What Are Pomskies?
The Pomsky is a popular puppy that is often referred to as the designer dog breed. It is a cross breed between the Pomerania and Siberian Husky dogs. The new breed comes with a fluffy fur. It is cuddly, and also exists in a range of variations. The puppies usually weigh about 15 pounds making them very small compared to other dogs. At the mature stage, they can increase with another 10 or 15 pounds. The coat is usually long and soft with variations of grey, white, and black. They don’t engage in a lot of activities and are very playful. They are loved because of their gentle nature towards kids. They are diggers by nature and are often found digging up things. The dogs are generally very smart and need to be constantly played with to avoid being bored.
Identification and Lifespan
The Pomsky lives for about 12 to 14 years. They are integrated or bred from breeds that have different life spans. The Pomeranian lives 12 to 17 years while the Siberian husky lives 12 to 14 years. The average lifespan is ideal for a healthy Pomsky. A dog that has health problems or is exposed to a risky lifestyle might not make it to the full lifespan. However, being a mixed breed, the Pomsky has a higher chance of being healthier. They have lesser chances of developing serious medical conditions.
Health Issues of Pomskies
Just like all the other dogs, pomskies too have many health concerns. Most of the health problems are usually passed on from the parents. The eye problems, skin issues, and hip dysplasia comes from the husky while the skin irritations, tooth decay, eye infections, dislocated kneecaps, and plaque buildup comes from the Pomeranian. To ensure that your dog remains healthy, you should be careful about whom you get it from. The breeder must be reputable and have good health clearances of the dog such as vaccination, guarantees, and regular checkup reports. The diet of the dog is also a huge contributor to health conditions that the dog might suffer from. They are quite expensive, and it is important that proper research is done before purchase
Pomskies are susceptible to a lot of worms. The most common ones are hookworms and roundworms. The roundworms usually live in the food that the dog consumes, and failure to treat the worms early enough leads to many complications such as malnutrition. The hookworms, on the other hand, are known for feeding on the blood of the dog consequently causing anaemia. It is important that the dog is dewormed regularly. The de-worming starts from 2 weeks and continue at intervals of 2 or 4 weeks after. The deworming should go on even in the adult stage.
Vaccination is one of the essential health steps of maintaining the puppy’s health. It is advisable to make sure your Pomsky remains indoors and unexposed to other dogs until after they complete their entire schedule of booster shots, failure to do so will make them fall ill very fast. Over-vaccination is always equally very dangerous. It is important to make sure that you do not overdo it since it can be fatal for the dog or it may experience adverse reactions.
Pomskies have the same problem as human babies when it comes to teething. They start growing at the age of 2 to 4 weeks old. By the time the puppy gets to 6 weeks, it will already have 28 baby teeth. At ten weeks, the baby teeth begin shedding, and the permanent adult teeth end up replacing them. Most parents have a difficult time during teething because their babies go through many discomforts. The same applies to the puppies. Their teething process is also quite troubling. They become very irritable and fussy. They end up acting out by chewing everything in their way such as shoes, furniture, and the list goes on. You can comfort the puppy by giving him toys that can distract the gums while it chews. It is important to pay attention to the toys you give the puppy because some are harmful.
Caring for Your Pomsky
Like all the other dog breeds, pomskies are also in need of good regular grooming to ensure that their coats are kept clean and in commendable healthy conditions. The dogs should get regular exercise so that they remain fit, agile, and healthy. It is essential that the pomsky is provided with a nutrition-packed diet that is high quality.
Just like the parent, Pomerian, the pomsky has a very fluffy coat that is smooth and sleek. It is important that the coat is brushed on a daily basis. The main reason behind this is that it stimulates the blood flow of the pomsky and manages to remove all the dead and loose hair given that they shed a lot. This is the best way to achieve a tangle-free and shiny coat. It is good to consider a bristle brush, which is effective.
The pomskies shed a lot during autumn and spring, so it is advisable to make sure that the brushing is more frequent then. Sometimes they become extremely high maintenance when it comes to grooming given the generous amount of time one needs to brush the coat. A de-brushing brush also comes in handy, especially during the shedding season. An owner should also invest in regular visits to the grooming parlour to make things easier for him or her.
Bathing is usually a fun time both for the dog and the owner, therefore, should not be dismissed as a heavy task. It often is determined by factors such as the amount of time that one spends outdoors and the type of coat that the Pomsky has. Dogs often require regular baths that vary but the recommended time is usually every two to three weeks. Most of them stay up to 6 weeks. It is not advisable to bathe the Pomsky frequently because it strips away all the essential oils that it has, making the coat look excessively flaky and dry. In summers, you can bath them once a month, and in winters, you should reduce the number. There are spray solutions that are offered and also doggie wipes that can help in cleaning the paws and top coat.
During bathing, use a mild dog shampoo and warm water. Avoid chemicals as much as possible. A cotton ball can be used to scrub the fur very gently. When cleaning the face of the dog ensure that the soap does not get into the eyes. Make sure that by the end of the bath, all the traces of soap are removed from the skin of the puppy. A conditioner can come in handy if you want the coat to be silky and soft. In case you have a Pomsky that has allergies it is advisable to consult the vet on which grooming products to use.
Cleaning the Ears and Eyes
Pomskies are susceptible to problems associated with hearing since they get infections very easily. It is, therefore, important for you to constantly check the ears and make sure you clean them to prevent this from happening. You can use a cotton ball that is warm together with a cleaning solution. Make sure you wipe out any wax or dirt that is in the dog’s inner ear. Too much wax build up automatically gives the dog an infection. It also takes a very long time to clear up. You should be careful when cleaning the ears and ensure that you do not cause any ears that often result from rubbing too hard. Make sure that the cotton ball is also not pushed too far in the dog’s ears. Also, pay attention and remove any tearstains and debris from the corners of the eyes of the Pomsky. You can remove the excess hair that is around the eyes of the dog using scissors and trimmers.
Brushing Your Pomsky’s Teeth
At six months old, the Pomsky puppy loses all its teeth and replaces it with 42 adult teeth. There is a need to regularly clean or brush the dog’s teeth especially because many food particles are stuck in the teeth. The residual food that sticks there alongside the plaque results in periodontal diseases and also a smelly breath. You can always use your fingers to scrub the teeth and also massage it gently. With time, you can slowly progress to using toothpaste and also toothbrushes for the canines. It is advisable to avoid the toothpaste that works for human beings since it can get into the stomach of the Pomsky and cause complications. It is good to start off the introduction of the toothpaste slow by applying it on the lips so that the dog becomes familiar with the taste. You can also substitute it with baking soda and water.
Nail Care for Your Pomsky
Caring for the nails of a Pomsky is a very necessary step in grooming the dog. They are known to curl up under the paws when left a long time without trimming. This results in a lot of discomfort for the dog and also causes joint damage eventually. It is easy to know when it is time for trimming because a clicking sound can be heard when the Pomsky is walking together with a screech on the floor. If your pomsky is very inactive, the appropriate time to trim is once every week. Those that are active often trim their own nails naturally through walking. The clippers come in different sizes depending on the size of the Pomsky. The clipping should be slow so as not to hurt the dog or cause damage to the vessels. In case accidents occur while one is clipping the nails, it is advisable to use bandages, cornstarch, and styptic powder when treating the injury. The starch actively assists in reducing the bleeding while the powder is disinfectant.
Trimming Your Pomsky’s Hair
It is very essential to trim the Pomsky’s hair regularly. It helps make the dog look tidy and neat. It also goes a long way as a preventive measure of skin infections. The trimming also keeps the fur from getting tangled, matted, and it is easy to spot check fleas. The blades of the trimmers should be well lubricated and very sharp to prevent pulling the hair of the pomsky and causing pain. Investing in good clippers will save you a lot of money that you would use to take the dog to the vet. You should never use scissors since it is not easy to control them and the results would be an uneven coat. The scissors also have a high chance of hurting the dog.
Living Conditions for Your Pomsky
Pomskies just like most puppies are very adaptable. They can live anywhere depending on the preferences of the owners. They can do very well indoors as well as outdoors. They are more comfortable in homes that have large spaces to play around in and also apartments. All the pomskies need is enough space to play and run around so that they can get sufficient or enough exercise. Homeowners can make the experience better by having a decent garden or backyard that the pomsky can play and run about in. The double-layered coat that pomskies have enables them to withstand cold temperatures. The coat provides insulation even in the coldest of areas such as arctic regions. However, they are prone and susceptible to uncomfortability of hot temperatures. Air conditioning is advised especially during summer in the homes so that the pomskies can get a place where they can rest easily as they cool off. The dogs can only achieve full life expectancy if they are allowed to live in suitable environment and their health is upheld with high degree. They require good and careful grooming too. They are easy pets to live with and are trouble free.