Puli Dog Breed Information

Group

Herding

Weight

10-16 kg

Height

38-46 cm

Lifespan

14-16 years

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About the Puli

Reviewed by:

Dr. Cristina Alice Vulpe

Veterinarian

Need to know more about probably the most unique looking breed of dog, the Puli?

In this ultimate guide, we have everything – and we mean everything – you need to know about these amazing creatures, including their beautiful, eternal puppy-like temperament, intensive grooming needs, as well as their history as herding dogs and their love for herding humans too!

What is the history & origin of the Puli?

Native to Hungary, the Puli has been used to herd sheep for centuries across the Hungarian plains.

They are intelligent, watchful and protective and these wonderful traits show no show of abating! They still have a guarding instinct and will take no time at all to gather and drive even the most temperamental flock of sheep!

They don’t stop at sheep, however; they’ll attempt to herd pretty much anything or anyone. From small children to their dog parents, chickens and cats. Yes, really! Anything that moves is fair game for the Puli!

After the end of World War II, several Pulis were brought to the United States and were introduced to the eyes of the American Kennel Club, and they were soon introduced to the Herding Group.

What is a Puli breed?

Pulis (pronounced poo-lees) are medium-sized dogs that are known for their famously distinctive and unusual coat.

Puli coats are dreadlocked, making them really stand out amongst other dogs. The coat can grow long, so long that, if not appropriately managed, it can quickly and easily start to reach the floor, as well as grow over their eyes and, ultimately, make life very difficult to manage.

Their genetic makeup is an incredible feat of evolution; this thick, woolly, corded coat of theirs protects the Puli from the harshest of Hungarian weather and made them tricky prey for hungry wolves.

Who is a Puli best for?

Pulis are definitely best suited to individuals or families that have the energy to keep up with them, as well as the time to commit to them. These dogs were the best friends of Hungarian Shepherds for centuries, so they want – and need – to expel the enormous amount of energy that they have.

Someone who has a lot of patience to deal with the huge task of bathing a Puli would also make an ideal owner. As we shall see further on, it requires some heavy dedication to keep a Puli looking its very best!

Puli Grooming & Shedding

A full-grown Puli coat is truly an incredible sight to behold, although a Puli’s corded coat will not begin to grow through about the age of nine months. It’s very important that owners help encourage the coat to grow healthily from a young age by guiding the cords, so they do not simply grow into a mat, which is not only unsightly but can also severely hurt the dog.

Bath time can be a difficult task at first for both Puli and the owner. It requires a lot of time and patience to get the technique just right. The cords need to first be adequately soaked, and considering how thick they are, this can take quite an amount of time on its own. Then comes adding and washing out the soap.

But the main hurdle is the drying part.

We aren’t over-exaggerating when we say drying can take hours!

The cords have to be wrung out, beginning at the ends and then the additional water must be taken out with a towel. It is imperative that these little cords are 100% dry after bathing. Failure to do so can mean the Puli growing mildew in its coat, which can be terribly nasty for the dog!

However, the Puli breed’s coat can be brushed out, and if you decide on this, you should give the dog a thorough brushing at least once a week, ideally more. And, always ensure the hair around the eyes are well trimmed so as not to affect the dog adversely.

Do Pulies bark a lot?

A Puli can be a very strong-willed dog and, therefore, rather noisy when it wants to be! When you are late with breakfast or haven’t had a spot of playtime yet, they will let you know about it!

For this reason, they are known to be one of the more vocal breeds in the dog world.

What is the average weight & height of a Puli dog?

A Puli is a medium-sized dog. Their approximate measurements are as follows:

Height: 51-61 cm
Length: 58-76 cm
Withers height: 38-46 cm
Weight: 10-16 kg

Are Pulies easy to train?

The good news is that Pulis are extremely intelligent dogs – one of the most intelligent breeds in the dog world, in fact. And, because of this, they are mercifully easy to train.

Puli puppies can benefit hugely from train and lots of positive reinforcement. But, if you have an older Puli, these are one breed of dog that you really can teach new tricks! Pulis loves to have involvement and stimulation, and training for them (and hopefully you) should be fun. They do brilliantly at dog sports, excelling in obedience and agility training.

Training from a young age, however, is most beneficial, especially when it comes to their natural wariness of those humans outside of the immediate household. Not only this, but training will help a Puli puppy to develop into a happy and confident adult dog.

How do Pulies behave? A look at their temperament and personality

Overall, Pulis are warmhearted, and loyal companions of their family. Puli dogs also make amazing guard dogs, largely due to their suspicions of strangers. While they are extremely loving, kind, affectionate and pretty much overgrown puppies when it comes to their family, they won’t warm immediately to strangers.

Instead, expect a little bit of aloofness, attitude and side-glare to begin with when it comes to those they are unfamiliar with.

These dogs can get close to stir-crazy if they don’t get their required amount of exercise, and it can sadly reflect in their behaviour. They also require a good amount of mental stimulation too, or lack of this can also bring on destructive tendencies.

As mentioned briefly at the beginning of our guide, a Puli, as a herding dog, has a natural instinct to get the pack in line, whether this is children or other dogs or animals. Therefore they can and do often give a soft nip to the heels at the time, but it is their natural instinct, and there is no malice intended.

And thankfully, it doesn’t hurt!

Does the Puli have any common health issues?

The Puli dog breed, similar to many purebred dogs, is at risk of developing some genetic health problems.

Some of these include:

Hip Dysplasia
Luxating Patella
Degenerative Myelopathy
Progressive Retinal Atrophy
Deafness

Many of these conditions can be successfully managed with veterinary medicine. However, it varies from individual dog to dog. Many Pulis go on to have no medical conditions throughout their lifespan.

What is the lifespan of a Puli?

A Puli dog that’s in good health gets lots of activity and has good-quality nourishment can live anywhere between 14 and 16 years.

How much does a Puli need to be fed?

It’s always important to feed your corded Puli the highest quality food you can afford. If there is a history of hereditary conditions, your vet and breeder will be able to help you find suitable food.

It’s also extremely important that you do not allow your Puli to become overweight. To do this, make sure that your Puli is not given more food than they require for their size and age. You should always ensure you use either a measuring cup or a scale to make sure that they are not being overfed. Never leave their bowl continually filled up as this can lead to overeating.

Finally, be sure to go easy on the treats. Like us humans, Pulis can become very overweight if they enjoy too many of the delicious things in life!

How much can you expect to pay for a Puli in Australia?

Pulis can be expensive, costing up to $6000 for one pup, and sometimes, depending on the breeder, can cost more.

FYI – Always ensure you seek out professional breeders and always ask to see mum and dad, ideally alongside the rest of the available litter, before you place a deposit.

Puli FAQs

Are Pulis good with kids?

Like many other breeds of traditional working dogs, Pulis can be great with kids. In fact, they tend to set themselves up as babysitters when it comes to young members of the family!

Do Pulis suffer from separation anxiety?

Yes, depending on the dog and the situation, Pulis can suffer from separation anxiety, which can be extremely uncomfortable for them. Your vet will be able to provide you with all the key information on how to avoid this.

Can Pulis see?

Yes, Pulis can see rather well through a well-maintained outer coat, even if it does somewhat cover their eyes.

What mental stimulation do Pulis require?

The Puli dog breed requires not only physical exercise but a lot of mental exercise in addition. Games and toys work wonders for their intelligent minds!