Anyone who has ever done a Google search for Pomeranian Husky, also known as the Pomsky, knows that it’s one of the cutest designer dogs out there.
The Pomeranian Husky is a designer dog breed, and a fairly new one at that. A cross between a Pomeranian and a Siberian Husky, this lovable, fluffy haired pooch combines all of the wild, wolf-like beauty of the husky with the miniature cute-factor of the Pomeranian.
But would you believe that this incredibly adorable and highly popular small size mixed breed dog began as a myth?
History Of The Pomeranian Husky (Pomsky)
In 2009, a woman posting on an Internet forum purportedly planned to adopt a Pomeranian Husky mix from a shelter. The validity of the animal’s parentage being half Pomeranian and half Husky, however, was quickly debunked by a veterinarian.
Yet only a few years later, a BuzzFeed article inspired by this incident, including photos of dogs that were not actual Pomsky dogs, went viral, and dog lovers all over the world fast became infatuated with this make-believe creature.
In part due to the viral sensation of this mythical breed, the Husky Pomeranian mix didn’t take much longer to become an actuality with the first recorded litter born in 2012. A dog breeder named Tressa Peterson became intrigued by the idea of this cross, and after around a year of research, she joined forces with her friend Joline Phillips to create the first Pomskies.
Which Breeds Makes A Pomsky?
A purebred Pomsky is the result of a cross between a male Pomeranian dog and a female Siberian Husky. This breeding generally takes place through artificial insemination due to the significant size difference in the parent breeds.
The Pomsky’s dam, the Siberian Husky, was first brought to the United States in the early 1900’s when they were used as sled dogs in Alaska. The sire, the Pomeranian dog, originated in the European province of Pomerania, and is descended from the Spitz breeds which also have a working dog history.
Because it is so new on the scene, and probably also because it is a designer dog, the Pomeranian Husky is not recognized as an official breed by American Kennel Club. A kennel club generally requires some consistency in characteristics, including physical features and temperament, to establish a breed standard, and since these characteristics can vary widely from dog to dog, it is possible that the Pomsky may never be an AKC official. However, they are recognized by a few other organizations, including The Pomsky Club of America and the International Pomsky Association.
Pomsky Characteristics And Features
As mentioned above, the Pomeranian Husky can vary widely in appearance. The dog’s size, coat color and other features are dependent on the genetics of its two parents. Because of this, you can easily get a Pomsky that looks more like a Husky and one that looks more like a Pomeranian in the same litter. It’s also nearly impossible to predict what a Pomsky puppy might look like at maturity.
However, there are a few standards that seem to appear in most Pomskies. Most Pomeranian Huskies will be between 10 and 17 inches high. Most of these dogs weigh from 15 to 30 pounds and have either blue eyes or brown. Given a healthy lifestyle and a happy home life, they usually live from 13 to 15 years.
A Pomsky typically has dense, fluffy hair and is a big shedder. Their double coats are thick, medium to long in length and straight or somewhat wavy, and can come in a range of different colors. Most Pomskies have multi colored coats including two of the following shades: black, gray, white, cream, tan, rusty red and brown. However, they can be solid in color or appear somewhat brindled.
Most Pomskies favor the Siberian Husky in head and ear shape. Ears are usually triangular and stand erect on the tops of their heads. Their tails curl slightly, and they often have shorter legs than the typical Husky.
Types Of Pomsky
The teacup Pomeranian Husky is another type of the same designer breed. However, this version is usually a result of crossbreeding a teacup Pomeranian, or a micro teacup Pomeranian, with a Siberian Husky.
Along with the usual concerns for the breed and health issues associated with miniature designer breeds, dog owners should be aware that most of these miniature puppies being sold for only a few hundred dollars probably come from puppy mills. If you see a price that looks too good to be true on a teacup version of this crossbreed, you should assume that it is not coming from a reputable breeder.
Health Concerns For The Pomeranian Husky
As with any dog breed, if you plan to adopt a Pomeranian Husky, you should become familiar with some of their most common health problems and genetic tendencies.
Hip Dysplasia and dislocated patella are common among Pomskies. Most large breeds, like the Husky, are prone to Hip Dysplasia, and the Pomeranian is known to be prone to dislocation of the patella (the kneecaps.) This leads to a double risk for Pomeranian Huskies when it comes to bone concerns. Both of these conditions are usually exist from birth when they are present, but sometimes they don’t surface until adulthood.
If a dog has hip dysplasia, slipped discs or dislocated hip joints, you may notice that the animal favors one leg, limps for no apparent reason or suddenly cries out in pain when playing or running. If you notice any of these things, be sure to consult your veterinarian as soon as possible. These conditions can be very serious, but they can also generally be managed well with pain medication.
Other Health Concerns
Other health issues, like cataracts, other eye problems and skin conditions, such as dermatitis, can be common among Pomeranian Huskies. Most eye and skin conditions can be treated or cured, but it’s important to catch the problem as early as you can.
Dogs who are developing cataracts may show cloudiness in their eyes. Sometimes dogs with cataracts are uncoordinated, or act as though they can’t see. Dogs with dermatitis, and other skin conditions, may scratch excessively and have dry, flaky skin.
Typical Temperament Of The Breed
Don’t let this small dog fool you with size. A Pomsky is clever, often stubborn and full of personality. And their personality traits can vary a lot from dog to dog.
Owners of Pomeranian Huskies report that most of these dogs are clever, confident, loyal, funny, playful, energetic and stubborn. A lot of Pomskies come across as aloof, too, but with proper socialization, they can be friendly and affectionate all around.
While this breed may not make the best family dog due to energy levels and difficulty of training, it is not impossible to have a highly affectionate, loyal and friendly Pomsky that gets along with everyone. Adequate training and socialization are key.
Intelligence And Training For the Breed
While this breed is generally fairly intelligent, first time Pomsky owners may be easily frustrated by how difficult they are to train. While they do love praise and affection, due to their stubbornness and intelligence, even the sweetest Pomeranian Husky can still be very challenging to train.
Their stubbornness can, at times, translate to behavior that is sometimes called “small dog syndrome.” This occurs when a small dog is overly loud, stubborn, disobedient, aggressive or intimidating. This behavior can be directed at the dog’s owner, other family members, other pets in the home, strangers and even wild animals. However, small dog syndrome is a learned behavior, and it can be trained away.
Positive Reinforcement
Remember to reward your Pomsky immediately to reinforce good behavior. Something as simple as a word of praise can go a long way, but you can also use petting, belly rubs, treats, etc. You can discourage bad behavior by taking something away, rather than outright punishing your dog. For instance, if your Pomsky is barking aggressively at a visitor, you could try ignoring him, or closing the door, as a way of discouraging the barking.
If you are not sure how to train, or you are unable to follow through with fully training your Pomeranian Husky, it is best to seek the help of a professional.
Feeding And Exercising
Because Pomeranian Huskies vary in size, their calorie needs will differ a lot from dog to dog. How much a dog needs per day also depends on their age, gender, activity level and any health concerns or dietary restrictions specific to your dog. However, you can expect to feed your Pomsky somewhere between half a cup and one and a fourth cups of food per day.
Start with a high quality dog food that is rich in animal based protein and low in saturated fats. You should also choose a food that has minimal carbohydrates per serving. Protein and healthy fats, like Omega fatty acids, are vital to proper growth while your Pomsky is a puppy and for adequate nutrition as an adult dog.
If you are unsure how much to feed your dog, or what food to use, you can consult your veterinarian. Most vets are happy to work with dog owners to create personalized feeding plans, and they can also be useful suppliers of quality food and treats.
How Much Daily Exercise?
Most Pomskies are energetic and naturally enjoy exercise, but they still need a lot of daily, structured activity to maintain optimum health and fitness. This daily exercise is important for muscle building and maintenance, healthy weight and even the emotional wellbeing of your dog.
Expect to give your Pomeranian Husky 45 minutes to an hour of exercise every day. Ideally, this should be broken down into a couple of walks, or a few walks and some outdoor or indoor play sessions.
Besides regular walks, you can provide exercise by taking your dog to the dog park, going swimming together, arranging play dates with other dogs, taking your dog hunting or fishing or playing backyard games like fetch and chase. If you have children, they can supply endless exercise for dogs given a little imagination. But a responsible adult should always ensure that the Pomsky gets enough exercise.
Grooming For The Breed
Grooming for the Pomsky is a lot of work. If you’re not prepared for an almost daily grooming routine, this may not be the breed for you. Occasional trips to a professional groomer may also become necessary.
The Pomeranian Husky mix sheds a lot, especially those that have hair more like a Pomeranian’s, so you’re biggest grooming concern will be brushing. Their coats blow out twice yearly, once in spring and once in fall, and during these months they will shed more, and they will require very frequent brushing.
You should expect to brush your dog’s coat at least twice a week, but daily is ideal with this breed to remove loose hair, prevent tangles and matting and maintain a smooth, sleek coat. You may even find that brushing twice a day becomes necessary during times of excess shedding.
Regular baths are not necessary, but you can bathe your Pomeranian Husky every couple of months if you need to. Too much bathing can result in dry skin and other coat and skin problems, though, so don’t overdo it.
Don’t Forget The Ears
Clean your Pomsky’s ears every couple of weeks to prevent buildup of dirt and hair and infestations of fleas, ticks and other pests. Cleaning the ears can also prevent infections from developing.
You may need to trim your dog’s nails around once a month. Some dogs’ claws will wear down a lot naturally, especially if they play and exercise outside frequently, but if they don’t wear down enough, you should have a regular nail trimming routine. If you’re not sure how to do this safely, or you’re not confident doing so, it’s best to have a professional groomer or a veterinarian do it.
Brushing your dog’s teeth daily will help prevent bad breath, cavities, gingivitis, tooth decay and tooth loss. You can get special toothpaste designed especially for dogs, but even brushing with water alone can help prevent some of these problems. Some groomers and vets can provide tooth brushing services, and most will be able to supply you with, or help you find, a toothbrush and toothpaste for your dog.
FAQ On The Pomeranian Husky
1. Where can I get Pomeranian Husky puppies?
If you’re looking for a purebred Pomeranian Husky, you should get in touch with an official breeder. If you’re not sure where to find one, or how to trust a particular breeder, you can begin by contacting The Pomsky Club of America or the International Pomsky Association for assistance. Avoid adopting or buying from a backyard breeder. Pomskies that don’t come from official breeders may not be purebred, and they may come with additional health concerns.
2. How much does a Pomeranian Husky cost?
A purebred Pomeranian Husky from a good breeder can set you back anywhere from $1,000 to $5,00, but you should expect, on average, to pay between $2,000 and $3,000. When you see Pomsky puppies for sale with a price tag of only a few hundred dollars, you should not trust the seller. Backyard breeders and puppy mill operations are known for attempting to scam would-be owners with dogs that are not purebred or that come with innumerable health issues. Pure Pomeranian Husky mixes usually require artificial means of insemination to produce a litter, and only well established, trustworthy breeders are willing to pay what this costs. A good breeder with healthy, purebred Pomsky puppies for sale will not offer you what seems like a “steal.”
3. Is the Pomsky the right breed for me?
Any time you’re considering buying or adopting a dog, you should consider many factors. For instance, are you prepared for a dog that can be very stubborn and resistant to training? If not, you might be better off with a Golden Retriever! Are you okay with a dog that sheds a lot? Again, if not, consider another breed. When choosing a breed, you should also consider a dog’s size, how much it eats, what climate the animal is best suited to and so on. The decision should be as much about whether or not you are the right owner for the dog.
4. What will my Pomeranian Husky look like?
This designer breed comes in many shapes and sizes, due to each individual puppy being a cross between two individual purebred dogs. For instance, if you cross a Husky that’s a bit small with a Pomeranian that’s small, you’re more likely to end up with smaller Pomsky puppies than, say, if both the mother and father were large for their breed. But even at that, there is no guarantee. You can have a wide range of sizes, colors and even temperaments with this breed, so if you’re hoping for a very specific look from your puppy when it reaches adulthood, you’re better off with a breed that is more predictable.
5. Are Pomskies loud?
They can be! Both of the parents of a Pomsky tend to be highly vocal, which means, more than likely, your Pomsky will probably have a lot to say. Smaller dog breeds, like the Pomeranian, tend to get a bad rap as yappy, excessive barkers, but this behavior can be controlled through proper training.