Pumi
Complete Breed Guide
"I’m lively, loving, and a little loud!"
Quick Facts About Pumis
Herding
22–29 lbs
15–19"
No
Overview
Pumis are small hunting and herding dogs with big attitudes. They love their families and their herd and will fiercely protect them, sometimes aggressively. Pumis love to use their voice to let you know somethings up, even if sometimes it's just a strange leaf flying past the window.
The Pumi is a high-spirited, multi-talented dog that can herd, hunt, and sniff with the best of them. They have a Terrier-like appearance and a bit of a tendency to bark. Pumi’s are protective and territorial, so it’s important to socialize them at a young age so they don’t become too aggressive. This breed will always investigate every little sight, smell, and sound they come across in search of any intruders in their territory.Pumis are very active and do best when you always give them something to focus their energy on.
Temperament and Behavior
Pumis are protectors and have a few behaviors to prove it. They are aggressive toward other animals that invade their territory and strange people that don’t belong on their property. It’s important to socialize a Pumi at an early age so they don’t become too aggressive. Pumis will always be prone to barking as part of their protective nature, so be sure to consider how your neighbors will react to a loud little dog moving in. If you aren’t a strong leader, the Pumi won't hesitate to assume the role of pack leader!
Coat & Grooming
Pumis have a dense, curly coat that should be brushed about once a week to maintain their good looks and get rid of any dead hair. This will also help cut back on any fur you find hiding in your furniture.
Lifestyle & Living Conditions
Pumis fit best in rural areas where they have plenty of work to do around their house. They are not well-suited to apartment life due to their high energy levels and tendency to bark. If a Pumi is raised around children, they can learn to get along, but it’s always best to supervise them with little ones and other pets. A Pumi can adapt to living indoors or outdoors, but they need plenty of time spent with their human families in order to stay happy, so they’ll need to be allowed in your house.
Exercise & Activity
Pumis are high-energy dogs who need intense daily activity, or they’ll be even more of a handful! If they’ve got room to roam, a Pumi will take care of some of their exercise needs on their own. At a farm or rural home, Pumis will get exercise protecting their herd or hunting small rodents. However, your Pumi will also need a daily walk or jog, and would likely also enjoy playing fetch or even learning to participate in agility drills.
Characteristics at-a-glance
Ratings are on a scale of 1–10, based on breed standards and typical temperament.