The Puli might appear like a walking mop, and it’s a medium-sized herding dog popularly known in Hungary for many centuries.
The Puli looks like a character from an alien movie. Pronounced as “poo-lee,” the dog is easily characterized by its dreadlocks.
Despite the Puli’s Rastafarian appearance, its hair serves a significant purpose.
In Hungary, the dog was bred to herd sheep, and while doing this, it is protected by its thick coat from any predators, like wolves, and harsh weather.
Many pet Pulik, “the plural form of Puli,” are usually not corded. Their fur is groomed to be fluffy as they are clipped and brushed out.
Pulik makes for great family companions. They are energetic, friendly, and mischievous.
They are fun to be with and are equally good at reading their owner’s mood. This makes them great snuggle buddies.
Pulik remains playful and active well into their senior years. They also do well with kids and other dogs.
However, it is best that they are well-socialized early. They may not tolerate cats, especially cats they aren’t raised with.
Breed Overview
- Group: Herding
- Weight: 25 – 35 pounds
- Height: 16 – 17 inches tall at the shoulder.
- Coat: Short and glossy
- Coat color: Puli comes in solid colors only: white, black, rusty black, or gray.
- Life expectancy: 10 – 15 years
Characteristics of the Puli
- Affection Level: High
- Friendliness: High
- Kid-Friendly: High
- Pet-Friendly: Medium
- Exercise Needs: High
- Playfulness: High
- Energy Level: High
- Trainability: High
- Intelligence: High
- Tendency to Bark: High
- Amount of Shedding: Low
History
The Puli has been used for centuries by Hungarians to guard farms and herd sheep.
Naturally watchful and protective, Pulik today still maintain their guarding and herding instinct.
Pulik are not choosy and would make do with available options if there are no sheep to herd.
They would herd chickens, family pets, kids – they’d basically herd anything they can.
In the U.S., the Puli has been acknowledged by the American Kennel Club (AKC) since 1938.
Care
Puli owners have a choice between keeping their dog’s coat clipped, brushed out, or corded. The dog’s coat looks like thick ropes when left corded. The hair of a Puli grows continually and may reach the ground as they grow older.
With these long, thick corded coats, Pulik can appear to glide across the ground as if their legs are nearly hidden beneath the cords.
The dog’s cord forms naturally the way some humans are able to grow their locks naturally. Nevertheless, help is needed to help separate the mats attached to their skin.
Owners should be able to groom their Puli’s coat so it does not form one large mat.
They need to be appropriately separated and maintained to form beautifully arranged cords. A unique technique is needed when bathing a Puli.
Owners need to exercise patience as it could take time to get the cords wet enough to wash them properly. The challenging aspect, however, is the drying part. Drying a Puli could take hours and energy.
The constant practice would make the process more manageable since it requires squeezing out moisture from the cord and using a dryer to dry out all the wetness.
It’s crucial that the cords are completely dried out after bathing. This is because damp or wet cords can mildew.
It’s important that you thoroughly brush your dog down to its skin if you do choose not to let your Puli’s coat form cords. At least once a week is necessary for this exercise.
You are also presented with the option of keeping your pet’s coat long or clipped short.
Pulik usually have their hair hanging over their eyes when their coats are corded. Some owners use clips or hair bands to keep hair from blocking their dog’s eyes, but it’s hardly necessary.
Pulik are able to see right through the hair covering their eyes as if they are peeking through beaded curtains or window blinds. An old Hungarian adage has it that “Pulik, through their hair, sees better than you.”
Apart from the grooming that Pulik coats get, they also require daily exercise and mental stimulation to match their energy. Although hikes, long walks, and games can go a long way, many owners participate in sports like flyball, agility, herding, and obedience.
This is a highly intelligent dog, and trainers could adopt positive methods to teach them plenty of fun tricks. It’s also vital that they are socialized early enough (puppies) to help develop the dog’s confidence.
Common Health Problems
Like many purebred dogs, Pulik are exposed to a few genetic complications. Responsible and reputable breeders ought to test their adult Pulik before breeding them.
This guarantees that diseases aren’t inherited or passed on to their puppies.
The Puli Club of America requires all breeders to partake in the CHIC (Orthopedic Foundation for Animal’s Canine Health Information Center) program examination for the following: OFA Degenerative Myelopathy (DNA test), Penn Hip for hips, OFA for patella (knees), and Canine Eye Registry (CERF).
The tests have to be updated every three years. Additional approved testing includes OFA for cardiac (heart), OFA for elbows, OFA for thyroid, and BAER (brainstem auditory evoked response) hearing test.
Diet and Nutrition
Pulik need to be fed a portion of high-quality food. Your veterinarian or breeders should be able to recommend the best meal plan for your Puli. Your Puli mustn’t get overfed, so it doesn’t get overweight.
This is because the breed is prone to some health conditions like luxating patalleas and hip dysplasia.
Owners can use scales or measuring cups to monitor meals. This helps to ensure that your pets do not consume more than needed.
Also, ensure not to keep the bowl filled with food always, as this can cause excess weight in your pet.
Pros
• They are vigilant watchdog
• They are playful and loyal
• They are healthy and loving
Cons
• They don’t do well when left alone
• They can bark a lot
• Requires plenty of exercises
Buying or Adopting a Puli
A reputable breeder is recommended when getting a Puli puppy. You can also try rescues when you want to get some adult Pulik.
If you are interested in the Puli, you might also be interested in other breeds like the following;
