Puli dogs reach their full height and weight at 12 to 18 months of age. It’s important to provide proper nutrition, exercise, and healthcare during their growth stages to ensure they develop into healthy adult dogs. Regular veterinary check-ups can also help monitor their growth and overall well-being.

Puli dogs are usually black, silver, or white. Although not recognized as the breed standard, Puli dogs may also be rust, brindle, cream, and brown.

Puli dogs are medium-sized dogs, most weighing 25 to 35 pounds and standing around 16 to 17 inches tall.

Yes, Puli dogs naturally have dreadlocks. When Puli puppies are born, they have a soft, fluffy coat. Around eight to 12 months of age, dreadlocks begin to form as the Puli’s hair tangles and “locks” together. This natural process will take a couple of years to fully develop.

No, Puli dogs shed little to no hair. They are considered a hypoallergenic breed for this reason.

Yes, Puli dogs are good with kids due to their gentle and playful natures. Keep an eye out to keep them from using their herding and guarding instincts on the children of the house. Proper training can ensure nipping at kids’ heels does not become a habit. 

As with any breed, supervise when your Puli and children are interacting to keep everyone safe and happy. Teaching children how to properly approach and handle dogs is crucial to ensure positive experiences for both the dog and the child, as is teaching dogs how to interact gently with children.

Yes, Puli dogs are good with cats. Of course, each dog (and cat) has their own preferences and temperaments, but if introduced early, and both pets have compatible temperaments and are properly socialized, they should get along fine.

Yes, Puli dogs are good with other dogs. Their natural herding instincts might sometimes lead to assertive or dominant behavior with other pups, so early socialization and training are important to encourage positive interactions with other dogs. Pulis are also adaptable, which makes peaceful coexistence in a household with other dogs a good bet.

Yes, Puli dogs bark a lot. Like most herding dogs, the Puli tends to use their voice with abandon to alert their families of news. As with any dog, however, they can be discouraged from barking as frequently with proper training and exercise. Providing them with mental and physical stimulation can help reduce boredom-related barking.

Yes, Puli dogs are good family dogs — some would even say excellent. This jubilant, humorous, delightful dog is a friend to their family and a formidable companion. The Puli can be aloof with strangers but is affectionate and devoted to their family.

Set firm boundaries with this clever breed, as they are fond of sussing out weakness and establishing themselves as the leader of a household otherwise. They see the household as their flock and love nothing more than to protect and, yes, sometimes even herd their family members.

Yes, Puli dogs are easy to train thanks to their keen smarts and desire to please. They respond well to consistent, positive reinforcement and enjoy learning activities. Early socialization and clear commands help maximize their training effectiveness. Just keep in mind that even if a certain dog breed is known to be easy to train, training any dog requires a long-term commitment.

Yes, Puli dogs are smart. These quick learners are responsive to training and can solve problems quickly. Their intelligence makes them adept at learning commands and tasks.

Yes, Puli dogs are friendly. Loyal and devoted, they form strong bonds with their family. They are warm and welcoming to new folks, too, and enjoy interacting with people, especially when properly socialized. Their herding instincts can lead them to be assertive or protective if they perceive a threat, but with appropriate training and socialization, Pulis are friendly and engaging pets.

Yes, you need to groom a Puli, and it’s a time-consuming endeavor. The cords need to be separated and tended to daily to prevent matting. Since the cords are also debris magnets, they need to be cleaned daily to avoid becoming dirty and malodorous. A Puli who spends lots of time outdoors in muddy conditions may need to be bathed every six to eight weeks, but many only need a bath every four to five months. After drying with a towel, it can still take several days to completely dry, but keep after it — you don’t want the cords to get moldy. Frequent trimming will also help with dirt and odor on this breed.

Yes, Puli dogs are high maintenance. Just like any memorable head of hair, those distinctive coats take time. But if a family is prepared to turn cord-tending into quality time, it can be a great time to heap some loving attention on your pup.

No, Puli dogs don’t smell. In fact, they give off less of a “doggy” smell than most other breeds. If a Puli does smell, their cords have likely not been properly groomed and cared for, or they may need a bath.

Like most of the ancient breeds, the Puli is hardy and mostly very healthy, with quite a long average lifespan.

• Hip and/or elbow dysplasia: Hip and elbow dysplasia are two of the most common skeletal diseases seen in dogs. They are similar diseases in which either the hip or elbow joint has grown abnormally or is misshapen. The abnormal shape prevents the joints and sockets from adequately meeting one another, resulting in rubbing and grinding instead of sliding smoothly. Though the main complication with hip dysplasia is joint instability, the abnormalities present in elbow dysplasia often result in pieces of bone and/or cartilage breaking loose and irritating the joint tissues. Over time, the rubbing from dysplasia can cause a variety of issues, such as pain, lameness, and secondary osteoarthritis. Surgery can fix the joint if diagnosed before the onset of arthritis. If you are rescuing a Puli, have them checked out by a vet to see if they are prone to dysplasia.

• Others: Cataracts, a common eye condition that causes cloudiness in the eye and obstructs vision; progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), a progressive degenerative disease affecting the retina that eventually leads to blindness; and deafness. 

To identify some of these issues, a veterinarian may recommend hip, eye, and hearing tests for your dog.

Puli dogs are from Hungary, most likely brought there by the nomadic Magyars around 1,000 years ago. This ancient sheep herding dog worked the plains of Hungary through brutal winters and intense summer heat, protected from both weather extremes by their distinctive corded coat.

Puli dogs were bred for herding and guarding livestock, primarily sheep and cattle. Their alertness, loyalty, and protective natures made them excellent protectors of both animals and property. They’re not all work and no play, though. Today, gentle and affectionate Pulis are prized family members.

Puli dogs live 10 to 15 years. Individual lifespans will vary based on genetics, overall health, diet, exercise, and quality of veterinary care.