It’s the dead of winter. Everyone has cabin fever, and you are dying for the new life of spring. If there’s one way to add new life to a stale home, it’s most definitely a puppy. So you start at the cliche spot (we ALL do it): THE GOOGLE. You go to all the sites that have a “dog breed” calculator. Family friendly? Check! What else? Well, Cranky Franky across the street can’t even stand the sound of your squealing kids fighting over the sidewalk chalk, so definitely NOT a barker. Easy to train? Well, Scary Mary next door will definitely let it be known if someone wanders over and makes fresh morning deposits in her manicured yard and chews up her hostas, so check for that! On the other hand, Slobby Bobby from down the road has a very friendly lab mix that frequently makes HIS morning deposits in YOUR front yard, so best to have a dog that is social and friendly with other dogs. Check! And the list goes on. At the end of this google ritual, performed several times on sundry websites, a list of prospective breeds that would supposedly be a good fit presents itself. And perchance on this list you see a new word POMSKY.
Pomsky! Huh. That’s a funny word and you may or may not have heard it before. Let’s have a look. And then the pictures overtake everything. Droolworthy, gorgeous little huskies, with blue eyes, fluffy coats, some with teddy bear heads, some with intense etherial wolf expressions. ALL are cute, beautiful, striking, and intriguing. Let the Google Search be refined!!!!!!
And so you delve into the research. Some is very good - “Pomskies are little angels that are
the BEST with kids and can live in apartments! “They make GREAT emtotional therapy dogs!” etc. etc. etc. Some very very bad. Something akin to “These things are MONSTERS! Monsters I say!” "They chew everything, eat cat litter for breakfast, swallowed my kid’s pet hamster whole, and chewed up my favorite “Wicked Cozy” LL Bean slippers then PEED IN THEM!”
Well…. You sit back super confused. Instead of clarifying, The Google seemed to take the intrigue of a beautiful tiny husky dog and turn it into a mystery wrapped in a riddle. “Why, Google WHY??????” Clarity and information were the order of the day, and instead, you’re left scratching your spinning head.
Allow me to bestow upon your befuddled brain some clarity and information which The Google, sadly, cannot. For Google, stick to finding recipes that force you to read about someones autumn walk for 5 minutes.
I love pomskies. They’re addictive - in addition to their striking beauty in a tiny package, a well-bred pomsky is a combination of a larger-than-life personality full of charm, cleverness and affection for his family that lulls the owners into orbiting them and making them the center of their lives. The large cherry on top is their arresting beauty that compels heads to turn when you take him down the road on the autumn walk YOU’LL be forcing people to read about before they are able to finally see the recipe on your food blog. I jest…. But not really.
Here is some food for thought as you contemplate the enigma of the pomsky:
Pomskies come in all shapes and sizes - that’s right. It’s a breed in development, and that means that there is not much consistency in looks, health, structure, size, or markings. Some look like little huskies. Some look like little patchy-haired chihuahuas. Some are big, some are small, some are fat, some are tall….. (I can rhyme too, Dr. Seuss!). But in all seriousness, it’s an important point to keep in mind.
If you are considering a pomsky, sit down with your family members (or yourself) and agree upon the traits and qualities you would like in your puppy. Size? Pomskies can be anywhere from 5-40 lbs. That’s a large spectrum, each with advantages and disadvantages. Coat? Some are short-haired and some are furry yetis. (Shedding is heavier in the shorter coat FYI, but that’s a whole other topic).
Price - Know your budget and understand what quality pup that budget will produce. You and your family should do your research and understand what a good-quality pomsky (or dog of any breed!) Is likely to cost. Health testing is expensive and time-consuming. Breeders who perform those tests charge more for a reason!
3. Huskies are the WORST. “But I’m not getting a husky!” You protest. True, but it’s baked into the pomsky cake.
Pomskies have been bred down from huskies, pomeranians, and possibly a third breed like the American Eskimo (don’t get me started on the silliness of that choice….. another blog post for another day!) And that full-blooded husky isn’t that far back in any pomsky’s pedigree. Heck, the breed didn’t exist at all until circa 2012! Huskies are popular for all the wrong reasons, chiefly revolving around their striking beauty. They are extremely high-drive and independent, two traits that are far too difficult for your average person to manage. They will dig up your yard, howl at 3 am, and the second they’re off the leash…. Phoooom! Gone, see ya in a few days 50 miles away! Good luck teaching him impulse control when the front door opens.
But there IS an upside - huskies have HUGE personalities! They are charming (just look at huskies “talking” on Youtube), vivacious, and that independent spirit makes them less “needy” than other breeds. A well-bred husky will not rely upon his owners for his self-confidence and he will be acutely tuned-into his surroundings.
4. Pomeranians are the WORST. “Wait whaaaaaaat now?” A well-bred pomeranian is the best little companion. But there are many poor specimens that are reactive, neurotic, nippy, whiny, yippy little brats that will pee on your guests’ ankles and nip your children’s rear ends. A well-bred pomeranian is maybe the best dog you could own. They are fiercely loyal, up for any adventure, will keep up with the big dogs, incredibly intelligent, easy to train, relaxed in the home, and utterly charming.
What am I getting at here? Both huskies and pomeranians, when bred thoughtfully and carefully, are incredible dogs. But many are not, and if you cross those crummy lines, YIKES! Just look at all the online complaints about pomskies being hyper, chew-obsessed, nippy, aggressive, reactive, impossible to potty train, bi-polar little terrors. Some of that is newbie owners, but A LOT is from poor breeding. If you are considering a pomsky, finding the right breeder is essential!
4. They still aren’t for everyone! Are you still here contemplating a pomsky? Well there is another thing that may be hard to hear - but nevertheless give it some careful consideration. Even a well-bred pomsky is not for everyone. They are bred from two opinionated energetic breeds that require both physical and mental stimulation. They are busy little bees that want to be involved in EVERYTHING - good luck going to the bathroom by yourself when there’s a pomsky in the house! And the independence that makes them less needy than your average herding breed also makes them bossy and pushy at times. If you are not someone that can exert consistent authority the pomsky is not the one for you! Structure and firm boundaries are required to raise a well-mannered puppy.
5. Context and lifestyle matters! If you are:
- A Corporate Tycoon: If you are someone who is never home and always at the office, the pomsky is not the one for you! They crave interaction and inclusion. Being home alone all day 5 or more days a week is a recipe for disaster. People try to compensate for this by allowing the dog run of the house - bad idea! Remember the aforementioned wicked cozy slippers? How about those nicely broken in Birkenstocks? Or your kitchen table legs? Your front door? I hope you enjoy the “distressed” motif, because all of your shoes and furniture are about to get a makeover. Nothing compensates for your mere presence and affection, and pomskies are programmed to ask for it.
- A Newbie: if you have never owned a dog, or only have vague memories of your mom’s ancient golden retriever that died when you were 5, be cautious. These pomsky things smell your uncertainty like a great white smells the chum from miles away. They have NO problem being the boss if they feel like they are more confident and decisive than you. And that becomes a problem in no time. Growling, biting, guarding food, incessant barking, etc. etc. etc. If you are a newbie to dog ownership, invest in a good trainer to help YOU (a good trainer is more concerned with training you than the dog) navigate the instincts and drives of your new puppy. A well-bred pomsky CAN work for newbies, but inform yourself (not just from the Google) and arm yourself with the right tools to be successful!
- A Homesteader - beware inviting a small but mighty T-rex to your prey-infested homestead. He wants your chickens. Free ranging those feathery ladies is most likely not an option. Dwarf goats, porky little piggies, etc. etc. etc. Have your fencing and outbuildings in place and expect to do some serious impulse and recall training. Many pomskies have the husky
instinct to dig - and they are committed little excavators. Once that dirt is flying, they’re going all the way to China! Or in your case, into the chicken yard where your unsuspecting ladies are sunning themselves. Be sure to look for a breeder who can competently evaluate prey-drive in their pups (“My puppies love to snuggle in my lap!” Does not qualify as an evaluation) so they can help you choose a pup that will be a more natural fit on the homestead.
- A Mother or Father - pomskies CAN be great with kids. That is contingent on two things - the puppy’s disposition and the adults responsible for training the dog. My kids are feral free-ranging creatures. They’re comfortable with asserting themselves with the animals. Many children don’t have that advantage or disposition. Timid children will likely be overwhelmed by a pomsky’s energetic and pushy nature. This scenario can be managed, but the adults in the house need to be proactive in setting the rules of the house. In many situations, it is critical for the family to add a puppy that has an inherent gentleness of spirit AND will be well-managed by ALL adults in the household. I have experience with dogs that are a menace in the home with one adult because the person is timid and indulgent, but the dog is a perfect citizen with the other adult. The dog respects the latter’s authority, while the other they view as their personal peasant servant from the feudal age.
- Looking for a Therapy Dog -This one is tricky, because “therapy dog” nowadays means anything from a seeing-eye animal to “I need something that will cuddle with me on the couch while I drink my wine after a bad day at work.” For the sake of understanding, I am using “therapy dog” to mean a highly trained assistance animal that provides essential guidance in different public situations to their owners. Like many breeds, pomskies -as a whole- are not therapy dog material. Having been bred down from huskies, pomskies are generally not inherently disposed toward that kind of training. That being said, there are individuals in the breed that could be suited to specific therapy training. If this is a serious consideration for you, really do your homework and vet your breeder especially carefully. If a breeder says that any and all their puppies would be suited for therapy work, run away. They have no idea what they’re talking about, and it is too important to end up with the right dog to take a chance.
6. Health and temperament above all other considerations! Again, the pomsky is a breed in development. To some people, that means perfecting the art of producing tiny puppies with blue eyes, flashy color and a husky mask. But a good breeder has a more comprehensive approach and will be forthcoming about the current inconsistencies. Don’t get sucked into the color game. I’m a horse person, so I get it. That flashy blue or lilac pup with baby blues and a perfect husky mask beckons to you like a siren. But resist that urge, and keep your priorities straight. You won’t give two figs about his color and dreamy blue eyes if by the time the pup is 8 months old you wish you could strap a rocket it to it and send it up to Mars to commune with the little green men you are now convinced spawned this so-called dog. A healthy puppy with a good disposition will come from parents that are health tested for common problems like knees (thank you, pomeranian breeders for that one!), heart, hips, and elbows. (YES, it is quite common for small dogs to get hip and elbow dysplasia, so don’t be fooled!). Parents will have solid temperaments that breeders have carefully evaluated.
Well, look at you! You’re still here contemplating a pomsky pup! Ready for the good news? A pomsky that has been thoughtfully bred IS truly a treasure, and a wonderful family companion. If you have settled on this breed as the right choice for your family, you are in for a great time with your new companion!
Well, since you managed to make it this far, I’ll reward you with… AHA! a RECIPE! This one is sure to be an autumn favorite for your pooch, pomsky or otherwise!
CRUNCHY PUMPKIN DOGGY BISCUITS:
Ingredients
1 cup whole wheat flour
1/3 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup pumpkin puree
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Add all ingredients to a large bowl and mix together.
Place a sheet of parchment paper on your counter. Add the dough place another sheet of parchment paper on top. Using a rolling pin, roll until desired thickness. Mine were about 1/4 inch thick.
Remove the top sheet of parchment paper, cut with a cookie cutter or knife and place the pieces on a nonstick or foil-lined baking sheet.
Bake for about 20 to 35 minutes depending on the thickness used and the desired crunchiness of the treats. 20 minutes will yield soft baked treats and 35 minutes will be more crunchy.
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