The Hungarian Puli History The Puli (pronounced Poo-lee) is an ancient breed of Hungarian sheepdog, bred for centuries to herd sheep and guard livestock.  When the Magyars, a tribe originally from the central steppes of Asia, journeyed across Europe and settled in Hungary in the 9 th   century A.D., they took with them their herds of semi-wild cattle, spirited horses, flocks of sheep, and shaggy Puli dogs.  Even today dogs can be found in the Himalayas that closely resemble the Puli, the Lhasa Apso and the Tibetan Terrier being notable examples. For centuries the Puli was noted for its herding instinct and was to be found in great numbers in the rural areas of Hungary, but it was not until the end of the 19 th  century that the breed drew any attention as a companion or show dog, and attempts were made to research the breed’s history, maintain accurate breeding records, and establish the ideal type. The Puli was introduced into the U.S.A. by the Maryland Department of Agriculture in 1936, the purpose being to test the herding ability and intelligence of several herding breeds.  Unfortunately their findings were not conclusive since the outbreak of World War II terminated the experiment before its completion, and the dogs were dispersed to private owners.  However, the Puli did have a foothold on this continent, and more imports followed.  Canada saw its first Puli in 1948, and the breed still ranks as one of the rarer dog breeds here. Traditionally, the Puli is best at working sheep.  His outstanding qualities led to the Hungarian shepherds’ assertion that “It’s not a dog, it’s a Puli.”  So great was the value of the Puli that all others were merely “dogs.”  At one time it was not an uncommon occurrence for a shepherd to save a year’s pay to buy a good Puli, and the most precious gift he could give was a Puli puppy.  Those who have seen a Puli working are amazed by his dazzling footwork and flying coat.  He can get from one side of the flock to the other by running across the backs of the sheep, and can stop a runaway by jumping on the errant sheep’s back, clinging on and riding it until it slows down from exhaustion, and can be herded back to the flock.  The Puli has also been used for hunting wildfowl and small game, and will also retrieve from land and water. Description The Puli is a medium-sized dog, males measuring 16-18 inches (40-46 cm) tall at the withers, and females 14-16 inches (35-41 cm).  Accepted colours are black, reddish-black, grey-reddish black, all shades of grey, masked fawn, and white.  Both black Pulis and white Pulis must give the impression of a solid colour. The greys are a mixture of black and white hair, and the colour may range from charcoal to silver, and the shade may vary on different parts of the dog. The masked fawn dogs have a black mask and usually black ear tips and tail tip. The Puli is squarely built, fine-boned and wiry, with his tail curled over his back.  His head appears round due to the long hair overshadowing his eyes.  He does not impress with a beautiful clean-cut shape, but by his distinctive shaggy appearance. The Coat There is no mistaking the Puli for any other breed, with his long corded coat often reaching the ground.  The coat consists of a woolly undercoat and a coarse and wavy topcoat.  The combination of the two forms the long cords which give the Puli his unique appearance.  Grooming is important to any long- haired breed, and particularly to a corded breed such as the Puli.  The cords must be separated by hand from time to time to keep them from growing together in mats, especially when the dog is young and the cords are forming.  If they are maintained correctly during their growth they will hang in tight even cords at maturity.  A mature coat will generally need checking and grooming once every few weeks.  Without this care and grooming the coat will become badly matted.  The cords are a type of controlled matting; the coat is never brushed or combed, the owner simply aids the coat as it cords by controlling the size of the cords. The Puli is bathed when he gets dirty.  The coat is thoroughly wetted, then shampoo is squeezed through.  The coat is then rinsed thoroughly, squeezed as dry as possible, and then allowed to dry.  It takes a long time to dry a Puli in full coat!  The cords do not wash out or unravel, in fact they tighten up with age and bathing.  If the coat should reach the ground and start to drag, it should be trimmed clear of the ground, otherwise the Puli will trip and his coat will get dirty.  He should also be trimmed around his feet if the hair grows excessively long, and cords that extend beyond his nose should be trimmed back so that he doesn’t dirty his face cords when he eats and drinks.  All trimming is easily done by the owner with a pair of scissors.  Eyes, ears, nails and teeth require the usual care; in fact eyes and ears should be checked frequently, they are easily overlooked under all that hair! For everything you would ever need to know about care of the Puli coat, check out our book Striking the Right Cord: A Complete Guide to Grooming the Puli. Pulis are not prone to any particular health problems specific to the breed.  They are generally quite robust and hardy.  The corded coat is open to the skin and parasites or skin problems are quickly seen by the owner who is diligent about maintaining the coat.  Prompt action is required if a skin problem should develop, for patches of coat lost through scratching take a long time to grow back. The Puli is tough enough to withstand quite low temperatures and extremes of weather; the coat warms in winter and is water- repellant.  In extreme heat most Pulis will sensibly seek shade and become less active.  The coat is never completely shed, in fact it is shed hair that forms most of the length of the cords, and this is the reason that only odd clumps of fluff are found in your house when you own a Puli.  You will not have the nonstop vacuuming of shed hair that is necessary when you own many shorter haired breeds.  However, the coat should never be clipped off in the mistaken belief that the dog will be cooler - the coat acts as insulation against the heat. Temperament Faithful and intelligent, the Puli makes an excellent housedog, and in fact a Puli will insist on becoming a family member and sharing your life.  He used to share the very lonely life of the shepherds on the puszta or plains of Hungary, where thousands of cattle and sheep grazed.  He is not a dog to shut away in a kennel. The Puli’s high spirits and energy make him an ideal playmate and guardian for children.  He is devoted to his family, being a one-family dog rather than a one-person dog, and since he is very alert to his surroundings he makes an excellent watchdog.  Please note: he is not a guard dog, he doesn’t have the size for that, but he will warn you of changes in his territory, such as a strange car in your driveway, a new cat in your yard, or even a piece of paper blowing across your lawn! Exercise Although the Puli is an active and energetic breed, he does not demand miles of exercise; he will be content with as much or as little as you manage to give him.  If you like to jog for miles he will happily keep up with you, and in fact a fit and healthy Puli will easily outlast his human counterpart.  However, don’t take a young puppy jogging, or on any other strenuous activity.  Wait until the dog is full grown and his bones and muscles have finished growing - he should be at least a year of age, and then build up his stamina slowly by gradually increasing the distance and/or time.  Many Pulis have accompanied their owners on such outdoor activities as hiking, cross country skiing, back country camping. Performance Events The Puli is one of the smartest of dogs, quite often seeming to be smarter than his owner!  It is important that he receive some basic obedience training. - a bored Puli may become a problem Puli.  Obedience work and agility can take the place of the original sheepherding function as a “job” in the Puli’s mind, and can be most fulfilling and exciting as Puli and owner work as a team.  Many Pulis have done exceptionally well in formal obedience trials, and since the breed is active and energetic, they have also excelled in agility.  Most Pulis love to jump and cause a sensation when working in agility as they negotiate the obstacles at high speed, cords flying, the dog clearly having a wonderful time. Sheepherding trials and tests are now available in many parts of the country.  A number of Pulis have been certified at various skill levels, proving that even many generations removed from their hardworking sheepdog ancestors, the breed still retains the instinct and drive for its ancient and original function. Buying a Puli If you have decided that the Puli is for you, it is important that you find out as much as possible about the characteristics, requirements, advantages and drawbacks of owning this active intelligent breed.  If possible, attend dog shows and study the Pulis being shown; talk to the breeders and exhibitors.  Visit as many kennels as possible, and be honest with the breeders, tell them exactly what you want - a companion Puli, show dog, or a dog that you can work in obedience, agility, or other performance event.  You will then be in a far better position to finally select and purchase a puppy that will fit into your home if you are well informed about the breed, and the breeder will be better able to advise you which puppy will best suit your purpose.  If you want a show dog, it is essential that this is made clear to the breeder.  A superior quality puppy, free of major visible faults that would eliminate it from show competition, can then be chosen.  Ask questions, because you are choosing a dog that will fit into your home and lifestyle for many years, and any reputable breeder will gladly answer your questions and concerns.   Finally..... The Puli’s energy, high spirits, and unique coat make him an unusual and striking companion.  With his cheerfulness and sense of humour, he is a dog that simply will not allow himself to be ignored.  If you want to have many years of laughter, don’t mind having a dog that is probably smarter than you are, and are willing to cater to the needs of this lively, hairy breed, then the Puli might be the right dog for you