Contrary to some people s point of view, I do not believe that the Puli coat, as we know it in this kennel at any rate, ever mats. Even within one litter, there will often be quite a variety in the extent to which the self-cording separations occur. Where coats have different proportions of over and under coat, they will have a greater or lesser tendency toward proper separation all on their own. Even where no good divisions occur, however, the coat does not mat. Mats are hard tangled knots which must be cut out.
Cords are a felted structure, never hard, and can easily be separated into nicely shaped cords.
If the puppy coat, or one which is growing back after being scissored down, does not show good separations, and is forming a solid sponge of hair over a period of months, it is simply necessary to start at one spot and arbitrarily divide the coat into approximately one inch clumps. As long as baths and hot air drying haven t been administered while this sponge remained unseparated, it can be divided, bathed, dried, and the Puli taken into the show ring the next day. The only Puli coat which cannot be reclaimed is one where there is coat missing, whether from scratching or scissors. While the coat is there, it is always possible to put it into acceptable condition. The puppy coat never needs brushing, and if debris should accumulate, well, now is the time to get started training your fingers to pick through the puppy s coat and eliminate small seeds, grasses, twigs, or large trees, depending on your puppy s level of ambition and expertise.