Puli

Canis lupus

Last updated: November 6, 2022
Verified by: AZ Animals Staff
© BORINA OLGA/Shutterstock.com

Puli Scientific Classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Mammalia
Order
Carnivora
Family
Canidae
Genus
Canis
Scientific Name
Canis lupus

Read our Complete Guide to Classification of Animals.

Puli Conservation Status

Puli Locations

Puli Locations

Puli Facts

Name Of Young
Puppies
Most Distinctive Feature
Corded fur
Temperament
Independent, intelligent, loyal
Diet
Omnivore
Average Litter Size
4-6 puppies
Origin
Hungarian

Puli Physical Characteristics

Skin Type
Fur
Lifespan
14
Weight
35 pounds
Height
18 inches

This post may contain affiliate links to our partners like Chewy, Amazon, and others. Purchasing through these helps us further the A-Z Animals mission to educate about the world's species.

View all of the Puli images!



The puli is an unmistakable dog breed, covered from snout to tail with wild, naturally occurring cords. These compact dogs were bred to partner with humans as speedy, powerful livestock herders, making them faithful companions and highly intelligent learners.

Historians believe pulik – the plural form of puli – were brought to Europe by Asian nomadic tribes to guard large flocks of sheep in Hungarian plainlands. While they’re used less often as herders today, their instinct remains strong — pulik herd just about anything, from other dogs and birds to human toddlers.

Puli dogs’ natural dreadlocks are instantly recognizable. They are wooly and dense, and nearly entirely waterproof, bred to protect them from brutal European winters. Whether corded or brushed through, puli coats require detailed, devoted attention. With proper care and lots of leadership, the puli makes a fun-loving, agile companion that’s happy to join on any adventure.

31,618 People Couldn't Ace This Quiz

Think You Can?

Read on to learn more about pulik and what to know before considering adopting a dog.

The name Puli means “drover” or “destroyer.” These dogs almost went extinct due to supply shortages during World War II. Thankfully, they’ve returned in numbers and popularity.

The Best Dog Food For Puli

Pulik requires a diet of high-quality dog food, whether it’s commercially prepared or home-cooked, based on a veterinarian-approved recipe. Most U.S. dog food brands must meet the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) standards, and you should only feed your dog a brand that has been approved.

The Puli’s diet should be age-appropriate, with kibble or recipes designed to accommodate their needs in the puppy, adult, or senior dog life phases. These dogs can be prone to weight gain, particularly without proper exercise, so supervise your dog’s calorie consumption and track their weight if needed. A formula consisting primarily of high-grade, animal-sourced protein and complemented with great vitamins and minerals will make for a happy, healthy pup.

At A-Z Animals, we recommend Taste of the Wild’s Pacific Stream Smoked Salmon dry food, which contains real salmon as the primary ingredient, full of protein and omega-3 fatty acids. This recipe also features vitamins and minerals from fruits and superfoods to promote joint health, encourage a glossy coat, and provide your puli with the energy it needs.

3 pros and cons of owning a Puli

Pros!Cons!
Highly intelligent and easily trainable
The puli’s intelligence makes it easy to train and eager to please. 
Loud barker
A vigilant watchdog, your pup will immediately let you know about newcomers.
Exceedingly loyal
The dog will never want to leave your size.
Independent with herding instincts 
Without proper leadership, puli can go rogue and refuse to listen to commands if it thinks it knows best.
Healthy with low medical maintenance
Pulik are a generally healthy breed with few genetic health concerns.
High-maintenance grooming needs
These dogs require extensive grooming care due to their cords.

Puli Size and Weight

Female pulis are compact, reaching heights between 14 and 16 inches, while males reach up to 18 inches. Full-grown puli males can weigh 30-35 pounds, and females reach between 25 and 30 pounds.

Height (Male)18’ Tall
Height (Female)16’ Tall
Weight (male)35 bs, fully grown
Weight (female)30 lbs, fully grown

Puli Common Health Issues

Pulik are generally healthy dogs with few genetically inherited conditions. However, reputable breeders will test their breeding pups for common health issues across different types of dogs. Per Puli Club of America guidelines, dog breeders should test to confirm their dogs are free from conditions such as hip dysplasia, patella, degenerative myelopathy, and eye tests. Additional cardiac, thyroid, and hearing tests are common but not universal among breeders.

When considering a puli, be sure to ask any potential breeder about what conditions they test and other questions related to the temperament and health of a dog’s parents.

Puli Temperament

The puli is brilliant and high-energy, requiring enough exercise to discharge all the mental and physical energy packed into its medium-sized form. With proper exercise and disciplined training, a puli can live in the city. However, they prefer to live in outdoor environments, such as an enclosed property or agricultural land, where they can access the type of exercise for which they were bred. 

Pulik are very cozy and love cuddling with children and their family members. However, they are sensitive dogs that don’t do well with adverse treatment – they may resent their owners if not given proper care.

How To Take Care of Puli 

Types of Big Dogs
Puli dogs’ natural dreadlocks are instantly recognizable, wooly and dense, and nearly entirely waterproof, bred to protect them from brutal European winters.

©iStock.com/volofin

Pulik are headstrong and high-maintenance pups with many requirements in grooming, training, and exercise. However, to those willing to do the work, the puli provides plenty of affection and loyalty, making for loving and loyal protectors of their “herd.”

Maintenance And Grooming

The puli coat is the main focus of any dedicated owner and requires consistent care, whether corded, clipped, or brushed. Puli coats require simple bathing until they reach ten months of age when their undercoat starts to develop. As the dog matures, the coats grow thicker and mat to the touch. Natural separations occur in the fur as it clumps together close to the skin – these are the beginnings of the cording process. The hair lengthens, and the owner should manually separate the cords into soft clumps by organizing them and pulling them apart with your fingers. 

This process requires repetition over six to nine months until your puli reaches two years of age. Be sure to properly introduce your dog to hair treatment with plenty of positive reinforcement and affection, and your pup will come to associate the task with appreciation. Once the cords are formed, include clipping and regular maintenance as part of a routine that includes nail trimming, ear cleaning, and checking for debris in the coat and behind the ears.

Training

Pulik need loads of training and mental stimulation to live happy, healthy lives. These dogs are brilliant, able to learn tricks quickly, and eager to please their owners. However, if you don’t display clear leadership and a consistent set of rules, pulis will have no problem ignoring commands. Herding dogs are loathe to easily give up control and don’t care for repetition, so owners will need to provide structure and clear rules and establish themselves as alpha to maintain their puli’s respect. Early training in puppyhood and socialization will go a long way to earning your pup’s loyalty.

Exercise

Pulik are high-intensity dogs that thrive on physical exercise. Breeders will caution owners not to overdo it on sports to keep joints healthy. Despite this, pulik thrive at sports, including obedience training, herding, agility, and other speed-related activities. In daily life, the puli requires at least an hour of exercise daily, usually in the form of multiple walks or free play in an open backyard. 

Puppies

As the new owner of a puli puppy, your primary job is to introduce him to as many new people, dogs, and puppies as possible in a positive manner. After completing all necessary vaccines, expose your dog to friend visits, car rides, and even puppy school to associate meeting new experiences with positivity and fun. All new meetings should be enjoyable for your dog, and making your pup comfortable with new sounds, smells, and sights will help him develop into a confident, calmer puli.

Puli And Children

Pulik are extremely fond of children and will take the role of serving as companion and protector very seriously. They love guarding their charges and often will imprint on young children when raised together. A puli often forgives children’s rudeness but won’t tolerate extreme violations or pushing around. As such, it’s essential to supervise kid-puli playtime and teach your child to respect dogs properly.

Dogs similar to Puli

The Puli is closely related to other corded sheepdogs and herders, such as Komondors, Croatian sheepdogs, and the Bergamasco sheepdog.

  • Komondor: Komondors are another corded dog that requires just as intense grooming. 
  • Croatian sheepdog: Croatian sheepdogs are nimble, agile dogs with a natural herding ability similar to pulik.
  • Bergamasco sheepdog: Bergamascos are another variety of sheepdog bred originally in modern-day Iran.

Popular names for Puli dogs include:

  • Lazlo
  • Beast
  • Henry
  • Alma
  • Pepper
  • Luna

Up Next

View all 185 animals that start with P

About the Author

Shanti Ryle is a content marketer with nearly a decade's experience writing about science, real estate, business, and culture. Her work has been featured in Forbes, Wall Street Journal, Global Finance and Banking, Weedmaps News/Marijuana.com, and other publications. Her favorite animal (by far) is the Pembroke Welsh Corgi!

Puli FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 

What is the lifespan of a Puli?

The average lifespan of a puli ranges from 11 to 14 years, though they retain the puppy-like characteristics well into older age.



Are Puli’s hypoallergenic?

Despite their long cords, pulik are hypoallergenic dogs that hardly drool or shed. However, they require plenty of grooming to keep their coats in shape.



How much do Puli dogs cost?

When adopted, puli pups cost around $300 to cover first-day expenses and to ensure they go to a happy home. From a breeder, puppies can cost as much as $1,600, depending on their lineage and club registrations. 



Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us? Contact the AZ Animals editorial team.

Sources
  1. American Kennel Club, Available here: https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/puli/
  2. Puli Club of America, Available here: https://www.puliclub.org/wp/
  3. Encyclopedia Brittanica, Available here: https://www.britannica.com/animal/puli
  4. German Puli Club, Available here: https://www.puli.de/en/
  5. Hungarian Puli Club of Great Britain, Available here: https://www.hungarianpuliclubofgb.co.uk/about-pulis/puli-coat-care-an-article-written-by-jennifer-whitton/

Newly Added Animals

A Jack Crevalle
Jack Crevalle

One of the biggest species in the Caranx genus

A Antiguan Racer Snake
Antiguan Racer Snake

One of the most endangered snakes in the world

A Hammond’s flycatcher
Hammond’s flycatcher

“Hammond’s flycatcher has a call known as a sharp peek!”

Most Recently Updated Animals

A Tarsier
Tarsier

Each eye weighs more than their whole brain!

A Jack Crevalle
Jack Crevalle

One of the biggest species in the Caranx genus

A African Clawed Frog
African Clawed Frog

African clawed frogs were used as pregnancy testers from the 1930s to the early 1960s.

Latest Animal Quizzes