The Pomsky is a relatively new American dog breed that is becoming increasingly popular. It comes from a cross between American Cocker Spaniel and a Siberian Husky. He inherited the best qualities of these two breeds. The Pomsky is very intelligent and easy to train, making it an ideal companion dog for families. He is affectionate and gets along well with children. It is a small, active dog that likes to play ball, take long walks, and be by his master's side.
It is an amazing cross between a Husky and a dwarf Spitz, which nevertheless seduces more and more owners: the Pomsky is a small ball of hair with the appearance of a plush. Find out what you need to know about this type of hybrid dog, star of the Internet, and social networks.
The Pomsky at a glance
- Life expectancy: 12 to 15 years
- Weight: 4 to 17 kilos depending on ancestry, proportional to the height
- Height: 30 to 50 centimeters, always depending on the ancestry
- Silhouette: dense, balanced
- Hair: medium-long or long
- Dresses: all shades are allowed
- Character: affectionate, sociable, faithful
- Origin: United States
- Type: lupoid
- Group: 5 (Spitz and primitive type dogs)
History of the Pomsky breed
The Pomsky is classified in the category of "designer dogs", a new breed of dog developed from the crossing of two purebred dogs. The Pomeranian wolf also called Dwarf Spitz, and the Siberian Husky gave birth to the Pomsky, whose name is explained by this double ancestry. It's very recent history is the result of a succession of accidents and deceptions on the Internet. In 2009, a young woman opened a debate on the forum of the American site Dog Health about the mental stability of a dog spotted in a shelter, which would combine the characteristics of a Husky and a dwarf Spitz. However, the veterinarian who answers him evokes a very unlikely mixture, while hypothesizing a simple assumption of the puppy's ancestry on the part of the adoption structure. The idea of hybridization between these two breeds was probably born at that time. The following years, then saw many photos of small puppies called Pomsky bloom on the Internet, which were actually deceptions, as well as testimonies of accidental reproduction between a Pomeranian and a Husky. In 2012, after researching the genetic possibilities of such hybridization, Teressa Peterson and Joline Philipps, American breeders from Pomeranians, came into contact with Tabetha Ruhstorfer, owner of a female Siberian Husky. Fertilization, carried out by artificial insemination, gives birth to the first litter of Pomsky puppies in the United States. This announcement, combined with a series of videos and increasingly viral photos posted on sites such as Buzzfeed or social networks, has largely contributed to the rise in popularity of the breed. The latter has been accompanied by a growing increase in the number of Pomsky dog farms, first on American territory, but now throughout the world.
The Pomsky is not officially recognized by the FCI, or by the Central Canine Society in France. Its creation is too recent to know if this crossing will not lead to serious health or behavioral problems that would reveal themselves over generations. The Pomsky Club of America (PCA) and the International Pomsky Association (IPA), on the other hand, strive to establish links between farms recognized for their seriousness and for their knowledge of both breeds.
Physical characteristics of the Pomsky breed
The Pomsky does not currently know an official standard. Its appearance, therefore varies from one individual to another, mainly depending on its ancestry. It should not be confused with the Finnish Lapland dog or the Alaskan Klee Kai, born from an unwanted breeding between a Husky and a small dog.
There are then often four sizes for the Pomsky: the dwarf (or toy), measuring less than 36 centimeters; the small, between 36 and 40 centimeters; the medium (or standard), between 40 and 44 centimeters; and the large, beyond 44 centimeters. In any case, this breed has a dense and rather balanced body, with well-developed musculature. Graceful and light in its movements, this dog has a bone that is both powerful and light. The back is straight and strong, and the chest is relatively deep and well-descended. Its hair, straight, soft, and thick, can be short, medium-long, or long. The presence of an undercoat is also observed. All coat shades are possible, but a coat similar to the Husky (black, gray, white) is usually preferred. Some Red Pomskies like their Spitz relatives is also called "Fox Pomskies". The tail is well supplied, of medium length, attached high, and carried curled on the back. The neck, curved and worn proudly, supports a head proportional to the body, with a well-marked stop. Finally, the ears should be straight, pointed, and facing forward. Its almond-shaped eyes give it a vivid look and can be blue or brown, or minnows.
The character of the Pomsky
The novelty of the Pomsky breed currently makes it difficult to assess its character. The latter can also vary greatly from one individual to another, certainly as for other dogs, but also according to the percentage of Dwarf Spitz and Siberian Husky from which it comes. Nevertheless, Pomsky is described as a rather quiet, sociable, cheerful, and intelligent dog. He is cuddly and affectionate towards his master and family, although he can sometimes be impatient and grumpy with children. It can play the role of a watchdog by sounding the alarm when it spots an intruder but is not aggressive. If it gets along well with its canine congeners, this is not the case for cats or other small animals. Finally, he usually does not tolerate loneliness very well.
Ideal living conditions for the Pomsky
The small size of the Pomsky allows it to adapt to city life as well as the countryside. Its needs will then be different according to the ascendancy that one race takes over the other. This dog will in any case need two daily outings for his physical and psychic balance. It will be delighted to participate in many leisure activities with its owners. The practice of a complementary canine activity is also recommended for this active breed, such as agility or tracking.
Education of the Pomsky
Still depending on the percentage of its parent breeds, the Pomsky can be more or less easy to educate. A dog that is more like a Husky will tend to be stubborn and more independent. If he is more of a Dwarf Spitz, he will be happy to learn new tricks with his master, provided that the sessions are well fragmented. Education is still necessary, as well as good socialization to limit the behavioral disorders or instincts specific to these primitive races.
Grooming and maintenance of the Pomsky
Like other Nordic breeds, the Pomsky loses a lot of hair during molting periods (spring and autumn). Brushing must therefore be done daily during these periods when it can otherwise be done weekly for the rest of the year. This ritual guarantees the beauty of its coat while aerating it and preventing possible skin problems. It is also not necessary to wash the Pomsky too often: one to two shampoos a year are more than enough to keep its hair clean and odorless. On the other hand, it is essential to regularly inspect and clean your eyes and ears, to prevent any risk of infection. This dog often suffers from excessive tearing like the Dwarf Spitz.
Main health problems of the Pomsky
The Pomsky combines the health of two breeds known for their robustness. Its rustic character and undercoat also give it good resistance to cold or weather. The crossing is otherwise too recent to have the necessary hindsight to know the main health problems of the Pomsky. However, it would be subject, like the Dwarf Spitz, to joint or ocular weaknesses.
Pomsky feeding
The diet of the Pomsky should be adapted to their age, sex, overall health as well as the level of physical activity. It is also recommended to feed it with high-quality kibble, or a household diet controlled by a veterinarian. Its fragile intestines, inherited from the Siberian Husky, require food low in sugars and fat. It also needs fresh water in quantity and free access.
Pomsky price
Even if the breed is now experiencing a certain craze in Europe, its rarity and popularity make it rather difficult to get a Pomsky. The price of a puppy oscillates between 2500 and 4000 euros, this sum, then varying according to the breeding, but also the age, sex, and lineage of the animal. A dog with physical traits similar to those of the Husky sells for more. There are also three categories of Pomskies:
- The Pomsky F1, or 50-50, is from a cross between a Dwarf Spitz father and a Husky mother. The crossing of a Pomsky F1 with a Husky gives a Pomsky F1a (75% Husky and 25% Spitz), while that of a Pomsky F1 with a Pomeranian gives a Pomsky F1b (75% Spitz and 25% Husky)
- The Pomsky F2, from the cross between two Pomsky F1
- The Pomsky F3, from the cross between two Pomsky F2
The further one advances in the generations, the more likely the Pomsky will be to maintain small size in adulthood, a characteristic particularly sought after by amateurs. The breeder must also be able to confirm the category of Pomsky.
Anecdotes about the Pomsky
The Pomsky breed was born from a phenomenon of virality on the Internet, and it is the subject of a wide debate among enthusiasts of the canine world. Some indeed salute the work of the farms and the fusion of these two breeds to obtain this pretty stuffed dog; while others highlight the absurdity, even the dangerousness of these practices for the health of individuals, by attacking in a general way the trend of "designer dogs".
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