This is a breed for whom cording should be managed by a professional groomer or a well-practiced hand. An anxious dog can be very destructive--barking, whining, chewing, and otherwise causing mayhem. For longtime Havanese owners, coat maintenance is less like grooming and more like cultivating a vineyard or trellising tomatoes; it takes a certain amount of skill and dedication. Do you have neighbors nearby? Breeds with very short coats and little or no undercoat or body fat, such as Greyhounds, are vulnerable to the cold. These dynamos need lots of training to learn good manners, and may not be the best fit for a home with young kids or someone who's elderly or frail. Diet, conditioning, and overall health impacts the formation of the Pulis cords. Among all the breedsweve covered, the curly-coated Poodle is the one dog whotends tolook more like a lamb than a mop. Since these are small dogs, if they are allowed or encouraged to produce carefully tended dreadlocks, having shorter hair than the Bergamasco means theyre relatively easier to bathe and dry. A "quiet" command should be part of early training. However, shedding does vary greatly among the breeds. These breeds do best when a family member is home during the day or if you can take the dog to work. Teach your child never to approach any dog while he's eating or sleeping or to try to take the dog's food away. These dogs are as affectionate as they are energetic. And those beautiful corded coats? Following that, the cords are squeezed dry, first by hand and then with a towel. If your heart is set on owning a Puli, you'll need to learn how to maintain the coat on your own. When picking a breed, consider your own activity level and lifestyle, and think about whether you'll find a frisky, energetic dog invigorating or annoying. Pulik arent just adorable mop dogs, theyre also very loyal. Dogs with thick, double coats are more vulnerable to overheating. Eyes should be clear, with no redness or discharge. For a couple of dog breeds, particularly herding dogs who trace their origins to Central Europe far distant from the shores of either Jamaica or the Mediterranean the formation of cords is a natural, if lengthy affair. The unusual corded coat often draws the attention of those unfamiliar with the breed. Some dogs are simply easier than others; they take to training better and are fairly easygoing. Melvin Pea is a writer, editor, and social media manager who spends most of his time in Durham, North Carolina. Beginning around 9 months of age, the Komondors trademark cords start taking shape. If the dogs two coats do not grow at a similar rate, its cords may not come togetherat all, or be weaker than normal, with a tendency to fall off of the bodywhen they grow too voluminous. Bathing a dog whose dreads have grown to their full length can present special problems, since drying them haphazardly or incompletely after a bath can lead to a unpleasant and lingering odor. He must learn good canine manners, and you must learn not to be bossed around by him. When separated from the skin, the mats can grow out into that delightful mop-like appearance. The Puli is fun-loving and affectionate, and he enjoys the company of his family. Havanese need to be routinely groomed, including cleaning their ears. Make grooming a positive experience filled with praise and rewards, and you'll lay the groundwork for easy veterinary exams and other handling when he's an adult. Thats right: Like the Havanese, the Poodles curly coat mats easily and can be corded into a charming mop. The mop effect occurs naturally in some dogs and can be developed in others. This dog is a leader, and he will lead you if you allow him to. The coat begins to clump at about 9 or 10 months. If you don't see a rescue listed for your area, contact the national breed club or a local breed club and they can point you toward a Puli rescue. If you're considering a watchdog, will a city full of suspicious "strangers" put your pup on permanent alert? Drool-prone dogs may drape ropes of slobber on your arm and leave big, wet spots on your clothes when they come over to say hello. You can confirm health clearances by checking the OFA web site (offa.org). Dogs from any breed can be good with children based on their past experiences, training on how to get along with kids, and personality. Exercise and playtime aside, bring the Puli indoors to live with you. It's been reported that Pulik can jump six-foot fences, so be sure your yard has a secure, high fence to keep him from escaping and injuring himself. The long, thick cords that cover thebody take a couple of years to come together naturally. Some breeds are independent and aloof, even if they've been raised by the same person since puppyhood; others bond closely to one person and are indifferent to everyone else; and some shower the whole family with affection. He's protective of the children in his family and shuttle them around the house, tugging gently at them to move them away from perceived (or real) danger. A large, fenced yard (make that a very tall fence) or a farm is ideal. The quality of dog food you buy also makes a difference the better the dog food, the further it will go toward nourishing your dog and the less of it you'll need to shake into your dog's bowl. They can be very sensitive to the needs of the elderly and the sick. If you're unsure whether he's overweight, give him the eye test and the hands-on test. Being suspicious of strangers, he makes a good watchdog. Koms are a good choice for experienced dog-owning families with older children, as they need plenty of exercise. If you're a neatnik, you'll need to either pick a low-shedding breed or relax your standards.

Theyre known as the acrobats of the dog world, sometimes jumping up on the backs of the slower sheep in the flock! In addition, because the cords don't shed, they lose some of their color intensity over time due to exposure to the sun and air. Our first breed, the Bergamasco, traces its origins to the Italian Alps, around the province of Bergamo, just north of Milan. At maturity (about four years of age), the coat reaches the ground. His interests include his dog, Baby (of course! World War II was devastating to Hungary and also to dog breeders, particularly those in Europe. Low-energy dogs are the canine equivalent of a couch potato, content to doze the day away. Remember that even friendly dogs should stay on a good, strong leash like this onein public! Let Dogster answer all of your most baffling canine questions! Grooming the Puli is difficult, especially if the coat is corded. The Puli is a breed closely related to the Komondor, which is clear from its appearanceit makes sense that dogs that look like a mop would be siblings! Some breeds sound off more often than others. Brush your Puli's teeth at least two or three times a week to remove tartar buildup and the bacteria that lurk inside it. Common in most breeds during puppyhood and in Retriever breeds at all ages, mouthiness means a tendency to nip, chew, and play-bite (a soft, fairly painless bite that doesn't puncture the skin). For more on feeding your Puli, see our guidelines for buying the right food, feeding your puppy, and feeding your adult dog. About 1,100 years ago, Magyar tribesmen brought Pulik to Hungary, where they became prized for their herding abilities. Together they remodeled part of the zoo for an experimental breeding program and exhibit. Where most sheep dogs depend on size to intimidate predators, the Bergamascos coat also serves as a kind of follicular body armor. In fact, even many professional groomers do not know how to properly care for a corded coat not necessarily because they're lacking skills, but because the average pet owner rarely keeps a dog in cords. As with every breed, you should always teach children how to approach and touch dogs, and always supervise any interactions between dogs and young children to prevent any biting or ear or tail pulling on the part of either party. Mop dogs dont usually need baths more than 2-3 times a year, and they dont shed or require brushing, but separating the cords regularly is essential to make sure your poochs mop isnt getting knotted. Puppies with nice temperaments are curious and playful, willing to approach people and be held by them. Like every dog, the Puli needs early socialization exposure to many different people, sights, sounds, and experiences when they're young. After a bath, some owners put a heavy sweatshirt on the Puli to continue soaking up the water. But the results are so delightful that we think its worth the effort! In 1890, one of the earliest dog show champion Poodles was a dreadlockeddog named Achilles. Anything whizzing by, such as cats, squirrels, and perhaps even cars, can trigger that instinct. The Puli loves his family but is suspicious of strangers. Havanese require consistent, if not daily, brushing to keep mats and cords from forming on their own.

But novice pet parents should beware, as all that energy needs somewhere to go in the form of vigorous exercise and lots of playtime. At 55-70 pounds, Bergs do resemble their larger Hungarian mop-like cousins, but unlike the round, rope-like cords of Koms, their flocks are flat. Just as the Puli survived the harsh plains of Hungary, he beat the odds and, after the war, the number of Pulik in Hungary grew.

Because their coat is designed to regulate their temperature, they should never be shaved. But if you can provide a pup with plenty of love, physical activity, and extra fur maintenance, youll be rewarded with a loving and loyal furry family member who turns heads with their unique looks! First, the cords must be thoroughly soaked with water (this takes a while), and then you can work in some diluted shampoo. A low-vigor dog, on the other hand, has a more subdued approach to life. Originally hailing from modern-day Hungary, the Komondor is the breed most casual dog aficionados associate with thick, low-hanging dreads. As guard dogs, Koms are very independent and protective of their families, but their guarding instincts mean they tend to be suspicious of strangers. And you can find an awesome crate for your dog here to give them a little more personal space in your apartment. Some dogs will let a stern reprimand roll off their backs, while others take even a dirty look to heart. You'll get your best match if you take your dog-owning experience into account as you choose your new pooch. He's also smart, hardworking, and athletic. Mouthy dogs are more likely to use their mouths to hold or "herd" their human family members, and they need training to learn that it's fine to gnaw on chew toys, but not on people.