Husky and Spitz mix

Breed characteristics

How to feed?

As for any other dog, nutrition should be balanced, correct and healthy. Also, your pet should have clean water at room temperature freely available.

Each owner chooses how to feed the pomchi - dry food or natural food. The most important thing to pay attention to is that food from the store should be super-premium, and natural food should be of high quality and fresh.

You also need to calculate the optimal amount of food. Feeding too much food will cause such a miniature dog to become obese.

Since the pomchi is small in size, its maintenance and nutrition will not put a dent in the owner’s pocket.

An adult pomchi needs to be fed twice a day, however, if you play with him for a long time, you should give the dog a snack. This will allow her to regain her strength. Cartilage or beef callus will be useful for your teeth.

In general, feeding a Pomchi is no different from feeding a Spitz or Chihuahua.

History of the origin of the Pomsky breed

The history of the Pomsky as a breed is just taking shape. For the first time, photos of cute mestizos appeared on the Internet in 2013, from an American breeder . And after 4 months, a club for breed lovers appeared in the USA, but this did not help the Pomsky become an official breed. But in 2021, Spitz and Husky mixes began to appear on the European continent.

Pomsky is not recognized as a breed by any cynological association in the world.

The development of the breed is greatly hindered by the lack of standard and diversity of appearance in litters. Only kennels participating in experimental selection engage in breeding, and only 2 organizations recognize Pomskies - the American Hybrid Dog Club and the Pomsky Fanciers Club. But enthusiasts predict a great future for mestizos, as the fashion for small, photogenic dogs is now in full swing.

Distinctive features

There is no breed standard today. Hybrids differ significantly from each other in the variety of colors, sizes and constitution. In order to somehow streamline the “heterogeneity,” breeders have identified several types of Pomsky:

• Shorthair. It is very rare and is not in consumer demand. It has a hard and short coat, a slightly stretched and light body. Height up to 40 cm at the withers, weight up to 13 kg. The eye color and coats are completely similar to the Husky.
• Plush. The smallest and most popular of the subspecies is up to 25 cm at the withers, weighing no more than 6 kg. Visually very similar to a Spitz in Siberian Husky colors. May have blue irises or heterochromia. It has a thick, long coat with a very soft, dense undercoat.
• White. It is very rare, which is why the price of sobka is high. Height from 35 to 40 cm. Weight 12 – 13 kg. Moderately elongated format, thin bones, but strong muscles. Most often has blue eyes. The color is solid white, the nose is dark brown or black.
• Fox. Short stature (no more than 35 cm), elongated body, long smooth hair and fiery red color give this type a resemblance to a fox. The muzzle is long and pointed, just like that of its wild “relative”.
• Brown. Distinguished by the rich chocolate color of the coat and nose and blue eyes. It has a slightly stretched body and strong bones with developed muscles. Height 35 – 40 cm, weight up to 15 kg. The type of coat is similar to that of a husky - dense, thick undercoat, outer coat of medium hardness and long.

How to choose a puppy?

To choose the right Pomchi puppy, you need to first look at its parents. If they are healthy and adequate, then the offspring will most likely be the same.

Watch how the puppy plays and interacts with other brothers. He should not be lethargic and cowardly. But the manifestation of excessive aggression is also considered a defect.

NOTE!

The puppy should look healthy, its limbs should be intact, and nothing should stand out from the eyes and ears. Also look at his fur to see if there are any fleas or ticks.

The dog should eat well and also show a healthy interest in you as a new person and the world around you.

Photo of an adult dog

Photos of puppies

Features of character and behavior

Since the Pomsky is just being formed, it is very difficult to say what character traits such a mestizo has. The genetics of mixed breeds are sometimes completely unpredictable. In one litter there may be one puppy copying the behavior of a husky, another will completely correspond to the behavior of a Spitz, and a third may have traits of both breeds.

In most cases, the behavior of an adult dog depends 100% on upbringing. Even the most notorious stubborn dog, with proper training, will become an obedient and flexible dog.

In general, Pomskies are sweet and friendly dogs, love children, and are not aggressive towards other animals. Thanks to their light bones, mestizos are very active throughout their lives - they are ready to run and play until old age. Owners need to be careful; when playing too much, a Pomsky may run after a cat or bird on the street.

In addition to being highly active, the genes of the Siberian Husky make Pomskys real little stubborn dogs. They need to be raised from childhood, gently but confidently, to achieve 100% obedience, otherwise there may be behavioral problems in adulthood. Also, without a splash of physical and mental activity, behavioral difficulties often arise - excessive barking, running away, chewing.

Pomskies are suitable for people with an active lifestyle and a strong spirit . They love long walks in the park and are happy to run after the ball, but are not always willing to give it up. It’s easy to stay at home alone, but only if the owner has had a good walk with the dog first.

Advantages

The main advantages of the Pomsky are:

• Beauty.
• Good health.
• Small sizes.
• Endurance.
• Good nature and cheerful disposition.
• Loyalty and love for the owner.

A separate point to note is that Pomskies can become excellent athletes in agility or flyball.

Flaws

Any medal has 2 sides, the main disadvantages of mestizos:

1. Stubbornness.
2. Tendency to escape.
3. High price.
4. Hyperactivity.
5. Excessive barking.

A separate point is that there is too much variation in appearance options, and a complete lack of ability to predict the appearance of the litter.

Character of dogs

This breed, like most small dogs, is a good and loyal friend for humans if they have the appropriate upbringing and training. If this is not the case, then the dog may grow up to be aggressive and disobedient.

By nature, these are very kind dogs, attached to people. They love to socialize, play, and interact with people and other dogs.

Because of their sociability, Pomchis cannot tolerate loneliness. If they are left alone for a long time, it can completely change their personality. They will become secretive, withdraw into themselves and stop trusting people.

Also, these dogs do not need much physical activity. They equally love walks and playing at home with their owner.

Pomches love to be held and have other human contact. They like it when all the attention is directed at them, so it is important not to let the dog become proud. We need to show her who's boss.

IMPORTANT!

Failure to demonstrate character in establishing a relationship with a pomchi can lead to the pet beginning to manipulate the person. Dominant traits are clearly identified in the Pomchi's temperament.

Care and maintenance

In addition to good walking, Pomskies, like their parents, require careful coat care. Long hair and dense undercoat require attention - every other day you need to comb your pet with a wide-toothed comb to avoid the formation of tangles, and 1-2 times a week with a slicker brush to remove excess undercoat and dead outer hair.

During the spring-autumn period, grooming activities must be carried out daily. Or, once every 2-3 months, take the dog to a professional for “express shedding”.

In rainy and muddy weather, your pet will have to wash its paws and belly after every walk. Your puppy should be accustomed to bathing procedures and a hairdryer from early childhood, and be sure to praise him for good behavior in the bathroom. It is not recommended to completely wash your dog more than once a month . When bathing, be sure to use special veterinary shampoos and balms; human shampoos are absolutely not suitable for animals. Afterwards, dry with a hairdryer, without using hot air.

Otherwise, caring for your Pomsky is not a hassle:

1. The claws are trimmed as they grow with special claw clippers or guillotines.
2. Ears are cleaned no more than 2 times a month. After first soaking the dirt with a special lotion, then remove excess liquid and scabs with a cotton pad or swab.
3. Eyes , as a rule, do not cause trouble with proper nutrition and do not require special care. If tearfulness is increased, then you should show the dog to the veterinarian.

Pomsky is a special breed and requires appropriate care. Otherwise, she would not have become an Internet star.

Nutrition

A small puppy requires a lot of time - you need to feed the baby:

• From 2 to 4 months at least 6 times a day (approximately every 2.5 - 3 hours).
• From 4 to 6 months 5 times a day.
• From 6 to 9 months 4 times a day.
• From 9 to 11 months 3 times a day.
• From 11 months until the end of life - two meals a day.

The portion and interval between feedings are gradually increased; the stomach of a small puppy is not able to digest a large amount of food at once.

Whether to feed your dog natural food or ready-made food is up to everyone to choose for themselves. But it is worth noting that balancing natural feeding correctly is quite difficult and expensive. Even super-premium food is cheaper than “natural” food (additional vitamins are needed).

We recommend that you read the article on the topic: “Porridge for dogs: recipes, do’s and don’ts, review of the composition and value of cereals.”

When feeding foods of natural origin, the diet must include:

1. Muscle meat.
2. Offal.
3. Fermented milk products.
4. Sea fish (boneless).
5. Vegetables and unsweetened fruits.
6. Eggs.
7. Cartilage and tendons.

It is strictly forbidden to give dogs:

• Chocolate and other sweets.
• Sweet baked goods.
• Bones.
• Smoked or pickled foods.
• I eat with salt and spices.
• Sweet fruits or berries (grapes, watermelon).

There is an opinion among dog breeders that meat and fish should be given boiled - this is a wrong belief! The stomach of a predator is adapted to digest raw food. Meat components are subject to heat treatment only if there is a possibility of infection with helminths or infections.

Health

To date, the breed has not been thoroughly studied, but existing individuals have shown good health results. F1 hybrids have not been shown to be susceptible to genetic diseases found in Huskies and Spitz dogs. For the F2 and F3 hybrids, things are much worse with health, as well as with the exterior. It is for this reason that, at the moment, breeders have abandoned the idea of ​​crossing second and third generation mestizos.

Vaccinations

Vaccination is an integral part of mandatory veterinary measures for each breed. The first vaccination is given after double deworming, usually at the breeder, at the age of 6 to 8 weeks . Revaccination is carried out after 3 weeks to finally form immunity to viral infections. In regions with a favorable epidemiological situation, veterinarians often immediately give a rabies injection along with a double vaccine. Otherwise, the rabies vaccination is postponed until the complete change of teeth . The last puppy immunization is done every year, and thereafter it is repeated annually along with rabies.

The veterinarian can adjust the vaccination schedule depending on the conditions in which the puppy is kept and his state of health. The serum is also selected by the veterinarian.

Until the end of all vaccination activities (and 2 weeks after), it is necessary to observe strict quarantine and keep the puppy away from other dogs. Modern serums do not require special preparation, except for the prevention of worms before each immunization. During the appointment, the doctor will examine the animal, measure its body temperature and, if everything is normal, immediately give an injection.

Modern medications used by veterinarians have virtually no side effects, and allergic reactions are extremely rare. Normally, the dog may be a little apathetic or lethargic. A small ball may form at the injection site, which goes away in 2-3 days. There may be a slight increase in body temperature, refusal to feed, and one-time vomiting. If the listed symptoms last more than a day, you need to show the animal to a doctor.

Important article on the topic: “Everything you need to know about dog vaccinations.”

Diseases

Spitz and Husky mixes are not prone to genetic diseases. But age-related changes do not bypass the Pomsky. The most common problems:

1. Cataracts and retinal detachment.
2. Dislocation of the knee joint.
3. Diseases of the genitourinary system.

Otherwise, these are strong and healthy dogs, and all diseases appear only in old age.

Walk

The Pomsky is a very active dog and needs daily walks in the fresh air and active games. You need to walk your cute mestizo at least twice a day, and with puppies up to a year old up to 5 times a day. It is better to combine walking with fun runs for the ball or obedience classes. Mestizos prefer spending active time instead of a leisurely walk in the park.

Otherwise, the descendant of the primitive Spitz will endlessly bark, dig holes, run away or destroy the house. Undischarged activity results in nervous system disorders and destructive behavior at home.

Pomsky care

In general, caring for a Pomsky is not difficult, but you should pay special attention to hygiene procedures. This is especially true for cleaning and combing out the animal’s dense and thick fur.

Don't forget about the animal's teeth, claws and ears. To clean your teeth, it is better to purchase a special brush and paste, with which you need to clean your mouth at least 3-4 times every 7 days. It's also worth stocking up on chewy treats that help remove unwanted plaque and prevent tartar from forming on your teeth.

During long daily walks, the dog's nails should wear down naturally on their own. However, if this does not happen, they will have to be cut off with a nail clipper once every 3 weeks.

You should buy a special lotion to clean your ears. Moisten a cotton pad with a small amount of this product and gently but thoroughly clean the entire surface of the ear. Pay special attention to hard-to-reach places, but remove dirt without injuring your pet’s ear.

Special care should be given to the dog's coat.

Bathing and grooming

Bathing procedures must be carried out once every 3 months, using special shampoos and balms to make combing the fur easier. Cosmetic products should be selected based on your pet’s coat type. But you will have to wash your paws every day after a walk.

Combing the coat must be done at least 3 times a week, but during seasonal shedding this procedure should be daily. This method allows you to avoid the appearance of tangles in dogs and get rid of old dead fur in a timely manner.

Pomskies themselves are very neat and also take care of their coat, just like cats have the habit of licking themselves.

Important! The coat of a breed of cross between a Husky and a Puritan Spitz mats and forms tangles most often on the face.

Nutrition selection

Pomskies are absolutely not picky about their diet. For food, the following set of products, approved for all breeds of dogs, is suitable:

• meat: veal, turkey, beef, chicken, rabbit;
• sea ​​fish, but before feeding the animal, be sure to remove all, even the smallest bones;
• cereals boiled in water: buckwheat, millet, rice, rolled oats;
• vegetables, both fresh and steamed, grilled, in water or in the oven;
• fruits;
• greens, parsley is especially useful;
• dairy products: cottage cheese, fermented baked milk, plain yogurt, kefir and low-fat milk.

In order not to spend a lot of time creating a menu, you can choose ready-made dog food for your dog. This should be premium and super premium food. In addition to dry food, special attention should be paid to wet food and various treats that are good for teeth.

Under no circumstances should you feed your pets:

• uncooked raw fish and meat;
• semi-finished products: smoked sausage, sausages, etc.;
• fatty and oil-fried dishes;
• hot seasonings and spices;
• sweets, candies and any baked goods;
• pickles, canned food;
• potatoes, cooked in any form;
• pasta.

Half of the diet should consist of proteins, that is, meat, fish and offal. You also need to pay attention to the abundance of minerals and vitamins. The menu should be balanced, so if there is a lack of useful nutrients, it is worth mixing your pet’s food with special dog supplements.

Important! Due to dental problems, you should avoid giving your Pomsky hard food and never give it bones.

Mating

Since the Pomsky is actually a cross between a Spitz and a Siberian Husky, second and third generation hybrids are not mated to each other. Only the first generation of mixed breeds are considered true Pomskies . Subsequent hybridization leads to fragmentation of genes, and the puppies turn into ordinary “mongrels”, losing all the exterior attractiveness of the breed.

Mating is carried out only in specialized nurseries of hybrid dogs, through artificial insemination. In order for the gestation of puppies and childbirth to take place safely for the litter, parental roles are distributed as follows:

1. The mother is a female Siberian Husky.
2. Father is a male Spitz.

At home, without special equipment for artificial insemination, it is impossible to breed a Pomsky.

Read a detailed article on the topic: “Everything you need to know about breeding dogs: appropriate age, what to do if it doesn’t work out, rules and tips.”

Key points in training

It is necessary to raise the descendants of primitive Spitz dogs from the first day they appear in the house. Mixed breeds have a rather stubborn disposition, but in puppyhood they are quite easy to control. Training must be done with positive reinforcement, otherwise the Pomsky may completely refuse to follow commands.

Pomskys use their favorite toy or treat as motivation.

From the husky, the breed inherited a tendency to run away, therefore, unless you have achieved 100% obedience from your pet, it is not recommended to let it off the leash. Training should be short but daily. It is better to practice 1 command for 5 minutes, but 3 – 4 times a day. This way the puppy doesn’t get tired of the activities, and working with the owner becomes much more interesting.

Despite its miniature size and pretty face, the Pomsky is absolutely not suitable for a novice dog breeder. The breed requires persistent and systematic training. The trainer must be even more stubborn than the dog itself.

Read about how to properly train a dog in the article: “Training a puppy: effective methods from dog handlers, learning commands at home.”

Life expectancy and health

Pomches, like Chihuahuas, live quite a long time. Their lifespan is 12-18 years.

The health of the breed depends on the condition of the parents. Basically, almost all puppies are born healthy and remain healthy throughout their lives.

Pomchis have inherited a tendency towards food allergies from Chihuahuas. Therefore, you need to be careful about their nutrition.

Read about what diseases a chihuahua can inherit from a chihuahua here.

Also, this is a small dog that can be easily injured.

NOTE!

Another weak point of small breeds is their teeth. It is necessary from time to time to inspect the dog’s mouth for the absence of tartar and, if necessary, contact a veterinarian to remove it. If this process is started, the dog may lose teeth at a young age.

Attention should be paid to the state of the pet's cardiovascular system. Heart disease is directly related to breathing, which is where respiratory pathologies can arise.

Pomchis have adopted weather dependence from Chihuahuas, so they may feel unwell when the weather changes. This also needs to be kept in mind in order to understand why the dog suddenly lost his mood.

Mini Pomsky

The plush type of mestizo is the smallest, which is why it is also called mini pomsky. He looks like a standard Pomeranian, with the coat and eyes of a husky. The miniature Pomsky is the most expensive type because it looks incredibly funny.

Plush small dogs with original colors are gaining a huge number of followers on social networks. Most owners of such dogs maintain pages for their pets on their behalf. Photos of unusual “eternal husky puppies” are gaining a large number of views. Such pages are very popular, thanks to which the owners have the opportunity to earn money from advertising.

Features of maintenance and care

For long-haired Pomchis, grooming involves weekly brushing; during the shedding period, this should be done almost every day.

Since dogs have large eyes, they water a lot, so you need to remember to wipe them every day with a swab moistened with warm water. Or you can purchase special drops.

It is important to accustom your puppy to these procedures from childhood.

It is important to clean your dog’s ears and trim his nails on time.

IMPORTANT!

A small dog, despite its undercoat, gets cold quickly. In the winter and autumn seasons, she will need warm clothes, even special boots. During hot weather, keep your pet out of direct sunlight to prevent heatstroke.

You shouldn't make long walks. The Pomchi does not need physical activity, so it does not require long walks. You can teach your dog to relieve himself on the diaper in the apartment.

Where to buy and how to choose a Pomsky puppy

Buying a real Pomsky in Russia is not the easiest task. Only 2 hybrid dog kennels are engaged in breeding the breed. Therefore, it is useless to look for representatives of cute mestizos in advertisements. To buy such a puppy, future owners stand in line, which is why the price is very high (up to 4.5 thousand dollars).

When purchasing a puppy (this applies to all breeds without exception), you need to check for a veterinary passport and look at deworming and vaccination records. Check with the breeder on what date the next immunization is scheduled. Look at the state of health of the parents, both mental and physical.

Puppies must be kept warm and clean. Be cheerful, cheerful, with a good appetite. The baby's coat should be clean and smooth, without bald spots or dandruff. Excessive discharge from the eyes, nose or ears is unacceptable. The abdomen is normally round and soft, not distended, and there is no umbilical hernia.

Since the breed is very young and it is not bred in Russia by “all and sundry”, it is almost impossible to buy a sick puppy if you take it from a professional. When choosing a Pomsky, you can safely rely on the breeder.

How much does a Spitz crossed with a Husky cost?

Buying a dog that is a cross between a Spitz and a Husky is not so easy.
Pomsky is a new breed, so getting such a pet will be difficult, especially in Russia. Moreover, such animals are not so cheap, or rather, too expensive. For one Pomsky puppy you will have to pay at least 100-150 thousand rubles.

When buying a Pomeranian Husky dog, you can easily encounter scammers. The fact is that representatives of the breed differ due to the presence of two generations, which may have dominant traits of both one purebred ancestor and another. This is precisely what unscrupulous breeders take advantage of and slip Alaskan and Siberian Klickies to people unfamiliar with the young breed. These are also unique mini-huskies, but they belong to a completely different breed.

What to pay attention to

It is currently not possible to buy a Pomsky in Russian cities other than Moscow and St. Petersburg. When purchasing a Spitz husky hybrid dog, you should pay attention to the following factors:

• The puppy should be active and playful. At the first meeting, make contact with people and not express aggression. These pets also have a good appetite and are not squeamish about food.
• The baby puppy's mom and dad must be purebred Husky and Spitz. Documents confirming this fact can only be obtained from official breeders.
• The Pomsky puppy has a well-proportioned body with uniform, soft fur. Discharge from the eyes and nose is clear.

Note! The breed does not have an official standard, which also makes buying a real Pomsky much more difficult.

Pomskies are not suitable for lazy people or couch potatoes.

It is clear that buying a Pomsky is expensive, but it is worth it. An unspoiled dog with good manners and an absolutely harmless character will be a gift for the whole family. The pet gets along well with everyone and does not have the habit of imposing itself once again without reason. However, it will be difficult for couch potatoes to cope with an active and restless animal, so lazy people should not buy a Pomsky dog.