The Pomsky is a cross between a Pomeranian and a Siberian Husky.
These small dogs are one of the more popular hybrids considering they combine characteristics of the these much-loved purebred dogs.
Pomskies can vary quite a lot in appearance but they’re often dubbed “mini huskies” seeing as they’ll have striking eyes and face masks.
While Pomeranians and Siberian Huskies are members of the American Kennel Club, the respected organization haven’t granted the Pomsky breed status.
At the time of writing, Pomskies are recognised by International Pomsky Association, Pomsky Club of America and Dog Registry of America.
In this article, we’re going to take a look at Pomsky Pros and Cons, discussing some of the good stuff and the bad stuff when owning one of these mixed dogs.
We’ll hear from social media stars Sapphire (@sapphire_the_pomsky) and Guus (@pomsky_guus).
Pomsky Pros
Affectionate/Loyal
Pomsky (Photo: Adobe Stock)
Pomskies have a reputation for being affectionate and loving dogs. They encompass qualities associated with companion breeds from their Pomeranian parent – they like to cuddle, they can become particularly attached to one member of the home and they’re sometimes dubbed velcro dogs. Pomskies are loyal dogs which is a trait attributed to both Pomeranians and Siberian Huskies. The latter’s ancestors were considered key member of marauding tribes.
Playful
If you’ve come across this cross breed on social media, you’ve probably noticed that Pomskies are usually social dogs. They enjoy being goofy with other members of the family, whether it’s playing inside or outside. Pomskies tend to do well with other dogs as a relatively outgoing and social crossbreed. Having said that, it’s a good idea to responsibly socialize your dog from a young age to help build their social skills.
Apartment Friendly/Portable
Pomskies are relatively small dogs so they’ll d well in an apartment setting and the cross breed can make excellent travel companions. The Pomsky dog is easy to carry in a carrier or to place in a crate in your car.
A Quora user explained why she believes why their travel-friendly build is a positive.
Depending on your age, the fact that they are small and easy to carry around may be a plus. This is not the case with all Pomeranians, but it is true for any that meet the current breed standard. (3–7 lbs)
A Reddit author explained that Pomskies are adaptable to different spaces.
I think the size of their space goes along with their energy levels. Yes, a larger space will give them more room to run thus burn more energy. Our boys has a big fenced in yard that he runs laps in and fetches.
Intelligent
The Pomsky combines the intelligence of Pomeranians and Siberian Huskies. The latter are smart dogs seeing as their ancestors were important tribe members. As a result, Pomskies tend to be clever and they’ll thrive at brain games.
Karam shared his experience with his Pomsky on the topic of intelligence.
They are extremely intelligent and will learn very quickly. They learn all kinds of tricks and well do anything to please the owner. They are very confident and will let you know in one way or another they have entered a room.
Watch Dogs
Pomskies remind me of my Alaskan Klee Kai because they can make excellent watch dogs. Their size isn’t intimidating so they won’t scare off an intruder but they’ll certainly sound the alarm! Pomskies will be alert to movement and noises outside the home.
A Quora writer explained why she believes Pomskies are a superb choice for watch dogs.
If you live alone, they will alert you to any strangers in the area. This applies equally to strange people and strange birds. Possibly strange insects if they are large or noisy enough.
Pomsky Cons
Shedding
Pomsky (Photo: Adobe Stock)
When you think of Siberian Huskies, you associate the breed with shedding! It’s no surprise that Pomsky dogs tend to shed a lot. So you’ll need to be prepared for lots of hair and invest in a quality vacuum. They tend to blow out their coats at least twice a year at the changing of the seasons. They’ll likely shed throughout the year – too. Some Pomskies may shed slightly less but it’s best to be prepared for a high shedder. Pomskies usually have a long, outer coat that will require plenty of grooming.
Potty Training
A common theme in our research on Pomskies was the topic of potty training. It appears the cross breed is tricky to house break. They can be quite stubborn when it comes to potty training. You’ll have to be persistent with potty training.
A Pomsky owner shared her experience on Reddit:
She knows what I want her to do and picks up complex instructions quite easily, however we’re still in negotiation stage on whether she’ll actually do it. She was quite slow to house train until she realised she got sausage if toileting occurred outside, at which point she resolved it in under a day. She learned the door bells within ten minutes. I wouldn’t say she’s a people pleaser, tricks will only be done with the right incentive
Jeffrey had a similar experience with his Pomsky:
Potty training was a bit longer than other dogs I had. Both Huskies and Pomeranians are stubborn and our dog has attitude. It took proper training and a lot of hands on to get her to accept me as alpha. They don’t easily conform to your will, but once they understand, they are impeccable and expect you to take them out immediately when they ask.
Stubborn
One Reddit user explained why they consider the Pomsky to be a rather stubborn dog.
My first [Pomsky] was stubborn as hell, even with experience we could not get consistent recall with two different trainers helping us. The second one less stubborn but still. I wouldn’t get them as first time pets. It took all our previous years as pet owners to manage ours and while they are smart as hell they bore easy and can be very demanding. Their double coats take a lot of work. They misbehave if they aren’t getting your attention and want it.
Picky Eater
Having experienced life with picky eaters, I know how stressful it can be when your dog won’t eat. Some Pomskies can be picky with their food. It’s a good idea to speak to your breeder to discover what your puppy was eating before you brought them to their forever home. You may want to transition your Pomsky onto a new pet food brand. We recommend fresh dog food companies based upon our positive experience.
Prey Drive
You’ll find that a lot of Pomskies have a high prey drive. Just like Pomeranians and Siberian Huskies, Pomskies will happily take off in pursuit of a rodent or small animal. It’s a good idea to check your garden or yard is secure to prevent your Pomsky from escaping. Their prey drive underlines the importance of recall training. You’ll want your Pomsky to listen to you should they spot potential prey.
Commonly Asked Pomsky Questions
Pomsky (Photo: Adobe Stock)
How big do Pomskies get?
They range between 20-35lbs.
Do Pomsky dogs shed?
Yes, they shed a lot! We have to make sure we vacuum daily!
What is a typical Pomsky temperament?
Pomskies can be very stubborn and sassy. They will do what they need to do to get what they want.
Do Pomskies like to cuddle?
Pomskies are generally very independent. There may be a few exceptions, but for the most part they enjoy their own space.
Do Pomskies like baths?
When Pomskies are first introduced to water, they are generally very scared. The more you expose them to taking baths, the less scared and more comfortable they will become.
Can you leave a Pomsky home alone?
For the first six months, it can be tough to leave them home alone because they will most likely destroy something. As they get older, they are able to be home alone without any issues.
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