Finding a responsible and reputable Pomsky breeder should be of utmost concern to you. In fact, everything begins and ends with this step. We have put together a guide to help you.
If you do not find a reputable breeder you run the risk of the following:
- being sold a fake Pomsky
- being sold a sick Pomsky or one with health defects
- being scammed out of your hard-earned money
- being complicit in aiding and abetting puppy mills that abuse and mistreat defenseless animals
Below we are going to provide you with an exhaustive list you can use to discern whether or not the breeder you are considering purchasing your Pomsky from is the real deal.
But, for those who have the attention span of a gnat, we are going to boil the list down to three core litmus tests with our “CliffsNotes” version of the list.
Breeder Checklist “CliffsNotes” Version – Top 3 Warning Signs
Warning Sign #1: The breeder will not allow you to visit or tour their breeding facilities.
This is a very bad sign. If they refuse to allow you this opportunity they are either afraid of showing how “professional” their facilities are in the sense that they are a puppy mill operation that churns out a large volume of puppies in a very unhealthy and abusive environment. For example, keeping dogs confined to tiny crates their entire life.
The other reason for refusing your request to tour their facility is that they are probably a backyard breeding amateur operation. Think about this for a quick second.
What is to keep any Tom, Dick & Harry from getting any old Pomeranian and Siberian husky (or at least two dogs that look like a Pom and husky) together for breeding. A litter of seven pups could be worth a quick and easy $15-35,000 since some breeders are charging up to $5,000 or more per pup!
That is a powerful incentive for a money hungry person to put on their “pretend breeder” hat.
Warning Sign #2: The breeder does not interview you to see if you are a responsible owner or if you will be able to provide a good home for the puppy.
Who do you think is going to produce a happier, healthier puppy:
The person who has your money and is backing the car out of the parking stall before you can even get back to your car or the person who asks you questions about how you are going to care for your new puppy?
Ethical breeders choose the health and well-being of their animals over profits.
Those who see a litter of Pomskies as an ATM machine most likely did the bare minimum to keep the pups alive and healthy long enough to get your money. Raising a puppy requires time, energy and money for veterinarian services to ensure healthy, proper development.
Amateurs and con-artists are motivated by the dollars they can keep, and unlikely to invest the resources in the healthy upbringing of the pup.
Warning Sign #3: The breeder insists on accepting cash or cash equivalent payments only.
There is some wiggle room here, but for the most part you should be concerned if there is an insistence on a cash transaction.
If you pay in cash what safeguards, records or supporting documentation do you think you will have for future reference. If your puppy gets sick and dies a week later, do you think you have any recourse?
I would never shell out that kind of money for an animal unless I was able to create a paper trail, including a receipt and a contract clearly stating the obligations of the breeder and the rights of the buyer.
Full-length Pomsky Breeder Checklist
- Does the breeder do their due diligence on you?
- Did they ask about the make-up of your family and if you have children (and their ages)?
- Is their facility, home or kennel clean, organized and sanitary?
- How do their animals respond to the other animals on the premises, the breeder and you the visitor?
- Does the breeder allow you to interact with the mother of the puppies?
- Does the breeder have relationships with area veterinarians? Do they have records of the care their animals have received?
- Does the breeder provide any documentation to certify whether or not the parents are purebreds? Check their AKC (or any other national kennel organization) papers.
- Do they guarantee in writing the health of all their animals they sell?
- Can they articulate the genetic defects and issues that are inherent with each breed used in the hybrid pairing?
- Are they involved in any industry/trade associations or do they appear to be isolated and on their own little island? You want breeders who are part of a fraternity of breeders and those who appear to keep abreast of news and developments with their breed.
- Do they sexually alter or fix the dog before releasing it into your custody? They should be!
- Did they ask about your living conditions/situation?
- Will the breeder allow you to visit their facility?
- Do their animals appear cared for?
- Do the animals appear to have the requisite room in the yard and space in cages?
- Does the breeder provide any health record documentation about the parents?
- Will the breeder provide you with a DNA test? Will the breeder allow you to conduct your own independent DNA test and give you a money-back assurance?
- Do they follow breed-club recommendations for hereditary defect testing of all breeding stock?
- Do they provide references from past customers?
- Did they guarantee that your designer dog will grow to a certain size, have a specific physical appearance or social temperament? If so, run the opposite direction.
- Do they use written sales contracts outlining the rights and responsibilities of each party and do they pledge to take the animal back should you be unable to care for it at some point in the future?
- Are the dogs implanted with identification microchips before being released into your custody? They should be!
Checking All the Boxes…
Must a breeder satisfy all of these items in order to be a “reputable” breeder?
Absolutely not. That is a very detailed list.
But, most of those items should be satisfied in order for you to feel comfortable.
You are going to spend close to $4-5,000 on a Pomsky puppy once you add up the purchase price and the other costs that must be made in addition to the purchase. And this is a decision that you are going to have to live with for the next 10-15 years. The total ownership costs of a dog during its lifetime can run upwards of $15,000!
Don’t cut corners. This is the most crucial step in the entire process. Do your due diligence and protect yourself and your investment. Take some time to read reviews and research the facts.