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Free Breed Guide

The Pomsky: What They Were Bred to Do

What your Pomsky was bred to do, what drives them, and how to give them a good job.

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Cover of the free Scentsible K9 Pomsky guide
What is inside
  • Where the Pomsky came from, and the job they were bred for
  • What drives a Pomsky, and what you see at home
  • Reading your Pomsky: what each behavior is really telling you
  • Sports that fit, and 3 games to start this week
  • How to train them, and how we work with your dog

Where the Pomsky came from

The Pomsky is a cross of a Pomeranian and a Siberian Husky. It is a designer cross, not a recognized breed, and it is new. Pomskies arrived on the scene in 2012.

Because the parents differ so much in size, Pomskies are typically bred through artificial insemination, with a Siberian Husky as the mother. A viral online post in 2011 helped spark the demand. The goal was a Husky's striking look in a smaller, companion-friendly dog.

Neither the AKC nor the UKC recognizes the Pomsky. The International Pomsky Association lets reputable breeders register puppies. Size varies with the genes a puppy gets from each parent.

  • 1908 Siberian dogs arrive in Nome, Alaska
  • 1888 The AKC lists the Pomeranian as recognized
  • 2011 A viral online post sparks demand for Pomskies
  • 2012 Pomskies arrive on the scene

The job a Pomsky was bred for

The Pomsky was made as a small companion with a Husky look. Each parent breed brings a job: Huskies pulled light sleds over long distances, and Pomeranians were shrunk into companions. At home you may see a high energy, alert, vocal dog who bonds closely and may struggle to be alone.

What you see at home

Energetic and alert. Can be vocal. May struggle to be alone. Every pup is their own mix of Husky and Pomeranian.

Barking at every sound

Pomeranians bring alertness. Reward quiet and give them a window spot with a view.

Escaping or pulling to run

That is the Husky chase and stamina. Use a long line, a harness and secure fences.

Howling or fussing when alone

Dogs who bond close can feel unsafe alone. Practice tiny, boring departures.

Tuning out on a walk

Switch games more often and pay well. They can get bored with repeating.

Sports that fit a Pomsky

  • Scent work. A calmer outlet for a busy brain.
  • Trick dog. Smart and loves attention.
  • Rally. Good for focus and teamwork.
  • Canicross. Easy runs with you, in the cool.
  • Obedience. Eager to learn with short games.

Training tips for a Pomsky

  • Practice recall on a long line.
  • Use a harness, not a collar, for pulling.
  • Teach quiet on cue and reward calm.
  • Build alone time in tiny steps.
  • Socialize early and keep games short and fun.

Body and health

Adults are about 10 to 15 inches tall and 20 to 30 pounds, though size varies. They have a double coat that sheds year round, so brush daily and do hard exercise in the cool of the day. Possible concerns include kneecap, hip, windpipe and dental problems.

Fun fact. Pomskies owe their existence to an internet meme, according to Hill's Pet.

Breed is where we start

A study of more than 18,000 dogs found breed explains only about 9 percent of the differences in behavior between dogs (Morrill and others, Science, 2022). So your Pomsky is a starting guess, not a label. We find the drive your dog actually runs on, give it a job, and teach you to read them.

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