Puli. Ann Arch
Ch. Pulikountry’s Apro, CD, owned by Mrs. John B. McManus.
Leslie and Klara Benis of Tarzana, California were important Puli breeders in the 1960s and ’70s with their Hunnia kennel. They had emigrated to the US from Hungary, where Les had grown up with the breed, and he campaigned many Hungarian imports in immaculate corded coats to dispel the myth of the “smelly” and “dirty” cords. Hunnia’s most famous Puli was the exquisite BIS-winning bitch Ch. Sasvolgyi Puszi Pajtas, bred in Hungary by Les. He is one of the most respected experts in the breed and is the author of This Is the Puli.
Barbara Edwards and Constance Peterson started their Prydain kennel in 1974 in California and contributed much with their top-winning Pulik in both conformation and performance events. They produced several BIS- and specialty-winning dogs, with Ch. Prydain Noah and Ch. Prydain Trademark HT being outstanding examples. Prydain also owned an exceptional dam in Ch. Prydain Virag HT, who produced 30 champion get, 2 of whom became multi-BIS winners.
The top-producing Puli in North America is a Hungarian import, Ch. Csanyteleki Csigany, owned by Terry and Mary Wakeman of Connecticut. He has sired 52 champions and, despite being owner-handled over a fairly short show career, he also won 6 BIS awards and the national specialty twice, in 1984 and 1985.
THE PULI IN CANADA
By Stephanie Horan
The first Puli in Canada was a German-bred dog, Ch. Adolar von der Herlingsberg CDX, who accompanied his owner Mrs. R.D. McLellan when she moved from Germany to Montreal in 1948. Mrs. McLellan helped to found a club encompassing all of the Hungarian breeds. In addition to being the club’s secretary, she was the club’s newsletter editor and succeeded in persuading many prominent Puli experts to contribute articles to the publication.
The history of the Puli in Canada was somewhat patchy for many years, with no really prominent dogs or breeders, just the occasional dog or owner doing quite well for a short time but then disappearing without making any lasting contribution. This guest author and husband Terry Horan emigrated to Canada from the UK in 1974, bringing their Immerzu Pulik, and have played a key role in the Canadian Puli world with many champions, group winners and top producers. They helped to start the Puli Club of Alberta in 1975, which was renamed Puli Club of Canada a few years later to reflect the growing national interest in the club.
A handful of Pulik have won Bests in Show in Canada. These were all imports or owned by visiting American exhibitors until 1999, when Ch. Kirasdream Anji of Immerzu became the first Canadian-bred Puli, and also the first bitch, to take that honor. She was owned by Ann Tober of Edmonton, Alberta. Bernie and Bobbie Silverman of Toronto have owned two multi-BIS-winning Pulik in recent years, Ch. Fuzzy Farm Csibesz Checker, an American-bred male, and Ch. Kalacsos Muci, a white Hungarian-bred bitch.
The Puli remains a comparatively rare breed in both the US and Canada, but has a loyal and devoted following determined to keep this unique breed a sound and eye-catching little sheepdog.
The Puli is a lively and extremely intelligent breed. The breed loves to be a part of family life and particularly resents being ignored or only being included “when convenient.” The dog will live quite happily both as a single dog and, providing that integration is carefully effected, will also be content as one of several. As a breed that was worked all the time, it has the stamina to perform its duties around the clock, every single day, so it is not really suited to a dull routine without exercise or other activity. As a family dog, it is ideal, always willing to play with the children and with a fun outlook on life. The Puli has the added value of acting as an effective warning instrument if strangers approach, as the breed has excellent hearing. Again, Pulik thoroughly enjoy participating in family activities, particularly whole days out with walking and romping about. We find that ours love to do some simple basic obedience—going to “fetch” being the earliest. A favorite for such retrieves is a short length of hardwearing rope that is knotted at both ends. When Pulik compete seriously in obedience competition, they require a much smaller dumbbell than the normal size. Pulik have competed with success in obedience and agility, and they now also frequently compete with other breeds in herding trials.
Perhaps the one thing that sets the breed apart and makes it so special is its coat. The Puli is born with a smooth and quite dense covering. This jacket soon starts to grow and will continue to grow longer and longer throughout the dog’s entire life.
The corded Puli jacket is quite distinctive, and Puli owners are delighted to have such an attractive, unique breed. However, there may be circumstances when it is impossible to maintain such a coat. They can be clipped down, or perhaps the cords reduced to a few inches in length. Keeping the mature jacket in full show condition is quite an undertaking, and those with several Pulik to cope with will often clip the coats on those that are no longer being exhibited. It is far better that you keep a Puli clean and sweetsmelling rather than retain a long coat that is untended and dirty. The coat serves as natural insulation, being capable of keeping the animal warm and dry, and stopping the sun from reaching and burning the skin. In the warmer weather, we clip off the coat under the belly, from behind the elbow, right along the rib cage and the belly, and on to the insides of the tops of the hindlegs. When it’s warm, Pulik tend to sleep on their backs so that they stay cooler.
Pulik are extremely intelligent and playful dogs.
The Puli is a true family dog—he loves to be part of his owners’ lives, he adapts well to almost any living situation, and he fares well in a single-or multi-dog household.
The Puli’s unusual coat needs particular attention if it is to be maintained in good condition. For example, the Puli should never be left outdoors in all types of weather. If the dog is to spend time outdoors in a run, a portion should be covered, in case of rain, to prevent water from soaking the dog’s coat, as it will take quite a while to dry. If left wet, it can soon become smelly and offensive to all.
Quite tough in their constitution, Pulik are easy to feed, not requiring exotic or high-protein meals. After all, they would have had little chance to enjoy the high protein in meat, as they were living with nomad shepherds and making do with whatever scraps were thrown to them. The Puli is a wiry, fine-boned dog. Any extra weight would only slow down the animal and, in time, put a strain on his heart and lungs. It is the easiest breed we have ever owned, not only for its general health but also for house-training. As long as a regular routine is established early, Pulik are soon trustworthy around the house.
What type of home is best? Pulik adapt to wherever their families live. Apartment dwellers can cope very well with the breed as long as they follow a regular exercise routine.
From the time that the Puli arrives in his new home, you must remember that you have an ultraintelligent animal living with you. There is an old saying, “A Puli is not a dog. A Puli is a Puli.” This sums up the breed’s distinctive character very well! Pulik are very much like active and intelligent children who respond well to sensible discipline. As long as they learn what is expected of them as soon as possible, they soon become well-behaved members of the household. From the time they arrive and become accustomed to their new surroundings, it takes a very short time for them to adjust to your routine.
Feeding and exercising your Puli should be carried out at regular times, which helps him to develop a sense of security. It is also important that if your dog is to be taken out and about in a car, he should begin with some preliminary short trips. Early forays may cause a little carsickness, or he may be tempted to start jumping around. For this reason, we definitely recommend a travel crate. A crated Puli will be safe during car trips and will also feel right at home, as you should be utilizing the crate as part of his house-training.