Puli: temperament, size, care and health

About the Puli

The Puli is a compact, square Hungarian herding dog of about 14 to 17 inches at the shoulder. Its most striking feature is the corded coat. The dense, woolly undercoat and coarser outer hair twist together into long cords that cover the body, hang over the eyes and drape the tail, which curls over the back. The result is a mop-like animal that is surprisingly small and light underneath. Solid black is the most familiar color, but white, grey and fawn also occur.

The cords protected the dog from weather, from predators and from the kicks of livestock. The Puli moved with a springy, bouncy gait and was prized for its nimbleness and its quick thinking. People keep it now as a unique and lively companion, and a handful excel in agility and herding.

Temperament and family life

Pulik are loyal, clever and attached to their own families. They tend to be wary of strangers and take their guard duties seriously, announcing visitors with a loud bark and sometimes continuing for a while. Careful socialization during puppyhood is important, because a poorly socialized Puli can be suspicious or reactive.

The breed is playful and funny with family and often forms a particularly strong bond with one person. With children it can be a good companion if the children are old enough to be gentle, but it may try to herd small kids by bumping and nipping. Pulik typically do well with other pets they have grown up with. They bark more than many breeds, which may annoy neighbors.

Exercise and training

The Puli is athletic and quick. A brisk daily walk plus play and training suits most adults, and many enjoy agility, herding and obedience. It needs mental work as well as exercise. A bored Puli will bark, dig and invent trouble.

The breed is smart and responds to patient, consistent, positive training, though it can be strong-willed and sensitive to harsh methods. It learns what you teach it, good or bad, so start early. The cords can be damaged by rough play with some larger dogs, and many owners adapt their routine so the coat stays clean and intact.

Grooming and shedding

The corded coat is the main commitment. Cords form naturally as the puppy coat grows in, usually starting around a year old, and they must be separated by hand by tearing along the natural divisions so that they do not merge into mats. Bathing takes time, and drying a corded coat can take many hours, so owners often use fans or blow dryers on low heat. The coat can be brushed out or clipped short, which many pet owners prefer.

The Puli sheds little because loose hairs are trapped in the cords. Keep the ears clean, since hair grows in the canal, and trim the nails and brush the teeth regularly.

Health

The breed is generally hardy and long-lived, but screening is important. Hip dysplasia is the most commonly discussed joint problem, and breeders have hips evaluated. Inherited eye conditions, including cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy, are watched for with annual exams. Patellar luxation and hereditary deafness are also reported. The dense coat can hide skin problems, so regular checks matter.

This is general information, and a veterinarian is the person to ask about a particular dog.

History

The Puli is generally traced to the Magyar people, who arrived in the Carpathian Basin in the ninth century with herding dogs of this type, though the exact lineage is hard to prove. For centuries it worked on the Hungarian plains, where it was valued for guiding and guarding sheep. A formal breed standard was written in Hungary in the early twentieth century, and the American Kennel Club recognized the breed in the 1930s.

Is the Puli right for you?

The Puli suits someone who likes an unusual dog, enjoys the work of coat care and can give it daily activity and consistent training. It is a poor match for anyone who wants a quiet dog, who dislikes grooming or who prefers a casually friendly greeter.

For a bigger, more guardian-minded corded dog, see the Komondor. The Pumi is a curlier, more terrier-like Hungarian cousin, and the Bergamasco Sheepdog is an Italian breed with flocked, matted hair.