The Hungarian Pumi is a herding dog that was developed in the late 17th and 18th centuries to help shepherd sheep and cattle. This breed was only recently recognised by The Kennel Club in the UK (2015) making them a newcomer and relatively rare in the country. The Pumi is a wonderful family pet that thrives in a home environment. They are energetic, fun-loving and people-orientated.
This unique looking dog has a wavy/ curly coat and large upright ears that fall forwards at the top. The Hungarian Pumi is a medium sized dog that requires daily exercise and is best suited to a family with an activity lifetime.
Hungarian Pumi have a very distinctive face, they have an elongated muzzle, dark eyes and upright ears that tip forwards. This is a dog you will always be able to recognise, the Hungarian Pumi has an almost square outline with their heads held high. Pumik have powerful back legs and straight, strong front legs, ideal for lots of walking and running.
Pumik hold their tail high and their thick, medium-length coat is curly and wavy. The coat of this breed can be black, grey, white or reddish brown.
How big do Hungarian Pumi dogs get?
Height- Male: 41 - 47cm. Female: 38 - 44cm.
Weight - Male: 10 - 15kg. Female 8 - 13kg.
Hungarian Pumi are intelligent, energetic and fun-loving. Pumik love being out and about getting lots of exercise but they also need plenty of mental stimulation too. The breed does very well in dog sports including agility and herding trials. As the Hungarian Pumi was bred to be a herding dog they are highly trainable and respond well to positive reinforcement. While not the best dog to spend all day on the sofa with, Pumik love being with their human family and are very affectionate.
Are Hungarian Pumi dogs intelligent? Yes, they are highly intelligent and learn quickly.
Are Hungarian Pumi dogs affectionate? Yes, Pumik love cuddles and attention.
Do Hungarian Pumi dogs have high or low energy levels? High energy (5/5)
Are Hungarian Pumi dogs loyal? Yes, they are very loyal to their human family.
Are Hungarian Pumi dogs playful? Yes, Pumik are very playful and enjoy interactive games like catch.
Are Hungarian Pumi dogs aggressive? No (1/5)
Are Hungarian Pumi dogs easy to train? In the right hands, this breed is easy to train. Otherwise they do pick up bad habits as well as good habits.
Are Hungarian Pumi dogs good guard dogs? Yes, they are excellent guard dogs. Rather than showing aggression, a Pumi will stand their ground and bark.
A Hungarian Pumi loves being with their human family and thrives off social interaction. The breed forms strong bonds with their owners and they are affectionate and playful with children in the home. The energetic nature of a Pumi makes them well suited to homes with other animals but care should be taken during introductions as Pumik do like to chase other animals if given the chance. While wary of strangers, Pumik are not aggressive.
Do Hungarian Pumi dogs get along with other pets? Yes, including cats but they do enjoy chasing animals so this should be considered when introducing your Pumi to new pets.
Do Hungarian Pumi dogs get along with other dogs? Generally yes, as long as they have been well socialised as a puppy.
Are Hungarian Pumi dogs good with kids? Yes, a Pumi is the perfect playmate for children.
Are Hungarian Pumi dogs good with strangers? They tend to be wary of strangers but will settle quickly.
A Hungarian Pumi puppy is a wonderful family pet but hates being left alone and is prone to suffering from separation anxiety. The breed is best suited to living in a home where someone is always with them. It is part of a Pumi’s nature to bark and they are known for being very vocal dogs. Due to their high energy levels, Pumik need access to a secure outdoor space and are well suited to people with active lives.
Are Hungarian Pumi dogs good for first-time owners? No, they are highly intelligent and energetic making them best suited for experienced dog owners.
Are Hungarian Pumi dogs hypoallergenic? No.
Are Hungarian Pumi dogs prone to drooling? No.
Are Hungarian Pumi dogs a good breed for apartment living? No, while Pumik can live in small homes but are high energy and they need access to a secure back garden.
Do Hungarian Pumi dogs shed a lot? A Pumi will shed minimally but need regular combing to avoid matting.
Do Hungarian Pumi dogs bark a lot? Yes, they are known to bark a lot as this is something they would do when herding livestock.
Can Hungarian Pumi dogs be left alone at home? No, they are prone to separation anxiety.
Can Hungarian Pumi dogs handle the heat? Yes, they can handle warm - hot weather but not extreme temperatures.
Can Hungarian Pumi dogs handle cold temperatures? Yes.
Are Hungarian Pumi dogs sensitive to loud noises? No, they don’t mind being in noisy, busy environments.
Hungarian Pumi are a healthy breed with an expected lifespan of 12 - 15 years. While generally healthy, there are some instances of the following health conditions in Hungarian Pumi:
Hip Dysplasia - There is a small chance of hip dysplasia in this breed, this is when the hip is an abnormal shape causing the thigh bone to pop out of the hip joint. Rest, controlled exercise and surgery can help with physiotherapy often used for ongoing care.
Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) - This is the degeneration of the spinal cord which can cause progressive paralysis of the hind limbs. There is no cure for this but medication and therapy can help.
Primary Lens Luxation (PLL) - This causes the degeneration of the fibres that hold the lens in place in the eye. This results in the lens slipping out of place which can lead to glaucoma and blindness.
Patellar Luxation - this is a congenital condition that impacts the knee-cap. The knee-cap slips in and out of position which causes the dog to hold their leg up. This condition is progressive but may be able to be managed with physiotherapy, exercise control or surgery.
How long do Hungarian Pumi dogs live? - 12 - 15 years
As the Hungarian Pumi is a high energy breed they need lots of physical exercise and mental stimulation. As the Pumi is a herding dog they enjoy participating in dog sports and they love to please their owners. While they need at least 1 hour of daily exercise they also need lots of interactive play time throughout the day to keep them happy and prevent boredom.
How much exercise does a Hungarian Pumi dog need? At least 1 hour per day.
Do Hungarian Pumi dogs like water play? Yes, they enjoy being in and around water during hot weather.
A Hungarian Pumi should be fed high quality dry food. They are not fussy eaters and are rarely overweight as long as they are receiving the right diet and plenty of exercise. A Hungarian Pumi puppy should consume between 50 - 160g of dry food each day and an adult should consume between 110 - 250g each day. This is just an estimate and the amount you feed your dog will depend on their age, weight and activity level. It is important to have a personal dietary plan made for your dog.
Are Hungarian Pumi dogs prone to weight gain? No.
How much should I feed a Hungarian Pumi puppy? 50 - 160g of high quality dry food each day, split into 3/4 portions.
How much should I feed an adult Hungarian Pumi dog? 110 - 250g of high quality dry food a day depending on their weight and activity level.
Grooming: A Pumi has a medium length coat that is made up of a soft undercoat and a harsh top coat. Their coat needs to be combed regularly to prevent matting. After you have combed your Pumi, you should wet their coat and let it dry naturally to restore the curl. It’s advised you brush your Pumi’s teeth regularly and trim their nails monthly to keep them in good condition.
Emotional Care: To keep a Hungarian Pumi happy they need to spend time with their humans. They cannot be left alone and need a lot of exercise and interaction each day. In between walks a Pumi will want to spend time playing fetch or obedience training. Although Pumik are quick learners they can quickly pick up bad habits too which is why they need to receive consistent training. They also bark a lot and if they don’t get enough exercise and training you may see bad habits such as digging occur out of frustration.
History of the Hungarian Pumi
The Hungarian Pumi is a herding breed that is thought to have originated approximately 300 years ago. The Pumi is believed to have been the result of cross breeding the Puli with herding dogs from France and Germany. The breed was developed to herd livestock and they are still used in Hungary for this purpose. Pumik were bred to be vocal and to be effective guard dogs. The Hungarian Pumi breed was recognized in the 1920s.
The plural of Pumi is Pumik
Pumi are closely related to the Puli breed
Hungarian Pumi are herding dogs
The breed almost disappeared during the world wars
Ready to buy a puppy? This buying guide will help take you through the process. Hungarian Pumi puppies are still quite rare in the UK so you may have to find a breeder and go onto their waiting list. Check our Hungarian Pumi Puppies page to see if there are any puppies available in your area. Always make sure you choose a responsible breeder as there are many online scams and bad practices to be aware of.
How much does a Hungarian Pumi cost to buy? £2,000 - £3,000
How much does a Hungarian Pumi cost to feed? £40
How much does insurance for a Hungarian Pumi cost? - £40
Another option is to adopt a Hungarian Pumi from a rescue centre. If this is something you’d like to consider, the best place to start is your local rehoming centre. These associations may be able to help too:
https://hungarianpumiclub.co.uk/
https://www.hungaryheartsdogrescue.co.uk
