We have already talked about the Pomsky multiple times. We have done a deep dive into their growth chart and how big a Pomsky gets, and we have also explained why you should avoid teacup Pomskies. However, in this article, we will go over all of the reasons why you should or shouldn’t adopt a Pomsky into your family. So if you are currently into the breed, but you are wondering “Is the Pomsky a good pet for me and my family?” then we are here to help you make that decision.
The Pomeranian Husky mix dog is a newer breed, however, they are getting more popular every day. These high energy canines have unique personalities and combine the best traits of their parents. So it’s no surprise that there is such a high demand for Pomsky pups. But before you bring one of these babies into your home, there are a few important considerations that you have to do first.
We will go over each of them in this article, and help you determine if this is the right dog for you. While the Pomeranian Husky is an amazing designer breed, owning a dog isn’t all rainbows and sunshine. You also have to think about the less fun stuff like vet visits, training sessions and destructive behavioral patterns.
Is a Pomsky a good first dog?
For most people, yes, the Pomsky would make a great first dog. They are smart and don’t need too much exercise, which is great for a novice owner. But the one thing that isn’t low-maintenance about this breed is its grooming needs. They have very thick, fluffy coats, and you have to brush them on a daily basis. Also, if your dog has a light-colored coat, you will also have to give him baths more often.
And don’t get me started on the other grooming needs, such as nail trimming, ear cleaning, and teeth brushing. While these are universal for all dog breeds, these canines are prone to dental problems, so skipping teeth brushing shouldn’t be an option.
While they are pretty easy to train, they can be stubborn and have a hard time being away from their owners. These dogs are prone to separation anxiety, so if you are away for longer periods of time, this isn’t the breed for you. You also have to socialize them on time, so that they get along with other animals, kids and people too.
Therefore, if you are someone who works from home, or at least spends a lot of your time at home, then the Pomsky could be a great first dog for you. But if you are looking for an independent breed that has no problem being alone, then definitely keep looking for a different dog. Or perhaps get yourself a cat.
Are Pomskies good with kids and other pets?
Now, this is a tricky thing to answer. Because this breed is relatively young and we don’t have that much info, some breeders and trainers are hesitant to describe it as “good with children.” Pomskies must also receive the appropriate socialization with children and babies, just like any other dog, But even if your dog is amazing around kids, you should never leave kids and dogs alone without any supervision.
Having said that, based on what we have observed and know about this breed, Pomskies get along well with children. First of all, these dogs look like living cotton candy. So it’s no wonder that kids absolutely adore them, right? However, besides that, they are also very playful and energetic and aren’t intimidated by kids. They are robust enough to prevent injury to themselves while still being small enough to prevent accidentally hurting a child. In addition to that, these dogs love to be around other people, and kids are no exception.
When it comes to other pets, Pomskies can get along well with other dogs and animals in general. and cats! All that is required is for the Pomsky pup and the other animal to be well-socialized. However, because these dogs are full of energy, some other calmer dog breeds could find them a bit annoying. But that doesn’t mean that they won’t get along together.
Do Pomskies like to swim?
If you are an active person that enjoys being in the water, you might be wondering if Pomskies like to swim. While they don’t enjoy getting wet as much as Golden Retrievers do, they are still unafraid of water. Most bubbly and adventure-seeking Pomskies will absolutely enjoy getting into the water with you. They could make a great swimming companion, however, always make sure that both you and your dog are safe and not too far from land.
Source: Instagram (@sya_pomsky)
Do Pomskies like to be held?
Pomskies are a mix of a Husky and a Pomeranian, and both of those dogs love to be held, so most Pomskies do too. But they aren’t lap dogs by any means. They love to be held for a few minutes, but after that, they will enjoy their personal space. How much a Pomksy likes to be held will depend from dog to dog. Some of them will be a bit more affectionate and enjoy cuddling, while others won’t be that much into it. That could also depend on the age and sex of your canine as well.
What problems do Pomskies have?
When it comes to health, most Pomskies dogs are generally speaking healthy dogs. The idea of creating designer or hybrid dogs was to make the canines healthier than their parent breeds. Unfortunately, it doesn’t always work like that. That’s why the Pomsky, like most other dog breeds too, is still prone to certain health conditions.
Pomskies have both of their parents’ genetic predispositions to specific health problems. These include allergies, skin issues, hip dysplasia, collapsed trachea, epilepsy, patellar luxation, and heart disease. Additionally, they are more prone to dental issues than other dogs. That’s why you should brush their teeth once to twice a day to remove tartar and bacteria.
The one thing that you can do to make sure your dog is as healthy as possible is to buy a puppy only from a reputable breeder. They will do the necessary health tests to make sure that your dog is as healthy as possible. Because there is such a high demand for Pomskies, there are many backyard breeders out there. So make sure to do your research.
Pomskies have only been around for less than ten years, so we can’t really tell you what their average lifespan is. As both of their parent breeds live for 10 to 15 years, it is believed that the life expectancy of the Pomsky is somewhere between 13 to 15 years. Some will live longer, and some will, sadly, live shorter. It’s up to you to make sure your dog has a healthy lifestyle. That includes a balanced diet and enough exercise.
Are Pomskies clingy?
You bet they are! As we already explained, these dogs are incredibly prone to separation anxiety, and all they want to do is spend time with their owners. While they aren’t about sitting calmly with you on the couch, they want your attention 24/7. Pomskies enjoy playtime, walks, or just social time in general.
If you want a dog that will become your partner in crime, then this designer dog could be a great choice. They form strong bonds with their owners, and will gladly join you on whatever activity that you may have planned.
This is also an important reason to reconsider getting this dog if you aren’t spending so much time at home and can’t give as much attention to your pet as Pomskies would like to. As we already explained, if you have a busy lifestyle, rather consider adopting a more independent breed of dog.
How long should you walk a Pomsky?
Even though they are small, Pomsky puppies are still extremely energetic and playful. However, that doesn’t mean Pomskies need as much exercise as their Husky parents. These puppies will be perfectly happy with two long walks of 30 minutes a day. Even though one of their parents is a relatively big dog, their exercise needs are more influenced by their Pomeranian side.
Because of their thick and fluffy coat, they do better in colder climates. Especially when exercising. So if you live somewhere where it’s hot, make sure you walk your dog during colder parts of the day, like in the early morning or evening. Pomsky puppies are more than glad to release their energy indoors the rest of the day by chasing balls, playing with you and your children, and so forth.
In spite of how lovely they are, Pomsky dogs need to exert their energy as they are not lap dogs. You’ll end up with a very bored, grumpy, and perhaps even destructive dog if you just keep them in the house all day. So make sure that their exercise needs are met, or else they will start to bark, chew, and throw a tantrum.
How high can a Pomsky jump?
Pomskies love to jump! It’s something that comes totally naturally to all of them. Most of the time, they jump when they want you to watch them play, when they want to play, when they want to eat, etc. But you’ll have to teach them not to jump too much because they could hurt both you and themselves.
Most Pomskys can jump about 3 feet in the air. On the other hand, a Pomsky can also crawl and hop over a 5-foot wall, and sometimes even higher ones. You can teach your Pomsky to jump higher, but this may make it easier for them to get out of even the most well-fenced territory. A full-grown Pomsky can even jump over a 6-foot fence. How high your dog jumps also depends on their body. Some Pomskies are born with short legs from their Pomeranian parents, making it hard for them to jump high.
Source: Instagram (@bimthepomsky)
Is the Pomsky difficult to train?
Pomskies are very smart and do well with training based on positive reinforcement. But sometimes they get the stubbornness of the Pomeranian and the willfulness of the Siberian Husky. That’s a hard combination for training, so the owner should stay calm and take charge. If you don’t, your dog might get “small dog syndrome” and have other behavior problems. For example, like Pomeranians, Pomskies can be prone to resource guarding. If you notice early signs of this behavior problem, you can fix it before it gets worse.
Most new dog owners should start with the basics, like teaching their dog to go to the bathroom outside and walk on a leash. Depending on the breeder you got your Pomsky from and how old the puppy is, it may already know a few tricks, but it’s likely that you’ll have to teach it to go to the bathroom outside. It’s not easy to train a puppy, and if they figure out that you’re not an alpha, they’ll use your weaknesses to their advantage without any shame. This is something that any smart puppy can do, so it’s important to set yourself up as the alpha early on. If you don’t, you might end up with a dog that isn’t very well-behaved, and nobody wants that.
Why does my Pomsky howl?
Yes, Pomskies can howl. We talked more about that in our article ‘Do Pomskies bark a lot?’. However, a well-trained Pomsky dog shouldn’t howl or bark for no reason. Most dogs will bark or howl when they notice something suspicious happening, or when they are experiencing pain. So if your dog starts barking or howling out of the blue, make sure you check if everything is okay. He could be hurt, sick, or hear sounds that you don’t. If your dog is excessively barking for no reason, it could also be a sign of lack of training and socialization. Make sure you start bark training as soon as you bring a puppy home.
What are the pros and cons of a Pomsky?
Many of the traits that Pomeranians and Huskies have in common are often passed on to their hybrid offspring. These include being clownish, smart, sure of themself, and kind and loving. Both Huskies and Pomeranians tend to be loud. Huskies tend to howl a lot, and Pomeranians tend to yip. Because of this, Pomskies are often very loud too. That makes them unsuitable for people who can’t handle a lot of noise or for apartments with thin walls and sensitive neighbors.
Pomskies are also very protective, which could make them more likely to bark, especially when they meet new people. But they are great guard dogs. Even though they usually get along with everyone, they have a strong sense of loyalty that may make them close to one family member in particular. But they can be scared of young children and might not be a good fit for homes with very young children.
In addition to being very smart, they can also be very stubborn and headstrong, which makes it hard to train them even though they are smart. This is something that many new owners are not ready for. They need people in charge who are patient, firm, and calm. If you are a first-time dog owner, the best idea would be to hire a professional dog trainer to help you out.
Why you shouldn’t get a Pomsky?
Now that you have learned so many good things about this breed, you are probably wondering if there is any reason why you shouldn’t get a Pomsky. Trust me when I tell you that there is! First of all, this isn’t the pet for someone who is on a budget.
These dogs aren’t necessarily rare, however, there is such a high demand for them that it could be tricky to get your hands on one of these puppies. They have to be conceived via artificial insemination, which makes things even more complicated. So locating a reputable breeder could be tricky. You will have to pay premium, and chances are that you will have to join a waiting list too.
If you are willing to pay the high price tag, you will additionally also have to be prepared to pay for other expenses such as regular grooming, vet visits, lots of toys, a dog bed, and other accessories. But if money isn’t a problem for you, another resource that these dogs require is time. They need to spend time with their owners, and as we previously explained multiple times, separation anxiety is very common.
And lastly, these small dogs have a huge attitude. Training them could be a bit frustrating because they just think that your little tries of teaching them how to do tricks are boring and unnecessary. You need to have a great sense of humor when dealing with these dogs and even a greater amount of patience.
Conclusion: Is the Pomsky a good pet?
In conclusion, yes. The Pomsky is a wonderful pet and family canine. However, that doesn’t mean that he would be the right dog for you. Just like his parents, these dogs can be prone to jealousy and separation anxiety, and can’t be alone for long periods of time. In addition to that, as a crossbreed, they can’t be registered by the American Kennel Club. This could be a huge dealbreaker for people who are interested in dog shows.
But if you are willing to look past that, then these things, these cute dogs could soon become your best friends who will gladly join in all of your family activities. They will give you lots of love if you give them lots of attention. But you have to make sure to buy from a reputable breeder, even if that means a higher price tag. A quality breeder will make sure that your puppy is free of all hereditary health issues that these dogs are prone to.
If you aren’t sure where to find a quality breeder, a good idea would be to check on the Pomsky Club of America website. These puppies have to be bred via artificial insemination, and as there is a high demand, it could be a bit tricky to find puppies for sale in your area. You might have to join a waiting list, and have to pay a bit extra. However, you shouldn’t look for a bargain or great deal when buying a dog. There is a concerning number of breeders who are only in it for their money, and you are risking buying a sick dog.