01/06/2025
‼️ BIG BUT IMPORTANT READ AHEAD ‼️
I wanted to take a moment to highlight how crucial it is to ensure you’re supporting the right breeder. Breeding isn’t just about producing puppies; it’s about raising healthy, happy dogs with love, care, and the attention they deserve. I know life can throw curveballs and things change, but breeding isn’t something you should just do for the sake of it.
Rudy was part of a pre planned exchange for the puppy I’d gotten from another Pomsky Breeder in the South Island the previous year, Jasper. To touch briefly on Jasper, he had his own challenges, including constant toileting in his crate and bed and not coping well with being confined. I worked really hard to support him and give him what he needed.
When Rudy went to her, I sent him off with a full puppy pack: bed, food, collar, lead, everything. He came back with nothing. Not even a collar!
When Rudy came back, he was extremely anxious. He was afraid of his crate, startled by sudden noises, and had moments of panic. It was really hard to see. I had raised him with so much love, time, and socialisation in his first eight weeks, and it was clear he hadn’t had the continuity of care he needed while away.
In April, the breeder in the South Island reached out to me saying she was in a difficult personal situation and needed help. I immediately said I wanted Rudy back - it terrified me what could happen to him and that I might never know where he was or how he was. I also offered to assist with advertising some of her puppies and even said I’d consider taking on a couple of her adult Pomskies. But at that point, she still had TWO full litters of puppies, now 5 months old, STILL waiting for homes. Then I found out she had just re bred one of those mothers and had also bred one of her Pomskies that had literally just turned 1 days earlier. That really didn’t sit right with me, especially knowing she already had so many older puppies still needing time, love, and attention. Someone also mentioned to me that she had a litter of Spoodles not long before her Pomsky litter too, which made me wonder how many dogs she actually has and is breeding.
The contrast between Rudy and Kaio, another puppy from the same litter who was raised by my good friend Morgan, was stark.
Morgan has been around almost daily with our kids and dogs playing, and it's been beautiful watching Kaio thrive in a home filled with time, love, and consistency. Seeing Rudy return in such a distressed state really reinforced how much he'd missed out on in those months away.
I also want to mention that l've heard from others who've had similar experiences with puppies from the breeder in the South Island. One person even mentioned their friend had a "traumatic experience start to finish." Another said their puppy had trouble with basic training and was shy or fearful. These kinds of issues are really concerning and make it clear how important it is to choose a breeder who is committed to proper care and ethical practices.
I also recently saw that the breeder is now rehoming her remaining adult Pomskies for a fee.
While Pomskies are absolutely a wonderful breed and often worth a fair price, I can't help but feel that given the kind of environment they may have come from, any rehoming fee might be better spent on helping the dog settle in a stable forever home.
I want to be clear this isn't about attacking anyone, but more a plea for people to be mindful and careful about who they get their puppies from. Supporting responsible breeders who genuinely care makes a huge difference in these dogs lives.
Rudy is making good progress with the help of Morgan, who also adopted Kaio from the same litter. I'm grateful to have people like her helping me give these pups the best chance they deserve.
This is why I do waitlists for my puppies, so I know I'm breeding puppies who are truly wanted and can be given the love and care they deserve!
If this post reaches anyone who has, or knows someone with, a Pomsky puppy from the South Island, please feel free to message me. I'd love to help connect you with littermates, brothers, sisters, and others just like I have for my own Pomsky pups!
