The Pomeranian Husky mix breed, also known as the Pomsky, is a very popular designer dog and it is clear to see why! They have the majestic look of the Siberian Husky combined with the fluffy adorability of the Pomeranian. But don’t let these cute looks fool you, this is one smart bouncy cookie.
The Pomsky has been one of the most popular designer dog breeds since 2017 and is still up there on the leaderboard. It is important, however, to put aside how cute they are and take a closer look at their personality traits, what it takes to look after this adorable pup, and to decide if he will fit in with your and your family’s lifestyle.
In terms of dog breeds, these guys are pretty much the new kid on the block. The first recorded litter of puppies were born in March 2012, and therefore the majority of Pomskies alive today are first-generation. Because of this, there is a relatively small amount of information on them and their genetic make-up, but here is what we do know so far.
Parent Breeds
Before adopting any designer dog, it’s imperative you understand exactly what the parent breeds for each dog may contribute to the temperament of your pup. While every dog is different, this may help you determine their potential intelligence level, energy output, and nutrition needs.
In the case of the Pomsky, this breed’s parents are the Pomeranian and the Siberian Husky. Both breeds have no shortage of energy, and both breeds can have a tendency to carry a stubborn streak. Let’s look at each of their parents in a little more detail.
Pomeranian
The Pomeranian is a toy breed, and they can be both bold and inquisitive. This makes them likely to have a stubborn streak, which means they may not always listen to what you have to say during obedience training sessions. Pomeranians live longer than many other breeds, partly due to their smaller size. They typically never top 10 pounds in weight.
The breed originated from Germany but became popular in England during the 1800s. Because of their appearance, they became a quick favorite of Royalty looking to spoil them at every turn. Since that time, they’ve become a very “posh” breed, often fetching very high prices as a purebred puppy.
They can be loyal family companions though, despite their stubbornness. Pomeranians are definite lapdogs and enjoy spending time with their family. They like to bark, and your pup will likely inherit this trait. Because of their affectionate personality, the Pom does get frequently crossbred as a designer dog. Examples of other Pomeranian Mixes include the Aussie Pom or the Pomchi.
Siberian Husky
The Siberian Husky is a working breed that was traditionally used as a sled dog. This means any designer dog that’s crossbred with them as a parent will likely have a very healthy energy level. The breed originated in Siberia (hence the name) and this breed has been around for centuries.
Huskies will usually end up somewhere between 30 and 60 pounds on average, depending on if they are male or female. These pups love to howl and talk, so mixing with a breed like the Pom will almost guarantee a vocal pup. They love to be the center of attention, and will often be considered the “class clown” when running with the pack.
They can be stubborn, and they can also be agitators. Most Siberian Huskies will not be overly aggressive, but if they see a dog they want to bother, they will do it in a fashion that’s slightly annoying with their dominance, rather than a complete dominance display. Because of their striking good looks, it’s not uncommon to see Huskies mixed with other breeds, like the Malamute Husky mix, or the Huskydoodle mix.
Pomsky Breed Overview
This is a very unique breed, with an extremely unique breeding process. What that means is that you can expect a very expensive dog, and many breeders do not endorse the creation of this breed because of the fact that it can be both difficult and time-consuming to ensure you get a successful litter.
Make no mistake though, this designer dog is here to stay. These breeds are very popular with individuals that can afford to buy them, and their high maintenance attitudes and coats are often offset by how charming they are. Let’s learn more about this designer dog, and what you can expect when you welcome them into your home.
Temperament
Pomskies are friendly and energetic balls of fuzz and will keep you and your family entertained for hours on end. Both parents are known to be sociable and loving, so be prepared to dish out daily attention and cuddles.
The Pom-Husky mix has inherited his intelligence from the Husky parent, who are known to pick up commands easily and respond well to positive reinforcement training. They also make great family pets, particularly for families with smaller children who are concerned about size.
Pomeranians are energetic and sociable with their family. Be warned though, they are also known for having a shrill bark which they deploy when they are in protect mode, and this is why they are said to have small dog syndrome. There are several reasons that could trigger this behavior in small dog breeds, and your pup will likely inherit this trait.
If you want to see one in action, then look no further! Norman is probably the most famous Pomsky in the world. He has his own website and well over 100K followers on his Instagram account. Be sure to check him out, but be warned, you will probably want a Norman of your own!
Size & Appearance
Similar to the Husky Corgi Mix, adults can reach up to 15 inches in height and can weigh anything between 20 and 30 pounds. That might sound larger than you first thought but remember that his mother can grow up to 23 inches tall and weighs 50 pounds. They are still considered a small dog breed but can become larger than people think. If you are expecting a tiny teacup pooch forever then this breed is not for you.
Their coats can come in many colors, the most popular are Black and White, Red, Brown, and Cream. This teddy bear dog has a soft fluffy double-layered coat. His downy undercoat means that when he sheds twice a year, you will know about it! This also means that they can withstand the cold but can’t tolerate the heat too much.
The majority of Pom-Husky mixes inherit the Husky’s distinctive eyes. The bluer and brighter the eyes the more desirable the pup is, and therefore the more in demand they are. It’s also possible that your pup ends up with two different colored eyes, known as heterochromia.
However, because this breed is a mix, there are no guarantees as to what they are going to look like, and as this breed is relatively new descriptions are of first-generation Pomskies and by far from definitive. So be prepared for slight deviations. The appearance of this pup is what’s made it one of the most sought-after Pomeranian mixes today.
Coat & Colors
The Pomsky can be a wider variety of colors because of how their parent breeds look. This means they can be all-white with blue eyes, dark grey with brown eyes, or even red, and anything in between. Generally speaking though, they will have some combination of the coat colors that are more common between the two breeds. This means it’s highly likely that your pup will end up with some variation of white, black, and grey.
Breeding
How is it physically possible to breed these two entirely different breeds?! Well yes, they do need a little bit of help in that department; these little guys are always bred by artificial insemination otherwise it would be unsuccessful and very unsafe. The mother is always the Siberian Husky and the father always the Pomeranian.
Because there are also very few registered breeders then it is almost certain that you will have to travel to find your canine friend. Some breeders will ship the pups to you, but more often than not a reputable breeder will require you to meet them in person. Don’t be put off by this though, this is a good sign that your pup has been well looked after!
Exercise & Living Conditions
These pups are deceptively active despite their size and will need regular exercise and stimulation throughout the day. If left unattended or unstimulated for long periods of time they can cause surprising destruction to your house and furniture. Toys made for huskies such as treat-filled Kong’s can be a great distraction and will keep them entertained for hours!
1 hour of exercise daily is required to ensure that they can expel all that energetic steam! It will be a struggle to tire out this mix, so an agility sport such as frisbee or dog agility courses can be great fun for you and your friend!
Training
These pups are intelligent and super quick learners, so this means that they are quite easily trained. The key is to be consistent and to keep small tit-bits handy for the positive reinforcement training.
When adopting a puppy, it is important to start the training from a young age for several reasons particular to their breed. Firstly, Pomeranians are stubborn little creatures and will likely view themselves as the pack leader (another small dog syndrome indicator!) – so establishing the pecking order in the household is key. Huskies are also very much a pack animal in the wild, so be sure to exert your dominance as the pack leader through obedience training to ensure a happy household. If not, you are definitely in for some doggy tantrums!
Secondly, it is important to socialize your puppy with all other animals and humans alike to avoid over-aggressiveness inherited from the parent’s protective streak. Thankfully, over-aggressiveness is quite rare, although it is still important to socialize the pup in any case.
If you plan to crate train, you can get a smaller crate that you’d buy if you own a purebred husky, but you still want a crate where the dog has enough room to turn around while being in the crate.
Health
This mix is relatively new, and they haven’t been studied enough to be able to say what their common health problems are. Thankfully, both parents are quite healthy breeds so it is unlikely that there will be any significant health problems in their pups.
Here is a list of potential health problems and the symptoms which can be found in their parents:
- Hip Dysplasia: Limping, dragging of their behind, or difficulty climbing
- Collapsing Trachea: Dry ‘honking’ cough or labored breathing
- Allergies and Skin Problems: Rashes or constant scratching
- Luxating Patellas: Skipping or hindlimb lameness
As of yet, there have been no significant health concerns reported regarding this mix, and it is likely that Pomskies will live for 12 to 15 years. As with any dog breed, it’s important to attend regular veterinarian checkups and to keep up to date with all vaccines and recommended treatments.
Nutrition
Nutrition plays a vital part in your dog’s health, so it is important to research the options available to you. Nutrition is dependent on your pet’s size, energy levels, and allergies amongst many other things, and it will change over time. Your veterinarian is the expert and they can suggest the best diet and food that suit your pet’s needs – so be sure to ask them if you are unsure or if anything changes in regards to your pet’s health!
When deciding on nutrition, consider that his Husky mother can suffer from hip dysplasia and his Pomeranian father suffers from dislocating knees, therefore you may wish to consider a lower calorie and low calcium diet as this can assist in preventing such health issues.
In addition to this, along with the potential to inherit skin allergies, it is likely that your Pomsky will need a superior quality dog food as this can have a major effect on skin and coat health. Often a grain-free diet would be suggested here.
Grooming
They can be a bit high maintenance when it comes to grooming. Their coat should be brushed daily using a bristle brush. This helps to stimulate blood flow to ensure a healthier coat, and to remove dead hair. They will shed heavily twice a year, usually in the Spring and Autumn, so a deshedding brush should be used to tackle their undercoat. Using a shampoo that helps prevent shedding will also keep hair under control.
Not only does regular grooming keep them healthy, but it also acts as a bonding session between you and your pooch, as well as decreasing the amount of dog fluff on the sofa! And when you are getting up close and personal it will also help you to see fleas or ticks, or any other nasties lurking amongst all that hair, so everyone’s a winner!
Most dogs require a bath every 4 to 6 weeks. This mix definitely needs regular bathing due to their fluffy coats. In between baths you can also use special doggy wipes or waterless shampoo from your local pet store. Dry shampoo comes in many different forms such as foam or spray. If your pup can’t stand water this may be a good alternative. Be sure not to wash them too often. This can damage their skin and be harmful to their natural coat oils.
Puppy Prices
The huge rise in popularity also means an enormous surge in what you can be expected to pay. There’s no hiding from the fact that these guys are expensive! The average price ranges from $2,000 all the way up to $5,000. The specialized artificial insemination process and low supply of pups are a few of the reasons why they command such a high premium, and they can cost more than purebred Pomeranians.
There are also long waiting lists for certain characteristics, such as bright blue eyes. Generally, the smaller and more Husky-like the pups look the more you’ll slide towards the higher end of the scale.
And that’s not it, on top of the initial price as with any pet there will be other bills to pay. Remember that any dog is a long-term investment! It is estimated that the average cost of keeping one of these pups per year is $2,000, which is significantly more expensive than the majority of other dog breeds.
Backyard breeders have also jumped on this trend. Unfortunately, they are cranking out these little pups without any real knowledge of how to care for them. If you see one of these pups for sale for anything lower than $1,000 then be aware. This is a ‘deal’ is that’s probably too good to be true, so stick to recognized breeders.
Breeders
Finding the right breeder can be challenging because breeding this mix is extremely complicated. You’ll want to start your search by looking at the availability locally in your state. Typically this involves an online search or looking for breeders on social media platforms. There’s a good chance if you can’t find one in your area that you’ll have to travel out of state to find your dog.
You may also need to think about shipping your puppy if you buy from an out-of-state breeder if you aren’t able to pick it up in person. You’ll want to ask to see the papers of the parents to ensure health checks have been done and that your pup has a good shot at being healthy.
Rescues
Finding a Pomsky at a rescue is likely going to be a little rarer. Because these dogs are so expensive, most owners are less likely to surrender them, even when there are behavioral problems. With that being said, you can still check rescues before going out and buying a puppy from a breeder. Resources like adoptapet.com can be a good place to start, but again it will depend on availability.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big is an Adult Pomsky when it’s fully grown?
They get to be fully grown after about two years. They will continue to mature mentally until they are around three years old, which is typical of most breeds. You can expect your pup to weigh about 20 pounds after they are fully mature as an adult.
How do Pomskies breed?
They are bred through artificial insemination. They typically will not be bred in normal settings due to the size differences between the two breeds. This is also why they have a variation in their standard size, and no two dogs will be alike, even from the same litter.
Are they good family dogs?
Yes, they can make a fantastic family dog. As with any breed, we recommend a consistent training regimen that starts with basic obedience lessons. If you have small children in your home, you will need to educate them on the responsibility of owning a smaller or medium-sized dog.
Can they be AKC registered?
Unfortunately not at this time. They are still considered designer dogs. They do have a breeding association. It takes years for dogs to become AKC eligible, and as of now, this has not happened. The longer the breed is in existence, the possibility does grow that at some point the AKC can recognize them as their own breed.
Can they be guard dogs?
They make better watchdogs than guard dogs. Pomskies are less likely to attack an intruder or defend their property. They are very likely to bark and let you know when strangers are nearby. Their smaller size makes them less likely to be effective when it comes to guarding.
Do they get along with cats?
Yes, if socialized early and properly, they can get along just fine with cats and other animals. It’s important to start introductions slowly if you are in a multi-pet household. Some dogs will be entirely indifferent to other animals, while others will be very social and outgoing.
How much do they shed?
While we’ve covered this in our grooming section, it’s worth revisiting. They are heavy shedders so you’ll need to be prepared to manage excess dog hair. We recommend that you have proper grooming tools on hand to manage this, especially during shedding season.
Final Thoughts
They are undeniably cute, but as you have read there is much more to them than meets the eye! Pomskies are very trainable but train them you must. Otherwise, you can expect an unruly dog that may upset the household with his barking and little dog syndrome. They are very energetic and require daily exercise.
They are also expensive, so you need to plan for this. Overall, remember that the Pomsky is a newer breed so be prepared to expect the unexpected. If you can provide them all of this then you won’t have any regrets. They are sociable, fun and everyone will likely fall in love with your pup!