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| HUNGARIAN PULI |
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The canine race comes in a diverse range of sizes, shapes and colours but one of the most unusual has to be the Puli.
Written evidence of the history of the Puli can be traced back to 1773 when a German book on herding dogs recorded as a small, mostly black, heavily coated dog which directs the shepherd."
Another writer described the Puli as "always lower than the highest part of the shepherd's boots" - which is roughly 40 centimetres.
Just how old the Puli breed is has not been determined but researchers are agreed that the Puli migrated to Hungary with the Magyars over 1000 years ago, however there is no doubt that the breed is actually much older. During the 1890s a Hungarian archaeologist headed expeditions in Russia searching for ancient Scythian cities. At one of the excavations in the area of the Caucasus Mountain he found a broken leg bone of a horse bearing ancient runic inscriptions. The bone was dated at about 2000 B.C but at the time the writings were undeciphered. At the end of WW11 an archaeologist examined the bone and determined that the writings said " Puli 200 Kojly". Kojly is a Hungarian name for a species of sheep. As late as the beginning of this century the number of sheep the shepherd accepted for his care during the summer months was written on the ends of a thick stick. The shepherd took one end and the owner of the sheep retained the other. When the shepherd returned with the sheep at the end of summer, they matched the broken ends of the stick to assure identity and to account for the sheep. |
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The Hungarian shepherds were very particular to keep the breed pure and the price for a good Puli was equivalent to a years wages for a shepherd but to them the dogs were invaluable. They were hardworking, reliable helpers. In the early days of dog shows it was difficult to get shepherds to participate and it was through the efforts of a Professor at the Hungarian University of Veterinary Science that the shepherds were encouraged to register their Pulik and maintain records. The Director of Budapest Zoo set up an experimental breeding program for the native Hungarian Herding Breeds to ensure their conservation. World War 11 had a devastating effect on Puli breed numbers as, not only were many killed by soldiers, breeders were unable to obtain food for the dogs. It was to be twenty years before the popularity of the breed was to reach the level of pre-war.
The most outstanding characteristic of the Puli is the dense, weather-resisting double coat which clings together to form long cords, similar to dread-locks.
Some dogs grow a floor-length coat. Long hair overshadows the eyes like an umbrella. The acceptable colours are black, rusty-black, various shades of grey, and white. The Puli is a medium sized (38-44cm) dog which is very nimble, lively and extremely intelligent. It has a natural wariness of strangers and makes anexcellent watchdog, but he is extremely devoted to his own family. |
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| Petcare Information and Advisory Service Australia |
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| Last Update: 16/04/07 17:45 |
Views: 4278 |
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