If you've previously claimed to know every dog breed in the country, then think again, because the American Kennel Club (AKC) has just announced the name of the latest pup variety to join its ranks: the Pumi, pronounced POOM-ee. Originally hailing from Hungary, where they were used to herd sheep and cattle, Pumis are identifiable by their corkscrew curl coat and ears that flop at the tips, as well as an insatiable thirst for adventure. The Pumi, it seems, is a breed that's not for the faint-hearted.
Pumi are by no means new to America; breeders have been rearing these cute pups for two decades now. However, it has taken until now for the AKC to fully recognize the Pumi, and it is hoped that greater interest will be paid towards the breed going forward. AKC accreditation means that Pumis across the country can now be entered into competitions, such as the Westminster Kennel Club awards.
What do you need to know about the Pumi? Firstly, they are not for the lazy. "They're not for somebody who's going to sit and watch TV all day long," said Hungarian Pumi Club of America President Chris Levy. Indeed, as working dogs used to herding animals, Pumis are balls of energy, needing encouragement in order to take rests. Alert and active for much of the day, Pumis are also quick learners and incredibly intelligent. Finally, take note of the rich, luscious coat owned by the Pumi; this newly recognized breed is related to the Puli, which is renowned for their dreadlocked coat.
There you have it; this month, the Pumi has become the 190th breed to join the nation's purebred registry, and we look forward to learning a whole lot more about this gorgeous breed.
Do you have a Pumi? We'd love for you to share your stories with us in the comments.
Photos by ©Lezo (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html)], via Wikimedia Commons, Schenda (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
