Physical Characteristics

Breed Group:

Herding

Weight:

13 kg (22 lbs)

Height:

42 cm (16 inches)

Color(s):

The Puli can be white, apricot, or black.

Coat:

Their coat is made of cords and requires regular grooming in order to keep it neat and clean.

Overview

Character:

Pulis are affectionate and intelligent dogs who make excellent watch dogs. They are active and bark a lot.

Country of Origin:

Hungary

History:

The exact history of the Puli is under debate. Puli-like sheep herding dogs were brought to the Danube by Magyar tribes. They are an ancient breed that probably existed as much as 4000 years ago. There is some speculation that they are descendents of the Tibetan Spaniel because of their small size, square proportion, and carriage. Inarguably however, the herding Puli was used by Magyars to drive sheep.

Name:

The Puli is sometimes known as the Pulik, Hungarian Puli, or Hungarian Water Dog.

Temperament:

Pulis are opinionated and energetic and tend to be mischievous. The seem to have an excellent sense of humour which makes their personality quite unique. In addition, they are extremely curious dogs making it likely they will get into garbage and whatever else they deem interesting. Puli are often wary of strangers and unfamiliar dogs and may exhibit aggressive behavior toward them. Still, they are good with children and other pets. They tend to be protective and bark a lot.

Care

Training:

Although they are quick to learn, pulis tend not to be obedient. They will likely get bored by routine training so sessions need to be kept interesting.

Activity:

Pulis are energetic and busy and require a lot of exercise. Without daily, vigorous exercise, they become hyperactive and sometimes destructive.

Ownership:

Owning a Puli is not for everyone. They require a lot of exercise and attention and grooming can be tedious. If you choose to brush your Puli, you’ll need to do this daily, or at least every other day. Otherwise, you can leave the coat corded, but the cords will need to be separated in order to stop their hair from matting and from getting dirty. Also, Pulis have a long life span so owning one is quite the commitment.

Breeders

List of dog breeds