A mix of Siberian Husky and Pomeranian, the Pomsky is exactly as cute as you would expect. Learn more about this adorable fluffer’s health, personality, and grooming needs! Does your Pomsky need some pet care while you’re out? With Mad Paws, you can find Pet Sitters in Geelong, Cairns, and all across the nation!
Quick Facts ✔
Height – 20 – 38cm
Weight – 9 – 15kg
Lifespan – 12 – 15 years
Country of origin – United States
Other names – Pomeranian Husky
Breed type – Hybrid
- Active Owners
- Experienced Owners
- Owners with children
Pomsky Breed History ♜
We have to admit, if there’s one thing the US does well, it’s a mash-up. Whether it’s the Shakira and Jennifer Lopez Superbowl Halftime Show of 2020 or the Southern staple food, fried chicken and waffles, America is all about finding the most creative, memorable combos you never knew you needed. And in 2009, they gave the world another one: the Pomsky. Park Siberian Husky, part Pomeranian.
It all started with an internet myth. One of the first examples of Pomsky lore started on an online forum for a dog health website. A curious Pet Owner-to-be had seen a Pomerian/Husky mix up for adoption at her local Humane Society and was curious about any health considerations. The vet who responded raised an eyebrow at the whole idea of a Pomsky and suggested that the Humane Society had made a wild guess about the dog. A Pomeranian and Husky mix, the vet claimed, was not a thing.
Then, in 2011, Buzzfeed posted a light-hearted article about how great it would be if the world had a Husky-Pomeranian mix. At this point, there still wasn’t an established Pomsky dog breed, and even the article itself used pictures of other dogs, like the Finnish Lapphund, to show how cute the breed could be.
Over the next few years, obsession around the elusive new dog breed reached a fever pitch. Reddit users were having lively debates about the best name for the breed: Pomsky or Huskeranian? And by 2013, with a Reddit post titled “Pomskies do exist!”, the internet received confirmation that their wildest dreams were coming true. A litter of true Pomskies, and a new breed, had been born.
Behind the scenes were a couple of Arizona-based dog breeders. Tressa Peterson and Joline Phillips created the Pomsky via artificial insemination; after all, it was the logistics of crossing a large dog with a small one that was the biggest hurdle to creating the Pomsky.
With their success, the Pomsky Club of America was soon founded, and the breed set out on a path towards internet fame and recognition. While the Pomsky is still not an official breed in most kennel clubs, there is an International Pomsky Association that offers registration and pedigree tracking.
Personality Traits ★
As with all hybrid breeds, the Pomsky’s personality is often a mix of the traits of their parent breeds. It’s not always possible to predict whether a Pomsky will be more Husky or more Pomeranian, so it’s a good idea to familiarise yourself with the characteristics of both.
From their Husky side, Pomskies inherit an adventurous and bold personality. They can be a bit stubborn, and will naturally take on the role of pack leader. And, like Huskies, these little wolf-like dogs have a burning desire to see the world. They may not be able to hop a fence, but they can be wanderers and escape artists, just like their Arctic ancestors.
From the Pomeranian side, Pomskys adopt their watchdog skills. Unlike the non-territorial Husky, Pomskys are much more dedicated to protecting the homestead, and will bark when they think a stranger is nearby. But, it’s a good idea to keep an eye on this guarding behaviour. Because Pomerianians are on the small side, Pomskys also can be a bit nervous around newcomers and big dogs. Proper socialisation will do a good job of curbing their fear.
As far as family loyalty, the Pomsky is the ideal balance of their polar opposite parent breeds. On the one side, you have the fiercely independent and somewhat aloof Siberian Husky. On the other, you have the extremely people-oriented Pomeranian who has earned the nickname “velcro dog.” The resulting Pomsky is the perfect middle ground: cuddly and affectionate with their favourite humans, but they won’t smother you with their love.
With kids, Pomskies are typically very good. Again, if they’re closer in size to their Pom parent, they can sometimes get overwhelmed by rambunctious children. It’s always a good idea to supervise Pomskies with kids and make sure that children know how to play safely with them.
Both Pomeranians and Siberian Huskies are highly intelligent breeds, and the Pomsky carries on the tradition. They’re clever problem-solvers, which can be a blessing and a curse for Dog Owners. Pomsky Owners learn quickly to dog-proof their home so that this smart pup doesn’t find their way into the food closet, learn how to open the sliding glass door, or dig their way into the neighbour’s backyard. They’re resourceful little pups, and their Owners have to be two steps ahead.
Pomsky Trainability & Training Tips
With a big personality like the Pomsky’s, training is essential. Not only will training keep these energetic dogs reigned in, but it will also give them the perfect mental challenge to prevent boredom.
It’s important to remember that Pomskies have a running streak in them. Unless you’re dedicated to training perfect recall, it’s a good idea to keep the Pomsky in an enclosed area or on a leash. A training area with few distractions will also be ideal for a distractible dog like the Pomsky.
Now, as with all highly intelligent dogs with a working background, this dog has the potential to be a great student. Under the right guidance, they can do everything from basic commands to complex tricks and working dog training. Sure, a Pomsky might not be mighty enough to pull a sled, but they can learn to master agility and obstacle courses, dog dancing, and a variety of other fun activities.
And, as we mentioned, these doggos need socialisation to overcome aggression-based fear or (if they’re on the small side) Small Dog Syndrome. It can be tempting with a small- to medium-sized dog like this to pick up your pup when you worry about them facing off other dogs, but avoidance can elongate the training process and make the dog more fearful. Instead, it’s best to introduce the Pomsky to friendly dogs early on so that they learn how to play and build positive relationships with others.
Exercise Needs & Living Conditions ⌂
Mix a playful Pomeranian with an athletic Siberian Husky and you get one energetic Pomsky. This dog will bounce off the walls at all hours of the day and night without proper exercise, so Owners should be ready to keep up with the Pomsky’s exercise needs.
In general, the baseline for these dogs is a daily energetic walk, plus one-on-one playtime, plus social interaction time with other dogs. And, we get it, that’s quite a lot. But without the right amount of exercise, the Pomsky is clever enough to make their own fun. Often, this will occur at the expense of your home decor or backyard garden.
The good news is, these are compact pups, so you won’t need as much time to tire them out as a full grown Husky. Instead, a brisk walk of about a half an hour should be enough to stretch their legs. And, if you don’t have the time, a friendly Dog Walker will be happy to take out this adorable walking companion.
In addition to that, the one-on-one playtime doesn’t have to be an outdoor activity. That’s not to say that the Pomsky wouldn’t love a game of fetch in the backyard, but they’re small enough that you can easily exercise them with some fun indoor activities.
There’s even a workaround for their social interaction with other pups. If you can’t always get your Pomsky to the dog park, you might consider welcoming another pet to the family! Pomskies get along well with other dogs, especially other Pomskies and other medium-sized dogs. Let them loose in the backyard, and these playful pups will tire each other out in no time.
Speaking of the backyard, we’ve hinted that this dog is something of an escape artist. So, make sure to invest in some sturdy fencing to keep your pup enclosed.
And, while Pomskies are the right size for apartment living, their tendency towards barking may not be very neighbour-friendly.
Finally, there’s the consideration of climate. Can these Arctic dogs really be happy in a warm region? The answer is yes, but with some precautions. Pomeranians and Siberian Huskies can get warm quickly, and Owners should take special care to give these dogs plenty of water and cool areas to rest when it’s hot out.
Pomsky Grooming Needs ✄
One of the most striking things about the Pomsky is that gorgeous coat. Unfortunately, that level of luxurious fluff doesn’t come without a little effort.
For one thing, both Pomeranians and Siberian Huskies shed a lot, so Pomsky Owners should prepare for a constant onslaught of fur. Regular grooming, at least three times per week, will help to manage the shedding and prevent the coat from tangling and matting. But, not just any dog brush will be able to reach that downy underlayer; you’ll want to invest in both a slicker or pin brush and a long-toothed comb.
As much as Pomskies shed regularly, they undergo a more intense shedding period about twice per year.
When it comes to bathing, Pomskies require more frequent baths than many other breeds. Exactly how often you’ll bathe this pup will depend on their lifestyle and individual needs. With that said, many Owners stick to once a month or once every six weeks. Anything longer than that can lead to oil build-up and skin irritation under that thick undercoat.
As you can see, keeping up with Pomsky grooming is no small feat. That’s why many Dog Owners get into a routine of taking their pup to the groomers. Groomers have all the tools available to make sure that dense underlayer is clean, and they’ll be able to trim your pup’s fur. As far as haircuts go, the Pomsky usually has a bit less fur to work with than the Pomeranian. You may not be able to achieve some of the more extravagant Pom cuts, like the teddy bear cut or the lion cut, but the groomer can make the Pomsky’s fur look well-kept.
Pomsky Health +
Sadly, the Pomsky breed has suffered from irresponsible breeding practices thanks to its quick rise to fame. So, there are a few health concerns that potential Owners should be on the lookout for:
- Hip dysplasia and luxating patella
- Hypothyroidism
- Collapsing trachea
- Eye issues, such as progressive retinal atrophy
- Skin conditions, such as allergies or severe hair loss syndrome
In order to decrease the risk of genetic issues, always be mindful of where your Pomsky comes from. In addition, make sure your pup gets to a vet early to screen for any potential issues.
A good diet is another great way to promote healthy development. A Pomsky on a well-balanced diet of fresh protein and dog-friendly vegetables will have the best chance at a long and healthy life.
Fun Fact about the Pomsky ♥
As it turned out, the first internet-famous Pomsky to make the rounds wasn’t actually a Pomsky at all. Instead, it was a Finnish Lapphund named Tequila.
Since then, though, true Pomskies have risen to internet fame. One notable pupfluencer is Norman the Pomsky, who lives in Los Angeles with his loving Owners and toddler brother. Norm’s got 101K followers, but he seems to be more excited about his friends at the dog park.
Final Thoughts on the Pomsky
Pomskies have experienced quite the popularity wave, and it’s easy to see why! But, as with any doggo, the Pomsky comes with unique challenges and needs that won’t make them suitable for every family.
For one thing, these lovable pups are energetic, crafty, strong-willed, and easily bored. They need engaged Owners who will be able to put in the extra effort to train, socialise and exercise them. The grooming needs can also be quite high with this breed. As such, Owners will need to schedule grooming sessions throughout the week.
That said, if you’re able to dedicate the time and consistency that this pupper needs, you’ll see why the world needed a dog like this one. They’re joyful, affectionate, funny, and loyal. The Pomsky may look like a mini wolf, but they’re an ideal family dog!
