The Pumi is rather noisy. The FCI standard puts this plainly in its temperament description, alongside restless, extremely bold and constantly on the move. Anyone seeking a small herding dog with a curly head and forward-tipping ear tips should take these lines seriously.
| FCI | Group 1 (Sheepdogs and Cattledogs), Section 1 Sheepdogs, Standard No. 56, without working trial |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | Hungary |
| Size (height at the withers) | males 41 to 47 cm (ideal 43 to 45 cm), females 38 to 44 cm (ideal 40 to 42 cm) |
| Weight | males 10 to 15 kg (ideal 12 to 13 kg), females 8 to 13 kg (ideal 10 to 11 kg) |
| Life expectancy | no reliable study figure found (N/A) |
| Coat | wavy and curly, forming tufts, never straight or corded, averaging 4 to 7 cm; wiry outer coat, soft undercoat; shaped by hand-stripping |
| Colours in the standard | grey in various shades, black, fawn (fakó) in red, yellow or cream, white; always solid-coloured, a white chest spot under 3 cm allowed |
Half Puli, half terrier
In the 17th and 18th centuries, Hungarian shepherds crossed the original Puli with imported German and French terrier types with prick ears. The Pumi has been considered a separate breed since the early 20th century, definitively recognised by the FCI since 11.08.1954. The standard calls this a terrier-like cattle dog who also drives larger livestock, has a good nose and has proved effective against predatory animals and rodents.
Always switched on
Restless, extremely bold and slightly distrustful of strangers, drawing attention everywhere through sheer liveliness. Shyness or sluggishness are considered alien to the breed. For you, that means calmness is a training goal. Praise for relaxed waiting and clear rules about raising the alarm spare you and the neighbours plenty of barking.
Sport, scent work and herding training
The breed needs plenty of exercise, but the standard calls this an excellent house dog who readily tolerates flat living. That works only with satisfying daily activity: agility, obedience, tracking or herding exercises. A Pumi without a job finds one.
Plucking curls into shape
According to the standard, the desired coat shape comes from hand-stripping. Scissors may make small corrections on the head and legs, but scissoring the entire coat is undesirable. Between appointments, comb the tufts gently to prevent matting.
What is known about health
No reliable lifespan figure is available; the Pumi was not included in the survival analysis of McMillan and colleagues’ UK study. Hip X-ray data exist: in Sweden, 59 of 379 Pumis X-rayed as young dogs had hip dysplasia of grades C to E, or 15.6 percent (Engdahl et al. 2026). Ask for both parents’ hip results.
For people who like action
Sporty individuals, couples and families with older children wanting a quick learner with humour and enthusiasm for dog sports. Flat living can work too if enough happens outdoors during the day.
Less suitable for
People seeking peace and quiet, households with thin walls, anyone short of time and those wanting a dog who immediately loves strangers.
The breed quiz helps you assess whether this much temperament fits your routine; our book “Which Dog REALLY Suits You?” (book in German) provides more background. For a more relaxed start with your puppy, try the free Puppy Starter Pack. Capture your curly-headed Pumi through our dog portraits from your own photo or as a magazine cover on canvas.
Further reading
- Border Collie: when the cleverest dog has no job
- Jack Russell Terrier: a working dog who happens to be small
- Leaving your dog alone: how they learn without drama, step by step
Sources, accessed on 20.10.2026: FCI Standard No. 56 Pumi (fci.be, German version dated 13.09.2000, valid standard published on 06.04.2000); McMillan KM et al., Longevity of companion dog breeds: those at risk from early death, Scientific Reports 2024; Engdahl K et al., Prevalence of hip and elbow dysplasia in young adult dogs in Sweden, Veterinary Record 2026.
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