after she whelps so that all possible goodness passes through her milk into the whelps. As soon as they are ready for weaning, we have found that the most forward of our pups will attempt to join mom at her food dish. The youngsters will gradually go on to suitable quality nutrition, so that by the time you collect your new pup he will have received the best possible care. Breeders will also have wormed the litter prior to your collecting your new addition.
How do you go about finding a breeder? The national club for the breed, the Puli Club of America (PCA) can be found online at www.puliclub.org and offers breeder contact information so you can find the breeders in your region of the country. This is a trusted source for breeder referral, as PCA member breeders are obliged to follow the club’s guidelines in their breeding programs, ensuring that certain ethics and standards of care are met. It’s up to you to contact these breeders, set up visits and decide with whom you are most comfortable. When you visit a breeder, ask to see all of his dogs (in addition to the litter, dam and possibly sire), observe the premises, see health documents on the parents (and pups where applicable), review pedigrees, read the breeder’s sales contract, etc. The breeder will also have many questions for you to determine if you are a worthy owner of the breed; he will not agree to sell you a puppy unless he is sure that you can provide a wonderful home. Also be prepared to wait for an available litter and pup, as this is not a numerous breed.
Before the important day arrives, you will have made inquiries as to what foods and accessories you should have ready, such as a crate, toys, grooming tools, food dish, water bowl, etc. Don’t spend a great deal of money on a tiny bed or crate, as puppies grow quite fast and by the time you have an adult in full coat, he will certainly need something larger than he did at eight weeks of age. We advise that if owners want to get a dog bed, they should start off with an adult-sized one and put a smaller shallow cardboard box inside so that the puppy has something cozy to curl up in. The same goes for a crate, which can be partitioned into a puppy-sized area with a removable divider panel.
CREATE A SCHEDULE
Puppies thrive on sameness and routine. Offer meals at the same time each day, take him out at regular times for potty trips and do the same for play periods and outdoor activity. Make note of when your puppy naps and when he is most lively and energetic, and try to plan his day around those times. Once he is housetrained and more predictable in his habits, he will be better able to tolerate changes in his schedule.
When introduced to other dogs properly, Pulik do well in multiple-dog households. This owner has a small Hungarian herd.
Do keep in touch with your breeder, for he will care about the welfare and the future of the puppies he has so carefully reared and will be eager to learn of your progress. He will be the best source of help and advice if you have queries or problems. The caring breeder will have carefully evaluated you as a prospective owner, especially if you have no previous experience. Be understanding as to his concern over the puppy’s future and don’t be upset by his questions and expectations. The breeder should ask you to sign some type of sales agreement (contract). You should not be surprised to be asked to agree that if for any reason you are unable to keep the puppy (or, later, the adult dog) you will first inform the breeder so that he can either take the dog back or be involved in the dog’s rehoming. We should all feel responsible for anything that we breed, from the day it is born until the day it dies. Most Puli clubs have rescue committees to help rehome members of the breed, but the breeder of your dog is the person you should contact first in extenuating circumstances.
SELECTING FROM THE LITTER
Before you visit a litter of puppies, promise yourself that you won’t fall for the first pretty face you see! Decide on your goals for your puppy—show prospect, obedience competitor, family companion—and then look for a puppy who displays the appropriate qualities. In most litters, there is an alpha pup (the bossy puppy), and occasionally a shy fellow who is less confident, with the rest of the litter falling somewhere in the middle. “Middle-of-the-roaders” are safe bets for most families and novice competitors.
YOUR PULI SHOPPING LIST
Just as expectant parents prepare a nursery for their baby, so should you ready your home for the arrival of your Puli pup. If you have the necessary puppy supplies purchased and in place before he comes home, it will ease the puppy’s transition from the warmth and familiarity of his mom and littermates to the brand-new environment of his new home and human family. You will be too busy to stock up and prepare your house after your pup comes home, that’s for sure! Imagine how a pup must feel upon being transported to a strange new place. It’s up to you to comfort him and to let your little pup know that he is going to be happy with you.
FOOD AND WATER BOWLS
Your puppy will need separate bowls for his food and water. Stainless steel pans are generally preferred over plastic bowls since they sterilize better and pups are less inclined to chew on the metal. Heavy-duty ceramic bowls are popular, but consider how often you will have to pick up those heavy bowls. Buy adult-sized pans, as your puppy will grow into them quickly.
THE DOG CRATE
If you think that crates are tools of punishment and confinement for when a dog has misbehaved, think again. Most breeders and almost all trainers recommend a crate as the preferred house-training aid as well as for all-around puppy training and safety. Because dogs are natural den creatures that prefer cave-like environments, the benefits of crate use are many. The crate provides the puppy with his very own “safe house,” a cozy place to sleep, take a break or seek comfort with a favorite toy; a travel aid to house your dog when on the road, at motels or at the vet’s office; a training aid to help teach your puppy proper toileting habits; and a place of solitude when non-dog people happen to drop by and don’t want a lively puppy—or even a well-behaved adult dog—saying hello or begging for attention.
SOME DAM ATTITUDE
When selecting a puppy, be certain to meet the dam of the litter. The temperament of the dam is often predictive of the temperament of her puppies. However, dams occasionally are very protective of their young, some to the point of being testy or aggressive with visitors, whom they may view as a danger to their babies. Such attitudes are more common when the pups are very young and still nursing and should not be mistaken for actual aggressive temperament. If possible, visit the dam away from her pups to make friends with her and gain a better understanding of her true personality.
The three most popular crate types: mesh on the left, wire on the right and fiberglass on top.
Crates come in several types, although the wire crate and the fiberglass airline-type crate are the most popular. The wire crates offer better visibility for the pup as well as better ventilation. Many of the wire crates easily fold into suitcasesize carriers. The fiberglass crates, similar to those used by the airlines for animal transport, are sturdier and more den-like. However, the fiberglass crates do not fold down and are less ventilated than wire crates, which can be problematic in hot weather. Some of the newer crates are made of heavy plastic mesh; they are very lightweight and fold up into slim-line suitcases. However, a mesh crate might not be suitable for a pup with manic chewing habits.
