Puli Health Care & Feeding
By Michele Welton, Dog Trainer, Breed Selection Consultant, Author of 15 Dog Books
Jump down to this list of
Puli Health Problems
Or check out my advice for raising a healthy Puli puppy or adult dog:
Dog Health Care – The Sensible Way
Read my advice on daily health care so your Puli lives a long, healthy life and seldom needs to see the vet... [read more]
3 Best Ways To Feed Your Dog Healthy Food
You can dramatically increase your dog's chances of living a long, healthy life by feeding the right food. Cutting right to the chase, the best foods for your Puli are... [read more]
A Quick Way To Make Homemade Dog Food
Your Puli will love real chicken, turkey, beef, fish, eggs, yogurt, broccoli.... this is not just "people food" and I'll tell you why... [read more]
5 Best Kibble and Canned Dog Foods
Some are better than others, but I must be honest – I'm not a huge fan of dry or canned dog food. Here are my concerns... [read more]
Vaccinations and Booster Shots: Needed or Not?
How many vaccinations does your Puli puppy really need? Does your adult dog need yearly booster shots? The vaccination guidelines have changed! Find out what some vets aren't telling you... [read more]
Spaying Your Female Dog: Pros and Cons
Should your female Puli be spayed? Current research says, "The AGE at which you spay can be vitally important to your dog's future health." So what's the best age? [read more]
Neutering Your Male Dog: Pros and Cons
Have you been told that you must neuter your male Puli? Current research shows that the issue is not so simple. Pet owners are not being told about some risks associated with neutering male dogs, especially neutering too early... [read more]
Make Sure Your Vet is the Best!
Is your current veterinarian really the best choice for your dog? Here's how to tell... [read more]
Assisi Loop Review
Does your Puli suffer from arthritis, hip dysplasia, disk disease, colitis? My honest review of a veterinary device you can use at home to reduce inflammation and pain. [read more]
Complete list of Puli health problems
Eyes, joints, and skin are the most likely locations of health problems in the Puli.
Serious eye diseases include progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), cataracts, and retinal dysplasia, all of which can lead to partial or complete blindness.
The most common orthopedic diseases in the Puli are hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and luxating patella (loose knees).
The Orthopedic Foundation of America evaluated the hip X-rays of 1800 Pulis and found over 10% dysplastic. That's too high for a midsized working dog. The luxating patella and elbow dysplasia rates are each about 5%.
Chronic allergies cause itchy skin, which can lead to bacterial skin infections. This can be difficult to manage under a heavy corded coat.
Honestly, I recommend clipping the coat short in Pulis. It's much more comfortable for the dog and much easier for you to manage. No more concerns about the hairs tangling and matting and providing hiding places for fleas, ticks, and opportunistic bacteria.
Heart disease has become a concern in the Puli.
Also a dreaded neurological disease called degenerative myelopathy, which leads to total paralysis of the hindquarters.
Inherited deafness occurs in Pulis, as well.
Preventing health problems
Some health problems are inherited. For example, if your dog inherits from his parents the genes for an eye disease called PRA, he will go blind and there's nothing anyone can do about it.
But most health problems can be prevented by the ways you raise your dog.
FREE eBOOK! My free online health care program, 11 Things You Must Do Right To Keep Your Dog Healthy and Happy shows you how to raise your Puli in all the right ways that help prevent health problems. Become your dog's health care champion!
My best-selling books – now available FREE on my website