Pumi

Pumik live 12 to 15 years and stay healthy well into old age. Hip dysplasia occurs in the breed, so ask breeders for hip evaluation records. Progressive retinal atrophy is also documented. Degenerative myelopathy shows up in some lines. Overall this is one of the healthier herding breeds when sourced from responsible breeders who test their dogs.

The curly double coat forms loose, open curls and needs combing every few weeks to prevent mats. Dampen the coat lightly after combing to restore the natural curl. Trim the coat every few months to keep it manageable. Avoid over-brushing since that destroys the curl pattern. Check ears weekly and trim nails every three to four weeks.

Your Pumi needs 30 to 60 minutes of active exercise daily. Agility, herding games, and brisk walks all suit this energetic, nimble breed. They move fast and think faster. Without enough physical and mental activity, your Pumi gets noisy and difficult to manage. Give them a job and they shine.

Pumik are highly intelligent and quick learners. Positive reinforcement gets excellent results. Keep sessions short and varied since they get bored with repetition fast. Start socialization early because they can be reserved with strangers. This breed excels in agility and obedience and genuinely enjoys having tasks to complete.

Feed a quality small to medium breed formula twice daily. Pumik stay naturally lean when properly exercised. Measure portions carefully and keep treats reasonable. Two meals per day works better than one large feeding. Fresh water should always be available.

The Pumi developed in Hungary several centuries ago through crosses between the older Puli and various German and French herding dogs. Hungarian farmers needed a versatile dog that could herd not just sheep but also cattle and pigs across varied terrain. The breed became a distinct type by the 18th century. Hungarian breeders formally established the standard in the early 1900s. The Pumi remains widely used in Hungarian agriculture today and gained AKC recognition in 2016.