Pumi

Herding dog of Terrier type. Also suitable for herding larger types of animals. His scenting ability is well developed. Has excellently proved his worth when combatting wild beasts of prey and rodents. Excellent house pet, can definitely be kept indoors. Needs plenty of exercise. Is an excellent companion and sporting dog.

FCI Standard N° 56

PUMI

Origin: Hungary

Utilization:

Herding dog of Terrier type. Also suitable for herding larger types of animals. His scenting ability is well developed. Has excellently proved his worth when combatting wild beasts of prey and rodents. Excellent house pet, can definitely be kept indoors. Needs plenty of exercise. Is an excellent companion and sporting dog.

FCI-Classification:

• Group 1 Sheepdogs and Cattle Dogs (except Swiss Cattle Dogs).
• Section 1 Sheepdogs.
• Without working trial.

Brief Historical Summary:

• The Pumi came into being during the 17th to the 18th century in Hungary by crossbreeding the primitive Puli with imported German and French dogs of Terrier type with prick ears. It has been recognised as an independent breed at the beginning of the 20th century.

General Apperance:

• The Pumi is a cheerful, medium sized herding dog of Terrier type. His Terrier character is most obvious in his head. The foreface is elongated and the upper third of the otherwise prick ears is bending forward. The conformation is square. Because of his constant alertness, his neck carriage is higher than normal. The wavy coat of medium length forms curls. The Pumi can have various colours but must always be of one solid colour.

Important Proportions:

• The body length is equal to the height at the withers.
• The depth of the brisket is slightly less than half of the height at the withers.
• The length of the muzzle is slightly less than half of the total length of the head.
• The length of the neck is equal to the length of the head and is 45 % of the height at the withers.

Behavior / Temperament:

• This rather lively herding dog has a restless temperament. Extremely bold, a little suspicious towards strangers. As a result of his sensible behaviour, his liveliness and his expressiveness, he attracts attention always and everywhere. The Pumi is rather noisy. His whole appearance embodies thirst for action and because of his restlessness and activity, all parts of his body are constantly on the move. He is always active and ready for duty. A shy or phlegmatic behaviour are untypical of the breed.

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BODY STUCTURE

1. Head

• Relatively long and narrow. The shape of the head is characterised by the elongated muzzle.
• CRANIAL REGION:
• Skull: The top of the head is relatively broad and domed. The long forehead is only slightly domed and flat seen from the side. The superciliary ridges are moderately developed.
• Stop: Barely perceptible, the forehead running an almost straight line between the eyebrows towards the bridge of the nose.
• FACIAL REGION:
• Nose: Narrow, bluntly cut-off. Always black in all coat colours.
• Muzzle: The bridge of the nose is straight. The elongated facial region tapers towards the nose but is never pointed.
• Lips: Tight-fitting to the teeth, dark pigmented.
• Jaws/Teeth: Strong jaws. The strong, well developed teeth are white. Regular, complete scissor bite according to the dentition formula.
• Cheeks: Well muscled.
• Eyes: Set moderately wide apart, slightly oblique. Medium sized oval, dark brown slit-eyes. The expression is lively and intelligent. The eye-lids are tight and close-fitting to the eyeballs and well pigmented.
• Ear: The upright ears are set on high, the upper third of the ears bending forward. The medium sized, even ears show a reverse Vshape. They show alert reactions to all stimulations.

2. Neck

• Of medium length, little arched, well muscled, forming an angle of 50 to 55 degrees to the horizontal. The skin at the throat is tight, dry, without folds.

3. Body

• Well developed muscles, dry, exceptionally taut and tough. The breed is particularly lean and of harmonious appearance.
• Topline: Straight.
• Withers: Pronounced, long, sloping towards rear.
• Back: Short, straight and taut.
• Loins: Short, firmly coupled, straight.
• Croup: Short, slightly sloping, of medium breadth.
• Chest: The forechest is straight, not broad, rather deep. Ribs slightly arched, rather flat. The brisket is deep, long and reaches to the elbows.
• Underline and belly: Tight, tucked up towards rear.

4. Tail

• The high set tail forms a wide circle above the croup. The hair on the underside of the tail is 7 to 12 cm long, wiry standing apart, with little undercoat. A natural stumpy tail or tail docking are not permitted.

5. Limbs

• FOREQUARTERS:
  • General appearance: The front legs, placed under the forechest, support the body like pillars. They are vertical, parallel and not too wide apart.
  • Shoulder: The shoulder blade is long and a little steep. Angle to the horizontal is approximately 55 degrees. The points of the shoulder blades are placed vertically above the deepest point of the brisket.
  • Upper Arm: Short and well muscled. The shoulderblade and the upper arm form an angle of 100 to 110 degrees.  
  • Elbow: Close-fitting to the body.
  • Forearm: Long, gaunt.
  • Pastern: Steep.
  • Forefeet: Rounded cat feet with well knit toes. The pads are springy. Nails strong, black or slate grey.
• HINDQUARTERS:
  • General appearance: The hindlegs are very strong. Seen from the side, they are somewhat extended beyond the rear. Seen from behind, the legs are parallel, straight, standing neither too narrow nor too wide apart.
  • Upper thigh: Muscular, long, sloping to the rear.
  • Stifle: On the same level as the elbows.
  • Lower thigh: Long, dry.
  • Hock joint: The hock is lean with clean outlines.
  • Metatarsus (rear pastern): Short, steep.
  • Hind feet: Like forefeet. Dewclaws are not desired.

6. Gait / Movement

• Quite lively and spirited. Stride short, energetic, dynamic and harmonious. The posture is bold and proud. The trot is light-footed and harmonious; the dog puts his hind feet exactly into the foot prints of the forefeet.

7. Skin

• Without folds, strongly pigmented. The areas of bare skin are black or slate grey.

8. Coat

• Hair: The wavy, curly coat forms tufts and is never smooth or corded. The coat has an average length of 4 to 7 cm, growing to smaller or larger tufts; it is elastic, shaggy and dense. It consists of a strong, but not coarse, topcoat and a soft undercoat. The dense, wiry protective hairs of medium length on the ears grow upwards. The eyes and the foreface are free of long hair. The desired coat preparation is achieved by hand trimming. Smaller corrections, done with scissors on head and legs, are possible. Preparing the entire coat with scissors is not desirable.  
• Colour: Grey in various shades (normally, the colour at birth is black, turning grey with time). Black. Fawn (fakó). Primary colours: red, yellow, cream (a trace of black or grey and a distinct mask are desirable). A white mark on the chest less than 3 cm in diameter and/or a white line on the toes are not faulty. White. The coat colour must always be intense and solid.

9. Size and Weight

• Height at the withers:
  • Dogs: 41 to 47 cm;
  • Ideal height: 43 to 45 cm.
  • Bitches: 38 to 44 cm;
  • Ideal height: 40 to 42 cm.
• Weight:
  • Dogs: 10 to 15 kg;
  • Ideal weight: 12 to 13 kg.
  • Bitches: 8 to 13 kg;
  • Ideal weight: 10 to 11 kg.

10. Faults:

• Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportions to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.

11. Disqualifying Faults:

• Agressive or overly shy dogs.
• Any dog clearly showing physical or behavioural abnormalities shall be disqualified.
• Round, Puli-like head. Foreface shorter than 40 % of the total length of head
• Strongly defined stop.
• One or more missing teeth (incisors, canines, premolars 2-4, molars 1-2). More than two missing PM1. The M3 are disregarded.
• Over- or undershot mouth, wry mouth.
• Completely upright prick ears. Ears pendant from base or carried unevenly.
• Short smooth coat. Long, very matted, sticking out or dull coat.
• Chocolate coloured, multicoloured coat. All uniform, clearly defined patches (i.e. tan markings, mantle forming marking).
• Size deviating from the height limits given by the standard.

N.B.:

• Male animals must have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
• Only functionally and clinically healthy dogs, with breed typical conformation should be used for breeding. 

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