Puli
波利犬
Updated 2026-09-09
At a glance
The Puli is Hungary's corded sheepdog, a compact but powerful herder brought to Europe by the Magyars and covered from head to tail in naturally forming cords. Incredibly intelligent, loyal and home-loving, it is the "acrobat of the dog world", sensibly suspicious of strangers and a fine watchdog; it learns fast and strives to please, but is headstrong, dislikes repetition and does things its own way. Mental work matters as much as exercise, and the coat is a lifelong project whether corded, brushed or clipped.
Facts
| Size | Medium |
|---|---|
| Height | 36–46cm |
| Weight | 10–16kg |
| Life expectancy | 10–15years |
| Breed group | AKC: herding FCI: 1 |
| Role | Herding |
| Coat | Curly coat |
| Shedding | 1/ 5 |
| Exercise | 30–90min/day |
| Can be left alone | up to 3 hours |
| Companionship need | 5/ 5 |
| Trainability | 5/ 5 |
| Barking | 3/ 5 |
| Good with children | 3/ 5 |
| Good with other dogs | 3/ 5 |
| Heat tolerance | 2/ 5 |
| Cold tolerance | 5/ 5 |
Health
This page is general information compiled from published sources. It is not veterinary, legal or purchase advice. Dogs vary within a breed — talk to a vet or a reputable breeder about the dog in front of you.
Health notes are not veterinary advice. Conditions listed are those reported for the breed, not a diagnosis of any dog. Always consult a veterinarian.
Hip dysplasia
Commonly reported in the breed; breeders screen hips by X-ray. Ask your vet about hip screening and about keeping your dog lean and fit.
Inherited eye conditions
Various inherited eye conditions are reported in the breed; annual eye examinations by a veterinary ophthalmologist are recommended for breeding stock. Ask your vet about eye screening.
Heart conditions
Certain heart conditions are reported in the breed; breeders may have breeding stock examined by a veterinary cardiologist. Ask your vet about heart checks at routine visits.
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is reported in the breed. Ask your vet about thyroid testing if you notice weight gain, lethargy or coat changes.
Patellar luxation
Patellar luxation (slipping kneecaps) is commonly reported in small breeds; breeders screen for it. Ask your vet if your dog skips or holds up a hind leg.
Degenerative myelopathy
Degenerative myelopathy, a progressive spinal cord condition of older dogs, is reported in the breed; a DNA test identifies risk. Ask your vet if an older dog shows hind-leg weakness.
Congenital deafness
Congenital deafness is reported in the breed; puppies can be BAER hearing-tested. Ask your breeder about hearing tests.
Neuroaxonal dystrophy / neurological DNA-tested conditions
Inherited neurological conditions are reported in the breed and DNA tests exist for some. Ask your breeder which tests were done.
Behaviour
Brilliant, headstrong, does it its own way
The AKC says Pulik are incredibly intelligent, agile and loyal, learn quickly and strive to please — but they do not suffer fools lightly (the joke is you need to be very smart to own one), need a firm but fair hand, and as herders do not give up control easily: they follow commands but do things their own way and do not care for repetition. Mental exercise is as important as physical, and breeders caution against overdoing exercise before the growth plates close.
Home-loving acrobat, wary of strangers
The CKC describes an affectionate, intelligent, devoted and home-loving companion that is sensibly suspicious of strangers and an efficient watchdog; lively and nimble, a canine acrobat that changes direction instantly, relishes activity and enjoys having a job, and is best suited to country settings where its lively temperament has room.
Energy and exercise
Energy level is rated 3/5 (moderate) on the AKC breed-trait chart. The Royal Kennel Club puts its exercise need at "up to 1 hour per day".
Training and barking
AKC trait chart: trainability 5/5, barking level 3/5. Individual dogs vary; early socialisation and reward-based training are recommended for every breed.
Official guidance
Summaries of official documents are ours; the source is linked. Breed standards, laws and licensing rules change — check the issuing body for the current version.
American Kennel Club — Puli
Breed overview, breed-trait chart, history, official standard summary and health notes from the AKC and the national parent club.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
Canadian Kennel Club — Puli (Herding Dogs)
Origin, temperament, activity level, height/weight, coat and grooming as described by the Canadian Kennel Club.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
The Royal Kennel Club — Hungarian Puli
Breed characteristics (size medium, exercise up to 1 hour per day, lifespan over 12 years).
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
FCI nomenclature — Puli (standard no. 55, group 1)
FCI breed nomenclature entry with the official breed standard PDF in English, French, German and Spanish.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
What owners say
Owner advice is quoted from public community posts and reflects those owners' opinions, not PocketPaw's position. It is unverified and not a substitute for professional advice. Each item links to where it was said.
“The parent club asks prospective owners two questions before they start looking: is a Puli right for you, and are you prepared every day for the time it demands — not just attention but mutual interaction with both physical and intellectual challenge? If you cannot give that time, cannot deal with the coat, or your family will not appreciate the breed's tendency to bark, it says this is not the breed for you. It also advises asking any breeder for OFA and CERF certificates and for DM and patellar-luxation clearances not only on the parents but on the grandparents too.”
— Puli Club of America — Find a Puli via breed clubWorldwide2026-09-09
Sources
- [1]Puli — Dog Breed Information — American Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [2]Puli — Choosing a Breed — Canadian Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [3]Hungarian Puli — Breeds A to Z — The Royal Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [4]Puli — FCI standard no. 55 — Fédération Cynologique Internationale (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [5]How do I help my dog adjust to spending time alone? — The Royal Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [6]Incidence and risk factors for heat-related illness (heatstroke) in UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016 (Hall, Carter & O'Neill, Scientific Reports 10:9128) — Nature / Scientific Reports (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [7]Find a Puli — Puli Club of America — Puli Club of America (public breed pages) (Accessed 2026-09-09)
Still have questions?
Ask owners on the PawMunity forum — every breed has its own board.
Breed data compiled by PocketPaw from the sources credited on each entry. Text and layout © 2026 NextPath Solutions Limited. Please link to a page rather than copying it.