Puli
Hungarian Shepherd Dog, Hungarian Water Dog
Despite the success of his reproduction at the beginning of the 20th century, this plush doggie with two braided coats, reminiscent of the "dreadlocks" so popular among some young people today, has not managed to develop. Numbers are scarce, and the Puli is still poorly represented, even in his native country. Formerly used by shepherds to herd flocks, he traded in his sheepdog dress for a companion dog. Despite all the efforts made to save the breed and bring him back to his roots, the number of specimens remains low even today.
Index
Quick Overview of the Puli
Temperament
- Lively and dynamic
- Kind and smart
- Docile and very affectionate
- Real doggie
Appearance
- Rather robust constitution
- Fine bone structure without being too light
- Rather dry and muscular
- Unique and special look
Health
- Robust and very solid
- No particular genetic disease
- Possible hip dysplasia
- Very appreciable life expectancy
Temperament of the Puli
Lively, kind, intelligent, dynamic, docile and very affectionate, the Puli does not only look like a doggie, he truly is one. The Puli is a dog with an excellent character, ideal as a companion dog.
His education and socialization generally do not cause any problems, but they must be undertaken at a very early stage.
This intelligent, friendly and very affectionate dog loves all the members of his household, from the smallest to the largest. He makes an excellent companion for children, whom it tends to protect.
The puppy can play with them for hours without ever getting bored. The adult dog becomes a little calmer and more reserved, but he still takes great pleasure in playing and protecting the toddlers.
Sociable with his family, he is rather reserved with strangers. His protective instincts and great courage, stemming from his former duties as sheepdog, make him an excellent alarm dog, alerting at the slightest intrusion on his territory.
Faithful and very loyal, he has retained his characteristics as a shepherd dog and continues to protect and gather his herd, which today are the members of his family.
Breed Appearance
This medium-sized dog has a rather robust constitution. His bones are fine, without being too light, allowing him to be solid and fast at the same time.
Rather lean and quite muscular, the Puli has a unique gait. The appearance of his coat gives the impression of a real doggie, more than of a diligent and efficient working dog.
Despite his deceptive appearance, the Puli is well suited to his many functions.
Height
Between 39 and 45 cm (15.35 to 17.72 inches) for the male
Between 36 and 42 cm (14.17 to 16.54 inches) for the female
Weight
Between 13 and 15 kg (28.66 to 33.07 pounds) for the male
Between 10 and 13 kg (22.05 to 28.66 pounds) for the female
Color
The color of his coat can vary between white, black, reddish black, and different shades of grey.
Hair
The hair of his coat is very thick and dense, to such an extent that it is difficult for a veterinarian to examine the different parts of his body when necessary.
The hair forms tufts that develop into firmly structured flakes, or strands of corded hair. The so-called "roped" hair goes downwards and forms a very tight wave. A coat with small strands tends to form long cords.
Generally, the hair is longer on the thighs, kidneys and croup, while it is slightly shorter on the feet and head. In some specimens, the hair almost touches the ground when the dog is standing. The coat also has a very soft, woolly undercoat.
Morphology
His dark eyes are medium size and oblique. His large, drooping ears are v-shaped. His nose is completely black.
His tail halfway up forms a pretty curl that folds over the croup.
According to the FCI breeds nomenclature, this breed belongs to group 1, section 1 and is #55
Tips About this breed
Despite his apparent heaviness, the Puli is a very fast and efficient dog. Rather agile, he is able to change direction quickly, making him a dog much appreciated in agility competitions.
His upbringing is easy, even if it must be firm and adequate, but always gentle.
His socialization should not exacerbate his natural mistrust of strangers, but should rather aim to control him.
The Puli must be able to move regularly, as his overflowing energy must be evacuated so that he remains calm, reserved and friendly.
He can live just about anywhere, as long as he can exercise and move around frequently.
Health of the Puli
The Puli is very robust and strong, and the breed is not affected by any particular genetic disease or pathology.
Some specimens may suffer from hip dysplasia, but this is not directly related to the breed. The majority of the dogs are in excellent health, and rarely ill. His longevity is also appreciable
GROOMING
Even if this kind of dress appears to take time and effort to maintain, the Puli does not require any particular maintenance. On the contrary, to preserve the quality of his dress, it should neither be brushed nor washed.
Even if he is considered the bushiest dog in the world, the Puli does not need too much time for maintenance. Not an absolute necessity in his case, his master will need to separate his roped fur by hand to work his fleece for a minimum of maintenance.
History of this breed
Originally from Hungary, the Puli is apparently descended from Asian dogs, whose ancestors are said to have accompanied the Magyars at one time. The Tibetan Spaniel would be one of his probable ancestors, but the breed was later crossed in such an uncontrolled manner that it almost disappeared altogether.
At the beginning of the 20th century, the original breed was reproduced, after some enthusiasts decided to return to a dog closer to his ancestor. This was a complete success, and the Puli regained popularity.
This herding dog was, at one time, widely used to drive or guide herds, with or without human supervision.
In addition to this initial use, the Puli is also very useful as a guard or alarm dog, a retriever or simply as a companion dog. He is also appreciated in sporting competitions.
This canine specimen has a very special appearance and can be suitable for many family situations. His multiple talents make him a multifunctional dog.
