These fluffy, adorable, playful and relatively small dogs are great for apartments. Parent breeds of this hybrid are the Siberian husky and the Pomeranian. Pomskies have been gaining popularity in the recent years. Their adorable pictures have been going viral on social media. No wonder. They are beautiful and extremely photogenic. What is their personality like? Are they healthy? Do they shed a lot? Read on to find out essential information about this modern designer breed.
Pomsky – appearance
Because the Pomsky is not a pure breed but a hybrid one, individual dogs’ appearance or temperament may vary greatly. It’s perfect for breeders when the pup resembles a miniature wolf or a small husky. It doesn’t have to be the case, though. Typically, Pomskies are fluffy, come in tons of colors and have sweet, kind eyes.
Pomskies come in countless coat and eye colors.
Fur color and textures
Black and white fur is one of the most popular ones. Other coat colors can be any combination of brown, gray, blue, white, or even red. Pomskies can also inherit coat patterns from their Husky parents, such as:
- tuxedo;
- splash pattern;
- pinto;
- saddleback;
- sable;
- merle;
- brindle appearance.
No matter what color or pattern your Pomsky come in, one thing is sure: their thick double coat makes them resistant to low temperature. They will definitely enjoy a walk on a snowy day. It’s beautiful but dense. They do shed a lot so expect to have your Pomsky’s hair everywhere in your house.
Eyes color
It’s a peculiar fact but worth knowing if you get attached to things easily. Pomsky puppies can continue changing eye colors over the course of a few months. Puppies open their eyes at about 2 weeks of age, and all have blue eyes at this time. However, eye color may change at 3 to 4 weeks of age. An experienced breeder with a trained eye should be able to determine whether the puppy’s eye color is beginning to change. In some cases, it may be a very subtle change that is not noticeable to a layperson. Possible iris colors of Pomsky puppies are:
- blue;
- brown;
- amber;
- bi-eyes (one eye in one color, while the other eye is an entirely different color, often blue and brown);
- parti-eyes (a part of at least one eye is a different color).
Pomsky – size
You can get between a small or medium-sized dog of that breed with some variations along the spectrum. When it comes to its weight, we can speculate that a Pomsky will be less than 38 pounds. They resemble Siberian huskies but don’t require that much space. This is great information who people who have restrained themselves from getting a Husky due to its considerable size.
Pomsky – temperament
Dogs are complex creatures. Just like humans, they have positive traits for which we love them, and some less favorable ones. Sometimes owners can minimize or eliminate undesirable behavior. In other cases, they must simply tolerate some shortcomings.
Pomsky – strengths
Pomskies are intelligent, playful, energetic, confident, affectionate, and loving. Since they tend to be protective, they can be excellent watchdogs. These cute-looking dogs are often compared to comedians who will do the tricks to gain their owners’ adoration. Pomskies are friendly and get along with everyone if socialized properly.
Pomsky – weakensses
They are not silent dogs. They have a tendency to chat, howl, whine or even yap. They frequently choose their favorite human who they follow and cuddle to most of the time. A Pomsky puppy may become strongly attached to a particular family member and be suspicious of strangers. Therefore, good socialization at an early stage is important to ensure your dog is friendly and confident when meeting new people and other pets.
Training
omskies can be vocal dogs, prone to yapping if not trained. On the other hand, they can be used as exceptional guard dogs. The Pomsky is usually very docile with a touch of stubbornness that comes from the Siberian Husky parents. For this reason, experienced dog owners or people who know much about behavioral issues should pick this breed.
The key to fruitful training
There are free factors that ensure you succeed as a dog trainer: consistency, positive reinforcement and praise. The Pomsky Owners Association recommends starting with brief, 10-15 minute training sessions to keep your dog interested. Training with treats can be a win-win for both the pup and his owner. Keep packets of tasty snacks on hand to reinforce good behavior.
Pomsky – health
It is generally believed that mixed breeds are healthier and live longer. There is some truth to this, but these dogs might inherit health problems from their parents – the Husky and the Pomeranian. Some genetic conditions they are predisposed to include:
- allergies;
- hip dysplasia;
- dislocated knees (luxating patellas);
- eye problems;
- epilepsy;
- heart disease;
- collapsing trachea;
- skin problems;
- dental issues.
While some of these health problems can be prevented by good owner care, such as brushing the dog’s teeth daily, most boil down to early diagnosis and regular veterinary visits.
The right food for Pomsky
There are no specific guidelines about what type of food or how much your Husky mix should eat. General recommendations include high-quality, balanced food divided into two meals. Free feeding, especially with low-quality dry food, can be detrimental to your pet’s health and weight.
If you feel that your dog is not on the right track when it comes to nutrition, you can switch to raw, homemade or high quality canned food. As with any dietary change, pay special attention to your dog’s weight and appearance during the transition to the new food. How much you feed your dog each day depends on several factors, including:
- your dog’s metabolism;
- how much exercise your dog gets;
- how much your dog currently weighs;
- the age and breed of your dog;
- whether your dog should gain weight, maintain it, or lose weight.
Is my Pomsky in good shape?
The condition of our pet depends heavily or sometimes solely on our choices. There are two tests you can do at home to make sure your dog is not overweight:
- the eye test – when you look down at your dog, you should be able to see the waist;
- the hands-on test – place your palms on your pup’s back while keeping your thumbs on its spine, if you can feel the ribs without pressing hard it means that your dog’s weight is optimal.
If you have doubts and the above tests are not enough to sleep peacefully, contact your veterinarian.
Dietary supplements
There are a variety of products on the market that can be added to your dog’s diet. Some vitamins and minerals that can be added are:
- Glucosamine and Chondroitin – contribute to the health of your dog’s hip and joints;
- Omega 3 fatty acids – support healthy brain, eye, and heart function, maintain your dog’s skin and fluffy Pomsky fur, as well as overall cellular health;
- vitamins E, biotin, and folic acid – keep the coat and skin healthy;
- vitamins A, B, C, D, K and a balanced mix of minerals – boost your dog’s health and immune system.
Be careful not to overdose on minerals. To be safe, do blood tests regularly. Sometimes an excess of vitamins can do more harm than good.
Life expectancy
How long a dog lives depends primarily on which gene it benefits from. However, it’s known that most Pomskies live between 12 and 15 years. This figure is still uncertain because the Pomsky breed is still relatively new and there’s not yet much research to actually confirm this hypothesis. You can take steps to prolong and improve your dog’s life through nutritious diet, exercise and training.
Pomsky – care
Enjoying that fluffy coat comes with some responsibilities. You have to brush and groom your Pomsky’s fur frequently. Despite their small size, they shed a lot. Moreover, trim your dog’s nails and brush its teeth to avoid serious dental issues in the future. Cleaning their ears from any debris daily can prevent infections. You don’t need any special products to do this. A handkerchief dipped in warm water or a gentle ear clean will do.
Exercise needs
This dog breed has moderate to high exercise needs. You should take your Pomsky for a long walk once a day, even in winter. Thanks to their thick coat, they are comfortable even in low temperatures. Some playtime at home is a nice addition to their daily routine. Think about games for mental stimulation as well. Pomskies are intelligent and get bored without challenges. Buy some fun dog toys for dogs or make your own. Get inspiration from other dog owners. Social media is full of them.
Pomsky – breeding
Because of the size difference between parent breeds, breeders resort to artificial insemination because natural breeding could be dangerous. The procedure is expensive and affects the price of the dog itself.
Pomsky – price
On average, you can expect to pay between $2,000 and $4,000. Depending on the reputation of the breeder, age and condition of the dog, coat color and pattern, the price may be higher or lower. Although they have the status of designer dogs, you may be fortunate enough to find Pomskies in animal shelters.
Pomsky – breed history
The Pomsky is believed to have originated in the United States around 2009, and the first litter of a Pomsky was born in the same country in 2012. This hybrid was developed by crossing a Siberian Husky with a Pomeranian and is bred mainly by artificial insemination to avoid complications. This designer dog quickly became popular in Europe and North America and is considered the most popular designer dog of 2017. It is also one of the most expensive hybrids on the market.
Pomsky – for whom?
These particular dogs look fabulous. Pomsky puppies can win the hearts of many people. Unfortunately, some buy them just for their looks and know nothing about their needs. Be an informed dog lover and gather all the necessary data before making an important decision about purchasing a Pomsky.
They will be happy even in a small apartment. They do not have a very high need for exercise, so even couch potatoes will enjoy their company.
Children and other pets
Are Pomskies fond of children? Not necessarily. They may feel somewhat uncomfortable and suspicious of them. This may cause them to nibble at their feet or other body parts. Even though they love to have fun, Pomskies are sometimes reluctant to play with younger children who do not know how to handle them properly. Teach your child how to properly handle the puppy and their relationship should get on the right track.
The Pomsky can get along with animals if introduced early and gradually. Their hunting instinct inherited from the Pomeranian Husky may cause them to chase smaller pets such as cats, rabbits or other rodents. Again, early socialization is essential for owners who wish to keep their Pomsky puppy around other pets, including cats.
Pomsky – trivia
One of the most famous Pomskies in the social media world is Norman. He was adopted in 2016 from a small home breeding program called Northern California Pomskies. Since the beginning of his career, he has managed to accumulate almost 90,000 followers on Instagram. The pictures of his cute looks and interesting adventures are irresistible. Some Pomskies are even Hollywood stars – one of them is Toby who is a rescue.
Pomsky – animal shelters
Some Pomskies even make it to Hollywood! One of them is a star there. A shocking fact is that Toby is a rescue dog. If you are short on cash but love this hybrid breed, do not hesitate to check out animal shelters across the country. Maybe your dream Pomsky is waiting for you there.
After reading this article, you should have an idea of what your life might be like with a Pomsky could look like. If you are content with the dog’s personality traits and ready to tackle the obstacles, you can start looking for cute Pomsky puppies for sale.
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