The Hungarian Puli, or just Puli, is one of the most unique dogs in the world. They are very similar to Komondors, but the main difference is the height. Komondor is much bigger than the Puli and they come in one coat color – white. The Hungarian Puli is a very old dog breed. They are thought to be more than 1000 years old. The original job of a Puli dog was to guard and herd. Although they can be wonderful family pets, they still perform these jobs today.

1. Size

Both male and female Puli dogs are up to 17 inches tall (43 cm). The female dogs are usually smaller, around 16 inches (40 cm). Both can weigh from 25 to 35 pounds (11 to 15 kg). Pulis are sturdy and muscular dogs. They have a lively short-stepping movement. Even though it is hard to distinguish from afar, they have tightly curled tails that go over the rump-loin area.

2. Color

The Puli comes in many coat color variations:

• Black
• White
• Silver (gray)
• Rust
• Brindle
• Cream 
• Brown 

They can also have black and white markings and a black mask. Even though they can have markings, the overall appearance has to be of a solid color.

3. Social Traits

Pulis are lively, energetic dogs loyal to their owners. Because of their guarding instincts, they can be reserved toward strangers and other dogs. However, they should never show aggressiveness. These dogs are not aggressive, and it is up to the owner to properly socialize dogs.

As natural herders, they go well with other animals. Of course, depending on where they live, they need to be habituated or socialized accordingly. They do have a natural herding instinct, but they should be introduced to various animals from an early age. 

They can be good family dogs, and they bond easily with their owners being protective of the youngest members of the family. As mentioned, they are wary of strangers which means people of all ages. We should never encourage aggressive behavior no matter how “cute” it might seem when they are just puppies. 

Good with children: yes, need socialization

Good with other dogs: need socialization

Good with other animals: yes

4. Trainability

Pulis are highly trainable. They are intelligent and they love to please their owners which makes them easier to train. However, their intelligence means they will quickly get bored of repetitive commands. If you keep it interesting, give them a good reward, and be consistent, they can quickly learn.

They are guarding and herding dogs which means they will have a tendency to do things independently on their own. This doesn’t mean they won’t listen to you, but you should prepare for the fact that while they excel in herding, other tasks might be too irrelevant for them to engage in.

5. Activity Needs

Hungarian Puli is a high-energy dog. They need daily mental and physical stimulation to keep them healthy and happy. Pulis need daily walks and playtime. Up to one hour of daily activities combined with stimulating games is all they need.

There are numerous indoor games or dog toys you can give to your Puli to enrich their daily activities. But, the best kind of activities are the ones you do with your dog. Going on a walk, hike, or “adventure” where a dog can explore the world is the best exercise for the mind and the body.

6. Feeding

Generally speaking, an adult Puli needs up to 2 cups of kibble food daily. The amount should be divided into two meals. One meal in the morning and the other one in the evening. Every dog is unique, and you should change the diet according to your dog’s needs. The best option is to take your dog to the vet before changing any diet plans. 

7. Grooming

The Hungarian Puli has a very special coat. It’s long, corded, and double. While they are young, they have a puppy coat that doesn’t need brushing but occasional baths. When they start growing their undercoat (from 8 to 10 months), there are two options: let the coat cord on its own or we “help” it cord. Either way, it has to be done regularly over the course of the next few years to get the perfect corded coat. It is important to leave enough space for the skin to breathe. Puli shouldn’t have a strong dog odor. If there is a strong odor, you should bathe the dog, take it to the vet, and see if there are skin issues.

In most cases, people let the coat grow long, sometimes all the way to the ground, with an “umbrella” coat style on the head that falls over the eyes. You can also cut the fur short, but it is not necessary. 

8. Possible Problems

Hungarian Pulis are healthy dogs. They can have some joint issues, such as hip dysplasia or eye problems. The key to healthy dogs is responsible breeding. Screen-testing dogs for possible health issues, especially known hereditary ones, is highly important. A dog that has health issues that can be transferred to offspring should be excluded from the breeding program. 

Summary

The Hungarian Puli is a sturdy herding dog. They are suitable for both country and city life, but with their high energy and herding traits no matter where they live, they need enough daily mental and physical exercise. Pulis are loyal and go well with families with children, but are wary of strangers. This means they will need proper socialization from puppyhood to make them as calm and non-reactive as possible when it comes to other dogs or strangers.

Every dog needs socialization and habituation, no matter the breed. They also need regular baths to keep the cords and skin healthy. 

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