Rasa puli | Facts & Information

Colors: white, black, cream, silver, brown, Brindle

Other names: Pulik, Hungarian Puli, Hungarian Water Dog, Puli dog

Origin Puli

Puli (plural pulik) is not only a breed dog with interesting appearance, but also has an interesting history. It is believed that at the end of the ninth century, when the Hungarians arrived in Hungary, they brought their shepherd dogs with them. These dogs were used to shepherd and guard sheep. They are believed to be the ancestors of the Puli, an intelligent pet.

The development of different types of Shepherd Dogs was based on their role in sheep herding. The light-colored shepherd dogs, which eventually became the Kuvasz and Komondor of today, were used to guard flocks at night, making them easier to spot after dark compared to the Puli.

The black Puli was more often used for grazing sheep during the day. The sheep seemed to follow the instructions given by a darker-colored dog, and the Shepherd could sense his dog much more easily than with a dog similar in color to the sheep.

The Puli dog was appreciated for its agile and slow movements, which gave him the quality of pastor and leader of the herds.

In the 17th century after Hungary suffered an invasion citizens from other parts of the world came or returned to the country. The breed was mated with European shepherd dogs and thus appeared a new breed of dogs called Pumi.

At first there was confusion between the two races. Thanks to the efforts of Emil Raitsits in the early 1900s, the Puli was brought back to life, being a completely separate breed compared to the Pumi. The American Kennel Club recognized Puli in 1936 as a member of the shepherd class.

At the moment the Puli dog breed is included in the group of shepherd dogs and is recognized by the following international organizations: UKC, KCGB, ANKC, NKC, NZKC, APRI, ACR, CKC, FCI, AKC.

Feeding Puli

It has no special requirements in terms of food.

It gets along well with all types of food, whether it is special, or from the master's table.

Also, even dietary, this dog does not pose any particular problems, although it has a good appetite, but the owners will not have the opportunity to see that a representative of the breed will begin to gain excess weight.

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Puli Appearance

Puli is the smallest of the Hungarian Shepherd Dogs, of medium size. The dog has a compact and muscular body, which fits into a square, covered with a fur consisting of hair arranged in cords (shoelaces). The head of this dog is round or oval in profile, being covered by the same type of hair.

It has almond-shaped, coffee-colored eyes, medium-sized, pedunculate ears, pigmented in black, and a bent tail, carried "pretzel" on its back, which is not noticeable.

The coat of this dog is unique. The fluff is soft, dense and woolly (mitos). The outer hair is long and abundant. Dicks are born with a coat made of moats. With growth, the fluff grows and mixes with the outer hair.

This results in the formation of long, characteristic strings. These long cords are basically waterproof and offer high protection to the dog.

In adults, the fur can reach up to the ground. Puli is found in various varieties of rusty black, black, cream and white colors, but in principle, black is the most common color.

The eyes and ears of this dog should be periodically trimmed, and the nails shortened. The breed does not shed its hair (it does not shed), but will have to be trimmed periodically.It takes enough time to move. Dick dogs are energetic and lively, ecstatic when allowed to play and frolic, especially if their owner or other canine companion joins them.

Some of them are fond of water and are very good swimmers, but not all of them excel in this capacity, which is why if they are allowed to swim they will have to be supervised.If obedience training is not performed, this dog may develop a dominant personality.

Puli is a dog with no mix of colors, usually black. Other less common colors are white, gray, or cream. A variety of cream-colored cloves have black mask. The average size of these dogs is 42 cm in females and 43 cm in males.

Females weigh 10-12 kilograms, males a little more. The difference between a Komondor and a Puli is in size and color. The most common color in Dicks is black. In neither of the two breeds, stains, stripes or other color mixes are not accepted.

The Komondor is only white, while the Puli can also be white, cream, yellowish or black.

Dick Behavior

It is a tender and intelligent dog. Once the need for canine shepherds decreased, Puli easily became a valued companion. Always wanting to be busy, Puli is a medium-sized, agile dog who loves to have an activity.

Lively, friendly, Puli is very loyal to his family. Their native intelligence makes them very easy to educate and train, but also gives them the opportunity to "think" and act on their own, at will.

They are both submissive and independent dogs, some specimens can become aggressive with children and strangers if they have not socialized in due time. Although he is cautious with strangers, he is never aggressive, but can bark menacingly if he feels that the owner is in danger.

Dressage Dicks

They are precocious dogs, very easy to train, as long as calm methods are used to stimulate them. Training should start as early as possible, because later you may develop attitudes that you don't like so much. A well-trained Puli will excel in obedience and agility.

And speaking of agility, a specimen of this breed needs 40-60 minutes of training per day. They are very adaptable and love to play, but they will accompany you just as cheerfully on a long walk, or they will play madly in the garden or in the park.

Pup dogs are valued for their energy and determination, which is the result of their past as shepherd dogs. Every Puli dog is a born Shepherd and instinctively knows how to shepherd a flock of sheep or a septel, even though he was raised as a family dog and has never been trained to do so.

It is advisable to start training a dick as early as possible, especially in terms of obedience. When they reach adulthood they are very independent, strong-willed and very difficult to train.

He is a very intelligent dog, understands almost everything and will try to organize his answers into words, creating almost a speech. A well-trained Puli will not only understand the words of his master, but will be able to observe and determine the wishes of the owner and fulfill them as an order.

Puli is an agile, energetic, intense and never lazy dog. He is also brave and not afraid of anything. It is a super dog that deserves respect.

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Features Puli

They are excellent dogs for families, adapting to most living environments and circumstances. He will like to live both in the country and in an apartment. They are quite active inside the home, but will adapt without requiring a yard.

It is an energetic, friendly and protective dog with its owner and property. He seems to prefer to live outside, in the open air. It will adapt to any climate, either colder or warmer.

Puli is a very protective dog with its territory, which makes it an excellent Shepherd and guard dog for the farm. They are not recommended for families with young children, who may be annoying or mean to them, although if they are raised by puppies with them they will definitely tolerate them.

Fur with "shoelaces" is formed around the age of 6 months, at which time the deep, soft and woolly fluff mixes with the outer, rougher hair.

As you might expect, Puli requires proper fur care to maintain its appearance and smell in good condition. Tangled hair that may form during this period, should be unwound with the help of the hand. The lumps formed will be removed from the base of the hair.

Each fur is different, but as a general idea, these "strings" should not be thinner than the diameter of a pencil. Fur ingrowth is a relaxing and pleasant process for both the dog and the owner, and if done periodically, it takes a little time.

Some choose to loosen the cords and give the dog a fluffy appearance. Others leave the fur as it is naturally, the maintenance being much easier since only the fur around the cords needs to be taken care of and only from time to time washed. If left in its natural state, the Puli will require regular bathing to remove the strong odor that may occur.

Puli Diseases

Puli is generally a very hardy dog, showing few native sensibilities.

Hip dysplasia is a malformation of the coxofemoral joint that results in pain, lameness and consequent arthritis.

Progressive retinal atrophy is a disease that causes the degeneration of nerve cells in the retina.

The condition usually starts in older dogs and can lead to blindness.

The life span of a Puli is 12-16 years.