Pumi | Facts & Information

Temperament: loud, protective, active, intelligent

Pumi is a breed of small-medium-sized Terriers, a shepherd dog from Unagaria. The Pumi was a common farm dog, herding not only sheep but also cows and pigs, and used to catch small harmful rodents.

He is a native of the XVII-XVIII centuries, when Shepherd Terriers were brought to Hungary from Germany and France. This type of Terriers mated with the Puli type dogs that lived in Hungary, resulting in this type of Shepherd Terriers.

As a working dog, it was a freely bred breed of breeds such as Puli or Mudi, until the 1970s. Until quite recently there was a B-register specifically for mated Pumas.

The paternity of these dogs is unknown, but if they meet the breed criteria they can receive a "pedigree-B".

The breed was officially recognized in 1966 and remained fairly unknown outside Hungary until 1970. In 1973 the first Pumi dogs were exported to Finland, and in 1985 to Sweden.

Subsequently, Pumi were exported to Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, and in 1990 to the USA.

Pumi Food

It needs a diet that contains carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins and minerals, with an emphasis on protein.

The water must be fresh (changed daily) and at its discretion so that the quadruped can quench his thirst when he wants.

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Pumi Appearance

It is a medium-sized dog with a square, muscular body. The head is long with a bulging skull with a long snout and black nose.

The eyes are slightly oblique and brown, and the ears are V-shaped, of medium size, straight, with a pointed tip and covered by thick and wrinkled hair.

The long tail is carried horizontally and curved at the tip. The hair is coarse, curly and forms Tufts but not cords. It can have the colors: silver-gray, brick-gray, black, white, brown-reddish with or without white areas (preferably without spots).

It needs a weekly brushing and more intense during the moulting period. It has a height between 34 – 45cm and a weight between 8-14kg.

Pumi Behavior

He is very active, lively, bold, intelligent, with excellent smell, quite noisy.

He is devoted and affectionate with his family, but shy and reserved with strangers. Socialized as a child with children he can get along with them if they do not tease him too much, as with the other animals in the House.

He was raised to guard and lead cattle herds. Today it is also used in hunting, as a home guard or as a pet.

Pumi Dressage

It is a relatively easy dog to train. He is smart and intelligent and understands with enough ease what is required of him. Being a loud dog, you have to learn when to shut up.

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Pumi Features

It is a weather-resistant dog. He is happy with a very active master who always gives him something to do because he is a workaholic.

The ideal place is a farm with animals where they would find their purpose. It needs socialization, training, organized activity and exercise.

It is a fairly unknown breed outside Hungary, but in Sweden and Finland around 100 Pumas are recorded each year. In both countries Pumi is a very popular dog for its agility and they are found everywhere in championships.

In Scandinavia, it is used in obedience and canine dance competitions.

Pumi Diseases

It is a healthy breed of dog with a life expectancy of 12 to 14 years, but some dogs have even lived beyond 19 years.

The most common medical conditions are dislocations of the patella (paw) or hip.

Most information about this breed comes from Finland and Sweden, and about 80% of dogs born there have perfectly healthy hips.