Pumi: temperament, size, care and health

About the Pumi

The Pumi is a medium-small Hungarian herding dog, about 15 to 18.5 inches tall at the shoulder and lightly built. Its curly, springy coat stands off the body in loose ringlets, and it has a long head with semi-erect ears that tip forward and a tail that curls over the back. Most Pumik are grey, black or white, and the expression is intense and animated, with a terrier-like quality.

The breed was developed to herd and to control vermin on Hungarian farms. It moves with quick, agile turns and a lot of energy, and it uses its voice constantly. Pumik are kept today by people who want a sharp, busy dog that does well in activities and does not leave a lot of hair around the house.

Temperament and family life

A Pumi is lively, curious and attached to its family, and it tends to be reserved around strangers. It watches closely and reacts quickly to unusual sounds and sights, which makes it a keen alarm dog but an overreactive one if it has not been trained. Early and wide socialization makes a big difference.

With children the breed is playful, though its energy and herding instincts can be too much for toddlers. Pumik tend to bark readily, and the sound is sharp and frequent, so they are not suited to people who want a quiet home. They may be bossy with other dogs. The terrier flavor of the temperament includes a drive to chase small animals.

Exercise and training

The Pumi needs plenty of both physical and mental work. An hour or more of running, fetch, hiking or sport each day, with training built in, is a reasonable expectation. Agility, herding, flyball and rally are good fits. It is also a talented jumper and digger.

Pumik are smart and quick to learn, but they are also spirited and can be strong-willed. Short, varied lessons with plenty of rewards work best. If the dog is bored, it will bark, dig and look for trouble. A fenced yard is valuable because the breed likes to investigate and chase.

Grooming and shedding

The Pumi's curly coat sheds very little, which makes it appealing to people who dislike hair on furniture. It does need work. Brush it or comb it out every week to prevent mats, and trim it every few months for a neat appearance. Bathing and then letting the coat dry naturally brings out the curl, whereas brushing a dry coat can make it frizzy.

Check the ears, keep the nails trimmed and brush the teeth regularly. Because the coat traps debris from outdoor play, an occasional rinse after muddy outings is useful.

Health

The Pumi is generally healthy, but breeders watch for patellar luxation, hip dysplasia and some eye conditions, including primary lens luxation, for which a DNA test exists. Degenerative myelopathy has also been identified in the breed. As with any uncommon breed, the available gene pool is limited, so choose a breeder who tests and shares results.

This is general information, and a veterinarian is the person to ask about a particular dog.

History

The Pumi is generally traced to Hungary in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, when Puli herding dogs were crossed with terrier-type and herding dogs imported from western Europe. It was recognized as a distinct breed from the Puli in the early twentieth century. The breed is still quite rare outside Hungary and a few other countries. The American Kennel Club admitted it in 2016.

Is the Pumi right for you?

A Pumi suits an energetic person or family that wants a sharp-minded, low-shedding dog and does not mind barking. It is a poor match for a home that wants a calm or quiet dog or for someone who cannot spend serious time on exercise and training.

The Puli is a corded-coated Hungarian herder of calmer nature. The Mudi is a similar Hungarian dog with a more serious manner. For another curly-coated working dog that sheds little, look at the Spanish Water Dog.