The adorable cross between the Siberian Husky and the Pomeranian, Pomskies are a designer dog breed that has grown hugely popular in the past few years.
Looking like undersized, more baby-faced Huskies, these adorable dogs take after the traits of both parent breeds. Before looking at the temperament of Pomskies, we have to consider the disposition of both the prominent breeds from which they come.
Siberian Huskies
A medium-sized working dog, Huskies, were initially bred as sled dogs. They are intelligent, independent dogs that love being with their humans. They are high-energy dogs that were born to run many miles a day, pulling weight.
They need high amounts of exercise and don’t take well to apartment living. They will need a fenced yard and are escape artists. They have a high prey drive and like to chase.
They are friendly, affectionate dogs that love their families, other dogs, kids, and even strangers. They don’t like being left alone for long periods and could have separation anxiety issues.
Sometimes they have a stubborn streak and are not overly eager to please. They can be challenging to train and are unsuitable for first-time or inexperienced dog owners. They will do well in active households with solid leaders.
Pomeranians
Fiesty, devoted, and cheerful, the Pomeranian is one of the most popular toy dog breeds. They might be small, but they think they are Mastiffs and often challenge much larger dogs.
They were first bred to be a Spitz-type dog in the 1800s, and since then, they have been bred down to toy size.
They have medium energy levels and require less exercise than some other breeds. This makes them suitable for apartment-dwelling.
They are intelligent and eager to please, making them suited for new or inexperienced dog owners. Although devoted and affectionate to their own families, they tend to be less tolerant of other dogs, children, and strangers.
They, too, want to be around their humans constantly and might be prone to separation anxiety. They make good alert dogs but might be inclined to excessive barking.
Pomeranians suit inexperienced dogs owners of moderate activity levels and will adapt well to households with a present family member at all times.
Pomskies
A cross of both pure breeds, Pomskies take after the traits of each parent. Pomskies that are bred from two purebred parents come from a Siberian Husky mother and a Pomeranian father.
Their personality depends on much of each parent they take after.
Generally, they are playful, intelligent dogs that are devoted to their family. Because of their smaller size, they can be wary of children and other dogs that might accidentally hurt them.
Pomskies inherit a high prey drive from their Husky dam and might chase smaller animals. Proper socialization and introduction will be necessary if you intend to introduce a Pomsky to a household with a cat or other smaller animal.
Training is crucial for a Pomsky. They inherit the stubborn streak from the Husky gene and will push your boundaries if you let them. They are intelligent and will take well to positive reinforcement and consistent training. Their spunky, pushy nature might not be suited for inexperienced dog owners.
Negative reinforcement will trigger the stubborn streak, and they’ll be less receptive to training in the future. They are moderately sensitive and will react to any anger or annoyance in your training sessions, so be sure to be patient.
Lots of praise, affection and treats will do better at encouraging your Pomsky to accept training readily.
They might do well in apartments with adequate exercise but are better suited for a yard with a fence. They are medium to high energy dogs that need to be mentally stimulated with training, games, and affection, or they can engage in destructive behavior like chewing and barking.
Regular exercise is a must for Pomskies. They have the high energy levels of their Husky parent and need to be stimulated. They will need a daily walk of at least 30 minutes in addition to several playtime sessions throughout the day.
They are playful and will love endless play sessions before being more receptive to being cuddlebums. They do love to cuddle and will happily curl up on your lap after a long day out or a vigorous play session.
They take after the notorious escape artist trait in Huskies and need to be adequately fenced in, or they will dig, jump or claw their way out.
Pomskies are incredibly vocal dogs that take over the barkiness of Pomeranians and the howling traits of Huskies.
They don’t do well with being left alone for long periods and suit households with present family members.
These beautiful dogs inherit thick coats from both parents and are better suited for colder climates than a hot or humid environment.
Some Potential Behavior Issues
Separation Anxiety
One of the more likely behavior problems with having a Pomsky comes from their fierce attachment to their humans.
They will not do well in households with, say, a couple that both work all day. They’ll suit families with at least one family member in at all times.
Separation anxiety manifests in dogs that don’t want to be alone.
It is exhibited in behaviors like:
- Digging or scratching at doors when separated from their humans
- Barking, whining, and howling when kept apart
- Destructive chewing of anything they can find
- Urination and defecation in the house from otherwise potty-trained dogs
Separation anxiety can be a lot of work to fix, depending on how bad a case is.
Some things that might help are:
1– Leaving old clothes to reassure your pup with your scent.
2– Have many interactive toys on hand. The Classic Kong or a dog ball dispensing treats might keep the pup occupied for a few hours.
3– Don’t make a big deal out of coming home and feeding his excitement. Calmly enter your house, and don’t pay any attention to your pup until he’s calmed down. This is hard, we know!
4– Take your Pomsky to doggie daycare to keep him occupied, or hire a dog walker.
5– Ask your veterinarian about drug options to reduce your Pomsky’s overall anxiety levels and keep him calmer.
6– An extended exercise session in the mornings before you leave your Pomsky alone might help tire him out and keep him calmer throughout the day.
Separation anxiety can be a severe behavioral problem and has led many dog owners to give up their dogs if they cannot meet their needs.
If your Pomsky starts displaying early signs of separation anxiety and you feel unable to help, it is best to get professional help before an even worse situation develops.
Prey Drive
Huskies love chasing stuff, and hence, Pomskies do too. If your Pomsky doesn’t have a reliable recall, you’ll need to leash him when you’re out to prevent him from going after squirrels, cats, and other small animals. Not only does it endanger other animals, but it also poses a danger to your pup from getting lost or traffic!
Teaching a reliable recall can be tricky to dogs with high prey drives like Huskies and Pomskies. One look at a retreating squirrel, and they’ll take off, paying no mind to your frantic yells.
Consider enrolling your Pomsky in basic obedience classes for a start. Not only will it stimulate him, but your dog will be much more receptive to listening to you.
Try training the recall in a closed environment with no distractions before moving outdoors. The recall is a lifesaving skill, and the more reliable your pup’s recall is, the more freedom he can have.
Destructive Behavior
Pomskies are chewers and diggers. Unless these behaviors result from separation anxiety, it is just because they love to chew and dig!
If you catch them chewing up your shoes, furniture, or anything that isn’t a toy, correct firmly and redirect their attention towards their toys, praising and treating them when they turn their attentions to those.
Supervise them before they are appropriately trained, or you’re going to end up replacing a bunch of your stuff!
In addition to being voracious chewers, Pomskies are also avid diggers. Siberian Huskies are escape artists that will try all means to get out of their enclosures. Pomskies won’t be much different. Whether trying to get over the fence or digging under it, they love trying to get out.
Watch the yard for any gaps in the fence or upcoming holes under to keep your Pomsky in and off the streets.
Only correct their behavior when you catch them digging. Showing them a hole and correcting their behavior will not show them what they did wrong.
You’ll have to catch them in the act and correct firmly, immediately redirecting their attention elsewhere like to a toy, and praise when they leave the destroyed flower bed and start playing with the toy instead.
Excessive Barking
Because Huskies are vocal dogs and Pomeranians are good alert dogs that bark, sometimes excessively, Pomskies are vocal. Boy, are they vocal!
Some barking is to be expected; it is a dog’s way of communicating. However, if incessant barking persists, it could be annoying for you and anyone else in the vicinity.
Here are some tips to minimize barking and save your ears some damage.
1– Don’t yell at your dog when he’s barking. It will sound to him like you’re barking along with him, and it’ll become one big game!
2– Be consistent and apply the same rules to every family member. The key is consistency.
3– Completely ignore the barking and only give attention and treats when the barking stops.
4– As they figure out that less barking means getting a treat, they gradually lengthen their time to stay quiet to earn a treat.
5– Desensitize them to the stimulus. For example, if the sound of the doorbell has them yapping their heads off, practice having someone ring the doorbell and treat immediately when the barking stops. Do this several times a day for however long it takes, and your pup will get the idea.
6– Ensure that they have adequate exercise. An under-exercised dog has plenty of energy to burn, and this can manifest in behaviors like incessant barking.
Final Thoughts
Most of the behavioral challenges can easily be prevented by being informed and properly socializing your Pomsky. You can start desensitizing training and obedience classes for puppies from a young age.
Pomskies are intelligent dogs that will take well to good training and strong pack leaders. Their complete devotion to their families, while touching, might be the source of some of their behavioral issues.
With proper care, your Pomsky will grow into a balanced, happy pooch that will give you many happy years. We wish you the best of luck in your journey together!
