How a Puli Puppy's Corded Coat Develops and Grows

All puppies are adorable but some are just too cute for words which includes Puli puppies. This is especially true as their coats start to develop the cords the breed is so famous for. These lovely Hungarian dogs boast great personalities too. If you are thinking about getting a puppy, it's important to get them used to being handled and to have their coats fiddled with because although you won't have to brush them, you will have to use your fingers to divide up the cords as they start to form.

Keeping Puppy Coats Looking Good

It's really important that Puli puppies get used to being handled when they are young because it makes life so much easier when they are older when they need to have their coats sorted out, ears checked and nails clipped. A Puli's coat does not need brushing but it does need to be cared for because seeds, twigs and other bits and pieces tend to get stuck in them and they need to be removed. Also their cords need to be regularly split and divided to keep them looking good.

Problem Areas

It's important to pay extra attention to certain areas which includes their rear ends and bellies which is especially true of male dogs. The problem areas are around their bums and just in front of their sheaths which if the hair is left too long gets soiled and smelly.

How the Cords Form

A Puli's coat is made up of two layers with a top coat of coarser hair and an undercoat which boasts much finer and softer hair which mixes in with the top coat. However, these two layers grow at a different rate which means as they combine together, cords are naturally formed. Sometimes, if there is not enough undercoat to mix in with the top coat, no cords develop at all. If there is too much undercoat, cords will develop but they tend to be so fragile they just end up breaking off.

A puppy's coat doesn't need much care until they are around 3 to 4 months old but it is important to get rid of any debris that may get caught up in it. You can use a softish bristle brush which not only gets rid of any unwanted bits found in the coat but it also helps stimulate the skin which helps circulation.

At First a Puppy's Coat Stands on End

As their coats grow, the hair tends to stand on end which is especially true on their body although in some places this will flatten because puppies lie or sit on it. Cords tend to form around a puppy's face and their rear ends as well as areas where a puppy might often get wet. As time goes by, the fur starts to form clumps which will eventually turn into the wonderful cords the breed is so famous for.

At around 6 to 9 months, cords start to develop all over the body but this is not always the case because it really does depend on coat type. This is when it's time to start dividing and separating all the cords, which from a care point of view, is the hardest time to keep a young Puli's coat looking good. The thing to remember is that nothing happens overnight. It's an ongoing process that typically lasts for several months right up until the point when the complete coat has developed cords all over it. The most important thing during this period of time, is to ensure the cords are kept clean and free of dirt and debris.

Cord Thickness

When it comes to the thickness of cords, this rather depends on which stage they are at. As they start to develop, it's best to leave nature to decide what width they should be and just go with the flow rather than attempt to alter it. Not all cords would need separating either because if they are too fine, they just end up breaking off.

Tying Off Cords

The best way to keep delicate areas clean, is to tie the cords into neat bunches using bands that are safe to use on dogs. Remember, dogs love chewing things so it's important that any bands used would not be harmful to them should they chew and swallow them.

Dealing with Tangles & Matted Coats

Believe it or not, a Puli's coat can become matted and tangled. Matted hair needs to be dealt with sooner rather than later because if left in, matted fur can become a real problem as it gets tighter and tighter which often happens when a dog is allowed to get wet. The tighter a matt becomes, the more the hair starts to which pull on your pet's skin causing a lot of discomfort which could end up leading to an infection setting in. Another problem area is around the ears where all too often hair tends to become matted which could become a real problem if not removed.

Trimming Under the Belly and Tail

If you find your dog has a very heavy coat on their belly, you can always trim away unwanted areas if you don't want to tie the cords up in bunches. The same can be done under the tail which helps keep things hygienic.

Conclusion

There is no doubt at all that the Hungarian Puli is one of the greatest looking dogs on the planet with their amazing corded coats and lovely personalities. A Puli's coat does not need brushing but it does need quite a bit of care and knowing how their cords develop, helps you understand how to take care of your dog's coat so it not only looks good but is kept in great condition too. You need to pay extra attention to problem areas namely under the belly and tail which might mean trimming the hair makes things more hygienic and comfortable for both you and your dog!