy, and progressive retinal atrophy.
Hip Dysplasia
Hip dysplasia is a common issue in many mediums to large dog breeds leading to the malformation of their hip joints, even as early as their puppy days.
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