Breed Priorities – Pumi

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388 – November/December, 2023

By Nikki Riggsbee

The Pumi is one of three related Hungarian herding breeds, the other two being the Puli and the Mudi. The Puli came first, believed to have traveled from the east with the Magyars to the Carpathian Basin around 800 A.D. Occasional mixing occurred over the centuries–deliberate and accidental–with German and French herding dogs.

About one hundred years ago, the distinct breeds were identified. The Puli was first, which was used primarily in the eastern Hungarian plains. The Pumi, at first considered a variation of the Puli, was next, used in the hilly areas of western Hungary. The Mudi was last, used in southern Hungary.

The Pumi’s job was to manage livestock, moving the cattle or sheep to the various small pastures that were available. They worked close with the stock to keep them from varying into areas where they didn’t belong. They had to be fast, decisive, and independent to effectively do their jobs.

The Pumi standard was approved by FCI in 1935. The breed began competing in AKC herding events in 2007 and in the AKC herding group in conformation shows in 2016.

We found nineteen Pumi experts to invite to take a survey on their priorities for their breed when evaluating individuals in conformation. Fifteen agreed to do so. Nine completed surveys were returned. Since this is a fairly recently recognized breed in the United States, the length of time in the breed and time judging for those in the breed is less than for breeds recognized longer. Those who participated in this project have been in Pumik for over thirteen years on average. Those who judge have been approved for the breed for over seven years on average.

Pumi Virtues

Click here to read the complete article
388 – November/December, 2023

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