Welcome to Crufts... the ‘clown’ gets the last laugh
THANKS to its playful nature, fluffy ears and slightly quizzical look, the Hungarian Pumi dog is known as ‘the clown’ in its native country.
But these working sheep dogs are certainly no joke entry at this year’s Crufts, where they will compete for the first time after a boom in UK ownership.
The breed, developed in the 17th Century and introduced to the UK only two decades ago, now has enough of a following here to have its own class at the prestigious event. The winner has a chance to become top dog at the Best in Show.
Three of Michelle Smee’s dogs – Bolt, aged six, Sunny, two, and 11-month-old puppy Jay – will be among the 32 Pumiks to compete. The support teacher from Bristol said: ‘They are lively, intelligent, funny, quirky, and even though they look cute with their big fluffy ears, they need lots of stimulation and exercise. They are no couch potatoes.’
The dogs were created by crossing the Hungarian Puli herding dog with terriers and a German Spitz. They were introduced to the UK in 1995 and there are now 220 pets and working dogs throughout the country. Ms Smee, secretary of The Hungarian Pumi Club UK, admitted they could be ‘very vocal, especially when excited and rounding up animals’.
Crufts is at the NEC in Birmingham from Thursday until next Sunday.