The Puli has an unusual corded coat and a life expectancy of 10 to 15 years.
The Puli is an ancient sheepdog developed in Hungary, but with roots in Central Asia. The Puli is believed to have descended from the Tibetan terrier and may have existed as far back as 4500 B.C. The Magyars brought the Puli with them to Hungary when they migrated there around 900 A.D. The Puli became highly prized as a herding dog and was meticulously and selectively bred by the people of Hungary.
The Puli weighs 16 to 17 inches and weighs 25 to 40 pounds.
The Puli has a distinctive corded coat. The Puli’s coat starts to form around nine months and takes four to five years to fully develop. The Puli has various grooming needs depending on where they are with their coat.
The Puli never needs to be brushed and, as a puppy, only needs to be bathed when dirty. As the Puli matures and begins to form their coat, they still only need minimal bathing. Overbathing a Puli can cause their cords to shrink. The show Puli can be bathed about every three weeks and the house Puli every six weeks.
Bathing a Puli is a time intensive task. Their cords should be separated before and after bathing to prevent tangling. Special care has to be given to make sure the Puli is thoroughly rinsed and completely dried. The drying process can take several hours and some Puli owners invest in a professional hair dryer to get the job done. Never leave a Puli’s coat damp as it can develop mildew.
Like all dogs, the Puli also needs basic grooming. Brush their teeth, clean their ears and trim their nails on a regular basis.
The Puli is lively and confident.
The Puli adores their family and wants to be included in all their activities. The Puli does not like to be left alone or ignored, and will demand attention if it is not given.
The Puli is happiest when they can play and romp all day. They are full of life and love to clown around. The Puli only wants to have fun and will put on a show to make the people around them laugh. The Puli is known for maintaining a puppy frame of mind well into their adult years.
Despite their sense of humor, the Puli is all business when it comes to protecting their family. They were bred to be guarding and herding dogs, and are naturally wary of strangers and highly alert.
The Puli is very intelligent, but independent. The Puli wants to be the dominant member of the household. They can be bossy and require a firm handler who is confident and patient. The Puli also needs early socialization or they can be aloof with strangers.
The Puli is high energy and needs lots of exercise and activity. The Puli should have a long daily walk in addition to time to run around and play in a secure area. The Puli likes to use their mind and body, but grows bored of games like fetch quickly. They are better suited to advanced activities like herding, agility and tracking.