POMSKY - Is It a Good Fit for You?
Pomskies are a lovable family-oriented breed. They get along with most people and family situations.
HOW MUCH DO POMSKIES COST?
Pomskies generally run $2000-5000. This range can vary as it depends on the quality of the puppy and the parents, how much health testing is done, and if the breeder is competing with local puppy mills. There are breeders who have higher quality Pomskies than others. Be sure to look at their adult breeding dogs and ask for pictures of any adult puppies from the pairing. A good-quality puppy will have a compact body, small ears (large ears are a major fault), shorter legs (tall skinny legs are a fault), and plushy coat. Breeders on our Recommended List can provide more detail.
Please do not support puppy mills or pet stores (they get their dogs from puppy mills). Click here for a LIST of reputable breeders, sorted by state.
At times, you may be able to find a returned older puppy/adult available for a lower price. They often have behavioral issues that have to be worked out, as that’s the common reason why they are rehomed.
If you have a restricted budget, another option is to look for a breeder near you and get on their waitlist for one of their retired breeding dogs which are often much lower in price.
Many breeders offer payment plans for future litters, so be sure to ask them about that option.
WHAT DO POMSKIES LOOK LIKE AS ADULTS?
Pomskies are bred to look like miniature Huskies with the Pomeranian tail. They can be a plethora of colors that come from both the Siberian Husky and Pomeranian lineages. Most breeders strive for the white Husky domino face mask pattern.
Eye color can be brown, blue, amber, green, hazel, gray, heterochromia (2 color eyes), mosaic, parti (multiple colors in each eye), and more.
WHAT COLORS DO POMSKIES COME IN?
Coat colors are extensive, and may include one of these:
Traditional black/white
Silver/white
Red/white
Chocolate
Agouti
Sable
Black and Tan
Wolf Gray
Solid white, black
Dilute black (blue)
Lavender
Merle
Piebald
Brindle
Tan Point, and many more
Depending on the parental line, they can have a standard coat (short length), a plush coat (medium length), and wooly (long length).
WHAT ARE THE EXPECTED SIZES OF POMSKIES?
The most common size Pomskies are between 16-24lbs. They are generally “heavier than what they look”, so don’t base your search on weight alone. Check out the full breed standard here.
There are 3 sizes of Pomskies:
TOY: Under 10” tall at the shoulder, and up to 15 pounds.
MINI: Up to 14” at the shoulder, and between 12-20 pounds.
STANDARD: 14-18” tall at the shoulder, and between 20-35 pounds.
WHAT IS THE TEMPERAMENT OF POMSKIES?
What kind of dog are they?
Pomskies are highly-intelligent dogs that gravitate towards humans. They are very family-friendly, love other dogs, and have a larger-than-life personality like their Husky ancestors. They can be Husky vocal, but most of the Pomsky population are not big barkers or yappy dogs. They are often categorized as athletic companion dogs.
WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES WITH POMSKIES?
Pomskies do require a firm hand from puppies to adulthood. Behavioral problems can be present if the pet owner does not properly train. All good breeders recommend basic puppy classes. Due to their intelligence, puppies can get into trouble, especially when bored. They can also be stubborn. If the pet owner is consistent with training and quickly resorts to professional help at the first sign of not being able to control the situation, they make fabulous pets. The rehomed Pomskies we see are often the result of lack of proper training.
WHAT ARE THE EXERCISE REQUIREMENTS OF POMSKIES?
Most Pomskies acclimate to the amount of exercise you provide. If you can walk them for 30 minutes in the morning and evenings, that is sufficient for most, as long as there are other training/puzzles to keep them occupied.
We have seen some families that are exercising their Pomskies for 3-4 hours a day and then complaining about the quantity. You train your Pomsky how much exercise to require. Most adult Pomskies are couch potatoes. minus a needed walk for mental stimulation, potty breaks, etc.
If you are a very active family, a standard-size Pomsky can be a camping buddy, hiking/biking partner, marathon runner, kayaking dog, and more. Just be cautious as to how early you exercise your puppy to prevent joint injuries.
ARE POMSKIES A HEALTHY BREED?
Pomskies were established in 2012, so we are getting a better picture of the overall health of the breed. Because Pomsky breeders placed a lot of trust in DNA tests early on and prevented genetically diseased dogs from breeding, the breed overall is very genetically healthy.
Reputable breeders, like those in the APKC®, are dedicated to providing the healthiest Pomskies possible.
That said, although there are to date over 200 genetic tests that are run on Pomskies, there are still some genetic diseases that do not have tests available. Perfectly healthy parents can always produce sickly offspring, just like in humans.
The American Pomsky Kennel Club® has an open health survey that anyone can submit diseases and issues found in their Pomskies to keep a good eye on the pet population. Below are the most commonly reported issues, as of Jan 2024:
No health issues reported - 77%
Luxating patellas (kneecaps) - 10%
Separation Anxiety - 6.6%
Allergies - 5.3%
Hip Dysplasia - 2%
Behavioral issues (OCD/aggression) - 2%
Tear Stains - 1.3%
Eye issues (Glaucoma, cataracts) - 0.9%
Seizures - 0.4%
Liver Shunt - 0.4%
Hypoglycemia/Hyperglycemia - 0.4% (combined)
Skin issues - 0.4%
Cardiac issues - 0.4%
Heart murmurs - 0.2%
Teeth concerns (plaque) 0.1%
Collapsed trachea - 0.1%
(* Some of these numbers may be much higher/lower as this data is only as good as the information submitted)
Everyone who has a Pomsky should submit to this survey, to have the most accurate understanding of the breed possible.
To add your contribution to this survey, click HERE
WHAT TESTS SHOULD I LOOK OUT FOR WHEN LOOKING AT POMSKIES?
DNA test, preferably Embark or Wisdom Panel *For health. The breed portion is only an indicator of what possible ancestors the dog has. Here’s an additional article on DNA that you should read.
OFA patellas, OFA/PennHip hips, OFA elbows, OFA cardiac, OFA thyroid, OFA/CAER eyes.
For an absolute minimum testing level, we highly recommend Genetic diseases and patella (knee) testing.
ARE POMSKIES HYPO-ALLERGENIC? NO!
DO POMSKIES SHED?
Pomskies shed heavily twice a year. Depending on the line, there can be some shedding throughout the year. The standard coat is reported to shed more frequently than the wooly coat.
WHAT ARE POMSKIES’ GROOMING REQUIREMENTS?
Most Pomskies require 2-3 times a week brushing with an undercoat rake or slicker brush. Especially behind their ears, on the butt skirt, and behind the elbows/armpits. They are not stinky dogs between baths, so baths once a month are oftentimes sufficient.
Spring and fall is time for their undercoat to shed, their coat gets a “sherpa” texture to it. Taking them to the groomer for a “blowout de-shed with de-shed shampoo, butt skirt trim, sanitary trim” is enough for most Pomskies.
Here’s more detailed information on grooming and coats HERE.
WHAT FOOD SHOULD POMSKIES BE ON?
Pomskies require a high-quality diet that is not grain-free. Here’s an article from a recent survey on what Pomsky breeders feed their own dogs.
WHERE DO I FIND A REPUTABLE POMSKY BREEDER?
https://americanpomskykennelclub.org/recommended-breeders
HOW DO I AVOID GETTING SCAMMED WHEN SHOPPING FOR A POMSKY?
This is a great question. Here’s an article that reviews the warning signs and red flags you should look for. https://americanpomskykennelclub.org/knowledge-base/scams
To learn more about Pomskies, click HERE to access our Educational Resources Library.