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The Puli is a lively and extremely intelligent breed. The breed loves to be a part of family life and particularly resents being ignored or only being included “when convenient.” The dog will live quite happily both as a single dog and, providing that integration is carefully effected, will also be content as one of several. As a breed that was worked all the time, it has the stamina to perform its duties around the clock, every single day, so it is not really suited to a dull routine without exercise or other activity. As a family dog, it is ideal, always willing to play with the children and with a fun outlook on life. The Puli has the added value of acting as an effective warning instrument if strangers approach, as the breed has excellent hearing. Again, Pulik thoroughly enjoy participating in family activities, particularly whole days out with walking and romping about. We find that ours love to do some simple basic obedience—going to “fetch” being the earliest. A favorite for such retrieves is a short length of hardwearing rope that is knotted at both ends. When Pulik compete seriously in obedience competition, they require a much smaller dumbbell than the normal size. Pulik have competed with success in obedience and agility, and they now also frequently compete with other breeds in herding trials.

Perhaps the one thing that sets the breed apart and makes it so special is its coat. The Puli is born with a smooth and quite dense covering. This jacket soon starts to grow and will continue to grow longer and longer throughout the dog’s entire life.

The corded Puli jacket is quite distinctive, and Puli owners are delighted to have such an attractive, unique breed. However, there may be circumstances when it is impossible to maintain such a coat. They can be clipped down, or perhaps the cords reduced to a few inches in length. Keeping the mature jacket in full show condition is quite an undertaking, and those with several Pulik to cope with will often clip the coats on those that are no longer being exhibited. It is far better that you keep a Puli clean and sweetsmelling rather than retain a long coat that is untended and dirty. The coat serves as natural insulation, being capable of keeping the animal warm and dry, and stopping the sun from reaching and burning the skin. In the warmer weather, we clip off the coat under the belly, from behind the elbow, right along the rib cage and the belly, and on to the insides of the tops of the hindlegs. When it’s warm, Pulik tend to sleep on their backs so that they stay cooler.

Pulik are extremely intelligent and playful dogs.

The Puli is a true family dog—he loves to be part of his owners’ lives, he adapts well to almost any living situation, and he fares well in a single-or multi-dog household.

The Puli’s unusual coat needs particular attention if it is to be maintained in good condition. For example, the Puli should never be left outdoors in all types of weather. If the dog is to spend time outdoors in a run, a portion should be covered, in case of rain, to prevent water from soaking the dog’s coat, as it will take quite a while to dry. If left wet, it can soon become smelly and offensive to all.

Quite tough in their constitution, Pulik are easy to feed, not requiring exotic or high-protein meals. After all, they would have had little chance to enjoy the high protein in meat, as they were living with nomad shepherds and making do with whatever scraps were thrown to them. The Puli is a wiry, fine-boned dog. Any extra weight would only slow down the animal and, in time, put a strain on his heart and lungs. It is the easiest breed we have ever owned, not only for its general health but also for house-training. As long as a regular routine is established early, Pulik are soon trustworthy around the house.

What type of home is best? Pulik adapt to wherever their families live. Apartment dwellers can cope very well with the breed as long as they follow a regular exercise routine.

From the time that the Puli arrives in his new home, you must remember that you have an ultraintelligent animal living with you. There is an old saying, “A Puli is not a dog. A Puli is a Puli.” This sums up the breed’s distinctive character very well! Pulik are very much like active and intelligent children who respond well to sensible discipline. As long as they learn what is expected of them as soon as possible, they soon become well-behaved members of the household. From the time they arrive and become accustomed to their new surroundings, it takes a very short time for them to adjust to your routine.

Feeding and exercising your Puli should be carried out at regular times, which helps him to develop a sense of security. It is also important that if your dog is to be taken out and about in a car, he should begin with some preliminary short trips. Early forays may cause a little carsickness, or he may be tempted to start jumping around. For this reason, we definitely recommend a travel crate. A crated Puli will be safe during car trips and will also feel right at home, as you should be utilizing the crate as part of his house-training.

Originally bred as herding dogs with the stamina to work all day, the Puli is a very active dog with superior intelligence. He needs exercise and activities done with his owners.

The Puli is one of the few corded breeds in dogdom; this type of coat is very distinctive and requires maintenance.

In the early weeks of bringing your puppy home, you will certainly limit his access around the house as he is being house-trained, learning the house rules and getting accustomed to his crate. The author’s dogs, as they’ve grown up, have eventually been given full run of the house, as Pulik tend to be well-behaved indoors. This is possible with a well-trained adult; use your judgment based on your individual dog. Regardless, it is always beneficial to crate-train from puppyhood so that the dog will be comfortable in his crate and you can use the crate when needed. No matter how well-behaved the pup or adult, you must always dog-proof the areas to which he has access.

Caring breeders will only breed from stock that has been screened, through official means, for any known hereditary problems. People may be concerned at the mention of such problems, for there are known to be about 300 identified hereditary problems in the dog world, but the number of currently identified hereditary defects in the human world is over 1000! This surely puts it into perspective. In the Puli it is customary to have hips x-rayed, which is done in most breeds. Dogs 24 months of age and older should have their hips x-rayed and the x-rays evaluated by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) to determine if any degree of dysplasia is present. A dog younger than 24 months cannot be certified as free of dysplasia. Upon the x-rays’ examination by a panel of vets, there are seven possible grades for a dog’s hips: Excellent, Good, Fair, Borderline, Mild, Moderate and Severe. Excellent, Good and Fair are considered normal, and dogs with these gradings will receive an OFA number. The other four gradings do not warrant an OFA number, with the latter three indicating that the dog is affected by some level of dysplasia. Dogs that do not receive OFA numbers should not be used in breeding programs.

The Puli is a naturally athletic and agile dog. Ch. Loakespark Just Smart, NAJ is one leaping Puli, owned by A. Davis and C. Nusbickel.

This is why people have dogs as pets—the dog/owner bond is priceless.