Puli. Ann Arch

       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.

      Following is the breed standard for the Puli as approved by the American Kennel Club, with the author’s comments following in italics.

       THE AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB STANDARD FOR THE PULI

      General Appearance: The Puli is a compact, square appearing, well balanced dog of medium size. He is vigorous, alert and active. Striking and highly characteristic is the shaggy coat which, combined with his lightfooted, distinctive movement, has fitted him for the strenuous work of herding flocks on the plains of Hungary. Agility, combined with soundness of mind and body, is of prime importance for the proper fulfillment of this centuries-old task.

       It’s quite a surprise, on first handling a Puli, to find under the enormous mature corded coat, a lean, hard, conditioned, fineboned and very wiry little animal. When you observe from the side and visualize the body and limbs minus the neck and head, they should approximate a square.

       The quality of a Puli for show purposes is evaluated according to the official breed standard.

       Size, Proportion, Substance:

      Ideally, males are 17 inches measured from the withers to the ground; bitches, 16 inches. An inch over or under these measurements is acceptable. The tightly knit body approximates a square measured from withers to ground and point of shoulder to point of buttock. Medium boned.

       As a judge, when seeking breed type, balance and soundness, it can be difficult to make decisions that are understood by all. Size is important; for example, oversize is undesirable as it can lead to coarseness. However, type and balance are also very important. It is difficult for a judge to give an award to an animal that falls within specified size ranges but lacks breed type or balance. The word “type” is frequently used but is far from easy to describe. My own interpretation is that “type” is what makes a breed special and identifiable, apart from others with similarities. If we didn’t have “breed type” then all similar breeds could eventually end up very much alike.

       Here’s what quality looks like: Ch. Cordmaker Mississippi Mud was the number-one Puli in the US for four years from 1999 to 2002 and placed among the top Herding Dogs each year. He is shown with handler Linda Pitts.

      Head: The head is of medium size in proportion to the body. The almond shaped eyes are deep set, rather large and dark brown with black or slate gray eye rims. The ears, set on somewhat higher than the level of the eyes, are hanging, of medium size, V-shape and about half the head length. The skull slightly domed and medium broad. The stop is defined, but not abrupt. The muzzle is strong and straight, a third of the head length, and ends in a nose of good size. The nose is always black. Flews and gums are black or slate gray. Flews are tight. A full complement of teeth, comparatively large, meet in a scissors bite.

       The head of the Puli is very special. Under no circumstances should judges ignore the call for correct size, proportions and fineness, coupled with the domed skull. The skull-muzzle ratios of two-thirds to one-third is of great importance, for a too lengthy muzzle immediately suggests coarseness. The lack of dome on the skull will also lead to an impression of coarseness. The need for a relatively large nose is understandable in any working animal that needs to produce a turn of speed or enduring gait, when they will require unimpeded inhalation of air quickly into the lungs.

       The description of the eyes should apply to all colors, and eye rims should always be well pigmented. In a dog that will be out working at times in intense sunlight, lack of pigment could allow the skin to become burnt.

       Correct head viewed from front with hair overshadowing eyes like an umbrella.

       Ears noticeable when alert; incorrect.

       Correct body.

       Body too long; withers level with back.

       Correct head and muzzle.

       Muzzle too long and snipey.