Merle Pomsky: All About This Rare Colored Hybrid Dog

The Pomsky is the endearing cross of a Pomeranian and a Siberian Husky, an adorable designer dog breed that looks like a Husky puppy regardless of age. While they inherit the best traits of both parent breeds, they are also unique in their own right. 

Pomskies are highly intelligent and easily trained, making them ideal companions. They are also incredibly loyal and affectionate, forming strong bonds with their owners. However, it is important to remember that Pomskies require a lot of exercise and stimulation and can become restless if left alone for too long.

While Huskies and Pomeranians can come in several colors, including white, black, gray, and brown, the rarest of them all is the merle.

In this blog post, we’ll look at Pomskies in more detail and the characteristics of this unique hybrid. In addition, we’ll look at the merle gene, why merle breeding is tricky, and what you can do if you are a fan of this beautiful coat pattern.

What Is A Pomsky?

Firstly, a Pomsky is a hybrid designer dog breed created by crossing the cheerful, entertaining Pomeranian with the lovable, friendly Siberian Husky.

The Pomsky – A Brief History 

The introduction of Pomskies in the United States happened purely by accident. A Finnish Lapphund incorrectly tagged a Pomeranian, and a Siberian Husky mix called Tequila gained instant stardom on Buzzfeed, winning the hearts of everyone as a puppy-looking Pomsky.

The popularity of Pomskies soon skyrocketed, and with it, the number of breeders specializing in this hybrid. While the Pomsky is not officially recognized by the AKC yet, the wheels have been set in motion to have the breed recognized.

A Brief History Of The Siberian Husky and the Pomeranian

To understand the Pomsky, we also should take a closer look at the two parent breeds from which this adorable designer dog comes. 

The Siberian Husky is a centuries-old breed of dog originally developed in Siberia. These dogs were bred for their strength, endurance, and ability to pull heavy loads over long distances in harsh conditions. 

Today, they are still prized for these same qualities and are often used as working dogs in many different capacities. They are also popular as pets, thanks to their friendly nature and striking appearance. 

The Pomeranian is a small, fluffy dog that celebs like Paris Hilton and Taylor Swift have popularized in recent years. But this breed has a long and fascinating history, dating back to the 18th century. 

Originally from the region of Pomerania in northern Poland, the Pomeranian was bred as a working dog, used for tasks like herding sheep and pulling carts. They were also popular among sailors, who appreciated their small size and ability to fit aboard ships easily. 

Over time, the Pomeranian became increasingly popular as a companion animal, prized for its loyalty and affectionate nature. In the 19th century, Queen Victoria fell in love with the breed and helped to make them fashionable pets among the upper classes. 

Today, the Pomeranian is one of the most popular breeds in the world, beloved by dog lovers of all ages.

Pomsky – Temperament, Training, and Exercise Needs 

Pomskies have been known to inherit the best traits from both of their parents. They are typically very friendly and outgoing, but they can also be fiercely loyal and protective when they need to be. 

They are highly attached to their families and prone to separation anxiety if left alone at home for long periods. 

They are also incredibly intelligent, which means they are easy to train, although they can have a stubborn and independent streak that is characteristic of Huskies. 

They have moderate to high energy levels and will need a large yard to hang out in and daily walks that are an hour-long or more. Huskies are incredible athletes bred to run many miles a day, pulling weight over hostile terrain. A Pomsky, although smaller and with less endurance, is likely to take after many characteristics of their Husky parent.

A bored Pomsky is not a good idea! Pomskies are easily bored if they do not receive adequate mental and physical stimulation, and boredom can manifest in many destructive behaviors like howling, digging, chewing, or trying to escape. 

It takes quite a bit to tire out a Pomsky, so this breed is not likely to suit owners with sedentary lifestyles or busy owners that cannot spare the time to exercise their dog. 

What Is A Merle Pomsky?

The merle pattern is rare in a Pomsky, considering that Pomeranians and Huskies are not common carriers of the merle gene. The gene is likely to have been introduced somewhere down the ancestral line by another breed.

Dog breeds where the merle gene is commonly found include Catahoula Leopard Dogs, Great Danes, Border Collies, and Australian Shepherds. 

Merle doesn’t refer to coat color but rather the speckled or mottled pattern on the base coat that the gene causes. The patterns produced by the merle gene range from very subtle to very dramatic and can occur in any color or combination of colors. While the merle gene is relatively common in some breeds, it is considered rare in others. 

In addition, the merle gene can also cause lightening of pigmentation, turning a dog’s eyes blue or odd-colored and the paw pads and nose to turn pink.

The merle phenotype is denoted by an allele, or “m.” A merle dog bred to a single merle parent is “Mm,” while a non-merle dog is represented by “mm.” The problem happens when a dog is an offspring of two merle parents, which gives the puppies in the litter a 25% chance of being born double merle, or “MM.” 

Are Merle Pomskies Unhealthy – The Problem With Double Merle Dogs 

A dog born to a single merle parent will be a single merle, or “Mm.” These dogs have no more chance of inheriting genetic conditions than their solid-colored counterparts and will be as healthy as their other littermates.

A litter born to a single merle parent will have approximately 25% to 50% of the pups born with the merle gene.

However, the problem happens when two merle dogs are bred, which is a situation that should never happen. A litter born out of two merle dogs will be approximately 25% non-merle, 25% double merle, and 50% merle.

The 1 in 4 double merle dogs come with many health problems, including the possibility of being born blind, deaf, or both. In addition, double merle dogs are at increased risk for health problems due to their unique coat color. 

Double merles are generally born almost all white with some patchy merle markings. They often have pure pink noses, paw pads, and clear, blue eyes that are smaller than average. 

While some believe double merles make excellent pets due to their unique appearance, they often end up in shelters because of their challenges. It is essential to do your research before you adopt a double merle dog, as they require special care and attention. 

Because of the multitude of health problems that double merle dogs go through, two merle dogs should never be bred, and great care has to be taken to ensure that there is no accidental breeding between two merles.

Is Merle A Defect?

When a breeding pair consists of a single merle dog and a non-merle, the offspring will be, at most, a single merle, which isn’t a defect and merely a difference in coat pattern.

Single merle dogs have no more health problems than their non-merle counterparts and are likely to lead long and happy lives. 

However, when a litter is bred to two merle dogs, there is a 25% chance that a puppy will be born double merle, which comes with a whole host of health problems. 

Double merle dogs are at increased risk for health problems due to their unique coat color. The merle gene is responsible for the mottled coat, and when two merle-colored dogs are bred together, there is a 25% chance that their offspring will be double merle. 

Double merles are generally born with white patches of skin and can have blindness or deafness. In addition, the lack of pigmentation can cause severe UV exposure and sunburns. 

How Much Do Merle Pomskies cost?

Pomskies are designer dogs that can cost a pretty penny, and merle dogs can significantly add to the purchase price. The average price of a Pomsky can be between $1,000 to $3,000, with some Pomskies costing upwards of $5,000. Add that to the rarity of the merle gene, and you’ve got a pup that can easily cost twice that. 

Some factors that will affect the breeder of a merle Pomsky include availability, breeder ethics, and bloodline.

Availability – A breeder that specializes in merle dogs may only get a litter or two a year, and merle dogs will consist only of about 25% to 50% of their pups. The rarer a merle Pomsky is in your geographical area, the pricier it tends to be. 

Breeder Standards – Good breeders provide top-notch healthcare and nutrition to their pups, which will lead to their dogs costing more. Be wary of people that advertise their puppies for way below market value. These breeders are generally backyard breeders or puppy mills that don’t socialize their dogs or provide adequate healthcare. 

Bloodline – Pomskies are hybrid dogs, which means they can differ significantly according to the generation of the cross. Hybrids are denoted by “filial,” or F. An F1 generation is the 1st generation of Pomsky, meaning it is a cross of two purebred Pomeranians and Huskies. 

An F2 generation is a cross between two F1 hybrids, e.g., a cross of two Pomskies, an F3 is the third generation, and so on. The first generation born of two purebred dogs tends to cost more than an F2 hybrid made by two crosses. In addition, a first generation produced by crossing two purebred dogs of superior bloodlines, for example, show quality, is likely to cost significantly more.

Which Is The Rarest Color Of A Pomsky?

A Pomsky can take after the coat colors of either parent breed. Pomskies come in many colors like blue, white, and silver of the Husky parent, or chocolate, red, and brown of the Pomeranian parent. 

In addition, the merle speckling can affect all dogs, regardless of coat colors. The rarest colors of Pomskies are the blue merle, red merle, chocolate merle, silver merle, and brown merle, which are all colors of a typical Pomsky that is lightened by the merle phenotype. 

Do Merle Pomskies Shed? Are They Hypoallergenic?

Merle Pomskies have short, thick double coats. They will shed heavily as both the Pomeranian and Siberian Husky are heavy shedders with both a top coat and an undercoat.  

Pomskies will shed year-round, but the shedding intensifies in the spring and fall as they adjust to changing temperatures. Regular brushing can help to minimize shedding, but it’s impossible to prevent it altogether. 

In addition to a bristle brush that can minimize shedding from the top coat, you might need an undercoat rake to remove the dead fur from the undercoat, especially during the hottest months when shedding is at its most. 

Pomskies are not hypoallergenic dogs and might trigger those with pet allergies. They are heavy shedders, so keep a powerful vacuum cleaner handy and have loads of grooming brushes to frequently brush your pooch! 

Final Thoughts 

So there you have it – everything you ever wanted to know about the merle Pomsky. This hybrid dog is definitely one-of-a-kind and gaining in popularity each day. Just be sure that you check with reputable sources while acquiring a merle dog, as no self-respecting, ethical breeder would risk the possibility of breeding two merles. 

Whether you’re thinking of adding one to your family or are just curious about this breed, we hope you’ve found our post helpful.