The Hungarian Puli Community

The Hungarian Puli is one of the most visually remarkable of all dog breeds - an ancient Hungarian herding dog whose naturally corded coat, when fully developed, gives the dog an appearance unlike any other breed in existence, with long, rope-like cords of coat that eventually reach the ground and cover the dog's entire body including the face. This extraordinary coat, developed over centuries of outdoor herding work on the Hungarian Great Plain, the Puszta, provides genuine insulation against both cold and heat and protection against injury, and it is as functional as it is distinctive. The Puli has been used as a herding dog in Hungary for at least a thousand years and is among the oldest of the Central European working breeds. Registered by the Kennel Club in the Pastoral Group, it has a dedicated following in the United Kingdom among owners who appreciate its unique character and striking appearance. The Puli is a medium-sized, squarely built dog whose physical proportions are almost entirely obscured by the coat in a fully corded adult. Adults typically stand 37 to 44 centimetres at the shoulder and weigh 10 to 15 kilograms. The corded coat comes in solid black, grey, white or fako (cream to apricot) colouring. Without the coat, the Puli is revealed as a compact, athletic and well-muscled herding dog with the agility and stamina of a working breed. The character reflects its herding heritage: highly intelligent, energetic, loyal and independently minded. The Puli was bred to make herding decisions without constant human direction - a characteristic that makes it an exceptionally capable working dog and a somewhat independent companion. It is devoted to its own family and affectionate and playful within its household, but it maintains the alert, watchful character of a working dog and can be initially reserved with strangers. The coat is the defining practical commitment of Puli ownership. In its corded form it takes three to four years to fully develop and requires regular hand-separation of individual cords to prevent matting. Bathing a corded Puli is a significant undertaking requiring many hours for drying. Many UK pet owners maintain the coat in a brushed rather than corded state, which reduces maintenance considerably but loses the breed's iconic appearance. Purchase prices from KC-registered breeders range from £800 to £1,800. Monthly running costs average £100 to £160. The Hungarian Puli Club UK is the primary resource for breed information, health testing, responsible breeders and rescue contact.