Pomsky makes great family dogs and is suitable for children of all ages. They are energetic and need appropriate activity levels.
Being a crossbreed between a Pomeranian and Siberian Husky, they require daily energetic walks and one-on-one play time. They also need to be fed a quality diet with regular body condition scoring and grooming.
Like their parent breeds, Pomskies tend to be highly intelligent dogs. They’re also playful, affectionate and self-assured. Because they’re so eager to please, they make great companions. But like all dog breeds, they need firm and consistent training from a young age.
A Pomsky’s prick ears and fluffy coat give them a unique look, and their thick fur requires regular grooming to prevent matting and control shedding. These pups are prone to obesity, so it’s important to balance their diet with plenty of exercise. They also need to be socialized as a puppy to ensure they grow up to be well-mannered adults.
Since Pomskyes are still such a new breed, little is known about hereditary health problems. But because they share their parents’ genes, they can be prone to the same conditions as any other purebred dog.
As a result, it’s important to find a reputable breeder and get your Pomsky from an ethical source. Albera says breeders must take special care to ensure their dogs are not overbred or subjected to genetic diseases.
The Pomsky is a popular designer breed, but you can also get one from an animal shelter or rescue organization. These organizations are committed to finding loving homes for their dogs and will often place them with families that are a good match.
Before you start your search for a Pomsky, be sure to ask your potential breeder or shelter about their breeding and testing policies. They should be able to provide you with a list of health certifications for each of the parents, as well as a detailed genetic history.
When you’re ready to bring a Pomsky home, be prepared for a busy lifestyle. Between puppy-proofing your house and staying up to date on vaccinations, you’ll need to devote time to caring for this energetic dog. You’ll also want to sign up for FidoAlert, which will alert you if your pet goes missing. With their larger-than-life personality and adorable looks, Pomskies can be the perfect addition to any family. But they’re not for everyone, so if you’re not ready for the responsibility, be sure to consider another breed.
Health
The Pomsky has a robust health record, thanks to the genes of both its parent breeds. These dogs have a long lifespan (12-16 years) and few health issues, but like any dog, they are vulnerable to certain conditions. It’s important that prospective owners understand what these are so they can take steps to protect their pet.
The most prevalent health concern of Pomskys is a condition called corneal dystrophy, which is characterized by a hazy appearance in the center of the eye. It can lead to blindness if not treated promptly. Another eye problem that can affect the Pomsky is progressive retinal atrophy, which leads to a loss of the light-sensitive inner lining of the eye. This condition can also cause blindness.
Another common health concern for the Pomsky is a condition called hyperthyroidism, which is an overactive thyroid gland. It can lead to weight gain, thinning hair and other symptoms. The best way to prevent this condition is to have your Pomsky on a proper diet and regular exercise.
A high level of exercise is necessary for the Pomsky, whether it’s daily walks or play sessions with other family members. This active, intelligent breed needs stimulation to keep their mind and body healthy. This can be provided through training classes, food puzzles and interactive toys.
Prospective owners of the Pomsky should be prepared to brush this breed’s thick double coat regularly, especially during shedding seasons. This can help prevent matting and tangling. This dog also requires regular grooming appointments, usually once or twice a week at a professional groomer.
It’s important for prospective Pomsky owners to find a reputable breeder and vet. Both of these experts can help ensure that the breeding process takes place in a humane and ethical manner. Albera says that for first generation F1s, you want a Siberian Husky female and a Pomeranian male who are no more than five pounds apart in size. He adds that with future generations, you want to avoid using a Siberian Husky male, as their larger size can cause harm to the female.
Training
These dogs are very intelligent and can be a bit stubborn. They inherit their stubbornness from their parent breeds, so training techniques must be effective and consistent. This includes using positive reinforcement. It is also important that you establish yourself as the pack leader of your home. Without this, your Pomsky will not listen to you. This will result in many issues from not house training to barking.
These adorable dogs need to be stimulated physically and mentally with playtime and puzzle toys. They do not do well if kept cooped up all day and will start to express their boredom in the form of excessive, loud barking and possibly chewed up furniture.
It is a good idea to start training your dog as soon as you bring him or her home. You will need to establish yourself as the pack leader, use the correct leash technique and begin house training early on. You will also want to train your pomsky on basic commands, such as sit, down, stay and come.
You will need to set a schedule for your pomsky’s bathroom needs as they do not like to hold it and need to go out every two to three hours during the night. You can do this by setting a timer or having some kind of alert that wakes you up.
Your pomsky may be quite vocal, as they inherit their howling and whining from both of their parent breeds. This can be a problem in smaller homes or for people with sensitive ears. It is important that you teach your pomsky to quiet down from an early age and continue to work on this throughout their puppy years.
To help with the yapping, try training your pomsky to sit or lay down and then give them treats. They will learn that they have to be calm and quiet to get their treats. If your pomsky lunges for the treats then you need to close your hand and show them that they have to wait for you to open your hands in order to get their treat.
Care
Pomsky puppies are playful and energetic, so they thrive with daily walks or runs and plenty of mental and physical stimulation. They’re intelligent and stubborn, so they can be challenging to train. The Pomsky Owners Association recommends positive reinforcement-based training and starting early. This breed may also develop separation anxiety when left alone for too long and will resort to destructive behaviors, such as chewing or barking. You can help curb this behavior by providing them with toys, puzzles and chew bones to keep them busy.
As with all dogs, Pomskies need a high-quality diet that is nutritionally complete for their age and stage of life. They’re susceptible to obesity, so it’s important to monitor their food intake and avoid overfeeding them. They can be picky eaters, so if they’re not eating well, try mixing some wet food in with their dry kibble to make it more appealing. Pomskies can also be prone to tear staining, so it’s important to keep their ears clean to prevent infections and ear mite infestations.
While they have the husky’s obsidian and ivory marbling coat, Pomsky puppies can also come in agouti, black, white, fawn and silver. Their eyes are rounded and can be brown, amber or blue. The Pomsky’s dense double-coat sheds seasonally and will require regular brushing and grooming.
This designer dog hybrid has the smarts and mischievous personality of a husky with the energy of a Pomeranian. They’re loyal and affectionate with their humans, but they can be territorial with strangers. Because of this, they’re not a good choice for families with small children or other pets. Pomskies love getting attention and adore being praised. They often create a deep bond with their human companions and can be jealous of other family members. However, if you socialize them from puppyhood, they’ll get along fine with other people and pets in the home.
Like all dogs, Pomskies need to visit the veterinarian regularly for check-ups and vaccinations. The vet will examine the Pomsky’s body and mind to spot any health problems, such as heart disease or arthritis, and provide appropriate treatment. A yearly booster will protect against common diseases, including distemper, parvovirus and rabies.