The Puli
Several thousand years ago, the Pulik were brought to Hungary by the Magyars and they were used as sheep dogs.
During World War II, this breed almost disappeared, but a breeding program successfully brought the breed back to life.
Breed Group
Herder
Size
Male: 17 inches
Female: 16 inches
Weight
Male: 25-35 lbs
Female: 20-30 lbs
Color(s)
The Puli's colors vary from rusty black, to black, to all shades of gray or white. On the chest, a white spot, not bigger than 2 inches, is acceptable. In the black coated Pulik, you can sometimes find white hairs and in the gray Pulik, a mixture of different shades of gray is also acceptable.
Coat
The Puli's coat is thick and weather resistant. The outer coat is wavy or curly and with harsh hairs. A soft, thick and wooly undercoat covers the body. As an adult, if not brushed, its coat will form cords which will be of different shapes and sizes (flat or round). The Puli can be shown brushed or corded. The coat can become very long and even reach the ground.
Life Expectancy
About 14-16 years.
Personality
Energetic, lively, playful and loyal, the Puli makes a very good companion. This dog is extremely intelligent and affectionate. Suspicious of strangers, it makes a great watch dog, but never aggressive; it will give a vocal warning to intruders.
Pulis are not recommended for small children as they will try to herd them, however, if the dog is raised with the child it may get along well. This is a very receptive, obedient and agile dog that easily adapts to new situations.
Care
The Puli is a very healthy breed. Although, every owner should test the dog for hip dysplasia or eye problems.
As the corded coat begins to form, the cords should be separated by hand very regularly. If you want to keep a fully corded Puli, regular coat separation is necessary and, of course, bathing. Bathing a Puli is very easy, but it takes a long time to dry; if a dryer is used, it can take a couple of hours. Without a dryer, it can take up to two days. The nails should always be kept clipped and the eyes and ears regularly cleaned. This breed does not shed.
Training
Obedience training is important for the Puli. This is an extremely intelligent dog, which makes him easy to train but also gives him the chance to think by itself. This breed might find some aspects of training boring, so it's important to train them with creative and playful methods. They are very good in agility and in obedience.
Activity
The Puli is an energetic dog that needs a lot of exercise. They will love to join you in your activities or just to romp in a park. Some of them love water and cam swim very well.