Hungarian Puli Coat Care and Grooming
Hungarian Puli Coat Care and Grooming
The unique type of coat which the Hungarian Puli has, requires a considerable amount of attention. Although this is not difficult work, it does have to done regularly or the coat could easily become one big piece of matted felt.
Understanding a little about the cord and its formation, helps with the attention it requires. The cord is a natural formation, an entwining of undercoat and top coat and this starts to happen when the puppy is still quite young, but it takes a considerable time for the cords to form, and up to four or five years for a full length coat to develop.
As a young puppy a brush can be used, the coat is brushed gently to stimulate the skin and also get the puppy used to being handled. Once small tuff like bunches are seen close to the skin, then the brushing stops, but it is a good idea to continue massaging the skin by using your fingers. At the same time any small mats can be gently separated. The areas behind the ears and behind the legs are prone to this happening, and also under the tail especially if it is one held tightly over the back.
There are various types of cord, from small rounded ones to a wider, flatter ribbon type. In fact, within the same litter there can be many coat variations. There is not a right or wrong type, but it is most important that the coat has the same cords all over, although obvious the diameter may vary a little.
Once the cords have started their formation, there can be a period of quite intense work on the coat, this usually lasts until the dog is about eighteen month old. Depending on the type of coat, during this period there can be a tendency to felt up overnight!
Cords have to be kept separated down to the skin, and a mat is carefully pulled apart into a cord like bunch. With time and patience a youngster will gradually accept grooming, and as an adult will happily lie for hours whilst the work is done.
Areas that do require special attention are the inside and outside of the ears, which must be cleared of hair growth inside and cleaned. On the outside the cords, which have a tendency to felt quickly, must be separated carefully as it is very easy to tear the skin. The eyes must be checked and cleaned as necessary.
The tail, which should be beautifully corded, can also easily grow into one big felt. Here the cords can proved more difficult to separate, it may well be necessary to use scissors.
In time, when the coat has become floor length, some trimming will be required, otherwise the Puli will trip over his cords! The feet also require to be trimmed, and any hair growth between the pads should be cut down to prevent it felting. Should this happen, the Puli will find it difficult to walk. Excess coat from around the paw can also be trimmed. Many owners also keep the coat trimmed from under the chin, and around the eyes, and any extra long cords on the ears.
The coat will also require to be bathed regularly, this can be quite a long job, and again it is a good idea to train a young puppy to stand in a bath tub. The coat has to be thoroughly soaked, shampoo added and gently squeezed in (and rubbing will cause mats!), then rinsed, and rinsed. This cannot be over stressed, as any residue of shampoo on the skin, may well cause irritation with could result in scratching and then loss of cords.
Drying can take some considerable time, but a dog crated padded with newspaper over which veterinary type bedding, towels etc have been placed, will act as a blotting pad and assist to remove much of the excess water. Commercial dog dryers are a big asset, but expensive; domestic hair dryers to not have sufficiently large motors to cope.
Besides keeping both the cords and the skin clean, bathing helps to tighten up the cords, and the firmer they are - the less dust they tend to collect.
Remember, a well groomed Hungarian Puli is not only an extremely lovely dog to look at but also shows how well he is looked after, in turn he will love and adore the care and attention he receives!
Hungarian Puli Coat Care and Grooming Article written by : Sue Hopgood - Kiskoras Hungarian Pulik
Read the Hungarian Puli Breed Guide