Puli

Most Puli coats begin to form cords somewhere between 9 and 12 months, when the adult undercoat grows in and tangles with the outer coat. At first you will notice flat mats rather than cords. Splitting these by hand every week or two guides them into even cords. Full-length cords that brush the floor can take four to five years to grow.

Very little on your floors. Loose undercoat stays trapped in the cords instead of falling out, which is why the coat forms cords in the first place. That makes the Puli appealing to tidy households, but the trapped hair still needs managing through regular cord separation. Brushed-out Pulik shed more visibly than corded ones.

Yes. A brushed Puli has a fluffy, wavy look and is common in some countries, though it takes regular, thorough brushing to prevent mats. Many pet owners instead keep the coat clipped short, which is the easiest option. Show dogs are usually corded, but for a companion the choice is simply about what suits your time and lifestyle.

Both are Hungarian breeds with corded coats, but they had different jobs. The Puli is a medium-sized herding dog of about 10 to 15 kg (22 to 33 lb) that moved sheep, while the Komondor is a giant livestock guardian often weighing over 50 kg (110 lb). Pulik come in black, gray and white, whereas Komondorok are always white.

Most owners bathe a corded Puli every one to three months, or when the coat is genuinely dirty. Each bath takes time, and drying a full-length coat can take a day or two with a strong blower. Between baths, spot clean the face, feet and rear. Never leave a Puli damp overnight, since wet cords can mildew and irritate the skin.