Pumi Dog: Your Complete Guide

The Pumi dog is a loyal, energetic, and devoted breed with a long history of working as a herding dog. These pups have a cute appearance and a big heart, and they are still used as a working dog today, though they are becoming more recognized as a family companion. The Pumi dog is rare, and they are a relatively new addition to the American Kennel Club.

If you are interested in adopting a Pumi and adding this unique herding breed to your family, it’s important to understand the basics of this breed and how to take care of them. Our complete guide gives you information about the Pumi dog and how to care for them so you can give your pup their happiest, healthiest life.

Quick Look at the Pumi Dog

Below is a quick glance at this special breed in terms of their physical characteristics, lifespan, temperament, and grooming needs.

What Is the History of Pumi Dogs?

The Pumi dog is a mix of the Puli, the French Briard, and the German spitz dog, originating sometime in 1815. This breed is relatively rare, and it wasn’t recognized as a separate breed until 1921 when a breed standard was created for the dog.

The Pumi wasn’t an intentional breed creation, but rather a spontaneous evolution that resulted from the mix of these dogs as a way to create working dogs.

The Pumi is known as a herding breed, and this dog has gone through several rises in popularity and loss of numbers over its history. Around the 1960s, the Pumi became bred more prolifically throughout Hungary, and it was recognized in 2016 as an indigenous dog breed for Hungary. The genetics of this dog are preserved and breeding according to breed standards is encouraged.

The American Kennel Club also recognized this dog in 2016, though the Pumi dog is more rare around the United States. Only a few litters of this dog are born each year within the United States, and you may not easily find this dog in shelters or rescues.

Today, the Pumi dog is used less as a herding dog and more as a companion or family animal in the United States, though they are still beneficial for many individuals that own large areas of land and need a working, herding dog.

What Do Pumi Dogs Look Like?

The Pumi dog has a sweet expression and teddy-bear-like face, and they are known for their lively attitudes. The eyes of the Pumi dog are dark, their muzzles are medium-length, and they have square bodies. The Pumi dog will often look larger or heavier due to their thicker curly coat, though this dog is quite agile and quick on their feet.

Common coat colors of the Pumi dog include black, fawn, grey or silver, and white, and this breed is generally seen in one color. They have alert, semi-erect ears and corkscrew tails that curls over the rest of their body.

What Size Is a Pumi Dog?

The Pumi dog is a medium-sized breed. They stand 15 to 19 inches tall at the shoulder and generally weigh between 22 and 29 pounds.

What Is a Pumi Dog’s Coat Type and Length?

Pumi dogs have a medium-length double coat of curly and wavy hair. Most Pumi dogs have tight curls, and they can be quite dense and thick. Regular trimming and brushing are essential for this type of coat to keep it free of mats and tangles.

What Is a Pumi Dog’s Temperament?

Known to be charming and affectionate to their owners, the Pumi dog is friendly, energetic, and playful. These dogs love to bounce around outside with their families, and they are very loyal and devoted to their owners.

You can expect your Pumi dog to be lively and intelligent, and these pups often need training or tasks to complete throughout the day to keep them mentally stimulated.

Pumi dogs have herding instincts, and they are very alert and brave. You can expect them to be somewhat vocal, and they generally have an outgoing, sincere nature. Pumi dogs may be wary of strangers, and they sometimes use their intelligence to be strong-willed, but proper training can curb these behaviors.

Are Pumi Dogs Good With Kids?

Pumi dogs love to play, and they are generally good with children as long as the children aren’t too young. You will need to teach your children how to properly interact with your dog to ensure there is no rough play, and you may want to monitor interactions between your children and dog.

The Pumi dog may try to herd up your children or others in your home due to their instincts, though you can train these behaviors to keep them to a minimum.

Are Pumi Dogs Good With Other Animals?

Pumi dogs may be good with other animals, typically when they are socialized and introduced from a young age. Your Pumi dog will have a higher prey drive and herding instinct, and they aren’t the best choice for being kept around other smaller animals or animals they may end up chasing.

In general, your Pumi dog will get along well with other dogs if they have been properly socialized and trained.

Are Pumi Dogs Aggressive?

Pumi dogs aren’t known to be particularly aggressive, though they can be protective. You may notice your Pumi dog being extra vocal if they perceive a threat or growling at a stranger they don’t quite trust yet.

That being said, these dogs aren’t prone to biting, snapping, or behavioral issues like food aggression, and if you do encounter these issues, your Pumi dog may easily be trained into more desirable behavior.

Do Pumi Dogs Bark?

Pumi dogs can be quite vocal, as they enjoy showing off their voices to their owners. They may bark to alert their owners of threats, as part of play, or to simply show they are having a good time. You may need to train your Pumi dog if you are living somewhere with noise restrictions to only bark when absolutely necessary or when a real threat is perceived outdoors.

Are Pumi Dogs Affectionate?

Pumi dogs are known for being fairly affectionate, and these dogs love to cuddle and be pet. Your Pumi dog might not be a lap dog all the time, but once they get their energy out for the day, they are happy to spend the rest of the evening by your side.

Pumi dogs are a little mistrustful of strangers at first due to their herding and working instincts, but they are friendly enough once they meet someone a few times.

Are Pumi Dogs Intelligent?

Pumi dogs are known to be very intelligent, and they easily learn new things. These dogs are curious and alert, and they need regular training and tasks to complete to ensure they are mentally stimulated.

Occasionally, your Pumi dog might use their intelligence and strong-willed nature to get into some mischief which is why lots of exercise and mental stimulation is essential to keeping this breed happy.

Are Pumi Dogs Energetic?

Pumi dogs are energetic, and they are incredibly lively. These dogs will need to receive at least an hour of playtime each day, and they will need two to three long walks. If you live on a farm or have lots of outdoor space, this dog will be happy to run around alongside you or complete working tasks throughout the day.

Are Pumi Dogs Easy to Train?

Pumi dogs are easy to train, as they are intelligent, curious, and eager to work alongside their owners. These dogs love to learn new things and they are good candidates for agility training or learning more complex tasks. The lively Pumi dog needs a lot of mental stimulation to keep happy, so training and new activities are essential for this breed.

Are Pumi Dogs Good Watchdogs?

Pumi dogs are good watchdogs, as they are alert, protective, and brave. These dogs are vocal and they have no problem alerting their owner to an issue, and they are brave enough to stare down or try to intimidate a threat if needed.

Are Pumi Dogs Good Service Dogs?

Pumi dogs may be good candidates for service dog work, though they don’t have the size for more extensive service dog tasks such as mobility support or guidance. They can work as a psychiatric service dog as long as the tasks required don’t need a larger or stronger dog, and this breed is eager to learn new things and work alongside their owners each day.

A Pumi dog may also be a good emotional support dog or therapy dog, as they love to spend time with their families and they are affectionate, but this is only possible if they are trained to be on their best behavior and allowed to get their exercise needs met each day.

How to Care for a Pumi Dog?

The Pumi dog is a unique and rare breed, and there are several care steps you will need to meet to ensure this dog stays happy and healthy.

Meeting your dog’s exercise needs is highly essential, as these lively little dogs need lots of physical and mental stimulation to stay happy. Regular walks, time spent playing outdoors, and even herding activities will all help to keep your dog happy.

In addition to exercise, give your Pumi dog their own space in your home and ensure they have a bed and toys to play with. This dog shouldn’t be left alone for more than 6 to 8 hours, as they can grow bored and may be destructive.

Regular training helps to keep your dog alert and engaged, and proper socialization is needed from a young age to stop this dog from being too wary of strangers or hostile to other animals.

Take your Pumi dog to the vet regularly, monitor their behavior, and provide them with a high-quality diet and lots of time at your side to give them the best life possible.

Do You Need to Groom a Pumi Dog?

Pumi dogs have higher than average grooming needs, and their curly double coats need regular brushing. Your dog will need to visit a professional groomer every 6 weeks or so to receive a trim and bath, and they will need a brushing two to three times a week to make sure their coat stays free of knots and tangles.

Do Pumi Dogs Shed?

Pumi dogs are considered low shedders, as their curly coat traps most of the shed hair inside of it. This is why these dogs need regular brushings to remove shed fur and keep their coats in good condition. Pumi dogs aren’t considered hypoallergenic, though their low-shedding coats may make them a good choice for individuals with mild allergies.

What Health Problems Do Pumi Dogs Have?

Pumi dogs, like many other breeds, and prone to certain health issues due to their genetics. Health issues you may need to keep an eye out for with the Pumi dog include:

• Degenerative myelopathy
• Hip dysplasia
• Luxating patella
• Eye disorders

Make sure your dog goes for vet visits annually and keep an eye on their behavior to note any changes. Ensure your dog is healthy by providing them with proper care and addressing potential health issues early to stop problems from becoming more serious.

How Long Do Pumi Dogs Live?

On average, the Pumi dog will live between 12 and 14 years old, though dogs have been reported to live up to 19 years old. Give your dog their happiest and longest life possible with proper vet care, lots of exercise and playtime, and a high-quality diet.

What Should a Pumi Dog Eat?

How much your Pumi dog eats depends on their exact size, how active they are, and the caloric content of their food. You can feed your Pumi dog wet or dry food, and they will need to eat an average of half of a cup to one cup of food per day split into two or three meals, though this amount varies based on your dog’s specific needs.

Speak to a veterinarian if you need more assistance deciding what to feed your dog and how much to feed them.

Is a Pumi Dog the Right Dog for Me?

The Pumi dog is a rare dog breed originating in Hungary, and coming across this dog in the United States isn’t as common. This breed is lively, friendly, and affectionate to its owners, and they make an excellent family companion or a herding dog.

The Pumi dog might be the right dog for you if you are prepared to meet this dog’s extensive exercise and training needs, if you have lots of outdoor space for this dog to run around, or if you are interested in adopting a friendly, energetic, and loyal companion.