Puli
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Puli | ||
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| Alternative names | ||
| Hungarian Puli Pulik (plural) Hungarian Water Dog |
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| Country of origin | ||
| Hungary | ||
| Classification and breed standards | ||
| FCI: | Group 1 Section 1 #55 | Stds |
| AKC: | Herding | Stds |
| ANKC: | Group 5 (Working) | Stds |
| CKC: | Group 7 - Herding Dogs | [? Stds] |
| KC (UK): | Pastoral | Stds |
| NZKC: | Working | Stds |
| UKC: | Herding Dog Breeds | Stds |
The Puli is a medium-small breed of dog known for its long, corded coat. The tight curls of the coat, similar to dreadlocks, make it virtually waterproof.
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[edit] Appearance
The Puli comes in white, apricot, and black. It generally weighs around 22 pounds (13 kg) and is about 16 inches (42 cm) at the shoulder, however males have been known to reach 45 pounds and females over 30 pounds. The coat needs considerable grooming to keep its cords clean, neat, and attractive, or it needs regular trimming to a short coat for lower maintenance, although the corded coat is what attracts many people to the breed.
[edit] History
The Puli is an ancient sheep dog of Hungary, introduced by the migration of the Magyars from Central Asia in the Middle Ages. Nomadic shepherds of the Hungarian plains valued their herding dogs, paying as much as a year's salary for a Puli.
In Asia, the breed goes back 2000 years and anecdotal evidence suggests a Puli-like dog existed 6000 years ago. This breed is possibly the ancestor of the modern Poodle. The ancestry of the Puli, however, is not known with certainty.
S. Eniko Szeremy, editor of Puli News (the PCA newsletter), wrote of the Puli's history:
The Puli is the ancient sheepdog of Hungary, introduced by the migration of the Magyars from Central Asia over 1000 years ago. Records show Pulis working the plains of Puszta as early as the 9th century. Some believe the Puli existed as a working sheepdog for thousands of years prior to this, perhaps as early as 4500 B.C.
They were ruthless in maintaining working qualities and would eliminate any dogs that didn't show these qualities immediately. To survive, the Puli had to be physically sound and mentally capable, agile and willing to work. The Puli's coat protected the dog while living outdoors without amenities.
[edit] Temperament
By nature an affectionate, intelligent and home-loving companion, the Puli is sensibly suspicious and therefore an excellent watchdog.
[edit] External links
| Hungarian dog breeds | |
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| Hungarian Vizsla | Komondor | Kuvasz | Magyar Agar | Mudi | Puli | Pumi | Transylvanian Hound | |
