Puli with cords tied up to keep them from catching debris
The Puli (Plural is Pulik) is an ancient breed of sheepdog from Hungary. They were introduced in Hungary more than 1,000 years ago by the migration of the Magyars from Central Asia. In Central Asia the breed dates back 2,000 years and anecdotal evidence suggest there was a Puli like dog that existed 6,000 years ago. This is a very ancient breed.
Pulis were used for herding and guarding livestock. They teamed with the much larger Komondor who worked mostly at night while the smaller Puli worked during the day. When wolves or bears would attack, the Puli would sound the alert and the much larger Komondor would come running to fight the intruder. The Komondor usually rested during the day, but at night they would walk around the flock, constantly moving and patrolling the area.
The Nomadic shepherds highly valued these herding dogs. It was not unusual for a shepherd to pay a years earnings for a Puli.
This breed is one solid color, usually black. However, they can be white, grey or cream. The females are about 16.5 inches at the withers and weigh 18 to 30 pounds. The males are about 17 inches at the withers and weigh 25 to 30 pounds. Like the Komondor they have a disttinctive corded coat that resembles dreadlocks.
Some Puli coats can be different, having thicker or thinner cords that are either flat or rounded depending on the coats texture and the balance of under to outer coat. Grooming should control the coat toward thinner,rope like cords which are the most desireable. This dog needs lots of grooming to keep the cords clean, neat and attractive. As the Puli gets older the coat can become very long and might even reach the ground. There is little to no shedding in the adult Puli. It is possible to trim the coat short for easy maintenance, but sometimes it never grows out again.
Pulik are very intelligent, acrobatic, highly active and playful. Usually they keep their puppylike behavior their entire lives. They are light, quick, agile and able to change directions instantly. Because of these traits, they do well in agility and obedience. At the least they need a medium amount of exercise. Pulik love to be walked and they can go quite a ways before tiring. If they live where there is a fenced yard they pretty much exercise themselves with play and running in the yard.
This dog is extremely devoted to its family and forms close bonds with them because it regards its family as its flock. They will keep their distance from strangers until they see the stranger is no threat. They are known to attack without warning, if annoyed. It is best to keep strangers at a distance if they are not known to the Puli. They are also headstrong at times and can be extremely independent. The Puli must have a strong willed master, training and socialization.
Being a sheepdog accounts for the Puli energy and determination. They instinctively know how to herd sheep or livestock even if they are raised in the city and have not been trained in herding.
Because they come from centuries of hearty stock the Puli is generally healthy. There is some hip dysplasia in the breed. They can also suffer from eye inflamations caused by hair getting under their eyelids.
This is an ancient and noble breed of dogs. But they are definately not the dog for everyone Do your homework and learn about this dog before you get one to be sure it will be an enjoyable experience for both you and the animal.
If you decide the Puli is the breed for you go here to learn more about them. Also check out our state pages for a shelter or rescue near you.
