On July 1,  a new breed (new to the AKC, anyway) will be added to the AKC family as the 190th recognized breed, but Hungarians have long known the charms of the Pumi.  With its adorable corkscrew curls, and impossibly charming “radar ears,” the Pumi is, nonetheless, a serious herding dog with a strong work ethic.  Pumik (the plural form) was bred for centuries to be spirited, fast, and decisive, necessary qualities when working with stubborn Racka sheep, hardy Mangalica pigs, and Hungarian Grey Cattle, all nearly feral.  Since livestock usually spent the night in town near the shepherd’s quarters, the Pumi had to move the sheep to unfenced pastures using narrow roads threaded through wooded land and cultivated fields, and he had to do it in a way that kept the sheep from munching on crops.  His tools? Barking, a wicked smart mind, rapid-fire moves, and the occasional nip when called for.

The Pumi has terrier-like qualities (including the ability to make her owners laugh), but the breed does have some similarities to the Puli: Both breeds love to be in high places to monitor activities, both love to climb over and under things, both regard themselves as full family members with all the rights and privileges that comes with such membership, and both need a job to do. Both breeds bond closely with their families, and both often single out one person in particular as their own.

This isn’t always what people dedicated to a breed like to hear, but we predict the Pumi will becom hugely popular with the right owners, and certainly with people looking for a breed with whom they can work and play in obedience and the agility ring. There are already multiple MACh titles, a USA World Team member, and a two-time Eukanuba Invitational winner in the breed. There just isn’t much a Pumi can’t do.

Pumi by LA Shepard/thedoglover
https://www.facebook.com/L.A.ShepardArt
http://fineartamerica.com/art/all/l.a.shepard/all
https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheDogLover