Pumi
A curly-coated Hungarian herding dog with whimsical ears and a busy, vocal, terrier-like spirit.
At a glance
- Size
- Medium
- Height at the withers
- Males 41–47 cm · Females 38–44 cm
- Weight
- Males 10–15 kg · Females 8–13 kg
- Life expectancy
- 12–14 years
- Exercise
- 60–120 min a day
- Grooming
- Once a week
- Coat
- Curly, medium
- Colours
- Grey, Black, Fawn, White
- Bred for
- Herding, Terrier work, Companionship
- Country of origin
- Hungary
- FCI
- Group 1, no. 56 · Sheepdogs & cattle dogs
Breeders on Kuldo
No breeders on Kuldo have this breed yet.
Living with the breed
| Affectionate with family | 4/5 – High |
|---|---|
| Good with children | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Good with other dogs | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Good with cats | 2/5 – Low |
| Open to strangers | 2/5 – Low |
| Energy | 5/5 – Very high |
| Playfulness | 5/5 – Very high |
| Needs mental stimulation | 5/5 – Very high |
| Easy to train | 4/5 – High |
| Prey drive | 4/5 – High |
| Watchful and protective | 4/5 – High |
| Barking | 5/5 – Very high |
| Shedding | 2/5 – Low |
| Grooming effort | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Drooling | 1/5 – Very low |
| Good for first-time owners | 2/5 – Low |
| Suits apartment living | 2/5 – Low |
| Adaptability | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Copes with being alone | 2/5 – Low |
| Copes with heat | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Copes with cold | 4/5 – High |
Kuldo's own guidance from the breed's typical traits. Every dog is an individual, so talk to the breeder.
Is it the right breed for you?
Great if you …
- want a keen dog for agility or other sports
- like a low-shedding medium-sized dog
- have an active household
Think twice if you …
- live where barking will be a problem
- want a calm, low-energy dog
- have small pets the dog cannot learn to respect
Care
Temperament
Pumik are lively, alert and affectionate with family. They can be reserved with strangers and quick to bark. They are bold and curious, with a fair amount of independence.
Exercise
Plan on one to two hours of daily activity with plenty of mental challenge. Agility, herding, obedience and scent work all suit them.
Grooming
Comb the curly coat about once a week and trim it into shape every couple of months. Shedding is low, and the coat should not be brushed out flat.
Training
Very trainable and food-motivated, but easily bored. Short, varied, reward-based sessions and an early focus on barking work best.
Health
The Pumi is generally healthy; hip dysplasia, patellar luxation and some eye conditions are occasionally seen. Breeding dogs are usually hip and eye screened, so ask the breeder for results.
Health tests breeders usually do
- Hips (HD)
- Eye examination
- Kneecaps (patella)
Ask the breeder to show you the parents' results.
About the breed
The Pumi was developed in western Hungary for driving cattle, sheep and pigs on smaller farms and village pastures. It is thought to combine the old Hungarian herding type with influences from terrier-like herding dogs, which shows in its lively, inquisitive nature.
Pumik are energetic, clever and closely bonded to their people. They are very vocal and alert to everything, which makes them keen watchdogs. They love having a job, learn quickly and do very well in dog sports. They are less suited to owners who want a quiet, laid-back dog.
Did you know?
The Pumi was fully recognised by the American Kennel Club in 2016.