A puli (pronounced poo-lee) is a distinctive herding dog that looks a bit like a sheepdog with dreadlocks thanks to its long, corded coat. Pulik (the plural of puli) are an ancient breed whose origins can be traced back to southeast Asia.
Still, they're best-known by many today for their long history as herding dogs in Hungary, where pulik are prized for their intelligence, agility, and work ethic. Hungarian shepherds are said to have paid a year's wages for a Puli.
Pulik were imported into the U.S. in 1935 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to work as herding dogs. The four original Pulik brought to the U.S. were sold to breeders during World War II.
Today, a puli is a unique household pet with an appearance that's sure to start a conversation anywhere you go. If you wonder whether or not a bright, good-humored, empathetic puli might be the perfect addition to your family, read on to learn more.
Puli Characteristics
Pulik are medium, muscular dogs. An average puli size is around 16 to 17 inches tall. They have deep-set eyes and v-shaped, floppy ears. They typically come in shades of black, gray, and white.
The most striking part of a Puli's appearance is its coat. Pulik are long-haired dogs with corded, water-resistant coats with a mop-like texture. Pulik aren't born with corded coats — shedding and tangling give the Puli's coat its distinctive corded appearance over time. A puli's undercoat starts to grow at nine to 10 months old, but a full corded coat can take five years to develop. A Puli's coat can be brushed smooth, but allowing it to cord naturally provides the Puli the best protection.
A Puli's corded coat hangs over their eyes, but they can see very well since the cords move as the Puli moves. You can use a hairband to tie up your Puli's cords if your Puli is doing an activity where they need the best possible peripheral vision, like an agility competition.
Pulik are intelligent dogs that require a lot of mental stimulation. A typical puli temperament is good-natured and playful, but they can be stubborn dogs that need an experienced owner who's comfortable keeping control of a headstrong pet. Pulik are eager to please and make excellent working dogs, guard dogs, or house dogs.
Pulik can be good family dogs for households with kids, especially if the Puli and the children are brought up together. As with all dogs, an adult should supervise a Puli when small children are present.
Caring for a Puli
Pulik puppies don't require a significant amount of grooming — regular bathing, ear cleaning, daily tooth brushing, and nail trims are all that are necessary.
At nine to 10 months of age, when a puli's undercoat starts to come in, cords will begin to form. Parts of the coat will naturally separate and begin to feel matted, and puli owners should gently separate the cords. You'll need to separate the cords regularly for 6 to 9 months until they start to tighten and become distinct. Take extra care when separating mats on the ears because a puli's ears are delicate and bleed easily.
Food can get stuck in a puli's muzzle cords, but you can clean out any stray food with a fine-tooth comb. You should also trim any cords that drag on the ground with scissors to keep your Puli clean. Any other debris (leaves, grass, etc.) that accumulates in your puli's coat after they roll around outside should be removed as needed. You should inspect a puli's coat and skin weekly to check for any problems that need maintenance.
Bathing a puli can be labor-intensive. You need to separate the cords before bathing and make sure to rinse your puli thoroughly so that soap or conditioner doesn't build up in the cords. After a bath, you can wring out the cords or use a towel to squeeze out excess moisture. Even with a professional hairdryer, a wet Puli can take 10 to 12 hours to dry. In fact, bathing a Puli can be a full-day job. The good news? Pulik don't tend to smell bad and don't require as many baths as other breeds.
If you choose to keep your puli's coat uncorded, you'll need to brush a Puli weekly. A puli should be brushed free of any mats before bathing. Otherwise, the mats will tighten up and become more difficult to brush out.
A puli doesn't have any special dietary needs and should do well on any high-quality dog food containing meat, grains, vegetables, and fruits unless your veterinarian has prescribed a therapeutic diet. Puppies need a dog food formulated for puppies or marked for "all life stages". If you have any questions about your dog's nutritional needs, consult your veterinarian.
Pulik are high-energy dogs that require mental stimulation and exercise. They make great competitors in canine sports like agility, herding, and obedience.
Pulik are slow-maturing dogs. A puli won't be fully mature until two to three years old. Many Puli owners say that they keep a puppy-like demeanor their entire lives.
Socializing pulik puppies regularly is essential for their long-term development.
Since pulik stay active most of their life and are intelligent, high-energy dogs. If you decide to take a Puli companion home, be prepared to enroll in obedience training and other activities and provide lots of mental and physical stimulation for the entirety of your dog's lifespan.
Health Problems to Watch for With a Puli
An average puli lifespan is 12 to 16 years. Pulik are hardy, healthy dogs that aren't prone to many diseases.
However, some puli health issues include:
Hip Dysplasia
Canine hip dysplasia (CHD) results from a loose or unstable hip joint. While CHD has multiple causes, genetics is the most significant risk factor. Over time, CHD leads to a loss of cartilage at the hip joint. Limping, reluctance to jump, and loss of back leg muscles are all signs of hip dysplasia. If your puli is diagnosed with hip dysplasia while still a puppy, your veterinarian may recommend Juvenile Pubic Symphysiodesis (JPS) surgery. JPS surgery is minimally invasive, and your puli may be able to go home the same day.
Eye Disorders
A puli puppy should have an eye exam at eight to 10 weeks old to rule out eye disorders such as progressive retinal atrophy (PRA). PRA is a retinal disease that eventually leads to blindness. There is currently no treatment for PRA, but it's not painful, and most dogs adapt very well to blindness with help from their owners.
Patellar Luxation
A common congenital knee problem in dogs, patellar luxation is a misalignment of the knee joint. Symptoms include carrying the affected limb for a few steps, a bow-legged or knocked-knee appearance, and shaking a limb before use. Surgery may be necessary in moderate-to-severe cases.
Degenerative Myelopathy
Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) is a progressive, fatal disease that typically presents in older dogs around nine years of age. Symptoms include loss of coordination or weakness in hind limbs, limb paralysis, incontinence, and difficulty swallowing. There's currently no treatment for DM.
