Hungarian Pumi

Breed: Hungarian Pumi
Temperament: alert, energetic, wilful
Lifespan: 10 -12 years
Recommended for: enthusiasts
Maintenance: low

History

There is some debate regarding the origin of the Pumi with some sources claiming they descended from the Puli and were later crossed with Pomeranians or possibly poodles. Other sources claim the Pumi was bred from Pomeranian or Hutespitz dogs brought from Germany and crossed with the Puli. The Pumi has evolved as a breed of its own over the last 300 years.

Appearance

The Pumi is a middle sized dog which is terrier like in appearance. The coat is long, thick and curly but does not form into cords like the Puli. The tail has a distinctive curl and is carried high - this is complemented by a similar tendency in the ears. Coat colours are black, all shades of grey and reddish brown, but always one solid colour. White occurs but is not favoured by breeders.

Temperament

Breeder Aurelia Palmer says the Pumi is affectionate with its master and has a cheerful disposition. It can be shy and mistrustful of strangers, a characteristic which makes it a good watchdog. Aurelia says a well socialized Pumi will get along with children as long as they do not pester it.

Pumis can be dog-aggressive and have a tendency to wander.

Health and lifespan

Expected lifespan is 10 to 12 years.

Feeding

According to breeder Aurelia Palmer the Pumi is a low cost dog to run. They don't eat a large amount and are happy to have scraps as part of their diet. Estimated feeding cost is $12 per week, per dog.

Breeding

Average litter size of the Pumi is 7-8.

Cost

The Pumi is a new breed in Australia and is not readily available at the moment. The cost for a Pumi at present is $1000 plus.

Housepet potential

Pumis are essentially outdoor dogs and will be at their best living on acreage or a farm. They do enjoy being inside some of the time so they can be close to their master.

Space and exercise

The Pumi is not recommended for apartment living. This is partly due to the fact that they need a lot of exercise and space and also due to the fact that they are very vocal and may disturb neighbours if living in close proximity.

This breed needs a lot of exercise. If living in an urban environment, replacement activities for work can include ball games, frisbee and agility classes.

Ideal owner

The Pumi is not really a town dog and would be happiest where it has work to do for its owner.

Grooming

The coat of the Pumi is easy to groom - occasional combing and brushing will keep the coat looking good. Remove excess hair from inside the ears. The 'web' type feet of the Pumi are susceptible to burrs such as rye grass and should be checked frequently. Showing the dog requires special grooming.

Uses

Pumis were first developed for driving cattle and as a watchdog. In recent times they have become popular as companion dogs. Some sources describe the Pumi as a vigorous and sturdy sheepdog which are also successful ratters and hunting dogs.

Trainability

Breeder Aurelia Palmer says this is an intelligent breed that is not difficult to train and that they are quick learners.

Barking tendency

Pumis can be quite vocal especially near strangers - will need to be taught when to bark if living in close proximity to neighbours. The breed standard describes the Pumi as "unable to keep quiet".

National contacts

To find up-to-date contacts for breeders, contact the following organisations.
The Australian National Kennel Council (ANKC)
www.ankc.org.au

Dogs NSW
http://www.dogsnsw.org.au/breeders-directory
Email: info@dogsnsw.org.au
Phone: 1300 728 022 (NSW only) or (02) 9834 3022
Fax: (02) 9834 3872

Dogs Victoria
http://www.vca.org.au
Email: office@dogsvictoria.org.au
Phone: (03) 9788 2500
Fax: (03) 9788 2599

Dogs ACT
http://www.actca.asn.au
Email: info@dogsact.org.au
Phone: (02) 6241 4404 - Fax: (02) 6241 1129.

Dogs West
http://www.cawa.asn.au
Email: k9@dogswest.com
Phone: (08) 9455 1188
Fax: (08) 9455 1190

Dogs SA
http://dogssa.com.au
Phone: (08) 8349 4797

Canine Control Council of Queensland
http://www.cccq.org.au
Email: dogsqld@powerup.com.au
Phone: (07) 3252 2661
Fax: (07) 3252 3864

Tasmanian Canine Association
http://www.tasdogs.com
Email: tca@iprimus.com.au
Phone: (03) 6272 9443
Fax: (03) 6273 0844

Dogs NT
http://www.territorydogworld.com
Email: naca3@bigpond.com
Phone: (08) 8984 3570
Fax: (08) 8984 3409
The Australian National Kennel Council (ANKC)
www.ankc.org.au

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