Official ICCF Breed Description
Brief Historical Overview
The Pumi is an ancient Hungarian breed that developed in the 18th–19th centuries through the crossbreeding of local shepherd dogs with imported French and German terriers. The primary goal of this breeding was to create an agile, intelligent, and enduring dog capable of efficiently herding sheep and cattle. The Pumi became renowned not only as an excellent shepherd’s assistant but also as a guard dog, ratter, and loyal farm companion. Owing to its lively temperament and remarkable trainability, the breed quickly gained recognition in Hungary and neighboring countries. In the 20th century, systematic breeding consolidated its distinctive appearance — a compact body, erect semi-folded ears, and a curly coat. Today, the Pumi remains a rare yet highly valued breed worldwide.
General Appearance
The Pumi is a medium-sized dog with a square body structure, light but sturdy build, and harmonious proportions. It is characterized by alertness, mobility, and an expressive, lively demeanor. The head is proportionate to the body, with medium-sized, high-set ears featuring distinctive forward-folded tips. The eyes are expressive and attentive, reflecting both intelligence and temperament. The coat is of medium length, wavy or curly, giving the outline a slightly tousled look. The tail is of medium length, curled over the back in a loose ring. Movements are energetic, springy, and free. Overall, the Pumi embodies a balance of strength, agility, and intelligence — a working dog with a friendly nature and vivid individuality.
Important Proportions
The Pumi has a nearly square outline, with body length only slightly exceeding height at the withers. The head accounts for approximately 40% of the body length, and the skull-to-muzzle ratio is about 1:1. Chest depth is roughly half the height at the withers. Limbs are of medium length, well-proportioned to the body, ensuring lightness and elasticity of movement. The tail reaches the hock at rest and curls over the back when in motion. The balance between body, limb length, and height creates the impression of an ideal working dog that combines endurance, agility, and strength without heaviness. All proportions serve the function of efficiency, responsiveness, and adaptability in herding work.
Behavior and Temperament
The Pumi has a lively, energetic, and balanced temperament. It is an intelligent, observant, and quick-thinking dog with a strong sense of responsibility and a natural desire to cooperate with humans. Possessing an innate herding instinct, it is ever-alert and ready for action. The Pumi learns quickly, responds eagerly to commands, and enjoys active engagement. Though somewhat independent, it is deeply attached to its owner and requires constant communication and mental stimulation. It may be reserved with strangers but is never aggressive. Its temperament combines alertness, courage, and friendliness, making the Pumi an excellent companion for active families, sports, and work.
Head
The head of the Pumi is proportionate to the body, dry, and well-defined with slightly elongated lines. The skull is moderately broad, slightly domed between the ears, and tapers smoothly toward the muzzle. The stop is distinct but not abrupt. The muzzle is straight and strong, with tight lips and a black nose. The teeth are strong, with a scissor bite. The expression is lively, intelligent, and alert, reflecting the breed’s temperament. The length of skull and muzzle are approximately equal, forming a harmonious outline. The Pumi’s head conveys intelligence and readiness — a defining feature that emphasizes its working character and active disposition.
Foreface
The foreface of the Pumi is elongated but not pointed, with a straight nasal bridge and firm lower jaw. The muzzle tapers gradually toward the nose while maintaining balanced lines. Lips are thin, tight, and without folds. The nose is always black, well-developed, with wide nostrils. The jaws are strong, teeth well-aligned, and bite scissor-shaped. Cheeks are lean and moderately defined, never coarse. The overall expression is lively, alert, and slightly curious — typical of the breed. The foreface reflects the Pumi’s intelligence, energy, and readiness for action — essential traits of an active herding dog.
Eyes
The eyes of the Pumi are medium-sized, oval-shaped, and set moderately wide apart. The iris is dark brown, harmonizing with the coat color. The expression is bright, intelligent, and observant, revealing attentiveness and vitality. Eyelids fit tightly and are well-pigmented, with no wrinkles. The sclera should not be overly visible. The gaze of the Pumi is always thoughtful and animated, giving its face the characteristic “alert” expression that highlights its intellect and emotional responsiveness.
Ears
The ears of the Pumi are one of the breed’s most distinctive features. They are medium-sized, high-set, and triangular with a marked fold about one-third from the base, causing the tips to tilt forward charmingly. When attentive, the ears move actively, emphasizing the dog’s curiosity and liveliness. The inner surface is covered with dense hair but not overly fluffy. Proper ear carriage gives the breed its typical spirited expression, reflecting its intelligent, energetic, and alert temperament. Oversized, pendulous, or fully erect ears that disrupt head harmony are considered faults.
Neck
The neck of the Pumi is of medium length, muscular, dry, and slightly arched, blending smoothly into the withers. The neck is carried high, giving the dog a proud, animated stance. The skin is tight, without dewlap or folds. Males typically have a somewhat stronger neck than females but maintain the same elegance and flexibility. With its balanced proportions and muscle tone, the neck allows freedom of head movement essential for a herding dog’s work. The overall impression is one of vitality, endurance, and confidence, enhancing the breed’s dynamic silhouette.
Body
The body of the Pumi is compact, strong, and well-balanced, with a square outline. The back is straight, firm, and resilient; the loin short and muscular. The chest is deep but not too broad, with well-arched ribs that provide good lung capacity during active work. The withers are pronounced, merging smoothly into the back. The croup is short and slightly sloping, connecting harmoniously to the tail. The abdomen is moderately tucked up, emphasizing the athletic build. All body lines demonstrate strength and agility without heaviness. The Pumi’s body reflects endurance, flexibility, and perfect proportion — the ideal physique for a working herding dog.
Tail
The tail of the Pumi is of medium length, reaching the hock when relaxed. It is high-set and, in motion, curls over the back in a loose ring. At rest, it may hang below the topline but should not droop lifelessly. The coat on the tail is dense and slightly wavy, consistent with the body coat. Proper tail carriage accentuates the breed’s lively temperament and expressive appearance. Faults include tails that are too short, straight, or tightly curled against the body. The Pumi’s tail is a key feature that conveys energy, confidence, and harmony of outline.
Description of Exterior
Forequarters
The forequarters of the Pumi are straight, dry, and strong-boned, with well-developed muscles and firm joints. The shoulders are long, sloping, and closely fitted to the body, forming an angle of about 100–110° with the upper arm. This construction ensures freedom of movement and elasticity of gait. Forearms are straight and parallel; elbows lie close to the body and point backward. Pasterns are short, slightly springy, and set at a slight angle. Feet are oval, compact, with dark, strong nails and resilient pads. The forequarters provide stability, agility, and precision of movement, reflecting the breed’s working purpose and natural activity.
Hindquarters
The hindquarters of the Pumi are powerful, muscular, and well-angulated, providing strong propulsion and elasticity of movement. Thighs are long and broad with well-developed muscles. Stifles are clearly defined with balanced angulation. Lower thighs are long and dry, with strong, low-set hocks. Metatarsi are short and nearly vertical, giving stability and jumping ability. Feet are oval, compact, and well-knit, with elastic pads. The hindquarters move in harmony with the forequarters, ensuring light, springy action. Straight angulation or weak musculature that disturbs balance or drive is considered a fault.
Gait and Movement
The Pumi’s gait is light, springy, and energetic, with elastic and effortless movement. At the walk and trot, the dog demonstrates coordination, rhythm, and smooth transitions between gaits. Limbs move parallel, with good forward reach and strong rear drive. The topline remains steady without sway. Balanced proportions and muscular build allow the Pumi to move lightly yet powerfully. The gait reflects the breed’s temperament — energetic, purposeful, and highly capable of sustained work.
Coat
The Pumi’s coat is of medium length, dense, wavy, or tightly curled, forming resilient curls over the entire body. The texture combines a soft undercoat and harsher guard hair, making it weather-resistant. Hair length ranges from 4 to 7 cm, slightly shorter on the muzzle and front legs. The coat must not be straight, soft, or overly dense. The correct coat gives the breed its characteristic “shaggy” look, emphasizing liveliness and mobility. Regular grooming is required to maintain elasticity of curls; shaving or over-trimming is undesirable, as it alters the natural coat texture and typical appearance.
Acceptable Colors
Acceptable Pumi colors include all shades of gray — from light silver to dark graphite — which may lighten with age. Puppies are often born black and gradually turn gray. Pure black, white, fawn, silver-sand, and bluish-gray are also acceptable, provided the color is uniform throughout. Uneven tones, patches, or markings are undesirable. The nose, eyelids, and lips must always be black regardless of coat color. The coat should retain its natural luster and tonal depth, emphasizing the breed’s vivid and expressive appearance.
Size
The Pumi is a medium-sized dog with balanced proportions and a light yet strong frame. Height at the withers for males is 41–47 cm; for females, 38–44 cm. Weight ranges from 8 to 15 kg, depending on sex and build. The body is nearly square, with length only slightly exceeding height. The Pumi should appear as a sturdy, proportional, and agile dog combining lightness with strength. Oversized or undersized individuals, or those with disharmonious proportions, are considered deviations. The breed’s size is optimized for active herding work and agility.
Faults
Minor faults include deviations from standard proportions or breed type that do not affect health but reduce overall harmony. These include an overly long or short body, narrow chest, weak musculature, soft or straight coat, incorrect ear shape (fully erect or pendulous), poorly defined stop, light eyes, pale nose pigment, or loose build. Behavioral faults include excessive excitability, shyness, or apathy. Any feature that diminishes expression, activity, or balance of movement is undesirable and must be evaluated carefully in breeding.
Disqualification
Disqualifying faults include serious deviations affecting breed type, health, or character: aggression or extreme timidity; complete depigmentation of nose, eyelids, or lips; incorrect bite (overshot, undershot, missing teeth except P1); blue or heterochromatic eyes; fully erect or pendant ears lacking the typical bend; straight or silky coat with no undercoat; any patches or markings outside accepted colors; a tail that is too tightly curled or hanging straight down; or any structural or gait abnormalities. Obvious crossbreeding traits also lead to disqualification.
Important Notes
The Pumi is an active working breed that requires daily physical and mental stimulation. Lack of activity may lead to restlessness or destructive behavior. Proper coat care is essential — the curls should not be brushed out straight; they are best shaped by hand after washing. Light trimming is acceptable, but full shaving is discouraged. The Pumi matures slowly — full development of proportions and color is usually achieved by two years of age. Breeding selection emphasizes temperament: the dog must be active yet controllable, with stable nerves and a clear desire to cooperate with humans.
Conclusion
The Pumi is a unique Hungarian breed combining outstanding working ability, intelligence, and a charming appearance. It represents a perfect balance of strength and lightness, energy and obedience. With its natural herding instinct, sharp mind, and responsiveness, the Pumi adapts easily to various roles — from guarding and sports to being a loyal household companion. Deeply devoted to its owner, it thrives on activity, communication, and engagement. With proper care, exercise, and coat maintenance, the Pumi reveals its full potential. It is a breed for those who value loyalty, temperament, and intelligence in a single harmonious companion.
