Welcome to the world of the Puli, where charm, intelligence, and a one-of-a-kind corded coat create a truly special canine companion. Although they are rare, they have delightful personalities that will leave an impression. Whether you’re already captivated by their dreadlock-like coats or just curious about this fascinating breed, prepare to discover more about the Pulik history, personality, and grooming needs.
1. The Puli Comes From Hungary
The Puli’s story begins in Hungary. This breed is believed to have descended from Central Asian herding dogs brought to Hungary by migrating Magyars, with evidence of Pulik from the 800s. Pulik evolved to become a versatile and reliable partner to Hungarian shepherds.
Although originally bred as a herding dog, Pulik evolved to become a versatile and reliable partner to Hungarian shepherds. Pulik excelled at herding sheep, and their agility and intelligence made them valuable assets for protecting large groups of livestock. These canines were so sought after that nomadic shepherds would pay up to a year’s salary to acquire a Puli.
Fun fact: The plural form of Puli is Pulik. It follows Hungarian language conventions with a “-k” as a plural noun marker. However, the “k” is silent, so it’s pronounced the same way as the singular form (poo-lee).
2. These Dogs Sport a Distinctive Coat
What sets the Puli apart at first glance is its remarkable coat, which looks like long, corded dreadlocks. This unique feature does more than give the breed its iconic appearance. The cords also have a practical purpose, providing insulation and protection from harsh Hungarian weather and potential predators they might encounter while they herd.
Pulik are medium-sized dogs that stand 16 to 17 inches tall at the shoulders and weigh between 25 and 35 pounds. In addition, their fur is a single color without markings, and the breed standards are white, silver, and black coats. Their cords can drape over their eyes and reach the floor. If you see a white Puli running head-on, you might mistake it for a splayed-out mop with eyes!
3. Pulik Have Special Grooming Requirements
Maintaining a Puli’s corded coat requires commitment and patience. Regular grooming is essential to prevent matting and ensure these high-maintenance dogs remain healthy and clean. While the cords may seem overwhelming, they form over time, and you won’t have to spend an entire week carefully twisting sections of fur. When a puppy reaches eight to 10 months old, their undercoat develops, and the fur separates naturally. Owners can gently pull these apart after baths until the sections turn into defined cords, which typically takes six to nine months to complete.
Pulik need baths whenever they are dirty, and it is best to squeeze their fur and release as much water as possible before using a towel and a blow dryer. The careful drying method will prevent mildew and keep the cords in order.
4. This Breed Needs Moderate Exercise
Despite their origins as working dogs, Pulik can adapt well to different lifestyles, including urban living, as long as their physical activity needs are met. This breed may not require extensive physical activity as they only have moderate playfulness and energy levels. They thrive on mental stimulation and enjoy activities that let them use their smarts, such as obedience training, agility courses, or interactive games like hide-and-seek.
The good news is that these canines are eager to please and highly trainable with positive reinforcement. However, they need a firm, assertive, and consistent owner who can get their Puli to obey commands and prevent challenging behaviors.
5. Pulik Have an Affable Personality
The American Kennel Club (AKC) describes this breed as loyal, smart, and home-loving. These dogs are also known to be affectionate with their families. However, they need proper socialization to get along with young children, dogs, and other pets. Their need to warm up to others also applies to unfamiliar faces, as they are moderately vocal and vigilant watchdogs.
Pulik are also highly adaptable to changes. They do not necessarily need the same schedule each day, they are not the most sensitive to weather changes, and they can adjust to varying levels within and around the home. Owners can expect to celebrate their Pulik’s 10th or 12th birthday if they are healthy, happy, and active.
6. These Dogs Have Some Health Considerations
Like all breeds, Pulik are prone to some common health conditions, including hip dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy, and patellar luxation. With hip dysplasia, the ball and socket of the hip joint do not fit properly, leading to deterioration. Progressive retinal atrophy is a vision impairment that can lead to complete blindness, and patellar luxation occurs when the kneecap becomes displaced and may cause chronic pain and arthritis.
An ethical breeder will run genetic tests and only breed dogs without hereditary medical issues. Prospective owners should ask for these results to ensure their pup is healthy and does not have a higher chance of developing illness. If these are not available, vets can perform examinations, or owners can use sites, like Embark, to purchase breed-specific, at-home DNA tests for certain conditions.
7. Pulik Are Similar to Komondors
Did you know that the Pulik’s corded coat is not unique to the breed? Komondors, another Hungarian herding breed, also have a similar coat with larger and thicker cords. This difference can be attributed to their original purposes. While Pulik were bred for herding, the Komondors’ even denser fur was for protection. The latter kept herds safe and would confront predators if they got too close; their longer coats added an extra layer of protection against sharp teeth and claws.
Another major difference is their coat and size. Komondors are usually white, stand 25 to 27 inches tall, and weigh more than 100 pounds. They are easily two or three times as large as Pulik. Additionally, despite their distinct appearance, Pulis are surprisingly agile and athletic, capable of navigating challenging terrain with ease.
8. Puli Have Some Dog Show Wins
Although they are a rarer breed–they ranked No. 164 on the AKC’s Most Popular Dogs list of 2023–Pulik have bragging rights for taking home major dog show wins. Since 1983, these pups have won the Westminster Kennel Club Herding group title three times. Most recently, an all-black Puli named “Ch. Cordmaker Field Of Dreams,” aka Conrad, won the award in back-to-back years in 2009 and 2010.
In 2016, Preston the Puli won Best in Show at the AKC National Championship presented by Royal Canine. Preston triumphed over 5,000+ other dogs before winning the Herding group and going home with a $50,000 cash prize to celebrate his charm, appearance, and performance. Power to the cords!
9 Meet Beast, Mark Zuckerberg’s Puli
What do Facebook and a Puli named Beast have in common? They were both owned by Mark Zuckerberg! Beast is Zuckerberg’s 13-year-old, white Puli who’s had a Facebook account since 2011 and gained over 2.4 million followers. Beast has been with the Zuckerbergs since she was a puppy and now sports a full corded coat–and the occasional topknot with a colorful hair tie. She’s participated in Facebook product launches and business meetings; how many dogs can say they are part of a mega-billion-dollar company?
But Beast hasn’t let fame and fortune get to her. She’s all about the simple things in life, and her Facebook profile says she “enjoys herding things, cuddling, loving and eating.”
10. They Are Therapy Dogs!
When you think of a calm therapy animal, you might not imagine an energetic herding dog like Pulik. However, with the proper training and socialization, a Pulik affectionate personality can be a great match for the service field. One example is Guinness the Puli. He competed in the 2021 National Dog Show, but he spends his free time providing emotional support for his community in Pennsylvania. Guinness visits retirement homes, schools, and summer camps to help people destress with his unique appearance that’s guaranteed to make you smile.
The 10-year-old dog is just as comfortable with people and competitions as he is with farms. When he’s not on the job or on duty with therapy visits, he’s running around on his family’s 10.6-acre farm with his Pulik relatives.
11. Puli Are Like Other Hungarian Dogs
Hungary does not have an extensive list of native dog breeds. As mentioned earlier, Komondors are also another famous, larger herding dog from the country. Interbreeding with French and German herding dogs led to the development of the Pumi and the Mudi. Pumik have a similar build to Pulis, but they have medium-length, curly/wavy fur compared to the Pulik cords. Mudis also have curly fur and are easier to distinguish thanks to their triangular, pointy ears and more fox-like appearance.
The Vizsla and Wire-Haired Vizsla, two golden-rust colored breeds that are nearly identical except for the latter’s short, wiry coat, also call Hungary home. Luckily, their beautiful fur and lean, athletic bodies make them much easier to identify from the Pulik family.
12. Pulis Are Awesome
With their rich history, distinctive appearance, and loyal personalities, Pulik continue to captivate and inspire dog lovers around the world. Whether as a working partner, a competitive athlete, a service animal, or a beloved family pet, the Pulik have a willful spirit and unwavering devotion that make it a breed like no other.
While they need proper training, patient and careful grooming, and frequent mental stimulation, their reciprocal companionship and love are worth all the effort. Not to mention, owners can proudly say that they own one of the rarest dog breeds in the world!
