At a glance the quick version
FCI figures. Hill's gives 25-35 lb (about 11-16 kg) for both sexes.
Coat and looks how to spot one
corded double coat
A square, compact and surprisingly light-footed herder hidden under a coat that naturally forms cords. A coarse outer coat and soft undercoat mat together as the dog matures, making cords that run longest over the hindquarters and shortest on the head and legs, so the head looks round and the eyes are barely visible.14
Personality what they are like
An upbeat, clever little dynamo that learns fast and likes working closely with people. It is loyal and affectionate with its household, keeps an eye on everything that happens around the home, and tends to be cautious with strangers.152
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Very energetic; needs more than 40 minutes of exercise a day, and up to about an hour of activity suits most dogs.34
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
The corded coat does not shed but needs regular work more than once a week to separate cords as they form; bathing and drying a full coat takes time and planning. Some owners keep the coat clipped short, and it grows back after trimming.432
Home where they are happiest
Adapts to town or country and can live in a smaller house as long as it gets daily exercise.4
Company who they like around
Bred to work alongside a shepherd, it bonds tightly with its people and enjoys being involved in family life; early training channels its herding instincts.532
The story where it all began
The Puli is an old Hungarian sheepdog whose forebears probably came west with the Magyars around the 9th century. For centuries it worked flocks on the Hungarian plains, and its numbers dropped after the Second World War as traditional shepherding gave way to modern farming.12
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
The Royal Kennel Club notes that Pulik were often seen running across the backs of tightly packed sheep while herding.4
- 2
A fully grown corded coat can reach the ground and weigh around 5-7 lb.3
- 3
Shepherds reportedly used lighter-coloured dogs to guard flocks at night and darker ones to herd by day.3
- 4
In 1935 the US Department of Agriculture imported four Pulik to Maryland for herding research.2
- 5
White Pulik have dark noses and pads and are not albino.2
Recognised by the official bits
- FCI
- Standard no. 55, Group 1 Sheepdogs and Cattle Dogs, Section 1 Sheepdogs; standard dated 06.12.2013.1
- The Royal Kennel Club
- Pastoral group, listed as Hungarian Puli.4
- AKC
- Herding Group.5
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Puli. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- Brushingevery week
- Bathevery 8 weeks
- Nail trimSooner if you hear clicking on the floorevery month
- Ear checkFloppy ears trap moisture, so check and dry themevery week
- Teeth brushingDaily brushing is idealevery 2 days
- ExerciseDaily walks and playevery day
- Flea, tick and worm protectionSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
- Vet check-upSenior years usually start around age 8every year
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.
- FCI standard no. 55 Puli fci.beused for origin, recognition, size, coat, colours, temperament
- Puli - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.orgused for other names, history, colours, facts
- Puli - Hill's Pet hillspet.comused for lifespan, weight, exercise, grooming, facts
- Hungarian Puli - The Royal Kennel Club royalkennelclub.comused for recognition, lifespan, exercise, grooming, home, facts
- Puli - AKC akc.orgused for recognition, temperament
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.