Dog breed
Puli
The Puli is a medium-sized Hungarian herding dog whose trademark is a coat that forms long cords resembling dreadlocks. Under that remarkable coat is an agile, smart and very alert dog that has guarded flocks on the Hungarian plains for centuries. It's devoted to its family, but its coat takes a lot of work.
- Low shedding
- FCI Group I · Sheepdogs · standard no. 55
- Weight
- 10–15 kg
- Height
- 36–45 cm
- Lifespan
- 10–15 years
- Origin
- Hungary
Temperament
The FCI standard describes the Puli as lively, extremely quick to learn, fond of children and an excellent guard dog. The AKC gives it top marks for affection, trainability, alertness and need for mental stimulation. At home a Puli can be funny and very involved in family life, while also being independent, as befits a dog that made its own decisions with the flock. It's reserved with strangers and loudly warns of every intruder. Its herding instinct is still strong; the AKC notes that a Puli will try to herd anything: birds, other dogs, even small children. It needs clear rules and daily interaction, because a bored Puli starts barking. Well handled, it's a cheerful, agile companion, including in dog sports.
- Energy
- calmvery energetic
- Affection
- independentvelcro pet
- With children
- not idealgreat
- With other pets
- difficultgreat
- Trainability
- stubborneager to learn
- For first-time owners
- for experienced ownersyes
- With strangers
- waryoutgoing
- Playfulness
- dignifiedeternal puppy
- Shedding
- minimalheavy
- Grooming
- easydemanding
- Being left alone
- strugglescopes well
- Apartment living
- needs a house and yardgreat in a flat
- Barking
- quietvocal
- With other dogs
- difficultgreat
- Protectiveness
- lowhigh
- Drooling
- hardly anya lot
- Cold tolerance
- feels the coldexcellent
- Heat tolerance
- strugglescopes well
Scores of 1–5 compare the breed with other breeds of the same species, based on the sources at the bottom of the page. Every animal is different. How we score traits
Who is the Puli for?
The Puli suits people who want a smart, alert medium-sized dog, enjoy training and are ready for the unusual care a corded coat requires. People with allergies may consider it, since it doesn't leave hair around the house, though no dog is fully hypoallergenic. It's not a good choice for someone without time to separate cords and spend hours drying, or for people who are sensitive to barking.
Pros
- very smart and alert
- doesn't leave hair around the house
- devoted to family and children
- handles cold well
Challenges
- demanding cord care
- long drying time after a bath
- tends to bark
- strong herding instinct
Size and looks
| Height at the withers | males 39–45 cm, females 36–42 cm |
|---|---|
| Weight | males 13–15 kg, females 10–13 kg |
| Lifespan | 10–15 years |
| Coat | curly |
| Colors | black, black with rusty or gray shading, fawn (fakó) with a black mask, gray, pearl white |
| Country of origin | Hungary |
| Classification | Group I: Sheepdogs and Cattledogs (except Swiss Cattledogs) |
| Also known as | Hungarian Puli, Hungarian Water Dog |
Care and exercise
The Royal Kennel Club recommends up to an hour of exercise a day, but a Puli will also happily take up agility, obedience or herding. The coat is the most important thing, though. Puppies have fluffy coats, and during adolescence the hair starts to felt and must be separated into cords by hand so that dense mats don't form. An adult dog doesn't need brushing, but the cords must be separated and checked regularly. Bathing is a challenge: a wet coat takes many hours to dry, so you'll need a powerful dryer and patience. Some owners choose to shorten the cords or keep a shorter cut. Keep the hair around the rear and between the paw pads short and clean. Training goes quickly when it's varied.
How much should the Puli eat?The calculator starts from this breed’s typical weight: calories and grams a day.Health and breed-related conditions
The AKC notes that breeders in the Puli Club of America test their dogs under the CHIC program. Required tests are hip X-rays (OFA or PennHIP), a patella evaluation, a DNA test for degenerative myelopathy and an eye exam repeated every three years. Optional extras include elbow X-rays, heart and thyroid tests and a BAER hearing test. The Royal Kennel Club recommends an eye exam and hip X-rays as good practice. Coat hygiene matters too, since damp, matted cords encourage skin irritation and parasites. The AKC gives a life expectancy of 10–15 years, and the Royal Kennel Club places the breed among dogs that live more than 12 years.
- hip dysplasiaThe Puli Club of America requires breeders to screen hips (OFA or PennHIP).
- patellar luxationA patella evaluation is one of the American breed club's required tests.
- degenerative myelopathy (DM)Progressive weakness of the hind legs in older dogs; screened with a DNA test.
- eye diseasesAn eye exam repeated every three years is recommended.
Health tests to ask the breeder about
- hip X-rays (HD)
- patella evaluation
- DM DNA test
- eye exam (ECVO)
- BAER hearing test (optional)
This is general breed information, not a diagnosis. If something worries you, talk to your veterinarian.
Breed history
According to the FCI standard, the Puli is a Hungarian herding dog of Asian origin. Its ancestors most likely arrived in the Carpathian Basin with the nomadic Magyars, who lived by raising livestock. The AKC estimates this happened about a thousand years ago. The Puli herded and drove large flocks of sheep on the Hungarian plains, and its corded coat protected it from harsh winters. For centuries it was bred together with other small herding dogs, from which the Mudi and Pumi, among others, were later separated. The standard notes that the Puli's present-day build also makes it well suited to dog sports.
Fun facts
- A Puli's cords form naturally from felting outer coat and undercoat, but they have to be separated by hand.
- The FCI standard also allows pearl-white Pulik, with no golden tinge.
- The Hungarian plural of Puli is "Pulik."
- According to the FCI standard, the Puli loves children and is an excellent guard dog.
Frequently asked questions
Do Pulik shed?
Hardly at all; the AKC gives the breed its lowest shedding rating. Dead hair stays trapped in the cords, so the coat needs regular separating and checking rather than ordinary brushing.
How do you take care of a Puli's coat?
In a young dog the coat starts to felt and must be split into cords by hand. In an adult, the cords are separated regularly so they don't fuse into mats. Baths are rare, but drying takes many hours.
How long do Pulik live?
The AKC gives 10–15 years, and the Royal Kennel Club places the breed among dogs that live more than 12 years. Many Pulik stay fit into old age.
Can a Puli live in an apartment?
Yes. It's medium-sized and adapts well to apartment life if it gets daily exercise and activities. You'll need to teach it to settle, though, because it alertly barks at noises outside the door.
How much does a Puli weigh?
Adult dogs of this breed usually weigh: males 13–15 kg, females 10–13 kg. Height at the withers: 36–45 cm. That range is for healthy adults in good condition.
This breed also appears in
Sources
- 1FCI standard nr 55 – Pulifci.be
- 2AKC – Puliakc.org
- 3Royal Kennel Club – Hungarian Puliroyalkennelclub.com
Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.
