Pumi vs Black Norwegian Elkhound - Breed Comparison

The Pumi is a small to medium sized dog which comes from Hungary. They have always been used for guarding livestock.

It was in 2004 that the the Pumi was accepted by the American Kennel Club Foundation Stock Service program. Also in the country of the dog’s birth, the Pumi Club was founded, and in 2011, the dog was also accepted into the AKC into the Miscellaneous class and into the herding group too.

In the UK in 2015, the Kennel Club also accepted the breed standard

The Black Norwegian Elkhound was first bred in Norway in the early part of the 19th century as a smaller version of the Grey Norwegian Elkhound. The Black version is a Spitz and is very seldom seen anywhere in world but Norway. He is designed for the same job that the Grey Norwegian Elkhound performed. The difference is that the Black Norwegian is smaller, easier to see in the snow and ice of Norway and smaller than the Grey. It is a hunter, a herder, a guard dog and a watch dog. Because of the temperatures in Norway it was very important to have a hunting dog that was able to deal with the cold, the snow and the heavy fall rains in Norway and Scandinavia. The Black Norwegian Elkhound is a powerful and prideful dog. Much more so than the grey, he is independent and strongminded. It is highly intelligent and is one of the most ancient of breeds. He is more durable and more quarrelsome than his cousin the Grey Norwegian Elkhound or the more familiar Swedish Elkhound.

Ancestors of the Black date back to the first days human kind went hunting around 4000-5000BC. There have been skeletons of dogs very much like the Black Norwegian Elkhound found that dated back to that time period. They hunted and guarded for the Vikings and pulled sleds as well. They hunted deer, moose, badger, elk, mountain lions, bears, wolves, lynx, rabbit and reindeer. They are trackers who hold their quarry at bay by barking until the hunter can find them. Today they serve as loved family pets and guard dogs. In a National Emergency the leader of Norway can call up all the privately-owned elkhounds of any kind and assign them to work in a variety of sledding duties. Within the FCI, the Black Norwegian Elkhound is classified as a primitive Nordic hunting dog.

The Pumi stands at between 38 and 47cm in height and weighs between 8 and 15kg.

The coat is a fawn, greyish silver or sandy color. The grey Pumi's are thought to be the more common color.

The medium length coat is thick and curly with the top coat being fairly harsh to the touch.There is very little shedding. The dog has semi-erect, semi-floppy ears which are high set. The eyes are small and dark.

With his tight curly coat, his kinky tail and bright expression, you’d think the Pumi was just for entertainment and a playmate, but he is a serious worker too, loving to be busy, whether for work or play.

Temperament:

The Pumi is lively and bold and always ready for fun and action. He is intelligent too, and early training and socialization will be important to keep him manageable and a pleasure to have around. Because he is smart he won’t have trouble learning. They’re good with children and other dogs in the family.

The Black Norwegian Elkhound is a short compact Spitz with dark eyes and a curly tail. It is the coat that sets this dog apart. It is an all-weather coat suitable for the cold, the snow and the rain of Norway. Ears are pointed and erect while the head is wedged and broad. His head is almost like that of a wolf. Its body is strong and compact. Its coat is coarse, short and double. He has a broad black nose with a straight bridge and with black lips and dark brown oval eyes. His legs and withers are strong boned and powerful with well padded feet to protect it from the freezing temperatures of Scandinavia.

The Pumi is a comical looking dog which some people assume makes him a bit of a lapdog, but this isn’t true. Yes, he loves to receive love and attention from his human family, but he isn’t a lapdog.

He likes to be busy if he can. He is smart and quick to learn and is affectionate, playful, loyal and loving.

His small size allows him to adapt easily to life in the city or the countryside, but he will need to be exercised. If you’re looking for a lively, amicable pet and companion, the Pumi can make an excellent family pet.

This dog was made for families. He loves children and is not a one person dogs. He gets attached to everyone in the family. However, he is smart and stubborn. He loves to join in with whatever the family is doing but he does it to please himself not his owner. He loves, loves, loves to play and has the stamina to do so all day long. He is agile, bold, independent, strong, curious and loyal. His loyalty can be territorial, and he can become protective of his home and his family. This makes him an excellent watchdog until your friends come to visit and he won’t let them in the house. You need a high fence to keep him safe in your own yard and away from strangers and even guests till he gets to know them.He tends to be dominant and aggressive with other dogs. They also have strong hunting instincts.

With the Pumi, you’re really getting a robust little dog. With good care, he can push to 14 years of age and even much older. Of course, as with all other dogs, he is prone to some of the more common dog illnesses.

Hip dysplasia is nearly always one that needs to be listed as it is really a common dog ailment that can lead to lameness.

Hip Dysplasia:

This is an abnormal formation of the hip socket which in its severest form can lead to lameness. Luckily there are advances in veterinary medicine that make it possible for a dog with hip dysplasia to be happy and pain free.

Degenerative Myelopathy:

This is an incurable, progressive disease which effects the spinal cord of your dog and is found mostly in older dogs. It’s very sad because as the disease progresses it can lead to loss of coordination in the hind legs, difficulty with supporting weight with the hind legs and also urinary and fecal incontinence.

This is an inherited disease that sadly might require you saying goodbye to your beloved 4-legged family member.

The Black Norwegian Elkhound is a strong and hardy dog, though he is susceptible to some of the problems many breeds face. These include issues with luxating patella, optical entropion, hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism, and Fanconi syndrome. The most serious of these is the Fanconi Syndrome which is an abnormal functioning in the tubules of the kidneys. This can be a life-threatening situation.

Diet:

You can never be slack when it comes to choosing food for your pet. If you can provide him with wholesome food then you will be promoting health and longevity.

If you choose one of the commercially manufactured dog foods, make sure it is the high quality ones full of vitamins and minerals and free from all kinds of colorants and fillers.

Certainly provide him with some home-made food too, but keep it simple and tasty. An excellent home-made diet is boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta, sweet potatoes, carrots and spinach, all chopped up and mixed in twice a week with the dry kibble.

Every now and again, if you can afford it, you can also give him some raw meat added into the kibble. Plain and simple, your pet will thank you for providing him with an uncomplicated diet, gentle on his digestive system.

Make sure he always has a bowl of fresh, cool water available to him.

Exercise:

Energetic and lively, the Pumi is going to need regular exercise as well as mental stimulation. Show him a tennis ball and his eyes will light up as he just loves a game. Take him on a walk and include him in your ball games.

Grooming:

The Pumi’s coat is medium length and curly and he will need it combed to keep it free of matting. The coat will also need to be trimmed if you don’t want it becoming unruly.He isn’t a heavy shedder but will need his coat being attended to twice a week.

This is an energetic active dog, or she should be. Feed her high nutritious food twice a day. Do not overfeed.

The most potentially troublesome health issue is Fanconi Syndrome. This kidney disorder can impact the of the body’s absorption of electrolytes, water and nutrients. These nutrients include Sodium, Potassium, Glucose, Phosphate, Amino Acids and Phosphate

The Black Norwegian Elkhound loves to play, and they love to work. Exercise is vital, but it must be one of those two things – play or work. Don’t leave him alone to figure it out for himself or you wont like what this intelligent dog decides to do. She needs a large yard, a long walk daily but jogging with you is even better. Make him heel when on leash or he will think he oversees you. These are roaming dogs who will follow a scent anywhere and ignore your commands for her to come to you. They are better off on a leash unless you are in a dog park or a fenced yard.

The Black Norwegian Elkhound is great at all dog athletics, games and sports such as agility, rally obedience, flyball, tracking, herding.