BREED OF THE WEEK: PULI Alternative Names: drover, pulik (plural) Country of Origin: Hungary The Puli is an ancient dog that is believed to be a descendant of the Tibetan terrier, a breed which was brought to Hungary around the ninth century with the Huns. The Puli was embraced by Hungarian shepherds, who used it as a sheepherding dog for more than one thousand years. In the sixteenth century, Hungary was again invaded and repopulated with Western Europeans, who brought their sheepdogs and terriers with them. These dogs mixed with the native Pulik, leading to the PUMI. The Puli and Pumi were crossed so often that they were almost identical until the twentieth century when a breeder revitalized the original Puli. The Puli continues to be used in Hungary as a herding dog for sheep, cattle, and horses. It was first brought to the U.S. in the 1920s. The Puli is a medium size, powerful, squarely built dog. It has a broad skull and a straight muzzle that is about one third the length of the head. It has a large black nose; deep-set almond-shaped, dark brown eyes; and V-shaped drop ears. The neck appears to merge with the body because it is covered with profuse hair. The medium-length natural tail blends into the hair on the body. The double coat has a woolly undercoat and a profuse outer coat that is wavy or curly, brushed out or forming cords. It is several shades of black, gray, or white. The skin is blue or gray. AVERAGE HEIGHT: 15 to 18 inches AVERAGE WEIGHT: 30 pounds The Puli is an intelligent, active dog. It is fun loving and devoted to its family. Playful and affectionate with friends and family, it is wary with strangers. It is vocal. Its activity level is high and the Puli requires an active family in a suburban or rural home. SPECIAL NEEDS: Attention, grooming, protection from heat, supervision when swimming, training POSSIBLE HEALTH CONCERNS: Deafness, eye problems, hip dysplasia
Posted on: Wed, 20 Aug 2014 14:18:51 +0000