If you adore the Husky but simply don’t have the space for one, look no further than the Pomsky. This new breed is adaptable, loving yet highly energetic, and perfect for experienced owners and people who are looking for a loyal companion.
A hybrid mix between the Siberian Husky and the Pomeranian, the Pomsky was not introduced until 2011, making it one of the newest breeds that we see today. The size difference between these two pure breeds meant that natural breeding was unethical, therefore artificial insemination was utilised to create this smaller husky.
Highlights:
Although Pomskies are smaller than the common Husky, this breed still exhibits the same personality traits as their larger ancestor. This makes them a fun and exciting addition to their owner’s life;
Pomskies are extremely loyal so will make fantastic partners.
Similarly to the Husky, the Pomsky takes on the wolf-like appearance that makes it stand out from other breeds. Their striking colours, blue eyes, and fluffy coat are hard to miss, and with this new breed being bred as more apartment-friendly for people who still want the experience of owning a husky.
Although they are a new breed, their petite build and pointy ears have quickly become favourites in the dog world. Through their hybridity, Pomskies can be born in a variety of different colours, including Brown, Liver, Red, Grey, Blue and White, with a number of different patterns that can make each puppy unique, with some even being tricoloured. Their eyes are also commonly found in different colours throughout the litter, and contrasting eye colours are also possible.
It is important to note that the combination of the Husky and the Pomeranian can make it difficult to know which of the breed’s characteristics will show through in the puppy. This also means that their size will differ. However, recently there have been listings of ‘Teacup’ Pomskies, which are unethically bred puppies that are not a recognised breed.
How big do Pomsky dogs get?
Height - 25 - 38cm
Weight - 9 - 14kg
Pomskies are extremely intelligent and therefore enjoy being mischievous. Training must be implemented early on in the puppy’s life with patience, otherwise, there is the potential for this breed to become yappy, chewy, and disobedient in boredom.
The Pomsky Owner Association recommends 10-15 minutes of training sessions a few times a day to maintain stimulation in their puppy. Otherwise, they could become bored and lose interest, preventing them from learning anything. Positive reinforcement is equally as important as if there is confrontation, this breed could feel intimidated and use aggression to compensate for their size.
Arguably, this makes them fantastic guard dogs as their loyalty and devotion to their owner will ensure they have a protective quality for their ‘pack.’ They love attention almost as much as they love their playtime, and it is important that both of these are integrated into a typical Pomsky’s life.
Are Pomskies intelligent? - Yes
Are Pomskies affectionate? - Yes
Do Pomskies have high or low energy levels? - High
Are Pomskies loyal? - Yes
Are Pomskies playful? - Yes
Are Pomskies aggressive? - If they are intimidated or find themselves in foreign situations there is a possibility that they can become protective and aggressive, but this is not a common trait.
Are Pomskies easy to train? - Due to their intelligence, yes, however, they like to push the boundary to see how much they can get away with.
Are Pomskies good guard dogs? - With the tendency to bark at strangers, yes.
Due to their high prey drive, Pomskies tend to not get along with other smaller pets such as cats or rabbits. They would see them as something to chase, not as another friend for them to play with. However, early socialisation into a setting in which there are a variety of pets is extremely important for there to be more adaptability for the Pomsky to cohabitate with different animals.
As they are quite cheeky as puppies, they might not be suitable for a family with small children. However, older children would benefit from having a Pomsky as they would see them as part of their pack and be loyal to their family. With other dogs, there is a possibility that they could be cautious at first, but once again early integration will help this.
Do Pomskies get along with other pets? - No
Do Pomskies get along with other dogs? - Yes
Are Pomskies good with kids? - No
Are Pomskies good with strangers? - No
As Pomskies were bred as a smaller, more apartment-friendly Husky, they are perfect for smaller living areas. However, it is important to remember that these dogs require a decent amount of exercise in large open spaces, as well as playing time with their owners.
Furthermore, the Pomsky is not a good choice of dog for first-time owners due to their high maintenance in both attention, training, and grooming needs. Their Husky stubbornness must be dealt with patience and understanding, ensuring both the owners and the Pomsky have a stable, respectful relationship.
However, a negative of this breed is that their coats are prone to shedding a lot. During winter months, their fur is an excellent tool in keeping them warm, making them excellent dogs for colder climates. Once summer comes around, however, their coats shed heavily in order to maintain a healthy temperature. Therefore, Pomskys are not the correct breed for a family with allergies or for someone that lives in a very warm area.
Furthermore, Pomskys tend to form close bonds with their owners, often to the point of having separation anxiety. This should be taken into account when looking to buy a Pomsky, as it is important they should not be left alone for too long. Otherwise, they could become attention-seeking and loud.
Are Pomksies good for first-time owners? - No
Are Pomksies hypoallergenic? - No
Are Pomskies prone to drooling? - No
Are Pomskies a good breed for apartment living? - Yes, but equally this breed must have adequate exercise to balance out staying inside a small area
Do Pomskies shed a lot? - Yes, especially in the summer months
Do Pomskies bark a lot? - Yes
Can Pomksies be left alone at home? - Only for short periods of time
Can Pomskies handle the heat? - No
Can Pomksies handle cold temperatures? - Yes
Are Pomskies sensitive to loud noises? - Yes
Pomskies are an intelligent breed, but due to their breeding, they are prone to a variety of health conditions, especially dental problems. They also suffer from skin and eye conditions that stem from their Husky and Pomeranian ancestors. Therefore, this means that Pomskies have very expensive vet bills.
There are not many known Pomsky-specific health issues as they are a new breed, but there are common dental issues associated with many other smaller breeds that have been bred down in size. Both Pomeranians and Siberian Huskies regularly suffer from Hip Dysplasia, which could then filter down into the Pomsky. This should be noted when looking at the breeding of your potential Pomsky puppy.
How long do Pomsky dogs live? - 13-15 years
Even though Pomskys will happily cuddle on the sofa with their owner, they are equally energetic and must get adequate exercise in order to maintain stimulation. If this breed does not get enough exercise, they may become bored and could start to chew the house apart.
Although their coats are thick and very suited to swimming, some Pomskies may not enjoy water play. Owners should be careful in assuming that every Pomsky will enjoy the water, and therefore must ensure gentle introduction into swimming should occur. Dogs should never be pressured into swimming, regardless of whether their breed is said to enjoy it or not.
How much exercise does a Pomsky need? - 30 minutes - 1 hour per day of walks, with additional playtime
Do Pomskies like water play? - Yes, but must be monitored
Pomskies must eat protein and fat-rich dry foods. This will ensure they are getting enough vitamins and minerals to maintain a healthy diet. Due to obesity being seen in this breed, Pomskies must have their weight regularly monitored.
In addition to proper feeding habits, exercise is equally as important in keeping your Pomsky healthy and happy, so exercise and the amount of food consumed should balance out together.
With this being said, these amounts are simply estimates for Pomskies. Potential owners should take care of what food their dog has and should always consult their vet before purchasing a new type of food.
Are Pomskies prone to weight gain? - Yes
How much should I feed a Pomsky puppy? - 3 - 4 small portions of puppy food per day
How much should I feed an adult Pomsky dog? - 2 meals a day
Although the Pomsky looks cute and fluffy from the outside, the maintenance of their fur is a commitment. As double-coated dogs, they require regular trips to the groomers to remove excess fur, especially around their eyes and face. It is recommended that Pomskies visit the groomers once a month, so there is a responsibility that comes with owning this breed as well as benefiting from all they bring to your life.
The Pomsky, being a very new breed, has very little history attached to it. After an image was created in 2011 showing what a cross between the Siberian Husky and a Pomeranian would look like, people online went wild with this new discovery.
Scientists and breeders then worked to create this new breed, the Pomsky, which has quickly become a public favourite. Today it is a classic designer dog, seen in cities for people who do not have space for a full-grown Husky but equally do not want a tiny Pomeranian.
Norman the Pomsky is a famous dog on Instagram with 102,000 followers (Instagram handle: @normanthepomsky);
British TV personality Sharon Osbourne owns a Pomsky;
As Pomskies are bred through artificial insemination, it is important that the breeding is controlled using the Pomeranian as the male and the Husky as the female. This order will mean the puppy will have a lower chance of being susceptible to health complications as well as the mother struggling with giving birth to larger puppies.
As with any breed, potential owners must be confident with where they are buying their puppy from. Please refer to the buying guide for further information. Caution should be taken online when researching to avoid scams that Pomskies could be subjected to, due to them being such a new and somewhat rare breed. Always ensure you visit the puppies and the breeders before any money is exchanged to avoid this danger.
How much does a Pomsky cost to buy? - £1000 - £2,500 for a responsibly-bred puppy
How much does a Pomsky cost to feed? - £30 - £40 per month
How much does insurance for a Pomsky cost? - £800 - £1000 per year
Even though getting a responsibly-bred new puppy is the safest option, owners should consider looking at adoption and rescue centres. These are dogs that are looking for another chance at life and often are extremely rewarding in the long run to the right owners. Please see the links below where you can find more information and various adoption agencies you can look at:
