Puli

Puli 101: Traits, Shedding and Exercise Needs for Busy Families

The Puli is a compact, springy Hungarian herding dog best known for its spectacular corded coat. Agile, intelligent, and playful, the Puli excels at herding, agility, and obedience while doubling as a lively family companion. If you’re asking “Are Pulis hypoallergenic?”—they’re low-shedding and often tolerated by allergy-sensitive owners, but no breed is 100% hypoallergenic. Ideal for active households that can commit to coat care and daily mental/physical exercise.

Breed Group
Activity Level
High
Size Category
Medium
Coat Type
Double Coat
Coat Texture
Woolly
Activity Level
High
Trainability
High
Shedding Level
Minimal
Family Friendly
Yes
Apartment Friendly
No
Hypoallergenic
Yes
Breed Type
Purebred
Puli with a long, corded black coat sitting on a dirt trail in a forest, looking relaxed and alert with a soft, cheerful expression.

Breed History of the Puli

Developed in Hungary over a thousand years ago, the Puli worked flocks on the plains (Puszta), prized for its nimble, “bouncing” herding style and weatherproof coat. Ancestors likely arrived with early Magyar pastoralists; modern breed standardization took shape in the early 1900s. Today, the Puli remains a versatile herder and sport dog, known worldwide for both brains and iconic cords.

Puli Appearance: Size, Coat & Distinctive Features

A small, square, elastic mover wrapped in protective cords.

  • Weight: 25–35 lbs (male), 20–30 lbs (female)
  • Height: 16–17 in (male), 14–16 in (female)
  • Coat Type: Double coat that naturally mats into cords (woolly undercoat + harsher outer hair)
  • Coat Colors: Solid black (most common), white, gray, or fawn/apricot (with/without black mask)
  • Distinctive Physical Traits: Corded coat forming natural tassels, high-set curled tail, lively gait, alert, expressive eyes hidden by cords

How to Groom a Puli: Coat Care & Maintenance

The corded coat is low-shedding but high-maintenance without the right routine.

  • Cord Formation: Around 8–12 months, separate felting into even cords by hand; continue as dog matures
  • Maintenance: Weekly to biweekly hand-separation of cords; check armpits, ears, groin, and tail base
  • Bathing: Every 4–8 weeks (as needed); squeeze-rinse and squeeze-dry—never brush out cords
  • Drying: Thorough air-dry with fans; drying can take hours—prevent skin issues by drying fully
  • Hygiene Trim: Tidy feet, sanitary areas every 6–8 weeks; keep cords off the ground if very long
  • Ears/Teeth/Nails: Clean ears weekly; brush teeth 2–3×/week; trim nails every 3–4 weeks
  • Shedding: Very low (hair remains locked in cords)

Puli Exercise Needs: Daily Activity & Playtime Tips

A buoyant athlete that needs daily outlets for body and brain.

  • Daily Exercise: 60–90 minutes total (walks, fetch, off-leash zooms in secure areas)
  • Ideal Activities: Herding, agility, rally, trick training, nose work, hiking
  • Suitability: Can live in apartments with robust daily exercise and enrichment; yard preferred

Training a Puli: Behavior, Commands & Socialization

Clever, enthusiastic, and people-oriented—with a herder’s independence.

  • Approach: Reward-based training; fast, varied sessions to keep engagement high
  • Focus Areas: Recall around motion, polite greetings (they can be bouncy), “quiet” on cue (alert barkers)
  • Socialization: Early exposure to new people/dogs/situations to avoid suspicion/shyness
  • Mental Work: Trick chains, scent puzzles, shaping games; avoid repetitive drilling

Puli Diet: Feeding Schedule & Nutrition Tips

Fuel the athlete while protecting joints and coat health.

  • Food Type: High-quality kibble or balanced fresh diet for active small/medium breeds
  • Daily Quantity: ~1.5–2.5 cups/day split into two meals (adjust to activity/age)
  • Diet Advice: Prioritize animal protein; add omega-3s (EPA/DHA) for skin/coat; maintain lean body condition

Puli Health Issues: Common Problems & Lifespan

Generally robust, but responsible screening matters.

  • Common Issues: Hip dysplasia, patellar luxation, eye disorders (including PRA), degenerative myelopathy (in some lines)
  • Sport Care: Warm-ups/cool-downs to prevent soft-tissue strains; keep cords trimmed around eyes/feet for performance
  • Life Expectancy: 12–16 years
  • Recommended Testing: Hips, patellas, ophthalmologist (CAER); available DNA tests as advised by breed clubs

Where to Adopt or Find Puli Puppies in Canada

Look for preservation breeders and sport-savvy rescues.

  • Breeders: Choose CKC/AKC/FCI-affiliated breeders providing hip/patella/eye clearances and detailed cord-care guidance
  • Adoption: Check herding-breed rescues; ask agility/herding clubs about rehoming networks
  • Canadian Resources: Canadian Kennel Club breeder directory; Puli Club of Canada (education/networking); regional herding clubs in ON/BC/QC

Frequently Asked Questions About the Puli

Are Pulis hypoallergenic?
Low-shedding and often tolerated by allergy-sensitive people, but no dog is fully hypoallergenic—meet a Puli first.

How do you groom a Puli’s corded coat?
Separate cords by hand weekly, bathe as needed, and thoroughly air-dry; never brush out cords.

Do Pulis bark a lot?
They’re alert vocalizers. Teach “quiet” early and provide ample exercise and enrichment.

Is a Puli good for apartments?
Yes—with 60–90 minutes of daily activity, enrichment, and bark management.

How much exercise does a Puli need?
Plan for 60–90 minutes daily plus brain work (tricks, scent games, training).

Do Pulis shed?
Very little—loose hair stays trapped in cords until bathing/maintenance.

Are Pulis good with kids and other pets?
Typically, yes, with early socialization and supervision; herding nips can be redirected into games.

How old before cords form?
Usually 8–12 months; full cords mature over the next 1–2 years with regular hand-separation.

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Puli with a long, corded black coat sitting on a dirt trail in a forest, looking relaxed and alert with a soft, cheerful expression.
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