Shiba Inu Vs. Pomsky

Pomsky.

Shiba Inu.

Such interesting but foreign words to a lot of people.

So it's easy to see how these two popular dog breeds can get confused with one another.

The dog world is changing rapidly. With the addition of a variety of “designer breeds”, the choices for individuals looking to add a canine to their lives are seemingly endless.

One such designer breed is the “Pomsky,” which, in reality, is simply a mix of two unlikely breeds: the Pomeranian and the Husky.

Cute, feisty, and lovable, Pomskys have been taking the canine world by storm.

In fact, their physical similarity to a purebred Shiba Inu, one of the world’s most ancient dog breeds, has caused some to inaccurately compare them, toting the Pomsky as the friendlier, more trainable version of the Shiba Inu.

But is this true?

The short answer is, no, it isn’t.

While the Shiba Inu and the Pomsky may bear some physical resemblance to one another, the similarities pretty much end there.

Despite their curled tails, pointed ears, and plush coats, Pomskys and Shibu Inus couldn’t be more different.

If you’re considering adding a either a Shiba Inu or a Pomsky to your home, read on.

However, while all dogs on this earth deserve a loving home with people who will care for them, most times we do designer breeds a grave disservice by perpetuating their creation.

Designer dog breeds are unfortunately often bred by unscrupulous breeders with the sole purpose of turning a profit - without little regard to the health or quality of both puppies and parents.

What is a Pomsky?

Don’t let the fancy name fool you, a Pomsky is simply a mixed breed dog - a cross between a Siberian Husky and a Pomeranian.

While they are definitely adorable and readily available from breeders all over the internet, Pomskys are not actually a breed of dog.

In fact, none of the so-called “designer dogs” are actually recognized, distinct breeds of dogs.  Rather, they are fashionable and desirable mixes of established breeds.  

While there is nothing inherently wrong with the Pomsky, it is disingenuous to call them a “breed” and even more duplicitous to purposefully breed and subsequently charge enormous sums of money for them.

Created in the 2000’s by individuals who wanted to see what a Siberian Husky and a Pomeranian would look like if mixed together, the Pomsky is a short, furry, high-energy dog.

They are usually sired by Pomeranians via artificial insemination and whelped by Siberian Huskies, due to the extreme size difference in the two breeds.

Because Siberian Huskies and Pomeranians are so different physically and temperamentally, there is little homogeneity when it comes to Pomskys.

Some are very small, while others can grow to be larger than a Cocker Spaniel.  

While some Pomksys are cuddly like the Pomeranian, others are work driver and high-energy like the Siberian Husky.

Because Pomskys would never exist naturally without intense human intervention and their qualities are determined by the individual parent dogs involved, it’s difficult to make any qualitative statements about the size, color, temperament, trainability and activity level of Pomskys on the whole.

What's a Shiba Inu?

Unlike Pomskys, Shiba Inus have been around for a very long time, and thus their personality traits and physical characteristics are easier to estimate. 

Shiba Inus are a Japanese breed of dog - the national dog of Japan, in fact. 

While they are considered a medium sized dog, Shiba Inus are the smallest breed that is indigenous to Japan.

Known for their fox-like good looks, independence, and attitude - a Shiba Inu needs a special type of dog owner.

This dog owner should be patient, firm and knowledgeable on how to handle, train, and discipline primitive type dogs.

Pomskys are not Shiba Inus

While it may seem obvious, it’s important to point out that Pomksys, despite their physical similarities to a Shiba Inu, are totally different in terms of temperament.

Pomskys are often hailed as the “friendlier” and more “trainable” Shiba Inu.

When in fact, Siberian Huskies are a high-energy breed, not at all suitable for first time dog owners or for inexperienced handlers.

Pomeranians, while generally good natured, can also be high strung, feisty, and behave poorly with children.

In fact, it’s impossible to predict what a Pomksy will act like with any real certainty.

Because they are simply mixed breeds, a Pomksy may emulate one parent breed more than the other, and this generally has nothing to do with their physical appearance.

For example, Pomskys that look more like Pomeranians may act more like Siberian Huskies, and vice versa.

While Shiba Inus are definitely not the breed for everyone due to their independent natures and somewhat unique personalities, fanciers of the breed appreciate them for the unique dogs that they are and would never be satisfied with a Pomksy as an alternative.

Appearance - Adult Pomsky Vs Adult Shiba Inu 

Overall, when all is said and done - the Shiba Inu comes up on top in terms of physical appearance.

A well conformed Shiba Inu is a beauty to behold - perfect body proportions with wide cheeks on a regal face.

Size wise, a Shiba Inu is almost the perfect sized dog. Not to big, and not too small.

Males weigh up to 24 pounds and are around 17 inches tall. They have a sturdy body with curves and angles that all seem to be at the perfect places.

Their cute, kawaii puppy faces can make any heart melt instantly. 

Pomsky's are adorable as well.

However the variation of a Pomsky's physical appearance is astronomical.

Some full grown Pomsky's can be eight pounds while some get up to 38 pounds.

Some take on more of the Siberian Husky wolf look. While others will have more of the fluffy Pomeranian features.

One of the Pomsky's main feature is their eyes. That is, if the Pomsky inherits the Siberian Huskies deep blue eyes, the resulting Pomsky pup is quite striking indeed.

On the whole, most Pomsky's take on the look of Siberian Husky. In fact, a Pomsky adult looks quite similar to Alaskan Klee Kais.

Do Pomsky's Shed Like Shiba Inus?

Yes, they do.

And they shed a lot.

The coat of a Pomsky is usually long, thick, and has a plush undercoat. This means that Pomsky owners will need to groom their dogs on quite a regular basis. 

This is especially true if the Pomsky takes on more Siberian Husky traits instead of Pomeranian traits. 

Shiba Inus shed or blow their coats twice a year. They shed quite a lot too, but nothing a good brush and vacuum can't handle.

Temperament - Pomsky Vs Shiba Inu 

Both Shiba Inus and Pomskys can be difficult dogs for an inexperienced dog owners.

The Shiba Inu is bold, independent, and doesn't always feel like pleasing their masters.

Pomsky's can have incredibly high energy levels and be high strung too boot.

Again, a Pomsky's temperament will depend a lot on what temperament traits are passed on from each parent.

Unfortunately, because Pomsky's are often bred by puppy mill type breeders, their temperaments can oftentimes be unpredictable and unstable.

On the other hand, Shiba Inus bred by reputable, top-notch breeders will have calm, good-natured temperament that many Shiba Inu lovers instantly take too.

In general, Pomsky's are much more playful and affectionate than Shiba Inus who are more like cats - they like you, but in their own unique way.

Meet Mya The Pomsky

The most famous Pomsky on the Internet today is a gorgeous red female named Mya.

Mya hails from the US and loves to swoon her Instagram followers with pictures of her probably perfect life.

Her human, David takes her on fun and frequent adventures across the country.

Thankfully, he also made sure that he got Mya from a conscientious and reputable breeder.

Mya has a sweet personality and just the right amount of energy to power her on her many adventures.

With her vixen-like looks and penetrating deep blue eyes, Mya has undoubtedly make Pomskys a buzzword.

Unfortunately, not all Pomskys can measure up to her unique and beautiful wolf-like look.

However, if the Pomsky were to become a recognized breed, Mya's looks and personality would fit the bill perfectly.

The Danger of Designer Breeds

While designer dogs have become increasingly popular in the past 15 years or so, there are plenty of reasons why this isn’t actually a positive trend. 

Designer dog advocates often explain to naysayers that all breeds of dog are the eventual result of inter-breeding, that diluting and diversifying the gene pool will help eliminate some of the genetic illnesses present in both parent dog breeds.

While the validity of these points is up for debate, the real issue is the commodification of dogs and the unscrupulous breeding of mixed breeds for profit, which is the primary problem at the core of the designer dog industry.

While purebred dog breeders are far from blameless, as they are many unscrupulous individuals who breed purebred dogs simply for profit without paying attention the breed standard or the dog’s health, these problems are far more rampant in the designer dog industry.

While there are surely individuals who breed designer dogs that care deeply for the animals that they bring into the world, the surge of internet popularity of designer breeds has brought about a huge influx of breeders who breed simply for profit.

These breeders, also known as backyard breeders and, in more severe cases, puppy mills, give little thought to the health of their dogs, will sell a dog to anyone who has the money to pay for one.

Also, they are notoriously unavailable for questions and support once the dog has left their possession.

Dogs bred at puppy mills or by backyard breeders are often sold to pet stores and can suffer from a variety of genetic and environmental illnesses.

Even worse, uninformed dog owners may unwittingly purchase a puppy from one of these places, further perpetuating the “for-profit” business and setting themselves up for exorbitant veterinary bills and the potential heartache of losing their beloved pet prematurely.

Reasons Why You Should Not Get a Pomsky

While Pomskys who are already in existence deserve the best possible homes, responsible dog owners and potential dog owners should avoid purchasing a Pomsky. The main reason being that Pomskys are popular with puppy mills and backyard breeders.

The Exorbitantly High Cost of Pomsky Puppies 

Pomskys have a hard time just coming into the world.

 Because of the immense size difference between Siberian Huskies and Pomeranians, intense human intervention is needed in order to create a Pomsky.

These costs are then passed along to the potential owner, who is likely to pay upwards of $2,000 for a single puppy.  Unusually colored Pomskys and female Pomskys often cost more.

While the common unprincipled breeding practices that result in Pomksys are the primary reason why you should avoid getting one, or any designer dog for that matter, there are also health and temperamental issues to consider.

It is very difficult to estimate with any level of certainty what a Pomksy will act like and look like.

The breed standards utilized by purebred dogs were formed after years and years of careful breeding and observation, so when purchasing a purebred dog, you can have a pretty good idea of what to expect when that puppy becomes an adult.

Pomskys are wild cards, so to speak. While some may act more like Pomeranians, others will have the high-energy and work drive of a Siberian Husky.

Alternatives to Designer Breeds

If having a purebred dog is important to you, either for aesthetics, predictability, or interest in the showring, you shouldn’t allow anyone to tell you that it’s unethical to purchase one.

In fact, many purebred dog breeders take great care to make sure that the animals they bring into the world are healthy, sound, and go to only the most qualified of homes.

If having a purebred dog isn’t important, you should consider adopting a dog or a puppy from your local shelter.

There are  millions of homeless dogs in the United States, and with a little searching you should be able to find the perfect pup for your home, your lifestyle, and your heart.

That being said, you should usually avoid purchasing designer dogs.

Many people opt for designer dogs because of promises that they will by hypoallergenic (which is impossible to predict), easier to train or more loving than the parent breeds (also impossible to predict) or somehow will emulate the best of both parent breeds (once again, there’s no guarantee). 

Rather than buying a designer dog from a breeder, you should consider a purebred dog that fits your lifestyle or, even better, a loveable rescue dog from your local shelter.

There are good, reputable designer dog breeders out there - but not many. If you are set on opening your home to one, do diligent research first.

In the meantime, in terms of the Pomsky vs. Shiba Inu debate.

The Shiba Inu wins!

But, then again, we may be a biased.

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