A compact, nimble-footed herder of Hungarian origin, the Pumi is easily recognized by a corkscrew-curled coat, two-thirds erect ears, and distinctive whimsical expression. The breed is famed for its intelligence, agility, and boldness.
The Pumi is exceptionally cute to look at, but it certainly is no lapdog. These are curious, smart, intense dogs that are extremely possessive, protective and watchful. They have a natural instinct to act as guard dogs and will use their voices liberally in the process. Pumis are reserved around strangers and unfamiliar animals, to the point of being suspicious. They are always on the go and ready to take action at a moment’s notice, especially when they are outside. Inside their own home, Pumis are affectionate, playful and devoted to their family members. They generally play well with children and other family pets, as long as they are properly socialized from an early age. These dogs are not well-suited for apartment life, as they need more open space to stretch their legs and burn off excess energy. The Pumi is not a dog for every family, especially those that are homebodies or who regularly work long hours away from the house. On the other hand, active people who are committed to doing lots of things with their dog every day, such as playing catch or fetch, taking long walks, jogging, biking, playing Frisbee or visiting the dog park, may find the Pumi to be a good choice.
The Pumi should do well on a high-quality dog food, whether commercially manufactured or home-prepared with your veterinarian’s supervision and approval. Any diet should be appropriate to the dog’s age (puppy, adult, or senior). Some dogs are prone to getting overweight, so watch your dog’s calorie consumption and weight level. Treats can be an important aid in training, but giving too many can cause obesity. Learn about which human foods are safe for dogs, and which are not. Check with your vet if you have any concerns about your dog’s weight or diet. Clean, fresh water should be available at all times.
The Pumi’s coat consists of 50 percent soft hair and 50 percent harsher hair, all the same length. He needs combing every three to six weeks, followed by a good wetting-down to let the coat curl back up. Once curled, the coat can be trimmed to keep it looking tidy. The Pumi doesn’t shed, but hair will come out during grooming. Using a blow-dryer on the Pumi’s coat is not recommended, as this will remove the characteristic curls.
The Pumi is very intelligent and energetic, needing regular exercise and mental stimulation. They’re also quite agile and will climb over and under things, and they love to be in high places to see what’s going on. Their favorite toys are often tennis balls and flying discs, and a Pumi is likely to demand a good chase-and-fetch game with these. The breed’s qualities make the Pumi increasingly popular in agility, obedience, and numerous other dog sports and companion events.
Pumis are generally a very healthy breed, and responsible breeders screen for health disorders such as elbow and hip dysplasia, patellar luxation, degenerative myelopathy (DM), and eye disorders. The website of the breed’s parent club, the Hungarian Pumi Club of America, provides detailed information on Pumi health.
Recommended Health Test from the National Breed Club:
Authorities recognize three sheepdogs indigenous to Hungary: the Mudi, Puli, and Pumi. The Puli is thought to be the oldest, established in what is now Hungary around a.d. 800. Between 300 and 400 years ago, the Puli was interbred with Western European herding dogs and and terriers to produce the Pumi. For years the Pumi was considered a regional variant of the Puli. This began to change in the early 20th century, when the standardization of the two breeds began.