Puli

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Puli
White Puli
Enlarge
White Puli
Alternative names
Hungarian Puli
Pulik (plural)
Hungarian Water Dog
Country of origin
Hungary
Classification and breed standards
FCI: Group 1 Section 1 #55 Stds
AKC: Herding Stds
ANKC: Group 5 (Working) Stds
CKC: Group 7 - Herding Dogs [? Stds]
KC (UK): Pastoral Stds
NZKC: Working Stds
UKC: Herding Dog Breeds Stds
For fruit, see tamarind.

The Puli is a medium-small breed of dog known for its long, corded coat. The tight curls of the coat, similar to dreadlocks, make it virtually waterproof.

Black Puli with cords tied up to avoid collecting twigs and dirt
Enlarge
Black Puli with cords tied up to avoid collecting twigs and dirt

Contents

[edit] Appearance

The Puli comes in white, apricot, and black. It generally weighs around 22 pounds (13 kg) and is about 16 inches (42 cm) at the shoulder, however males have been known to reach 45 pounds and females over 30 pounds. The coat needs considerable grooming to keep its cords clean, neat, and attractive, or it needs regular trimming to a short coat for lower maintenance, although the corded coat is what attracts many people to the breed.

[edit] History

The Puli is an ancient sheep dog of Hungary, introduced by the migration of the Magyars from Central Asia in the Middle Ages. Nomadic shepherds of the Hungarian plains valued their herding dogs, paying as much as a year's salary for a Puli.

In Asia, the breed goes back 2000 years and anecdotal evidence suggests a Puli-like dog existed 6000 years ago. This breed is possibly the ancestor of the modern Poodle. The ancestry of the Puli, however, is not known with certainty.

[edit] Temperament

This breed is very energetic, intelligent and makes for a good watchdog and family pet.

[edit] External links

Hungarian dog breeds
Hungarian Vizsla | Komondor | Kuvasz | Magyar Agar | Mudi | Puli | Pumi | Transylvanian Hound