Hungarian Puli
Working

Group:

Working

Size:

medium

Lifespan:

12-16 years

Exercise:

medium

Grooming:

very high

Trainability:

low

Watchdog ability:

very high

Protection ability:

very high

Area of Origin:

Hungary

Date of Origin:

Middle Ages

Other Names:

Puli, Hungarian Water Dog

Original Function:

sheep herding

History

The Hungarian Puli crossed the plains into Hungary with the Magyars several thousand years ago where they were used as sheep dogs. Many shepherds seemed to prefer black dogs, but this was probably because they are easier to see among the flock. The Puli was a herding and droving dog, prized for its light, agile movement while the larger Hungarian breed, the Komondor, was more often used as a guarding dog for the flocks. At the time of the Second World War, the breed had almost died out and its numbers were reduced to two figures. But a controlled breeding program assisted by dedicated breeders around the world ensured the survival of these unique little Hungarians.

Temperament

A mop on springs, the Puli is full of bouncing energy. It is busy and curious and needs daily exercise. This smart dog is also headstrong and tough. It can be aggressive toward other dogs. Alert and watchful, it is also protective of its family. It barks a lot.

Upkeep

This is an energetic breed on the lookout for a job, preferably something to herd. It can be satisfied with a good walk or jog, or a lively game and training session, however. It can live outdoors in temperate to cool climates, but it also makes an excellent house dog. Its coat can hold debris. Its nonshedding coat can be brushed or corded; if brushed, it needs brushing every one to two days. If corded, the cords must be regularly separated because the coat tends to hold dirt; bathing is time consuming and drying takes as much as one day. Pets can be clipped, but then part of the breed’s unique appeal is lost.

Official Breed Standard

GENERAL APPEARANCE:
The Hungarian Puli is an ancient breed of Hungarian herding dog, medium sized, nimble and extremely intelligent. In relation to size it is sturdy and muscular, wiry with fine bone. It is not easy to assess the body purely on visual examination, for the whole should be well covered with a long (according to age) and profuse corded coat. The long hair overshadows the eyes like an umbrella. Viewed from the side the trunk and limbs of the Puli must present a square figure.

Head and Skull:
Disregarding the hair, the head should be small and fine with a slightly domed skull. From the front it appears round; from the side almost elliptical. The muzzle one-third the length of the head, with a well defined stop, not snipy but bluntly rounded. The arches of the eye socket should be well defined; nose relatively large and black; eyelids and flews black.

Eyes:
Should be of medium size, dark brown and of lively expression.

Ears:
Set slightly below the level of the skull, V-shaped and pendant, of medium size and covered with long hair. The length of the ears should be about half the length of the head. Ears must not appear noticeable even when alert.

Mouth:
The roof of the mouth should be uniformly dark or variegated with deep pigmented spots on dark base. Flews tight and black. The tongue bright red. The jaws and teeth should be strong with a perfect regular and complete scissor bite i.e., the upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set square to the jaws.

Neck:
The neck should be held at an angle of 45 degrees to the horizontal, of medium length, tight and muscular. When fully coated, it is essential that the neck seems to merge with the body.

Forequarters:
The shoulders should be well laid. Elbows tight. The fore legs should be straight and muscular and, viewed from any angle, should be vertical. The feet should be short, round and tight. The nails black or slate grey. The pads springy and dark grey in colour.

Body:
The withers should be slightly higher than the level of the back, which should be of medium length. Loin short and broad, belly slightly tucked up. The ribs deep, broad and well sprung. The rump should be short and slightly sloping but this is not obvious because of the tightly curled tail. The chest deep and medium broad.

Hindquarters:
Should be strong and well muscled. The pelvis forms an angle of 90 degrees with the upper thighbone. The upper and lower thighbone enclose an angle of 100 to 110 degrees. Deviation from this angulation in either direction is undesirable. Well bent stifles, hocks set fairly low and hindfeet (toes) should be slightly longer than the forefeet. Nails strong. A wide pelvis is desirable, especially in bitches.

Gait:
Its stride is not far reaching. Its gallop is short. The typical movement is short-stepping and very quick in harmony with its lively disposition. Movement never heavy, lethargic or lumbering.

Tail:
Should be of medium length and curled tightly over the rump/loin area; the long hair of the tail mixes indistinguishably with the similar hair of the rump so that the tail does not appear separate.

Coat:
The correct proportion of top and undercoat creates naturally the desired narrow cords, which are less inclined to become matted. The coat is generally longest on the hindquarters and shortest on head and feet. Some dogs will grow a floor length coat. A combed coat is as undesirable as a neglected one. The coat should be corded, and matting or felting should be avoided.

Colour:
The acceptable colours are black, rusty black, apricot and various shades of grey and white. The black sometimes appears weathered and rusty or slightly grey. An inter-mixture of hair of different colours (white or black) is usually present in greys, but the overall appearance must be that of a solid colour. A white spot on the chest of not more than 5 cm (2 in) is permissible, a few white hairs on the feet are also allowable. The whole skin should be well pigmented and slate grey in colour.

Weight and Size:
Ideal Height: Dogs: 40 - 44 cm (16 - 17.5 in) Bitches: 37 - 41 cm (14 - 16 in).
Ideal Weight: Dogs: 13 - 15 kg (28.5 - 33 lb) Bitches: 10 - 13 kg (22 - 28.5 lb)

Faults:
Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness of the fault should be in exact proportion to its degree.

Note:
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.