Pumi

22-24 lbs
15-17"
Hungary
Hungarian Pumi

The Pumi is a fun-loving and happy-go-lucky small breed dog. They do require daily activity to keep them at a healthy weight and provide an outlet for their energy. After they have had their playtime or exercise, they are content to relax inside at your feet. Their original purpose was to herd; they will try to herd children by nipping at their legs and heels. They can also be a barky dog when they have nothing to occupy their time. The Pumi is a great choice as a family companion and will provide years of loyalty and spunkiness. Overall, they are easy to train and will need a consistent trainer to ensure they know their place within the family.

purpose Purpose
Herding
history Date of Origin
1700s
ancestry Ancestry
Puli, German and French Sheepdog

Pumi Health

Average Size
Male Pumi size stats
Height: 16-18 inches Weight: 27-29 lbs
Female Pumi size stats
Height: 15-17 inches Weight: 22-24 lbs
Major Concerns
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Lens Luxation
Minor Concerns
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
Occasional Diagnoses
  • Elbow Dysplasia
Occasional Tests
  • Eye Examination
  • OFA on hips and elbows
  • DNA Test

Pumi Breed History

This unique breed dates back to the 1700s and is a direct descendent from the Puli, German Sheepdogs and French Sheepdogs, possibly the Pomeranian and Hutespitz. Many speculate that they also have ancient terriers in their lineage, which is why they can exhibit some terrier-like traits. The Puli was used to herd merino sheep in the 17th and 18th centuries. Hungarian shepherds began cross-breeding the Puli with other herding dogs, mainly French and German Sheepdogs. The offspring of these breedings were able to handle the terrain of Hungary better than the Puli. The Pumi was developed to drive cattle because of their spirited, vocal and energetic ways. It did take over 300 years for this canine to evolve into the Pumi of today. They were first mentioned in historical documents by name in 1815 but it took over a hundred years later before they were actually recognized as a breed. Even though this working dog has a unique look with their puffy ears, many still confuse them with the Puli. They are not simply a herding dog; they were expected to perform other duties around the farm such as being a watchdog, hunting vermin and guarding the livestock. They are very much a typical herding breed and can be extremely vocal; in fact, the original breed standard described them as not having the ability to keep quiet. Over the years, the breed has spread outside of Hungary throughout Europe and into North America. The Hungarian Pumi Club of America was established and members worked diligently to educate the general public about these interesting herding dogs. The American Kennel Club recognized them as a herding breed in 2016.

Pumi Breed Appearance

A small to medium sized dog that has a distinctive look, the coat of this canine is a variety of wavy and curly. Over time, their coat forms corkscrew curls over their entire body. They are a double coated dog. The texture of the topcoat is harsh but the undercoat is softer. The Pumi’s coat stands away from their body about one and a half to three inches. They are exquisite to show in conformation and as such, their hair should never be corded or straight. They have a long head with ears that are semi-erect and seem to stick out the sides of their head. The tail is circular and has little undercoat. They have a black nose and the pigmentation should be dark as should the gums. The eyes are dark brown. This attractive canine has a coat of black, silver, rust, sand, grey or grizzle. The only white allowed on the body can be on the chest and can only be less than one inch. This pup should never be patterned, pied or black and tan. 

Eye Color Possibilities
brown Pumi eyes
Brown
Nose Color Possibilities
black Pumi nose
Black
Coat Color Possibilities
black Pumi coat
Black
gray Pumi coat
Gray
silver Pumi coat
Silver
Coat Length
coat
Short Medium Long
Coat Density
coat density
pin
Sparse Normal Dense
Coat Texture
coat texture
Pumi curly coat texture
Straight Wiry Wavy Curly Corded

Pumi Breed Maintenance

The Pumi does require more maintenance than the typical herding breed. Because of their signature corkscrew curls, they need to be combed at least once a week to remove tangles or sticks from the coat. The undercoat will shed seasonally; during this time they will need to be groomed more often to keep matting from occurring. Even though this dog does shed, you will not notice a lot of hair on the carpeting, furniture or clothing. Do not ever blow dry their coat, it should only be allowed to dry naturally so the curl comes back and the coat does not dry out and break off. They will need to be trimmed every few months and most Pumi owners choose to have them professionally trimmed. At the most, they can be bathed monthly using a mild shampoo that is specially formulated for a curly coat. Their nails should be clipped as needed, generally when they are trimmed. Check the ears weekly to ensure they are clean and free of infection or foul odors. 

Brushes for Pumi
Pin Brush
Pin Brush
Slicker Brush
Slicker Brush
Comb
Comb
Nail Clipper
Nail Clipper
Brushing Frequency
fur daily fur weekly fur monthly
Pumi requires weekly brushing
Daily Weekly Monthly

Pumi Temperament

This dynamo is characterized as a small dog with a big personality. They are attentive and active and love playing games. Many times, the Pumi will watch people, especially strangers, before approaching them. They are naturally unsure of those they don't know and are very discerning. They generally get along well with other dogs and even cats that they have been raised with. They are also able to be around other household pets, but will need to be monitored when interacting with them. Overall, they are a highly trainable, very energetic companion who enjoys communicating by barking or vocalizing their wants and wishes. Because they are such a vocal dog, they are not recommended for apartment living or even subdivisions where noise ordinances are in effect. It can be very difficult to train a Pumi to stay quiet and they will become a nuisance if they are left alone for too long. This little athlete excels at dog sports such as agility, obedience and herding trials. 

Activity Level
low activity medium activity high activity
Low Medium High
Rec. Walk Mileage Per Week
8 miles
walk mileage
Minutes of Activity Per Day
45 minutes
activity minutes

Pumi Food Consumption

Cups Per Day
1.2 cups
cup per day cost
Daily Cost
$1.00 - $1.00
food bowls daily cost
Monthly Cost
$25.00 - $30.00
food bag monthly cost

Pumi Height & Weight

6 Months
Male Pumi size stats at six months
Height: 13.0 inches Weight: 16.5 lbs
Female Pumi size stats at six months
Height: 12.0 inches Weight: 15.0 lbs
12 Months
Male Pumi size stats at 12 months
Height: 16.0 inches Weight: 21.5 lbs
Female Pumi size stats at 12 months
Height: 15.0 inches Weight: 19.5 lbs
18 Months
Male Pumi size stats at 18 months
Height: 17.0 inches Weight: 28.0 lbs
Female Pumi size stats at 18 months
Height: 16.0 inches Weight: 23.0 lbs

Pumi Owner Experiences

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