Puli Grooming and Coat Care: How to Keep Your Puli Looking and Feeling Their Best
The Puli is a Hungarian herding dog known for its distinctive corded coat. While puli coats are low shedding and hypoallergenic, they do require regular grooming and care to prevent matting and keep the cords clean, neat, and healthy. Here is a complete guide to puli grooming and coat care.
Overview of the Puli Coat
The puli has a dense, weather-resistant double coat consisting of a soft, wooly undercoat and a wiry, curly outer coat. Puli puppies are born with soft, fluffy fur that begins to cord naturally as they mature. The adult puli coat consists of long, rope-like cords that hang close to the body.
Some key facts about the puli coat:
- Cords begin forming around 6-9 months of age and complete forming by 2 years old
- Cords continuously grow but shed very minimally
- Each cord consists of old and new hair intertwined together
- Proper grooming separates old shedding hair from the cords
- Improper grooming leads to matted, tangled cords
Grooming Equipment
Caring for a corded coat requires some specialized grooming tools:
- Slicker brush - Separates and straightens cords
- Rake - Removes loose hair from cords
- Scissors - Trims excess cord length
- Clippers - Shaves cords on feet and head for neatness
- Cotton rope - Used to twist and separate cords
- Conditioner or cream rinse - Conditions cords and prevents matting
You'll also need grooming tables and arm stands to securely hold your puli during grooming sessions. High velocity dryers speed up drying time after baths.
Bathing and Drying
- Bathe every 2-4 weeks with a moisturizing dog shampoo
- Work shampoo thoroughly into each cord down to the skin
- Rinse cords until water runs clear
- Gently squeeze excess water from cords
- Air dry or use a high velocity dryer on low setting
- Make sure cords are completely dry to prevent mildew odor
Tip: Diluting shampoo with water in a spray bottle helps distribute it evenly on the dense coat.
Regular Maintenance
- Brush cords 1-2 times per week - Use a slicker brush and rake to remove loose hair and prevent matting. Work in small sections.
- Check feet cords daily - Loosen debris entangled in foot cords which mats easily.
- Trim excess cord length - Trim overly long cords around feet, head, and body every 4-6 weeks.
- Separate and untangle cords - Use fingers, cotton rope, or slicker brush to separate stuck together or tangled cords.
Troubleshooting matting: Work cornstarch or dry shampoo into severely matted areas and let it sit for 10-15 minutes before gently working apart with fingers or tools. Never force apart or cut out matted cords.
Puppy Coat Care
Special care is needed for puli puppy coats:
- Brush daily with a slicker brush to encourage cords to form
- Separate clumps of curling fur into smaller sections to help cords develop
- Watch for forming cords around 7-9 months and stop brushing areas where cords have formed
- Work conditioner into clumpy areas oftransitioning coat to prevent matting
- Speak with a groomer about when to stop brushing and let adult coat come in
Note: Overbrushing during coat change can damage the coat. Monitor for cord development and adjust brushing accordingly.
Show Coat Care
Show pulis require additional coat preparation:
- Clean each cord individually prior to shows for bright white presentation
- Wrap each cord in tissue paper after cleaning to keep crisp
- Group and band together cords in specific patterns
- Coat presentations vary, so follow your breeder or handler's advice
- Strive for cords to be bright white with minimal stains
Tip: Use whitening shampoo and products as recommended by show groomers. Avoid getting bands too tight.
Common Problems and Solutions
| Issue | Solution |
|---|---|
| Matting | Work cornstarch, conditioner or dry shampoo into mats and gently loosen with fingers, rope or slicker brush. |
| Heat or friction mats | Keep cords separated and untangled, especially around elbows, under legs, and between hind legs. |
| Stains | Use whitening shampoo. For stubborn stains, saturate cords with stain remover or hydrogen peroxide and rinse thoroughly. |
| Mildew odor | Dry thoroughly after baths. Deodorize damp cords with leave-in conditioner. |
| Broken cords | Use a ballpoint pen to temporarily splice broken ends to prevent further damage. Seek groomer help trimming uneven ends. |
| Packed cords | Ensure old shedding hair is removed during grooming. Separate and fluff packed cords. |
Grooming Tips and Tricks
- Always work slowly and gently to avoid damaging cords
- Invest in quality grooming tools suited for corded coats
- Schedule regular trims every 4-8 weeks to keep cords neat and healthy
- Attend shows and observe show grooming techniques
- Find an experienced groomer for guidance and assistance
- Reward and reassure your puli often through the grooming process
When to Seek Professional Help
Take your puli to a professional groomer if you notice:
- Extreme matting that you cannot resolve
- Overly packed cords or blocked air circulation to the skin
- Signs of skin irritation or infection
- Uneven cord length or damage
- A sour or mildew odor indicating dampness close to the skin
While Puli coats are high maintenance, taking the time to properly care for their unique corded fur will keep your Puli looking and feeling their absolute best! With routine care, you can enjoy the Puli's distinctive corded coat while avoiding common problems.