The pumi may await like a teddy bear that ’s hail to life story , but these smart as a whip dogs are more than simple fluff . Find out more about these Hungarian herders with a comically endearing appearance .
Quick ! Close your eye and endeavor to imagine the cutest dog potential . With his corkscrew ringlet , circular shadower , funny ears , and waggish grammatical construction , there ’s a good hazard the pumi look like the dog of your dreams .
But if you ’re tempted to judge this furred account book by its cover , you should know that the pumi ( pronounced POO - mee ; plural form is " pumik " ) is more than just an endearing , flossy grimace . Indeed , this teddy bear lookalike was to begin with bred to ruck and ward stock in Eastern Europe , and he is known for his brain as much as for his looks .
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The desire to puzzle out runs strong in most pumik , so they postulate anactive , engaged ownerwho can commit to maintain their lively minds and bodies busy each day .
" They are not an soft dog , however cunning they look ! " says Jane Pooley , who number two pumik as her companions . " But they are not bad fun if you are willing to invest enough clock time and thought . "
Appearance
It is n’t typically a compliment to be describe as a square , but pumik are doing their good to change the maligned shape ’s sensing . grant to thepumi breed standard , the dog should have a square outline , with a height between 15–18.5 inches and a weight between 22–29 Pound . All in all , this makes for a thin , quick wiener who can easy keep up with his ranch hand duty .
At one corner of the pumi square , you ’ll find a tail that arches back on itself to form a circle . At the diametric corner , you ’ll see a retentive head teacher , dark brownish eye , and fur - covered , semi - tumid ear that look like they ’re in the heart of waving " hello " ( an attribute that certainly does n’t suffer their charm ) . Much like the pumi himself , these ears are zippy and active and will move in reaction to various stimuli .
The pumi is clothed in a coat of care - snap up corkscrew curls . The pelage consists of both harsh extinct hair and a soft undercoat , and it come in solidshades of disastrous , white-hot , grayish , and fawn . And because a working dog with high training needs would be counterproductive , you ’ll be pleased to know that thelow - shake off pumionly penury to air dry to achieve that quintessential hair style .
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Temperament
The pumi was breed for a specific task , so discussing his disposition is a small like going over his caper description , tell Melissa Hatfield , MS , CBCC - KA , CDBC , proprietor ofLoving Dogsin Fayetteville , Ark. And you should n’t expect these instincts to melt simply because a pumi is taken out of his workplace .
" Herding requires a penetrating power to assess situations quickly and to act decisively — some on his own and some by watch over human commands , " Hatfield explains . In other news , pumik are bold , healthy , and constantly report for duty . Without proper socialization or outlets for this energy , the breed can become indocile . You might even find thatyouare the one being herded .
" They are agood family petandenjoy play with children , " says Pooley , who ’s live with pumik for closely six long time . " But the herding inherent aptitude can fall out with humans , dog , chicken , etc . " In addition to their upper and agility , pumik usebarking to get livestock in order , which can be elusive for an unsuspicious possessor .
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On the plus side , Hatfield order that herding dogs are highly sensitive to the nonverbal cues of their owners and are quick learner . " This is a outstanding advantage intraining and in establishing boundarieswith the stock ’s natural behaviors , " she explains . " For example , a pumi can be teach to crowd a ball , not a preschooler , and that it ’s OK to chase a Frisbee but not a car . "
Like most herding dogs , pumik can be reserved around strangers , and they do n’t savor being depart alone for tenacious periods . Because they were bred to work alongside humans , they can become particularly closemouthed with their leader . And despite their seemingly boundless supplying of vigour , pumik are not oppose to cuddle breaks ( though they must be earn ! ) .
Living Needs
Because pumik are so intelligent and wired for work , Hatfield order they are most probable to thrive in a plate with anexperienced dog ownerwho ’s attached to putting in the time and energy needed to by rights socialize andtrain the young pupand keep him busy each Clarence Day . This home can include other family member , including fry and animals , thoughintroductionswould need to be made slowly and carefully .
Exercising your pumi ’s consistence and mind on a daily foundation is more important than having alarge fenced yardor living distance , though it ’s worth mention that their characteristic herding dog bark could make flat - experience a turn difficult .
" I live on in a house with a small backyard , but I walk my pumik for an time of day each 24-hour interval , " Pooley explains . " They would take the air for miles , but they prosper on brusk , brain - stimulating exercisesandlearning tricks , too . They also hump attendingagility preparation sessionstwo to three times a hebdomad . "
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Care
Hatfield note that there is a distinct difference between being sociable and take socialization . The former refers to a dog-iron ’s innate temperament , while the later is a set of see behaviors that help a dog and his owner coexist more harmoniously .
" Pumik are naturally sociable dog , " Hatfield continues . " But since their innate temperament is based on herd stock , they will postulate socialization to make them suitable companions for living in a home . "
The first 16 calendar week of a dog ’s life are referred to as the " critical period . " It ’s during this sentence , Hatfield explains , that the puppy learns how to be a dog ( e.g. nonverbal and verbal communication , thatfingers are not masticate toys , and what is and is n’t appropriate when interacting with his fella littermates ) . It ’s also when the puppy begins to see how to live with man .
" Whatever occurs during this time period has womb-to-tomb consequences , either good or bad , " Hatfield says . " The dog that does n’t incur right socialization during his decisive full stop wo n’t reach his full capableness later in living . For example , pup that are taken from their mother too ahead of time can develop psychological and demeanour problem . And those that do n’t receive enough human interaction can become uneasy , nervous , and reactive as they grow older . "
For this cause , Hatfield allege it ’s full of life for prospective proprietor to do their due diligence when chance a pumi breeder . " It is n’t enough to merely see for a clean kennel environment , " she add . " Puppies demand lots of emotional and mental enrichment during their first 16 hebdomad of life , which includes human interaction and picture to other fitly conduct dog . And these experience should continue well after the pumi puppy joins a family . "
In addition to proper socialising , training will be an authoritative component of caring for your pumi . Not only will it aid your dog better adapt to his surroundings , but it is also a great tool to keep your pumi ’s brain mesh . One innate behaviour you ’ll in all likelihood want to assist your dog manage right out is his penchant for barking . " This behavior is a useful tool when herd or guarding livestock but not so useful and certainly not appropriate while survive in the home , " Hatfield says . When working with your pumi , always usepositive preparation method .
Regular exercise and human fundamental interaction are other crucial aspect of the lively pumi ’s care . Every pumi will be dissimilar with esteem to what they enjoy most , but obedience course of study , nose work , and agility breeding are a good place to start , as they are appropriate outlets for their herding oeuvre instinct .
Finally , as is distinctive for working dogs , the pumi ’s grooming number is fairly fuss - loose . TheHungarian Pumi Club of America(HPCA ) advisescombing his coatevery few weeks . After comb out , you ’ll need to wet his fur completely — but get out the blow dryer in the cabinet . It ’s upright to let Mother Nature be the one to dry out and forge those characteristic bottle screw curls .
Health
Pumik aregenerally healthy dogsthat can live until the old age of 13 , but as with any breed , they are predisposed to some health conditions :
Because both degenerative myelopathy and primary lens luxation are inherit disorders , the HPCA recommends make certain your prospective pumi ’s parents were DNA tested for the experimental condition . Before land home a pumi puppy from a breeder , ask if allhealth screenings recommended by the Canine Health Information Centerhave been direct .
History
Though the pumi was n’t recognise by the American Kennel Club until 2016 , these whelp are not a novel strain . There are three distinguishable herding breeds indiginous to Hungary : thepuli , themudi , and the pumi . The puli is imagine to be the oldest of the trio , with his ascendent migrating to what is now Hungary in 800 A.D.According to the HPCA , around 300 years ago , pulik ( the plural word form of puli ) began mating with herding click from France and Germany as farm animal trading brought their masters in tightlipped company and that the pumi is a answer of this hybridization .
The present - day pumi , the HPCA say , was created through century of years of selection by shepherds as they crafted the ideal detent for both the country and their livestock . However , it was n’t until the early 1900s that the breed became decided from the puli . Before this point , the two stock name were used interchangeably . A prof at the Hungarian University of Veterinary Medicine appoint Emil Raitsits was the one who eventually push for the standardisation of both the pumi and the puli .
The first pumik to figure the U.S. on book go far in the eighties ( though it ’s possible and probable that others came much earlier ) . The baseball club adds thatthe breed stay rare , with only a few litters born each year .
