Pumi dog

The pumi may resemble a living teddy bear, but these intelligent dogs are far more than that. Learn more about these endearingly hilarious Hungarian herdsmen.

Pumi

WEIGHT-22–29 pounds

HEIGHT-15–18.5 inches

BREED SIZE -medium (26-60 lbs.)

GOOD WITH -families children

LIFE SPAN -12–13 years

TEMPERAMENT -willful outgoing playful

INTELLIGENCE -high

SHEDDING AMOUNT -infrequent

EXERCISE NEEDS -high

ENERGY LEVEL -active

BARKING LEVEL -frequent

COLORS -black,fawn,gray,white

PATTERNS -brindle black and tan

DROOL AMOUNT -low

BREED GROUP -herding

COAT LENGTH/TEXTURE -medium curly

OTHER TRAITS -easy to train,easy to groom,good hiking companion

Quick! Close your eyes and visualise the prettiest dog you can think of. There's a strong possibility the pumi looks like the dog of your dreams, with his corkscrew curls, circular tail, funny ears, and waggish grin.

If you're tempted to judge a book by its cover, keep in mind that the pumi (pronounced POO-mee; plural: pumik) is more than simply a cute, fluffy face. Indeed, this teddy bear doppelgänger was developed to herd and guard animals in Eastern Europe, and he is renowned for his intelligence as well as his good looks.

Most pumik have a strong drive to work, thus they require an active, committed owner who can commit to keeping their energetic minds and bodies occupied every day.

"They are not an easy dog to train, no matter how cute they appear!" Jane Pooley, who is accompanied by two pumik, agrees. "They are, however, a lot of fun if you are willing to put in the time and effort."

Appearance

Being called a square isn't exactly a compliment, but pumik is working hard to change people's minds about the shape. The pumi breed standard states that the dog should be square in shape, with a height of 15–18.5 inches and a weight of 22–29 pounds. Overall, this results in a slim, agile dog capable of keeping up with his ranch hand duties.

A tail that arches back on itself to make a circle can be found in one corner of the pumi square. A tall head, dark brown eyes, and fur-covered, semi-erect ears that look like they're waving "hello" (an characteristic that surely doesn't hinder their charm) can be found in the opposite corner. These ears, like the pumi himself, are vigilant and active, moving in reaction to diverse stimuli.

The pumi is decked out in a coat of eye-catching corkscrew curls. The coat comes in solid hues of black, white, grey, and fawn, with a rough exterior hair and a soft undercoat. Because a working dog with high grooming requirements would be counterproductive, you'll be relieved to learn that the low-shedding pumi simply need air drying to create that classic look.

Temperament

According to Melissa Hatfield, MS, CBCC-KA, CDBC, owner of Loving Dogs in Fayetteville, Ark., the pumi was bred for a certain duty, so explaining his disposition is similar to going through his job description. And don't expect these tendencies to vanish just because a pumi is removed from his profession.

"Herding necessitates an acute capacity to analyse events swiftly and respond decisively—some on his own and some in response to human directions," argues Hatfield. Pumik, in other words, are fearless, astute, and never fail to report for duty. The breed can become rebellious if it is not properly socialised or given outlets for its energy. You may even discover that you are being herded.

Pooley, who has lived with pumik for nearly six years, adds, "They are a fantastic family pet and enjoy playing with youngsters." "However, the herding impulse can manifest itself in humans, dogs, chickens, and other animals." Pumik, in addition to their speed and agility, employ barking to keep livestock in line, which can be a problem for an unwary owner.

On the bright side, according to Hatfield, herding dogs are extraordinarily attentive to their owners' nonverbal cues and are quick learners. She continues, "This is a wonderful advantage in teaching and creating limits with the breed's innate habits." "A pumi, for example, can be taught to herd a ball but not a toddler, and that chasing a Frisbee is fine but not chasing a car."

Pumik, like most herding dogs, is wary of strangers and dislikes being left alone for lengthy periods of time. They can become particularly attached to their boss because they were bred to work with humans. Pumik are not opposed to hug breaks (though they must be earned! ), despite their seemingly infinite supply of energy.

Living Requirements

Because pumiks are so bright and wired for work, Hatfield believes they would thrive in a household with an experienced dog owner who is willing to devote the time and energy necessary to properly socialise, train, and keep the new puppy occupied each day. Other family members, including children and animals, can live in this house, though introductions must be done gently and cautiously.

It's more vital to exercise your pumi's body and mind on a daily basis than having a huge fenced yard or living area, yet their trademark herding dog bark may make apartment living tough.

Pooley continues, "I live in a house with a small backyard, yet I walk my pumik for an hour every day." "They would walk for miles if they could, but they also enjoy brief, brain-stimulating workouts and pranks. They also like going to agility training twice or three times a week."

Care

Hatfield clarifies the distinction between being sociable and requiring socialising. The former relates to a dog's natural temperament, whilst the latter is a set of acquired habits that make it easier for a dog and his owner to live.

Hatfield continues, "Pumik are naturally gregarious dogs." "However, because their basic nature is oriented on herding sheep, they will require socialisation in order to be good companions in a home."

The "critical period" is defined as the first 16 weeks of a dog's life. The puppy learns how to be a dog during this time, according to Hatfield (for example, nonverbal and vocal communication, that fingers are not chew toys, and what is and isn't suitable when dealing with his littermates). It's also at this time that the puppy begins to learn how to interact with people.

"Whatever happens at this time has long-term consequences, whether positive or negative "According to Hatfield. "If a dog is not properly socialised during this key period, he will not realise his full potential later in life. Puppies taken from their mothers too soon, for example, may have psychological and behavioural issues. Those who don't get enough human interaction as they become older may become anxious, agitated, and reactive." 

As a result, Hatfield advises prospective owners to do their homework when looking for a pumi breeder. "Checking for a clean kennel environment isn't enough," she adds. "During their first 16 weeks of life, puppies require a lot of emotional and cerebral stimulation, which includes human connection and exposure to other well-behaved dogs. And these adventures should continue long after the pumi puppy has been adopted by a family."

Training will be a crucial part of caring for your pumi, in addition to healthy socialising. It will not only assist your pumi in better adapting to his surroundings, but it will also keep his mind stimulated. Your dog's proclivity for barking is one innate trait you'll want to help him manage straight away. "While this behaviour is good for herding or guarding animals, it is not so useful and certainly not appropriate in the family," Hatfield argues. Always employ positive training approaches when working with your pumi.

Other important parts of the energetic pumi's care are regular exercise and human interaction. Every pumi is different when it comes to their favourite activities, but obedience lessons, nose work, and agility training are wonderful places to start because they are appropriate outlets for their herding inclinations.

Finally, the pumi's grooming procedure is quite fuss-free, as is characteristic with working dogs. Every few weeks, the Hungarian Pumi Club of America (HPCA) recommends brushing his coat. You'll need to completely wet his fur after combing it, but leave the blow dryer in the cabinet. It's better to leave it to Mother Nature to dry and sculpt those signature corkscrew curls. 

Health

Pumik are typically healthy dogs who can live to be 13 years old, but like any breed, they are prone to certain health issues:

Hip dysplasia is the most frequent health problem in the breed, according to the HPCA. Hip dysplasia is a disorder in which the joints become lax over time, causing pain, mobility issues, and osteoarthritis. X-rays can be used to screen your pumi for hip dysplasia at a young age, even though symptoms don't usually present until the dog is older.

According to the HPCA, certain pumik contain the gene for degenerative myelopathy, a progressive spinal cord disease that affects elderly dogs and is analogous to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (often known as ALS) in humans.

Primary lens luxation: According to the HPCA, many pumik have been reported in Scandinavian countries with primary lens luxation, an inherited condition in which the lens of the eye shifts out of its usual place, causing inflammation and optic nerve damage (called glaucoma). It can lead to blindness if not treated.

Because degenerative myelopathy and primary lens luxation are inherited disorders, the HPCA advises that you get your prospective pumi's parents DNA checked for the diseases. Before taking a pumi puppy home from a breeder, make sure that all of the Canine Health Information Center's recommended health testing have been completed.

 History

The pumi is not a new breed, despite the fact that the American Kennel Club did not recognise it until 2016. The puli, the mudi, and the pumi are three separate herding breeds native to Hungary. With his ancestors travelling to what is now Hungary in 800 A.D., the puli is regarded to be the oldest of the three. Pulik (plural version of puli) began mating with herding dogs from France and Germany some 300 years ago as livestock trafficking brought their owners closer together, according to the HPCA, and the pumi is a result of this crossbreeding.

According to the HPCA, the modern pumi was developed over hundreds of years by shepherds who sought out the best dog for both the land and their sheep. However, the breed did not become separate from the puli until the early 1900s. The two breed names had previously been used interchangeably. Emil Raitsits, a professor at the Hungarian University of Veterinary Medicine, was the one who finally campaigned for the pumi and puli to be standardised.

The first pumik to be recorded in the United States arrived in the 1980s (but others may have arrived far before). The breed is still rare, according to the club, with only a few litters born each year.

Fun Facts

Despite having a highly serious and essential function in history (and often even now), the breed is sometimes described to as "the clown," owing to its unique blend of comedy and theatrics!

The HPCA claims that when Hungarians began looking more closely at their indigenous herding dogs, they discovered that the three breeds concentrated in different areas. The puli ruled the eastern plains, the mudi dominated the south, and the pumi dominated western Hungary's hilly region.