Puli
Puppy
Fully Grown
Puli means “the leader” in Hungarian where this breed supposedly originates from. But there is some controversy that they might actually have originated in Tibet. Either way, with its long tight curls, similar to dreadlocks, the Puli is a very unusual looking dog that is unique in many ways.
Pulis have a strong urge to bark, and their bark will keep people and other animals away. Barking can become a problem, and it is best if they live on a property with no neighbours on either side. They watch their territory like a hawk, and nothing happens without the Puli knowing about it. They are quite skeptical towards dogs and humans if they don’t know them and it takes them a long time to make friends.
They are intelligent, easy to train and adjust well to their families, to whom they are usually highly devoted. They are also independent, show great endurance and can be a little bit dominant.
This breed likes to herd and they will nip like cattle dogs to keep the animals moving in the direction they want them to go in and to keep them together as a group.
Pulis will avoid water, mostly due to their unusual coat. Just like a mop, it soaks up water, which makes it very heavy and hard to move. A professional groomer is recommended when washing your Puli. And only bath them when you can’t bare the dog smell any longer as their coats take ages to dry. It should not be trimmed and it is best to put their fringe hair up so they can see.
| Weight: | 13-15 kg |
| Health risk: | Medium |
| Life expectancy: | 12-16 years |
| Coat: | Long |
| Grooming intensity: | Medium |
| Monthly cost (food): | average |
| Trainability: | Medium |
| Activity level: | High |
There are many sources to get your Puli from. Considering the number of homeless dogs without a future, we strongly encourage you to consider rescuing a dog. Your local shelter or rescue organisation can be a helpful place to start, or try contacting your local or national breed club or a reputable breeder and asking if they have pets available for rehoming. Many rescue organisations have active Facebook pages, which can also be a good place to enquire.
Here are some links that could be useful for finding a Puli to adopt:
To help your rescued Puli to settle into your home, our Rescue Dog Guide gives you tips and advice on bringing your rescue dog home.
If you decide you’d prefer to get your Puli from a breeder, the following guides will help you to find a responsible breeder:
The following organisations will be able to help you find breeders in your state in Australia. They will also be able to connect you with your local breed clubs, which are always a great source of information in regards to finding good breeders and rescue organisations.
