Pumi

Guides for your Pumi

The story behind the Pumi

The Pumi developed in Hungary over roughly the past three to four centuries, as shepherds crossed the ancient Puli with terrier-type and spitz-type dogs brought along trade routes from Western Europe. The result was a distinct drover and all-purpose farm dog, adept at moving cattle, sheep, and pigs through tight spaces and willing to dispatch vermin on the side. For generations Pumi and Puli were treated as one breed; Hungarian cynologists separated them in the early twentieth century and standardized the Pumi's curly coat and semi-erect ears. The breed remained a working farm dog at home long after that, and only in recent decades has it gained wider international recognition as a companion and sport competitor.

Originally bred for: Sheep and cattle herding, Vermin control, Farm watchdog. You can trace how working roles shaped today’s breeds across our dog guides.

Feeding a Pumi

Quick, tireless and terrier-like, the Pumi burns more than its size suggests, so choose a well-balanced active-dog food and lift portions on demanding days. Curly coat quality depends on adequate dietary fat within a complete diet.

Watch for: No breed-specific food problems are widely reported. Excitable dogs sometimes bolt their meals, so a slow-feed bowl and a settled feeding spot help. Take lasting digestive changes to a veterinarian instead of trialling foods unaided.

Mealtime extras: training treats worth keeping in your pocket. Everything else lives in our dog nutrition and feeding hub.

Living with a Pumi

Day to day, the basics matter most: how much exercise your dog needs, how often to get out for a walk, and how much sleep is normal.

For play and enrichment, browse our favorite dog toys and interactive toys for rainy days.

Gear that fits the breed makes life easier: a well-sized dog bed, a properly sized crate.

Raising a puppy? Work through crate training and the teething timeline — or see how old your dog is in human years with our dog age calculator.