Puli
- Height at the withers
- 36 to 45 cm
- Weight
- 11 to 16 kg
- Life expectancy
- 10 to 16 years
- Daily activity
- 75 minutes
- Origin
- Hungary
- FCI group
- 1 · Sheepdogs and cattle dogs
Who is it for?
Ideal for
- people bothered by dog hair (no breed is guaranteed allergy-free)
- watching over the house
Less suited to
- a first dog: it needs an experienced owner
- long absences: it struggles when left alone
- noise-sensitive neighbors: it likes to bark
- intense heat: be careful in summer
Overview
A compact, medium-sized Hungarian herding dog, known for its distinctive, naturally corded coat that looks like dreadlocks, giving it an agile, athletic outline with quick, spirited movement.
History and origins
An ancient Hungarian herding breed brought by the Magyar tribes more than 1,000 years ago, traditionally used to herd and guard flocks on the Hungarian plains. Its unique corded coat protected it from bad weather and predators.
Health
Life expectancy is 10 to 16 years, and the breed is hardy. The most common health problems in the breed:
- Hip dysplasia
- Progressive retinal atrophy
- Cataracts
- Deafness
- Degenerative myelopathy
Choose a breeder who has the parents health-screened for this breed, and ask to see the results.
Coat and care
Long, corded coat (thin cords). Almost no shedding, very high coat care.
All ratings
Rated from 1 to 5, comparable across breeds. Green marks a strength for most households, orange something to plan for.
Lifestyle
- Energy
- High, 4 out of 5
- Apartment
- Possible, 3 out of 5
- Home alone
- Poorly, 2 out of 5
Family and sociability
- With children
- Fair, 3 out of 5
- With other dogs
- Fair, 3 out of 5
- With cats
- Fair, 3 out of 5
- With strangers
- Reserved, 2 out of 5
Training and temperament
- Ease of training
- Average, 3 out of 5
- For a first-time owner
- Poor fit, 2 out of 5
- Guarding instinct
- Strong, 4 out of 5
- Prey drive
- Low, 2 out of 5
- Tendency to roam
- Low, 2 out of 5
Care and neighbors
- Coat care
- Very high, 5 out of 5
- Shedding
- Almost none, 1 out of 5
- Drooling
- Never, 1 out of 5
- Barking
- Frequent, 4 out of 5
Climate and health
- Heat tolerance
- Low, 2 out of 5
- Cold tolerance
- Excellent, 5 out of 5
- Hardiness
- Good, 4 out of 5
In our lists
Puli FAQ
How big does the Puli get?
The Puli stands 36 to 45 cm at the withers and weighs 11 to 16 kg. It is a medium-sized dog.
Does the Puli shed a lot?
It sheds almost nothing and its coat needs a great deal of care. It is one of the breeds that shed very little and are often better tolerated by people with allergies, with no guarantee: spend time with the breed before you decide. Its coat needs regular grooming, sometimes by a professional.
Can the Puli live in an apartment?
It can, as long as it gets real outings every day; a yard is still a plus. Mind the neighbors: it barks readily.
How much exercise does the Puli need each day?
Allow about 75 minutes of activity a day: its energy is high. Add games and training exercises to keep its mind busy too.
Is the Puli good with children?
Fairly well, preferably with children old enough to respect its limits. Never leave a young child alone with a dog, whatever the breed.
How long does the Puli live?
Life expectancy is 10 to 16 years, and the breed is hardy. The main health problems to watch for are hip dysplasia and progressive retinal atrophy.
