Alt Names: Hungarian Puli Country of Origin: Hungary

History: The Puli is an ancient sheep dog of Hungary, introduced by the migration of the Magyars from Central Asia in the middle ages. Nomadic shepherds of the Hungarian plains valued their herding dogs, paying as much as a year's salary for a Puli.

In Asia, the breed goes back 2000 years and anecdotal evidence suggests a Puli-like dog existed 6000 years ago. This breed is possibly the ancestor of the modern Poodle. The ancestry of the Puli, however, is not known with certainty.

Appearance: The Puli comes in white, apricot, and black. It weighs around 22 pounds (13 kg) and is about 16 inches (42 cm) at the shoulder. The coat needs considerable grooming to keep its cords clean, neat, and attractive, or it needs regular trimming to a short coat for lower maintenance, although the corded coat is what attracts many people to the breed.

The Puli does shed though less than some breeds, but the cording of the coat keeps much of the shed fur from leaving the dog, making it attractive for dog owners with allergies.

Temperament: This breed is very energetic and makes for a good watchdog and family pet.