We encounter repeated references to a breed standard describing the Pumi as “unable to keep quiet,” but we’ve come to believe that this must have been a very early standard, perhaps one written by Hungarian dog expert, Emil Raitsitz, back in the early decades of the 20th century, the point when Raitsitz determined that the Pumi wasn’t a regional variation of the Puli, but a distinct breed. No Pumi standard we can find today describes the breed as “unable to keep quiet,” though the FCI standard comes a little closer with the words, “Somewhat vocal and always ready for action.” The current AKC standard reads, “working very close to the livestock, and using his voice and quick movement to keep the stock under control.” Another description we found describes the Pumi as, “a restrained barker.”

We defer to those who live with a Pumi to tell us if their breed is “unable to keep quiet,” but if the Pumi is anything like the Puli, a breed we do live with (and a distant relative of the Pumi),  it is a dog inclined to share its opinions on every facet of life. No one likes their breed to be presented in an unfavorable light, and for our part, we find the incredible qualities of the Puli overshadow its loquaciousness. That said, we think it’s a disservice to the dog and a potential family to pretend a breed doesn’t bark when it does, and most Pulik have something to say. We’d like to hear from Pumi owners on this. Do you feel your breed is “verbal?”

Image: Pumi by Janice MacLellan is available as wall art, home decor and personal accessories here