Last Updated on August 7, 2023 by Pets Feed
The Puli dog, commonly known as Hungarian water dog, is a dog easy to recognize for its exclusive fur : long loops that can reach the ground.
On the street, every person will pay 100% attention to a dog like the Puli. It cannot be otherwise, because not every dog can be compared with Rostoman. Puli dogs are similar to them with their hair cords, which resemble dreadlocks.
Puli Dog photos
Physical characteristics
The Puli is easily recognizable by its distinctive coat with long “cords” that sometimes reach the ground. The color can be black, black with rust, white or different shades of apricot and gray. A strong and muscular body hides under the coat. The height of an adult male is 39 – 45 cm, weight is 13 – 15 kg, adult females are 36 – 42 cm, weight is 10 – 13 kg
Distinctive features
- Head: The head is small. The skull is rounded, the length of the muzzle is about 1/3 of the head. The muzzle is rounded. The stop is quite pronounced.
- Jaws: Strong teeth, scissor bite.
- Ears: The ears are set high, hanging down under the weight of the coat.
- Eyes: The eyes are hidden under the fur. The color of the eyes is dark, the light color of the iris is considered a minus.
- Body: The chest is broad. The back is straight and strong. The body looks square, it is impossible to see the structure of the body through thick wool, for this the dog makes itself felt.
- Limbs: The front limbs are straight, the pasterns are short and lean. The rears are slightly wider than the fronts. The paws are oval with dense pads.
- Coat: The correct coat combines the undercoat and the coarse outer hair. Until the age of two, the dog develops “dreadlocks”. The standard establishes two types of color: white or ivory and gray or black.
Character and behavior
The Puli is very attached to the owner and to all members of the family. The breed’s energy reserves never seem to run out. Therefore, the lazy owner will not suit him. Puli dogs are ready to accompany any member of the family, just to hang around, run, jump and, of course, guard.
The guarding skills of the Hungarian Shepherd prove to be excellent. At the slightest noise or the arrival of strangers, this dog barks loudly. If the owner, family members or pets are in danger, the Puli transforms from an affectionate and intelligent dog into a fearsome and fearless guardian.
With the children
Hungarian Shepherds get along well with school-aged children. It is better not to leave the dog alone with the little ones, because the Pulis will not always be patient with children’s pranks.
With other animals
Pulis can get along with other animals, but are not always ready to give in to animals that want to dominate. Difficulties can arise with rodents, the Pulis perceive them as prey.
Health
His health is strong, the body’s immune defenses are strong. These dogs are hardy and mentally resilient. This characteristic of the breed, with regard to health, has remained unchanged for several centuries.
It is worth noting the Puli dog’s predisposition to the following diseases:
- Hypothyroidism – occurs due to an insufficient amount of hormones in the thyroid gland.
- Onychodystrophy is a claw pathology.
- Portosystemic shunt is an anastomosis between the veins of the gastrointestinal tract and the caudal vena cava.
- Pemphigus erythematosus – usually occurs on the front of the head (bridge of the nose and around the eyes), as well as on the ears.
- Tail shortening.
- Partial teeth.
- Dysplasia – causes severe pain, the dog is limping and has little movement.
- Diseases of the cardiovascular system.
- Dermatitis is a skin disease that requires long-term treatment.
- Diabetes.
Life expectancy
On average, Puli can live 12-14 years.
Care
Puli care is quite a story. Their unusually thick and long coat requires careful grooming, and it can sometimes be difficult to find a canine groomer who is knowledgeable about them. Therefore, accept the fact that you may very well need to cut and remove the tangled hairballs yourself.
Trim claws once every 10 days. Be sure to clean the ears several times a week and treat them for bacteria, as well as keep the eyes clean, since the wool covers almost the entire head, like a thick hat.
Pulis are bathed every two weeks, for this the dog is immersed in a bath with a special shampoo, then the coat is rinsed well. After water procedures, the dog is soaked with towels or dried with a hair dryer. The coat dries out completely only after 3-4 days. After swimming in cold weather, it is better to leave the dog at home.
Living conditions
The Puli is able to adapt perfectly to both outdoor and indoor living. So, such an animal can be kept in an aviary, in a private house or in an apartment. If the dog lives in the yard, consider having a high fence. The Hungarian Puli can jump very high, so a low fence can be overcome easily. Install the aviary in a place protected from direct sunlight and not in a draught.
If the animal is kept in an apartment, the Puli requires long walks, at least 3 hours a day.
Fun facts
- The Hungarian Dog leads the flock in a very peculiar way. He guides the sheep by jumping on their backs and jumping over them.
- The Puli dog is very fond of water (from this name) and is an excellent swimmer. Only one problem – after water procedures, long wool lashes dry for about 4 days.
- Rough handling of the Hungarian Shepherd Dog by the owner can lead it to deep depression and even cardiac arrest due to the stress received.
- In ancient times, a Hungarian Shepherd puppy was comparable in price to a cow. It was impossible to get such a pet cheaper.
- In most cases, Puli dogs were looked after very badly; the food for herding dogs often consisted of several pieces of black bread.
- In ancient times, for any error, the owner could hang a Puli dog over a well. But even such cruel treatment did not “kill” love for people in shepherds.
History of the breed
The Puli dogs belong to one of the oldest dog breeds. Hungary is considered their homeland, however, according to researchers, the animals were brought to this country by the Romans or Turks. There is no complete information about the origin of the breed, since no records were kept in herd books for a long time.
Some sources claim that Puli dogs are the ancestors of the commander, others adhere to the parallel development of two different breeds. Since dogs are very similar in appearance, they are often called the same – Hungarian Shepherd Dogs.
Thanks to endurance and the ability to drive a flock of sheep in the right direction, Hungarian shepherds began to use a Puli dog as helpers. They could quickly run from one part of the flock to another, not running around the livestock, but moving along the backs of the animals.
In the 18th century, dogs were highly prized. One animal was given a price equal to the annual earnings of the average citizen. However, after farming in Hungary lost its popularity, Puli dogs began to be used as a companion dog or watchdog. People noticed that dogs jump fearlessly into the water when chasing small animals, so they also came to be called water dogs.
In 1915, the breed standard was created. During this period, animals are brought to America, where they are recognized as the most capable herding dogs. In Europe, the number of Puli dogs is small. They are most often found in Hungary and America.
