The Puli is an agile herding breed that requires plenty of exercise.
Their unique coat can be corded or brushed out.

Physical Characteristics

• Medium-sized, sturdy, powerful build
• Medium-boned body is square-shaped and fairly muscular
• Curly or wavy outer coat
• Undercoat is soft, wooly and dense
• Coat can be corded or brushed out. Corded requires clumps matting together into dreadlock-like cords
• Medium-sized eyes are dark brown and almond-shaped
• Height: 16-18 inches
• Weight: 20-35 pounds
• Average lifespan: 12-13 years

Temperament

• Vivacious, happy disposition, smart, mischievous, curious, willful, loyal, adaptable
• Interaction with people: Excellent family dog; good with children. Reserved with strangers
• Interaction with animals: Good with other pets; may be aggressive with unfamiliar dogs
• Training: Easily trained
• Barking: Moderately vocal
• Protection: Good watchdog

At Home

• OK for apartments
• Suited to all climates
• Fairly active herding dog
• Many enjoy water and are good swimmers; must be supervised at all times if swimming

Grooming

• Light-shedder
• May keep coat clipped short for easy grooming
• Corded coat begins forming at about six months; check regularly for mats and clumps at this stage, and separate by hand
• In general, coat sections should be no thinner than a pencil
• Must dry coat thoroughly after bathing to prevent mildew from forming
• Clean eyes and ears regularly
• Keep nails clipped

Brief History

• Originated in Hungary in the Middle Ages
• Traces back 2,000 years in Asia
• Evidence suggests a related breed existed 6,000 years ago
• Introduced into Hungary about 1,000 years ago; used as sheepdogs
• Black color was desirable because it could easily be spotted among sheep
• By World War II, the Puli was nearly extinct, with less than 100 left
• The early 1900s saw efforts to resurrect the breed
• Brought to the U.S. in 1935

Fido's Facts

• The word "Puli" means "leader" in Hungarian
• Agile sheep-herders - could turn a sheep by jumping on its back
• Retains a puppy-like demeanor all its life
• Though cords hang in front of their eyes, they don't impede vision at all