PULI
APPEARANCE
The Puli is noted for its distinctive, corded coat that grows to touch the ground as it reaches adulthood. Medium size, boxy, and muscular, this breed is an old variety of the Hungarian sheepdog. Its coat is double and weatherproof, made up of a wavy outer coat and a thick, wooly undercoat, that form cords that are flattened or round. It has dark brown, almond-shaped eyes, medium-sized ears, and a tight-curling tail. The weight of the Puli is around 28-35 pounds, and the height of these dogs is around 16-17 inches.
PERSONALITY
These dogs have bags of energy and enthusiasm, and are fun loving, sociable, and sweet natured. He is agile, and has plenty of stamina. However, he can be very stubborn, overly confident, and very demanding, which can make training something of a challenge. A devoted pet, Puli is an energetic and jolly family dog, though it needs to be very familiar with children to be gentle with them.
TRAINING
This breed is highly adaptable, intelligent, and quite easy to train. This breed is best suited to a confident and assertive owner with experience of dog training and ownership. He is also very quick on his feet, and has an inquisitive nature, which means that his play or exercise area should be safe and secure. This shaggy and lovable creature has a cheerful disposition, and enjoys spending time with his owners - he is not for the inactive, however, as he does need regular exercise.
EXERCISE
The Puli still has a tendency to seek out work, having been accustomed to herding. Regular exercise and some formal training are necessary to keep it motivated and happy. Some may enjoy swimming, while others do not share the ability or the water-loving characteristic.
SOCIALIZATION
The Puli gets along well with older, gentle children, as well as with other animals. However, beware his herding instincts, as he will try and herd people and pets into groups. He should also not be trusted around smaller creatures that run around, as his instincts will result in him chasing them. When it comes to strangers the Puli can be a wary dog. Early socialization is recommended with this breed in order to promote a stable temperament. His suspicion does make him an effective watchdog.
LIVING CONDITIONS
The Puli will do fine in any living condition, whether confined in an apartment or let loose on a farm, and can live in whatever climate. It can be energetic indoors, so access to a yard is not required.
GROOMING
The good news is that the Puli is a low shedder, so the house proud and those with allergies do not have to worry. The corded coat of the Puli requires a lot of attention, although there are a number of options available when it comes to grooming. In order to keep the coat looking good, you will need to separate the cords by hand every few weeks. You will need to bathe him too, and drying can take a whole day. His cords will need to be clipped before they reach the floor. Some people decide to brush out the cords as soon as they start to form.
HEALTH ISSUES
The Puli is a relatively healthy breed with a life expectancy of around 14-16 years. Hip dysplasia is a primary concern for this breed, though it tends to be quite healthy and devoid of inborn defects.
HISTORY
The Puli is an ancient sheepdog, from Hungary, used for both herding and guarding livestock. The Puli would commonly work together with the much larger, white Komondor, a Hungarian dog breed of (solely) livestock guardian dog. In Asia, the breed dates back 2000 years and anecdotal evidence suggests that a Puli-like dog existed 6000 years ago.This breed is possibly the ancestor of the modern Poodle. The breed was registered with the AKC in 1936.
