PULI Breed Standards
The Puli’s ancient origins are somewhat obscure. Shepherding dogs resembling the Puli, Kuvasz and Komondor were brought with the Magyar tribes to the Danube area of Hungary during the 9th century, though it is widely believed that these dogs had served the Magyar long before the Common Era, and may have existed as far back as 2000 BC. The Puli’s diminutive size, square proportion and carriage have led some to hypothesize that the Tibetan Spaniel may have influenced the development of the breed. The energetic Puli was employed as the Magyars’ primary shepherding dog, and was renowned for its great skill in this job; Pulik have even been known to jump on a sheep’s back in order to make it submit.
After Ottoman invasions leveled Hungary during the 16th century, the country was repopulated with dogs from Western Europe. Interbreeding of these dogs with the Puli produced a dog known as the Pumi, and subsequent pairings between Pumi and Puli led to the original Puli’s near extinction by the early 20th century. Efforts to resurrect the Puli in its native Hungary led to the first breed standard in 1925. Before then, the Puli had been divided into large “police,” medium “working,” and small “dwarf” variations but the standard established that the medium size was closest to the classic Puli.
The US Department of Agriculture began importing Pulik in 1935 in an effort to improve American herding dogs, and the Puli was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1936. The Puli is rarely seen as a pet outside of its native Hungary, and is often viewed as an exotic oddity by those unfamiliar with the breed.
SKILLS: The Puli, is a compact, square appearing, well balanced dog of medium size. He is vigorous, alert and active. Striking and highly characteristic is the shaggy coat which, combined with his light-footed, distinctive movement, has fitted him for the strenuous work of herding flocks on the plains of Hungary. Agility, combined with soundness of mind and body, is of prime importance for the proper fulfillment of this centuries-old task.
SIZE: Ideally, males are 17 inches measured from the withers to the ground;bitches, 16 inches. An inch over or under these measurements is acceptable. The tightly knit body approximates a square measured from withers to ground and point of shoulder to point of buttock. Medium boned.
COAT: The dense, weather resistant coat is profuse on all parts of the body. The outer coat is wavy or curly, but never silky. The undercoat is soft, wooly and dense. The coat clumps together easily, and if allowed to develop naturally, will form cords in the adult. The cords are wooly, varying in shape and thickness, either flat or round, depending on the texture of the coat and the balance of undercoat to outer coat. The Puli may be shown either corded or brushed. It is essential that the proper double coat with correct texture always be apparent. With age the coat can become quite long, even reaching to the ground; however, only enough length to properly evaluate quality and texture is considered necessary so as not to penalize the younger or working specimens.
Color - Only the solid colors of rusty black, black, all shades of gray, and white are acceptable; however, on the chest a white spot of not more than 2 inches is permissible. In the black and the gray dogs an intermixture of some gray, black or white hairs is acceptable as long as the overall appearance of a solid color is maintained. The fully pigmented skin has a bluish or gray cast whatever the coat color.
CARE REQUIRED: The corded coat begins to form around the age of 6 months when the soft woolly undercoat intermingles with the harsher outer-coat. The mats thus formed should be separated by hand very regularly at this stage. The clumps should be torn apart by hand from the tip to the skin. Each coat is individual but as a rough guide, these sections should not be made thinner than the width of a pencil. It is a relaxing and enjoyable process for dog and owner and if done regularly, takes little time. Keeping a fully corded Puli is very easy since they take little care apart from regular coat separation and, of course, bathing. Bathing is as easy as washing a sweater but drying does take some time. With a dryer a fully corded Puli coat will take several hours and without a drier can take around 2 days to be fully dry. Eyes and ears should be cleaned regularly; nails kept clipped. The breed does not shed its coat. If you are allergic to dogs in general, you might try to see how you'd get along with a Puli since their coat is so different.
CHARACTER: By nature an affectionate, intelligent and home-loving companion, the Puli is sensibly suspicious and therefore an excellent watchdog. Extreme timidity or shyness are serious faults.
EXERCISE: These dogs are energetic and lively and are in their glory when allowed to romp and play, especially if their owner or a companion dog joins in the fun. Some of them are fond of water and can swim very well, but not all have this tendency and this should never be permitted unsupervised.
SOCIAL BEHAVIOR: The Puli will adapt to almost any circumstance be it an apartment or a farm. They are suited to all climates. In the heat of Australia and Florida they do extremely well and, conversely in the extreme cold of areas like Denver in winter they also do likewise. They are fairly active indoors and will do okay without a yard.
TRAINING: They do very well in obedience and agility as well as in the show ring. Though wary of strangers, they are never aggressive, but may well give a vocal warning if they feel their owner is being threatened.
