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Puli

Puli
 

The Puli was developed in Hungary some time in the 17th or 18th century to drive cattle and sheep. In fact, they were prized so much for their abilities that they are still used for that purpose in the country today. It is believed that they developed from crosses between the Hutespitz and Pomeranian. Hungarian shepherds valued their Puli dogs so much that they often exchanged them for cash, other dogs or even livestock. It is thought that some Puli dogs may have been crossed with terrier breeds to produce a fine-tuned canine that could easily catch rodents and herd swine. The Puli has been around for several centuries and was originally developed in Hungary to help herd sheep. While Pulik (the plural form of the word Puli) come in several colors, Hungarian shepherds preferred the black varieties as they were more visible among white sheep. Due to their agile bodies, Pulik were able to pull straggling sheep back into their flock with ease. The dog's thick, corded coat not only protected it from severe weather and thorns, but it also helped to protect it from would-be predators. When a predator tried to bite a Puli, it only succeeded in getting a mouthful of hair.

The Puli comes in four colors, and they are gray, black, white and light brown. Gray dogs are usually born black and do not start turning gray until they reach about six to eight weeks old. Light brown dogs typically have a dark mask. Although rare, some Puli dogs can come in black and tan, blue or dark brown. This is considered a medium-sized dog weighing about 22 to 32 pounds full grown. The coat of the Puli is poodle-like with a soft undercoat and a harsh top coat. The ears of the Puli are triangular and high set with the tip dropping about half way down from the top. The tail of this dog is also high set curling up and over to the side. While black is the most common color for Pulik, they also come in a variety of other shades including white, cream, silver, brown and brindle. The most attractive feature of the Puli is its thick, wiry coat. The Puli's coat is much like the coat of a Poodle and can be left natural, worked into cords or shaved. Since Pulik do not shed like many other dog breeds, they are considered hypoallergenic. This is a relatively hardy breed, which can live up to 16 years if they are given proper care.

Personality

The Puli is an active and happy breed. Choosing the right dog breed for your family can be difficult with so many breeds to choose from. However, if you are looking for a happy and active dog with energy to spare, a Puli would be a perfect choice. These dogs are literally bubbling with energy and can make even the most serious person smile. Since the Puli is such an active dog, you will need a fenced-in yard for it to run and play. These dogs are not recommended for people who have small homes or apartments. They make fantastic family dogs and are happiest when they are kept busy. While they are a bit reserved with strangers, they are by no means aggressive. The Puli is a unique and versatile breed. If you want to add a puppy to your family but you would like a unique breed, why not consider a Puli? At first glance, you may think that this little dog is nothing more than a walking mop. However, the Puli is a lively breed that can bring a lot of joy and love to your home. Generally, the Puli is a happy and active dog that needs a lot of play and exercise. These dogs make fantastic family pets as they are extremely loyal and easy to train. However, due to their lively nature, they are not recommended for very small children. They are rarely aggressive, but they typically do not trust strangers. Pulik can be quite vocal, especially when they feel as if they or their families are threatened. They are brave little dogs that will not back down when trying to protect their "pack". Since Pulik can be very active, it is best to begin obedience training while your puppy is still young.

Breed Characteristics

Type:Pure
Family:Herders
Function:Working
Origin:Europe
Preferred Climate:Any Climate
Group:Herding
Life Span:12-16 Years
Nicknames:Hungarian Puli, Pulik (plural)
Hypoallergenic:No

Puli Build Information

The Puli comes in four colors, and they are gray, black, white and light brown. Gray dogs are usually born black and do not start turning gray until they reach about six to eight weeks old. Light brown dogs typically have a dark mask. Although rare, some Puli dogs can come in black and tan, blue or dark brown. This is considered a medium-sized dog weighing about 22 to 32 pounds full grown. The coat of the Puli is poodle-like with a soft undercoat and a harsh top coat. The ears of the Puli are triangular and high set with the tip dropping about half way down from the top. The tail of this dog is also high set curling up and over to the side. While black is the most common color for Pulik, they also come in a variety of other shades including white, cream, silver, brown and brindle. The most attractive feature of the Puli is its thick, wiry coat. The Puli's coat is much like the coat of a Poodle and can be left natural, worked into cords or shaved. Since Pulik do not shed like many other dog breeds, they are considered hypoallergenic. This is a relatively hardy breed, which can live up to 16 years if they are given proper care.

Size:Medium
Length (Male):13-20 in.
Length (Female):14-16 in.
Weight:26 - 40 lbs
Litter Size:5 - 10 Puppies
Tail Dock or Crop:No

Behaviour and Personality

The Puli is an active and happy breed. Choosing the right dog breed for your family can be difficult with so many breeds to choose from. However, if you are looking for a happy and active dog with energy to spare, a Puli would be a perfect choice. These dogs are literally bubbling with energy and can make even the most serious person smile. Since the Puli is such an active dog, you will need a fenced-in yard for it to run and play. These dogs are not recommended for people who have small homes or apartments. They make fantastic family dogs and are happiest when they are kept busy. While they are a bit reserved with strangers, they are by no means aggressive. The Puli is a unique and versatile breed. If you want to add a puppy to your family but you would like a unique breed, why not consider a Puli? At first glance, you may think that this little dog is nothing more than a walking mop. However, the Puli is a lively breed that can bring a lot of joy and love to your home. Generally, the Puli is a happy and active dog that needs a lot of play and exercise. These dogs make fantastic family pets as they are extremely loyal and easy to train. However, due to their lively nature, they are not recommended for very small children. They are rarely aggressive, but they typically do not trust strangers. Pulik can be quite vocal, especially when they feel as if they or their families are threatened. They are brave little dogs that will not back down when trying to protect their "pack". Since Pulik can be very active, it is best to begin obedience training while your puppy is still young.

Activity Level:Very Active
Affection Level:Affectionate
Aggressiveness Level:Easy
Barking:Noisy
Dominating or Submissive?:Dominating
Energy Level:Very Active
Good to Other Pets:Moderate Friendly
Guardian Skills:No
Independant:Yes
Kid Friendliness:Friendly

Appearance

Due to its wiry coat, you will want to brush your Puli daily to avoid tangles from developing. Shaving your Puli can help to make the coat easier to take care of. Unless your pet becomes particularly dirty, you should only need to bathe your Puli about once or twice a month. Grooming your Puli can be a bit difficult due to the nature of its coat. As such, it is best to leave grooming to a professional. Additionally, unless your dog becomes extremely dirty, you should only need to groom your pet about once a month. Shaving your Puli can help make the bathing and maintenance process much easier. If you do choose to allow your Puli's coat to grow long, you will need to take extra care during bathing so that the cords do not tangle together. Furthermore, it can take quite a long time for the thick coat to dry. If you choose to use a pet hair dryer, be sure to use a low setting as a high setting can cause the coat to frizz.

Colors:Apricot, Black, Blue Gray, Gray, Off White, White
Shedding:None
Grooming:Low Maintenance
Coat Type:Curly

Puli Common Health Conditions

Just as with any other dog breed, the Puli has a few hereditary health issues specific to its breed. Some of the most common health problems your Puli may develop include hip dysplasia and patella luxation. Nevertheless, these are generally hardy dogs that can live as long as 16 years with the proper care and attention. Many dog breeds have certain genetic health problems associated with them, and the Puli breed is no exception. The main issues that Pulik may develop include hip dysplasia, eye inflammations and cataracts. However, if you visit your veterinarian regularly, you can catch any of these problems before they become serious concerns.

Puli Pet Insurance

When adding a dog or cat to your family you want to make sure your pet is happy, healthy and protected. During its lifetime your pet is exposed to many illnesses and diseases and some breeds are affected by a congenital disease which is a condition existing at birth. At these moments when your pet is ill or maybe needs surgery, you want to be protected for the unexpected and high veterinarian costs.

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Breed Talents and Facts

The Puli can be mischievous when not kept busy. The Puli was classified as an independent breed in 1920. The Puli has little to no shedding. Pulis have been used for many purposes including herding, search and rescue, dog dancing, agility, and drug detection. When left to grow, the Puli's coat can grow to reach the ground. Pulik need no training to herd sheep. Some evidence suggests that the Puli may have been in existence for more than 6,000 years. Facebook's CEO, Mark Zuckerberg owns a Puli. The Puli is a cousin to the larger dog breed known as the Komondor. This is a medium-sized dog breed, with adults growing to anywhere from 23 to 35 pounds.

Training:Very easy to train
Hunting Companion:No
Jolly for Jogging:Yes
Sighting Capabilities:No
Ideal for Tracking:No
Retrieving Skills:No
Pointing Breed:No
Herding Skills:Yes
Dutiful Watchdog:Yes
Security Guard Capable:Yes
Police Performer:Yes
Wet Water rescues:No
Assist Disable Owners:No
Dog Sledding:No
Able to Perform Dog Carting:No
Agile/Zippy:No
Fun with Lure Coursing:No
Obedient:Yes
Possible Schutzhund Work:No
Trainable for Tricks:No