10. Puli
The Puli is a highly active Hungarian herding dog instantly recognizable by its spectacular floor-length coat of natural dreadlocks, known as cords. While those dense cords provide exceptional protection against harsh weather and predators, they require a massive commitment from the owner.
As the puppy coat transitions to the adult coat around nine months of age, the undercoat naturally intertwines with the outer coat. You must manually separate these sections into cords by hand to prevent the dog from becoming one giant, painful mat. Bathing a fully corded Puli takes hours, as you must squeeze the water out of each cord individually and use high-velocity dryers to prevent mildew from forming.
Despite carrying heavily corded coats, Pulis are incredibly agile and light on their feet. They form deep, protective bonds with their families and remain highly vocal watchdogs, quick to alert you to any changes in their environment.
