Pomeranian Husky Mix (Pomsky)-Cost, Lifespan and Temperament

When you look at the Pomeranian Husky mix, it’s easy to understand why people are not satisfied with pure breeds anymore. Say what you like about designer dogs, they do have their perks and advantages. This is obvious in this new breed we’re going to talk about today.

Better known as Pomskies, the Pomeranian Husky mix is a novel introduction in the world of designer dogs. The new breed gets the best of both worlds. The muscular body of the husky mother and the jovial spirit of the Pomeranian father. The husky is always the mother and not the other way round.

Apart from the hefty price you fork out to get one of those rare breeds, growing and caring for the Pomsky can be a handful. Put bluntly, it’s not for the faint of heart. There’s a lot to caring for this dog. Not just because it’s a new breed and not much is known about it, but also because of the history of the parents.

Physical Characteristics (Size and Physical Look)

As we all know, hybrids are often unpredictable both in their appearance and temperament. When you mix two different species, the offspring might lean more toward one parent than the other. So in terms of physical characteristics, the Pomsky might take after its Husky mother in the shape of the head while still maintaining the short nose of its Pomeranian dad.

In terms of appearance, the Pomsky is usually about 15 inches tall and weighs on average about 30 pounds. As you can see a far cry from its husky mother who is known for her muscular body and hefty weight.

The fur color is one of the attractions of this breed. They come in different colors ranging from white to black, fawn, cream, and brown among others. The soft and fluffy coat can have many patterns and designs that are more reminiscent of Huskies than Pomeranians. The length of hair varies as the frequency of shedding.

Lifespan

Unlike the Pomeranian dad, the Pomsky tends to live between 13 to 15 years at most. They do need regular care, good feeding, and plenty of exercises. The dog has to be healthy and visits the vet often to ward off any serious diseases. Only then would it have such a long life.

Something else that might play a negative role in determining the lifespan of the Pomsky is that they’re prone to what’s known as the small dog syndrome. It’s worth taking that into consideration when adopting this unique and rarest of all dog breeds.

Grooming Needs

Whether your Pomsky has long hair that needs lots of grooming or short hair that sheds more often than you like, it’s matter of what genes are dominant in the dog. One thing is for sure though, this Pomsky has a double coat that requires extra attention and care.

If the dog has long hair, then brushing it twice a week is essential. Not only will it keep the hair smooth but also maintains the clean look of the dog. Remove the kinks in the hair gently and make sure it doesn’t hurt the dog’s coat.

Shedding is a problem for dogs with short hair. It may not a lot of brushing if at all, but it still leaves clumps of hair on the couch, the coffee table, your bed, and just about anywhere it lies down on. This usually happens in the spring and fall each year. Keep the coat clean to prevent excessive shedding.

Temperament

Their mild temperament is what distinguishes Pomskies in general. They are playful, friendly, get familiar with people rather quickly, and are not demanding in terms of activities. This makes them the perfect dogs for many homes regardless of the age of the owners.

As social animals they don’t well on their own. Whether you keep them with other dogs or pets of different species, Pomskies don’t like solitude. They need to interact with others all the time and get validation for their emotions. They’re emotional dogs and some would go as far as calling them needy ones.

Exercise Needs

The only drawback is the high energy levels these dogs have. While they won’t need you to take them to the park often, they still need to have both space and games to satisfy their need for exercise. A big back yard would do well to let them run and jump and let out steam.

They also get noisy often when they feel cooped up. So a walk or exercise will help them maintain their physical and mental health. You can play fetch or let them play with other dogs in the park.

Health Risks

As with all hybrid dogs, the health risk are manifold. You need to check the family history of both parents before you choose your Pomsky. For one thing, Huskies are known to have health issues related to eye problems and hip dysplasia. They are common issues as the dog ages and can become a real problem that affects the dog’s life.

As for the Pomeranian side, it’s usually usual dental problems that give these dogs a hard time. So always make sure to brush the dog’s teeth regularly and take it for regular checkups. Most of the health problems can be avoided if detected at an early stage.

Feeding

As an expensive breed, Pomskies are also finicky when it comes to the quality of food. They required the top brands and will not accept cheap food. During the first year of their lives, Pomsky puppies need three full meals a day.

After the first year, the dog is ready for high-protein food. Two meals a day would be enough to give the dog its daily needs of calories. A hyperactive dog might need a snack during the day to keep up with their style of life. A more sedentary dog might be good with just one full meal a day.

Are Pomeranian Husky Mixes Protective?

You can say they’re very protective. Despite their small size, these dogs are good as guard dogs and are quite fierce. However, there’s a caveat here. Most of these dogs are too friendly with strangers. All an intruder has to do is show them a friendly gesture and the dog starts wagging its tail and bonding with them.

So as much as they’re protective, the fact that they trust people even those they don’t know makes them not very useful as guard dogs.

How Much Does a Pomeranian Husky Mix Cost?

This is one of the drawbacks of owning Pomskies. They’re rather expensive. And there’s a reason for that. Remember what we said earlier about the mother having to be a Husky and the dad a Pomeranian? Well, because of the differing sizes of the dogs, mating is not possible.

So the only way to breed these dogs is to have artificial insemination. This is not a cheap procedure. This is why the average Pomsky will set you back anything between $2000 and $5000. Factor in the cost of top shelf food and vet visits and you know this is quite an investment.

Is a Pomeranian Husky Mix Right for Me?

Both its temperament and modest needs make the Pomsky the right dog for many people. However, two things you need to consider before you adopt one. The first is the grooming needs the dog requires whether it has long flowing hair that needs brushing, or short coat that sheds twice a year.

The other thing is the high cost of getting a Pomsky. They are a rare breed and not easy to come by. In most cases they are pre-ordered. Their high energy lifestyle and their noise are other things to consider.

Best Climate for a Pomeranian Husky Mix

Thanks to their double coats, Pomskies can handle cold climates well, although their small body means they get impacted by chill winds a lot. So try not to keep the dog outdoors if the weather turns.

The same can be said about the hot weather. This double coat makes the dog more susceptible to heat exhaustion and dehydration. If the dog is out in the backyard make sure the water bowl is full around the clock and there’s plenty of shade in the yard for it to lie down.

The Attention a Pomeranian Husky Mix Needs

As far as attention is concerned, these dogs are quite needy. They need plenty of attention and affection. This is why they don’t like to handle solitude. So you’ll need to spend a few hours with them every day validating their emotional needs and showing them love and care.

All this love is necessary for the dog’s mental health. Pomskies that don’t get enough attention become moody, depressed, and anxious. They make a lot of noise and might destroy things around them as a call for attention.

Compatibility with kids

Because of their small size, friendliness, and crave for attention, Pomskies get along famously with kids. They rarely need training before you can trust them with your kids. Unless we’re talking about toddlers, then you need to be present just to avoid accidents.

Older children take to Pomskies right away. They spend hours playing thanks to the high energy reserves of the dog and its need for exercise. The dogs can handle a precocious child and will not get offended with rough play either. All in all, they make great companion for children and adults of all ages.

Compatibility with Other Animals

As with children and adults, Pomskies are quite friendly with other pets around the house. Big or small, they welcome all animals since they don’t like to be on their own. They also prefer animals their size, but as long as the pet can keep up with the Pomsky’s love for exercise, they’ll become good friends.

Bonding with other dog breeds is also common. In this aspect, Pomskies take after both their parents in how welcoming and accepting they are. They’re not territorial animals and like to play and share toys with other pets. Even if the cat takes over their bed, a Pomsky will just find another place to lie down.