Puli. Ann Arch
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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 pre-natal feeding of the mother will continue 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