What's that?

Mopsa put me in touch with this picture of an Hungarian Puli jumping over an agility hurdle.The Puli is an Hungarian sheep dog of medium size known for its long, corded coat. The tight curls of the coat, similar to dreadlocks, make it virtually waterproof. The exact ancestry of this breed is unknown although there are some references to Ancient Rome. It was probably, introduced by the migration of the Magyars, an ethnic group from Central Asia in the Middle Ages. Nomadic shepherds of the Hungarian plains valued their herding dogs, paying as much as a year's salary for a Puli. The Puli is possibly the ancestor of the modern Poodle. Pulis are very intelligent, have excellent agility, and are sufficiently obedient to train for athletic competition. They are also reliable herding dogs and are loyal to their owners.As a working dog, the Puli is very obedient, focused and determined when assigned a task. Some of them are used as police dogs too. As a shepherd, they are fiercely protective of their flock, and, despite their relatively small size, will see off any intruder they consider a threat. They make good pets and are very protective of the family and wary of strangers.Pulis are predominantly black-coated. On the whole shepherds prefer black dogs as they are easier to spot amongst the flock.At the time of WWII, the breed was almost extinct but a controlled breeding program by some dedicated breeders worldwide ensured the survival of the breed.