GROUP 5 - WORKING DOGS

Brief History
The Puli was bred in Hungary for centuries to herd sheep and guard property. With his unique appearance and corded coat, he is one of the most unique in all of dogdom.  He is especially prized as a drover and willing worker.

Average Life Span
When considering a dog, please realise that you are taking it on for its lifetime.

The average life span is 10 to 15 years.

Temperament
Faithful and intelligent, the Puli makes an excellent house dog. He is an alert watchdog and an ideal guardian and playmate for the family, especially if brought up with young people. With a happy, playful temperament, the Puli becomes extremely devoted to his master and family. This is a breed, however, who may be wary of strangers and first time visitors.

General Breed Description
The Puli is a medium-sized dog. There is no mistaking him for another breed if his profuse coat is allowed to cord naturally, often reaching the ground. The acceptable Puli colours are the solid colours of black, grey, fawn and white. The breed should be socialised with other animals and people from an early age. Obedience training gives a Puli the chance to display his willingness to please and his great intelligence.

Coat and Care Requirements
The coat is double, thick and heavy. The undercoat is woolly, and the outer coat is coarse and wavy. This combination of two types of hair forms naturally into tassel-like cords that give the Puli his unique appearance. If the Puli is to be corded, it must also be groomed properly, especially when the dog is young, and the cords are forming. They must be separated very regularly to prevent them from forming into mats. If maintained correctly during growth, they will hang in even cords at maturity. A fully corded coat can take five years to reach the ground. Several grooming sessions each week are required if the Puli is to be maintained in an uncorded coat.  Either way, the Puli coat requires proper care and grooming. The Puli coat does not shed.

Size
Height: Males 40 to 44cms (16 to 17.5ins), Females 37 to 41cms (14.5 to 16ins).
Weight: Males 13 to 15kgs, Females 10 to 13kgs.

Health
All breeds have individual health issues. When speaking to breeders it is recommended you enquire about breed’s health and what health testing the breeder does. The Puli is generally a healthy breed, however health conditions do occur occasionally. These may include Degenerative Myelopathy (MD) and Hip Dysplasia (HD) and Elbow Dysplasia (ED).

Suitability
Suitable for the owner wanting an active dog and prepared to deal with high coat maintenance. The Puli could be a handful for elderly people.

In Conclusion
Now you know a little more about this breed. If you have decided this is the dog for you and wish to investigate further, please contact the Breed Club or Dogs Victoria. They will be able to give you information about available puppies and also suggest dog events where you can see the breed and speak to breeders. In this way you will gain a better perspective of the breed and its needs. With any breed of dog, it is important to research and determine suitability for your lifestyle before committing to a puppy which will be a part of your family for many years to come.

Whilst many breeds are recommended for families, it is imperative that when children are with dogs they are supervised at all times. Basic obedience training is a vital part of dog ownership.

Dogs Victoria is about the responsible ownership of all dogs and in particular the preservation of pure breeds.

Link to Dogs Australia Breed Standard: https://dogsaustralia.org.au/breed/detail/164