Animalia Life

The Breed History
This ancient Hungarian breed is termed Puli in the singular and Pulik in plural. The Magyar people bred these shepherding dogs for at least a millennium. It is likely that the Tibetan terrier was the main source of foundation genes. In the 16th century, European invaders brought other sheepdogs with them and these were crossed with the Pulik, resulting in a dog termed Pumi, though the terms Pumi and Puli were used interchangeably. The breed was rescued from obscurity in the early 1900s. In 1915 the first breed standard was drawn up and in the shows, various size categories were recognized. First AKC registration occurred in 1936. This dog may be an ancestor of the Poodle.

Breeding for Function
These dogs were used exclusively for daytime sheep herding. Today, they are a popular companion dog, used for watchdog and police work purposes, and enjoy water retrieving.

Physical Characteristics
Height at Withers: female 16" (40.5 cm), male 17" (43 cm).
Weight: 30-40 lb (13.5-18 kg).
Coat: An off-black, which is tinged with bronze or grey is the standard breed color, though especially in Hungary, white and gray are seen. A small white spot on the chest is allowed. Body skin is darkly pigmented. The undercoat is wooly, short and soft. It naturally intermingles with the long outer coat. As the puppy matures, the tangle evolves into the cords that characterize the adult coat. Cording normally begins around the time of sexual maturity. This adult coat development process can take 4 or 5 years to complete. Cords may reach the ground if untrimmed. The dog may be shown corded or groomed.
Longevity: 11-14 years
Points of Conformation: The profuse corded coat is the trademark feature of this breed. The compact, square, medium build is hard to assess through the profuse coat. The head is medium in size, large, and the almond shaped eyes are dark brown with dark palpebral margins. Cords normally hang over the eyes in mature dogs. Ears are medium sized, triangular, high set, and hang down beside the head. The stop is average, skull is slightly domed, and the nose is black and large. The muzzle tapers moderately. Flews are tight. The neck is medium in length and muscling, not throaty, the topline is level, and the thorax is deep with well-sprung ribs. The abdomen is moderately tucked up. The tail is carried up over the back and limbs are straight boned. The feet have thick pads and well-arched toes, are round and compact. Dewclaws may be removed. They have a very elastic stride, and are very agile and fast on their feet as would be expected of a sheep herding dog.

Recognized Behavior Issues and Traits
Reported breed characteristics include: Excellent watchdogs, they are intelligent and friendly in temperament. Pulik are easy to obedience train and are playful. Good for country or city living. As cords form, they should be separated down to the skin to prevent matting. Though they do not tend to get a doggy odor, after bathing it is important to fully dry the dog to prevent mildew in the cords. The cords do not shed.

Normal Physiologic Variations
None reported

Drug Sensitivities
None reported

Inherited Diseases
Hip Dysplasia: Polygenically inherited trait causing degenerative joint disease and hip arthritis. OFA reports 10.1% affected.
Elbow Dysplasia: Polygenically inherited trait causing elbow arthritis. OFA reports 5.9% affected.
Patella Luxation: Polygenically inherited laxity of patellar ligaments, causing luxation, lameness, and later degenerative joint disease. Treat surgically if causing clinical signs. OFA reports 5.2% affected.

Disease Predispositions
Persistent Pupillary Membranes: Strands of fetal remnant connecting; iris to iris, cornea, lens, or involving sheets of tissue. The later three forms can impair vision, and dogs affected with these forms should not be bred. Identified in 26.88% of Pulik CERF examined by veterinary ophthalmologists between 2000-2005.
Retinal Dysplasia: Retinal folds, geographic, and generalized retinal dysplasia with detachment are recognized in the breed. Can progress to blindness. Reported in 7.50% of Pulik CERF examined by veterinary ophthalmologists between 2000-2005.
Cataracts: Anterior cortex punctate cataracts predominate in the breed. Unknown mode of inheritance. Identified in 3.44% of Pulik CERF examined by veterinary ophthalmologists between 2000-2005. CERF does not recommend breeding any Puli with a cataract.
Hypothyroidism: Inherited autoimmune thyroiditis. 2.9% positive for thyroid autoantibodies based on testing at Michigan State University. (Ave. for all breeds is 7.5%).
Corneal Dystrophy: Epithelial/stromal form causes opacities on the surface of the cornea. Unknown mode of inheritance. Identified in 1.25% of Pulik CERF examined by veterinary ophthalmologists between 2000-2005.
Diabetes Mellitus: Sugar diabetes caused by a lack of insulin production by the pancreas. Control with insulin injections, diet, and glucose monitoring. Identified as a breed at increased risk of developing diabetes.
Deafness: Congenital deafness can be unilateral or bilateral. Diagnosed by BAER testing. Reported as a breed at risk by Strain.
Micropapilla, Oligodontia, and Progressive Retinal Atrophy are reported.

Isolated Case Studies
None Reported

Genetic Tests
Tests of Genotype: none
Tests of Phenotype: CHIC Certification: Required testing includes hip radiographs, CERF eye examination, and patella evaluation. Recommended tests include BAER hearing test, elbow radiographs, and congenital cardiac disease evaluation by a cardiologist or specialist. Recommend thyroid profile including autoantibodies.

Miscellaneous
- Breed name synonyms: Hungarian Puli, Hungarian Water Dog.
- Registries: AKC, UKC, CKC, KCGB (Kennel Club of Great Britain), ANKC (Australian National Kennel Club), NKC (National Kennel Club).
- AKC rank (year 2008): 142 (102 dogs registered)
- Internet resources: The Puli Club of America: www.puliclub.org
Puli Canada: www.pulicanada.ca
Hungarian Puli Club of Great Britain: www.hungarianpuliclubofgb.co.uk