appearance of a solid color is maintained. The fully pigmented skin has a bluish or gray cast whatever the coat color.
Correct tail.
Incorrect tail; it should not appear separate from rump.
Incorrect tail set; too low.
There are various accepted coat colors in the Puli. Some colors may have black or white hairs intermingled, but the importance is the overall appearance of a solid color.
Not all colors are acceptable in all countries. In the UK, for example, shades of apricot are also accepted. Having seen and judged genetically pure whites, it is quite impressive to observe their solid black pigment on the nose, eye rims, flews, pads and nails, and all with quite a good slate-colored skin. Some that are registered as “white” can in later life be seen to have lost the important pigmentation, and this would be severely penalized by judges in FCI countries. The foregoing remarks also apply to some which have been classed as apricot. Hungary has never altered its pigment requirements.
Recognized in some places is the coloration “Facko.” This is likened to an intermingling of gray and apricot, and will carry good pigmentation. Our original bitch was born and first registered as gray, but before she was old enough to exhibit, she turned apricot and her registration details were altered. As a black-masked apricot with excellent pigment, she became the UK’s first (and only) apricot champion. However, in later life, the growth of gray coat could not be ignored, and we believe that she could have been termed “Facko.” As it was, she produced some very good grays and started off a line that still favors that color.
Gait: The Puli is typically a lively, acrobatic dog; light, quick, agile and able to change directions instantly. At a collected, or contained trot the gait is distinctive: quick-stepping and animated, not far reaching, yet in no way mincing or stilted. When at a full trot, the Puli covers ground smoothly and efficiently with good reach and drive, the feet naturally tending to converge toward a median line of travel as speed increases. His distinctive movement is essential to the Puli’s herding style.
All too often there is confusion over interpretation of this section of the standard. The Puli must have the capability for quick and sudden turns when required, and this would be impossible if the dog were to lack shoulder and hind angulation. The movement should have a light spring to it, and that is brought about by what can best be compared to the suspension of a car. If you don’t have good suspension in your car, then every bump or uneven surface over which you travel will result in shock waves traveling upward. In a car, the passengers soon become uncomfortable; in similar fashion, the dog would soon become tired. Moreover, it is likely that in order to get quickly around to the other side of a flock, the Puli will spring up and run over the backs of sheep. This would be a struggle, if not impossible, if the angulations were lacking, thus preventing the agile, light, upward spring.
Temperament: By nature an affectionate, intelligent and home-loving companion, the Puli is sensibly suspicious and therefore an excellent watchdog. Extreme timidity or shyness are serious faults.
That they are wary of strangers is indicated by an unwillingness to launch themselves on visitors. We always advise anyone unknown to our dogs that he should start off by ignoring them. In a short time, an inquisitive little Hungarian will approach them, as Pulik are certainly curious.
Faults: Any deviation from the foregoing should be considered a fault, the seriousness of the fault depending upon the extent of the deviation.
Approved February 12, 1983
Reformatted June 19, 1990
CHOOSING AND REARING YOUR PULI PUPPY
As breeders, we have always found newborn Puli puppies to be really very contented little dears. We always think that they are rather like fat little slugs at the beginning. All they want is to feed and sleep. However, the time comes when they start to move around and develop personalities. We think Puli babies are born intelligent, compared to other breeds we have owned. At birth, one of ours, even before being expelled from his mother, was reaching round and trying to suckle. As soon as they are able, they’ll start to crawl around with quite amazing determination. Even the opening of the eyes seems to be very early.
Most Puli pups are quite inquisitive and bold, so the choice of pup cannot be decided by which one is the outgoing character. Depending on whether you wish to show your Puli or keep him as a pet, it is best to be guided in your choice by the breeder or to take along an experienced friend, as the task of choosing is not easy. One would expect a price difference between the pup that appears to be a show prospect and the pup that may have some point that would make him not quite so desirable for exhibition. For example, if a pup has a large flash of white, which will probably not disappear as the puppy grows, that Puli will still make a super family pet but would not have show potential, as only a small (2 inches or less) spot of white on the chest is acceptable in the show ring. We have found that in scrutinizing puppies in the first 36 to 48 hours following birth, it was possible to assess bone and body proportions, overall balance and construction before the well-fed puppy started to gain weight.
HEALTH CLEARANCES
When visiting a litter, a potential owner should ask to see documentation of the litter’s parents’ hip clearances from OFA or another accredited organization; similar hip-testing programs are in place in countries around the world. Good breeders have all of their breeding stock tested and only breed from those dogs and bitches who have received appropriate clearances.
Before breeding, breeders must also make sure that both the bitch and the stud dog have appropriate clearances for hereditary eye diseases.
Resulting puppies should be eye screened as a whole litter prior to dispersal to their new homes. This is best done at seven to eight weeks of age. Any conscientious breeder will willingly produce copies of hip and eye documentation for prospective puppy purchasers from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) and the Canine Eye Registration Foundation (CERF). Also ask your breeder if he has done any testing for hearing defects.
MEET THE PARENTS
Because puppies are a combination of genes inherited from both of their parents, they will reflect the qualities and temperament of their sire and dam. When visiting a litter of pups, spend time with the dam and observe her behavior with her puppies, the breeder and with strangers. The sire is often not on the premises, but the dam should be with her pups until they are about eight weeks old. If either parent is surly, quarrelsome or fearful, it’s likely that some of the pups will inherit those tendencies.
Caring breeders will have bred from a fit and healthy bitch and will do everything possible to ensure that the litter thrives. Sensible
