Breeds / Medium
Pumi puppies
Bold, energetic and quick thinking, a Hungarian herding breed that is devoted to their owner and needs a job to keep them out of trouble.
The facts
- Size class Medium
- Country of origin Hungary
- Adult weight 10 to 13.2 kg
- Adult weight in pounds 22 to 29 lb
- Adult height 38 to 47 cm
- Energy level Very high
- Grooming Moderate
- Coat type Medium wavy and curly
- Shedding Low
- Typical lifespan 12 to 13 years
- Good with children Fine with supervision
- Good with other dogs Fine with supervision
About the Pumi
The Pumi is a Hungarian farm dog, developed from the Puli crossed with imported terrier and herding types, and used to drive stock and clear vermin. This is a light, square built dog of 10 to 13.2 kg standing 38 to 47 cm, with a curly coat of mixed soft and harsh hair and high set ears whose tips flop forward. The expression is alert and busy, and so is the dog: bold, noisy at work, intensely attached to their handler and always looking for the next thing to do.
This is a very high energy breed that needs hard exercise and daily thinking work, and they excel at agility, obedience and herding. The coat is combed every three to six weeks then wetted so the curls spring back, and it sheds very little. Pumik bark quickly, which needs managing early in a town. They suit experienced, active owners, with supervision and socialisation around children and other pets. Under exercised, a Pumi turns into a loud and inventive nuisance.
What to expect at eight weeks
At eight weeks a Pumi puppy is sleeping around 18 to 20 hours a day, is not house trained, and cannot hold on for more than an hour or two at a stretch. A medium breed puppy at eight weeks is a manageable armful that will not stay that way. Most of the growth happens between now and six months, so buy for the adult dog where you can. This is a very high energy breed. The mistake owners make is trying to tire them out physically. Training, scentwork and puzzles will do more than distance ever will. Grooming needs are moderate, so build the brushing habit now while the coat is still short and easy. The socialisation window is open and closing: everything they meet calmly now, from vacuum cleaners to men in hats, is easier for the rest of their life.
Health worth knowing about
Conditions this breed is reported to be predisposed to. Predisposed does not mean inevitable, it means ask about it.
- Hip and elbow dysplasia, which breeding stock should be x-rayed for
- Patellar luxation, diagnosed by physical examination of the stifle
- Degenerative myelopathy, detectable by DNA test
- Eye disorders, found by an ophthalmologist evaluation of breeding stock
Your Pumi puppy's first six months
- Vaccination schedule, dated for your country.
- Worming and parasite schedule.
- Feeding calculator. Set expected adult size to Medium for a Pumi.
- Adult size predictor, to check growth against the 10 to 13.2 kg adult range.
- Puppy names and the first week checklist.
Kit sizes: crate 30 inch (30 x 20 x 23 in, 76 x 51 x 58 cm) for an adult of up to 13.2 kg; chew toys made for medium breeds. Worked out the same way as the crate size calculator. PetMD bases a crate on the dog's own measurements, not weight or breed alone, so measure once the puppy is home.
Buying guides for this
Other medium breeds
American Cocker Spaniel
American Pit Bull Terrier
American Staffordshire Terrier
American Water Spaniel
Aussiedoodle
Australian Cattle Dog
More on the Pumi
Previous: Puli · Next: Pyrenean Mastiff
Not veterinary advice. Breed information is general. Your own dog, and your own vet, always win.
Sources
- akc.org for adult weight and height, life expectancy, energy, grooming, shedding and the temperament ratings, coat type and health notes
- fci.be for country of origin
- Health notes from Pumi breed information at https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/pumi/. Discuss any of these with your own vet.
Photo: Pets Adviser from Brooklyn, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons, cropped. All photographers are listed on the photo credits page.