Puli. Ann Arch

inform the breeder so that he can either take the dog back or be involved in the dog’s rehoming. We should all feel responsible for anything that we breed, from the day it is born until the day it dies. Most Puli clubs have rescue committees to help rehome members of the breed, but the breeder of your dog is the person you should contact first in extenuating circumstances.

       SELECTING FROM THE LITTER

      Before you visit a litter of puppies, promise yourself that you won’t fall for the first pretty face you see! Decide on your goals for your puppy—show prospect, obedience competitor, family companion—and then look for a puppy who displays the appropriate qualities. In most litters, there is an alpha pup (the bossy puppy), and occasionally a shy fellow who is less confident, with the rest of the litter falling somewhere in the middle. “Middle-of-the-roaders” are safe bets for most families and novice competitors.

       YOUR PULI SHOPPING LIST

      Just as expectant parents prepare a nursery for their baby, so should you ready your home for the arrival of your Puli pup. If you have the necessary puppy supplies purchased and in place before he comes home, it will ease the puppy’s transition from the warmth and familiarity of his mom and littermates to the brand-new environment of his new home and human family. You will be too busy to stock up and prepare your house after your pup comes home, that’s for sure! Imagine how a pup must feel upon being transported to a strange new place. It’s up to you to comfort him and to let your little pup know that he is going to be happy with you.

       FOOD AND WATER BOWLS

      Your puppy will need separate bowls for his food and water. Stainless steel pans are generally preferred over plastic bowls since they sterilize better and pups are less inclined to chew on the metal. Heavy-duty ceramic bowls are popular, but consider how often you will have to pick up those heavy bowls. Buy adult-sized pans, as your puppy will grow into them quickly.

       THE DOG CRATE

      If you think that crates are tools of punishment and confinement for when a dog has misbehaved, think again. Most breeders and almost all trainers recommend a crate as the preferred house-training aid as well as for all-around puppy training and safety. Because dogs are natural den creatures that prefer cave-like environments, the benefits of crate use are many. The crate provides the puppy with his very own “safe house,” a cozy place to sleep, take a break or seek comfort with a favorite toy; a travel aid to house your dog when on the road, at motels or at the vet’s office; a training aid to help teach your puppy proper toileting habits; and a place of solitude when non-dog people happen to drop by and don’t want a lively puppy—or even a well-behaved adult dog—saying hello or begging for attention.

       SOME DAM ATTITUDE

      When selecting a puppy, be certain to meet the dam of the litter. The temperament of the dam is often predictive of the temperament of her puppies. However, dams occasionally are very protective of their young, some to the point of being testy or aggressive with visitors, whom they may view as a danger to their babies. Such attitudes are more common when the pups are very young and still nursing and should not be mistaken for actual aggressive temperament. If possible, visit the dam away from her pups to make friends with her and gain a better understanding of her true personality.

       The three most popular crate types: mesh on the left, wire on the right and fiberglass on top.

      Crates come in several types, although the wire crate and the fiberglass airline-type crate are the most popular. The wire crates offer better visibility for the pup as well as better ventilation. Many of the wire crates easily fold into suitcasesize carriers. The fiberglass crates, similar to those used by the airlines for animal transport, are sturdier and more den-like. However, the fiberglass crates do not fold down and are less ventilated than wire crates, which can be problematic in hot weather. Some of the newer crates are made of heavy plastic mesh; they are very lightweight and fold up into slim-line suitcases. However, a mesh crate might not be suitable for a pup with manic chewing habits.

       You should have acquired a crate before you brought your new Puli puppy home. Both you and your pup will appreciate the many benefits of crate-training.

      At our home, Puli babies are introduced to wire crates at an early age. There is always a crate around for the pups, with its door left open. They can walk in and out, curl up on the bedding and accept the crate as part of their everyday surroundings. As it is always there, it holds no terror. We also find it helpful to feed the pups inside the crate at times, so they only associate the crate with pleasure. When they have been playing and need a rest, settling into the crate is a welcome idea. When the pups have retreated to the crate for a nap, we close the crate door and leave them quiet. You are at an advantage for crate-training if your breeder has introduced the pups to a crate.

       SIGNS OF A HEALTHY PUPPY

      Healthy puppies are robust little fellows who are alert and active, sporting shiny coats and supple skin. They should not appear lethargic, bloated or pot-bellied, nor should they have flaky skin or runny or crusted eyes or noses. Their stools should be firm and well formed, with no evidence of blood or mucus.

       COST OF OWNERSHIP

      The purchase price of your puppy is merely the first expense in the typical dog budget. Quality dog food, veterinary care (sickness and health maintenance), dog supplies and grooming costs will add up to big bucks every year. Can you adequately afford to support a canine addition to the family?

      Don’t bother with a puppy-sized crate. Although your Puli will be a wee fellow when you bring him home, he will grow up in the blink of an eye and your puppy crate will be useless. Purchase a crate that will accommodate an adult Puli. A full-grown Puli can stand between 15 and 18 inches tall at the shoulder, depending on sex, so purchase a crate that will allow an adult to fully stand, lie down and turn around comfortably.

       BEDDING AND CRATE PADS

      Your puppy will enjoy some type of soft bedding in his “room” (the crate), something he can snuggle into to feel cozy and secure. Old towels or blankets are good choices for a young pup, since he may (and probably will) have a toileting accident or two in the crate or decide to chew on the bedding material. Once he is fully trained and out of the early chewing stage, you can replace the puppy bedding with a permanent crate pad if you prefer. Crate pads and other dog beds run the gamut from inexpensive to high-end doggie-designer styles, but don’t splurge on the good stuff until you are sure that your puppy is reliable and won’t tear it up or make a mess on it.

       This adorable Puli puppy is growing fast and will be adult-sized before you know it. Don’t waste your money on puppy-sized food/water dishes or a puppy-sized crate.

       A pup and child that grow up together form a special bond of friendship provided that interactions are supervised and both know how to behave around each other.

       PUPPY TOYS

      Just as infants and older children require objects to stimulate their minds and bodies, puppies need toys to entertain their curious brains, wiggly paws and achy teeth. A fun array of safe doggie toys will help satisfy your puppy’s chewing instincts and distract him from gnawing on the leg of your antique chair or your new leather sofa. Most puppy toys are cute and look as if they would be a lot of fun, but not all are necessarily safe or good for your puppy, so use caution