Pomsky Lifespan – How Long Do Pomskies Live?

The Pomsky is a cross breed between a Pomeranian and a Husky. As it is a cross breed dog there can be a bit of variation in lifespan depending on the size, generation, gender as well as genetics of the puppies.

If you want to know more about the lifespans of Pomskies, keep reading this article to find exactly how long Pomskies are expected to live for.

Table of Contents

How Long Do Pomskies Live?

The average Pomsky lives for 13 to 15 years. There are many factors that affect the lifespan of a Pomsky including size, gender, generation and whether they are desexed or intact. These variables mean they can have shorter or longer lifespans than the average. You can give a Pomsky the best chance of living a long life by exercising them daily, feeding them healthy food and keeping on top of vet appointments.

Factors That Affect Pomsky Lifespan

There are many factors that can affect the lifespan of a Pomsky. This includes but is not limited to:

Size (Teacup, Toy, Mini or Standard)
Generation (F1, F1b, F2 etc.)
Gender (Male vs Female)
Desexed vs Intact

How Size Affects Pomsky Lifespan

The size of a Pomsky greatly impacts upon their lifespan. Teacup and Toy Pomskies have the shortest lifespan as they often suffer from size related health issues. Miniature and Standard Pomskies have a life expectancy of 13 to 15 years as they are very similar sizes.

Size	Lifespan
Teacup Pomsky	8 to 12 years
Toy Pomsky	8 to 12 years
Mini Pomsky	13 to 15 years
Standard Pomsky	13 to 15 years

Teacup Pomsky Lifespan

Teacup Pomskies have a shorter lifespan compared to larger sizes of the breed. Their life expectancy is between 8 and 12 years. It can be even shorter if the breeder was using unethical practices and breeding unhealthy dogs together.

Toy Pomsky Lifespan

Toy Pomskies are the same size as Teacup Pomskies so they have the same lifespan of 8 to 12 years. It can be even shorter if the breeder was using unethical practices and breeding unhealthy dogs together.

Mini Pomsky Lifespan

Mini Pomskies have a lifespan of 13 to 15 years. Their lifespan is the same as a Standard Pomsky as they are only slightly smaller and do not suffer from the same size related health issues as Toy and Teacup Pomskies.

Standard Pomsky Lifespan

A Standard Pomsky has a lifespan of 13 to 15 years. Along with the Miniature Pomsky, they have the longest lifespan of all Pomsky sizes as they do not suffer from any size related health issues. You can give your Standard Pomsky the best chance of living a long life by giving them plenty of daily exercise, feeding them a healthy diet and keeping on top of vet appointments.

How Generation Affects Pomsky Lifespan

Mixed breed dogs such as Pomskies are thought to be healthier than their purebred parents and therefore may have longer lifespans. Nevertheless, with each successive generation (first to second to third), the health benefits of cross-breeding decreases so later generations of Pomsky (e.g. F2, F3 etc.) may not live as long as first generation Pomskies.

F1 Pomskies are considered to be the healthiest generations so they may have longer lifespans than the other generations. F2 and F3 Pomskies may have slightly shorter lifespans than F1 Pomskies as they are more likely to have hereditary health conditions as they have less hybrid vigour.

Female vs Male Pomsky Lifespan

Female Pomskies usually have a slightly longer lifespan than Male Pomskies. This is especially the case for desexed female Pomskies. Nevertheless, gender does not usually have a major affect on lifespan. Differences in longevity is mainly seen in desexed versus intact dogs.

Desexed vs Intact Pomsky Lifespan

Desexed (AKA neutered or spayed) Pomskies live slightly longer than intact Pomskies. It is thought that desexed Pomskies live longer as the procedure can reduce the risk of health issues like obesity and cancer in both male and female dogs. It is also thought that desexed dogs live longer because they get into fewer fights and therefore get fewer injuries.

Pomsky Life Stages

Socialization Period (until 3 months old)

The socialization period is one of the most crucial times in a Pomsky’s life. The first eights weeks is spent with their mother and littermates. During this time they learn so much about their world. Breeders will begin introducing new experiences to the puppies in the litter and then at eights weeks the puppies will go to their new homes where their owners will continue the socialization process.

Testing Period (3 to 6 months old)

The testing period is when a Pomsky starts testing boundaries to figure out what is acceptable behavior and what is not. It is best to start training your Pomsky during this time.

When training your dog it is important to use positive reinforcement techniques as dogs repeat good behavior when it is followed by a reward such as a treat or their favorite toy. Clicker training is another type of positive reinforcement training that is a good method for learning new tricks. You use a clicker device so your dog can associate a new behavior with a click and then a reward.

Adolescent Stage (6 to 18 months old)

During the adolescent stage, Pomskies may start displaying some regressive behavior like not listening to your training commands, being a bit aggressive or chewing up stuff. This is especially the case if your Pomsky is not desexed as their hormones will start to kick in. Just remember that this won’t last long and be patient as your Pomsky is a teenager.

During this period, your Pomsky will reach their full adult size, they’ll get their adult coat and you’ll have to eventually swap over to adult food.

Adulthood (18 months to 10 years old)

Pomskies will start to calm down and settle into their adult personality during adulthood however they will still be very active as this is a feature of the breed. You’ll start to notice that all your earlier training has paid off but you should still keep it up as Pomskies love learning new tricks and it’s great mental stimulation.

Senior (10+ years old)

From 10 years of age, a Pomsky is considered to be a senior dog. During this time they will start to slow down due to age. For example, your Pomsky may prefer going for a walk instead of a run at the dog park. As they are rapidly ageing, your Pomsky will need to get extra nutrients to support their system. For that reason, you may decide to switch out their adult kibble for a senior formula. They may also start suffering from health issues like arthritis so you may consider getting your Pomsky a dog ramp to help them get in and out of the car and also onto furniture.

Parti Poodle Guide: Everything You Need To Know!

Extending The Lifespan Of A Pomsky

1. Feed Them A Healthy Diet That Is Age Appropriate

Aim to feed your Pomsky a premium diet to ensure they get all their nutrients as health is essential to a longer lifespan. Cheaper dog food usually contains very low quality meat as well as fillers which is unhealthy.

You should also aim to feed your Pomsky food that is suitable for their life stage, depending on whether they are a puppy, adult or senior dog. Kibble formulas are customised for different dog ages as producers adjust the nutrients and supplements for each life stage. For example, senior formulas have nutrients that support bones and joints.

Try to keep snacking to a minimum. While your dog may love their treats, don’t go overboard with rewarding them with treats, especially if your Pomsky is starting to get overweight. Consider swapping out treats for their toys as a reward for training exercises. You can also cut your dog treats into smaller pieces than what is provided in the packet so they last longer.

2. Take Them Out For Daily Exercise

Pomskies need plenty of daily exercise – both physical and mental. Take your Pomsky out for daily walks and let them run around at the dog park or in your backyard so they use up all their energy.

As for mental exercise, you should keep training your Pomsky into adulthood and also play some brain training games like an interactive treat puzzle or give them a classic Kong Toy that is filled with treats.

3. Keep Up Grooming

Grooming your Pomsky is vital to keep them hygienic and healthy. The grooming routine for your Pomsky should include steps for their coat, ears and teeth.

Regularly brush your Pomsky as they have a thick coat which can easily get tangled and matted. If untreated, tangled and matted hair can lead to skin infections or irritations. Brushing your Pomsky is also a good chance to check their skin for any injuries, fleas or ticks. Slicker brushes are quite good for Pomskies.

4. Keep On Top Of Vet Appointments

Take your Pomsky to regular vet check-ups to make sure everything is going well and so you can treat any health issues quickly as early identification can help increase a Pomsky’s lifespan.

Additionally, make sure you keep on top of yearly vaccinations as well as flea, tick and worm treatments.

5. Make Your Home Fit For An Older Pomsky

As your Pomsky gets older, there is an increased risk of arthritis and joint issues which can make mobility more difficult. For these reasons you may need to modify your home to accomodate for your senior dog.

If your Pomsky finds it difficult to lower their neck to eat food or drink water you may want to invest in raised dog bowls to make feeding easier. If it is becoming difficult for them to jump up onto your bed or couch you may want to get a dog ramp. You may also decide to invest in an orthopedic bed if your Pomsky has joint issues to ease the pain.