Puli Dog Breed

The Puli is designated to the herding group by the AKC; this is fitting as over 1,000 years ago this sheepdog migrated with the Magyar people (nomadic shepherds) into Hungary and developed into the distinctive breed we know today. The 1900's began a new era where sheep herding was not as necessary as farming, so the Puli greatly declined in number-- it is still considered a rare breed with less than 150 members registered in the U.S. each year. The AKC recognized the breed in 1936.
The ideal Puli home would be a farm or ranch but a large yard is the next best thing. You should be comfortable with your dog living indoors and be able to spend time with him/her daily. Here are some Puli facts you can use to decide if this is the right breed for you:

PROS

• Excellent herding dog
• One of the most intelligent breeds
• Fairly easy to train
• Great with older kids
• Good with other pets
• Excellent watchdog
• Playful, faithful and intuitive
• Extremely unique look
• Hypoallergenic
• Great exercise buddy
• Companionable-- wants to spend a lot of time with you!

CONS

• High exercise needs, intensely energetic
• Not suited for very young children
• Reserved around strangers
• Highest level of grooming required
• Should't spend long amounts of time alone
• Must have outdoor access
• Tricky, mischievous and hard to handle if bored

The Puli is a fascinating dog! You can call him/her the Hungarian Puli, Hungrian Water Dog, or if there are more than one--Pulik. This breed is known first for it's corded coat that many call "dreadlocked" or "mop like" but Pulik can also be brushed out into tight wavy curls. You may wonder how this dog can even see to herd livestock with all that hair in his face, but he can see very well and doesn't rely on using eye contact to control his charges. Pulik don't nip either-- they rely on their intense agility, bouncing around from one direction to the next.

These dogs are top tier intelligence and are said to be tricky and strategic in getting what they want-- whether it be from you or a stray calf. They are also said to be very intuitive and sensitive to human feelings and can hold a grudge against someone who hurts them. If you begin training early, you should easily be able to train this easy to please companion in a number of skills including: obedience, agility, herding and showmanship (amongst other things). If they are not employed on a farm or ranch, note they will need outdoor access and a minimum of an hour intense exercise daily.

Although you aren't likely to run across one unless you are at a dog show, plenty of Puli breed info exists. This rare breed has numerous clubs dedicated to it as well as a Puli Wiki page and a feature on Animal Planet's Dogs 101: Puli (rare breed edition).

This breed doesn't have large variation among members of the breed. There are no short haired Pulik, however, some owners choose to shave off the thick, corded or wavy hair. Doing so removes protection of the the working Puli against wolves and other large predators-- it also exposes their skin to the elements.

This breed is quite rare so it's not likely you will find any backyard breeder's selling Miniature Pulik. There is no such thing officially recognized by any Kennel Club and you may be purchasing an unhealthy runt (or something other than a Puli) if you happen upon one. Some may be getting this idea of a Mini Puli mixed up with a dwarf Puli-- which is a slightly smaller type once considered one of the 3 breed divisions.

The Puli temperament is very much what you'd expect out of a working dog. He is intense, determined, energetic and focused in the field. At home he is a faithful and watchful companion. The Puli is happy and playful around children and will be protective of them, however, the intense playfulness is better suited for slightly older kids. These dogs will be reserved around strangers and should be socialized early to prevent any shyness or over protective tendencies.

Pulik are of the most intelligent dog breeds. They are independent thinkers in the field and have remarkable problem solving skills. Unlike some independent breeds, they are eager to please and are said to train easily. The key to training this breed is to start as early as possible and to always remain firm and consistent.

This breed should have plenty of daily human interaction, as they are very family oriented. If you are gone from home frequently for days on end, the Puli is not right for you. Ideally, they will have access to a large property or yard but be indoor pets.

Puli dogs are usually very strong, healthy dogs and have a lifespan of somewhere between 10-15 years. The Hungarian Puli Club of Great Britain mentions only Hip Dysplasia and Multifocal Retinal Atrophy as common conditions. You can ask your breeder for Hip and Eyes scores for the parents to ensure your best chances of getting a healthy puppy-- a reputable breeder will have no issues answering your questions. Due to the abundance of hair that hangs in the eye are they can easily get eye infections so check your Hungarian Puli's eyes daily.