As seen in the AKC Gazette – March 2021
Written by: Dagmar Fertl – Puli Club of America
Animals are often depicted on postage stamps, and such stamps are popular issues, particularly with stamp collectors. Countries issue stamps to commemorate a wide variety of topics of interest. Many of these topical stamps are seen as a useful form of income by a country/postal service, since they are frequently collected and not used. Puli stamps are often of interest to dog stamp collectors, and in particular to Puli enthusiasts. Here we will look at only stamps that are
verified as legitimate releases, and not possible counterfeits.
- In March 1956, Hungary issued two stamps with Puli depictions as part of a series honoring Hungarian dog breeds that also included the Pumi, Komondor, Kuvasz, and Viszla. The two Puli stamps include an interesting triangular-shaped stamp of a head shot of a brushed Puli, as well as a square stamp of a corded Puli working Hungarian grey cattle (also known as Hungarian Steppe cattle, indigenous to Hungary). Both the Puli and these cattle are among the national symbols of Hungary. Most people think of the Puli as a sheep herder, but the breed also worked cattle. Further details on authenticity of this depiction of a Puli working cattle is discussed (also complete with photographs) by Puli Club of America member Susi Szeremy (who is also the founder of National Purebred Dog Day) at nationalpurebreddogday.com.
- During July 1967, Hungary issued a stamp of a corded Puli as part of a series of seven stamps commemorating dog breeds that also included the Pumi, German Shepherd, Collie, Viszla, Poodle, and Fox Terrier.
- In September 1978, Mongolia issued a Puli stamp in a commemorative collection of six dog-breed stamps that included the Papillion, “Black Mongolian Sheepdog,” “Mongolian Domestic Dog,” Saint Bernard, and German Shepherd. The Puli stamp includes the head in profile as well as a working Puli depicted
with Hungarian grey cattle. - During May 2001, the Central African Republic released a commemorative issue of six dog-breed stamps that included a corded Puli, a Great Pyrenees, a Briard, a Chow, a Cocker Spaniel, and a Yorkie.
- In February 2004, Hungary issued a stamp depicting two Pulik: a head shot and a full-body shot. The stamp also included Wallachian sheep (also known as Racka), which the Puli herd in Hungary. This sheep breed’s unique, spiral-shaped horns are unlike those of any other domestic breed, and may grow to two feet. It takes a strong, agile dog to contend with this sheep!
- The most recent Puli stamps were released in October 2019. On the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the Hungarian-Japanese diplomatic relations, these two countries issued a sheet of 10 commemorative stamps. As part of this larger collection, the Hungarian post issued a stamp of a black Puli with a pastoral background, while the Japanese post had one of a white Puli with a background with a serene feel to it.
In summary, a total of eight officially released stamps have Pulik depicted. I was happy to see at least half of the stamps reflected an aspect of the working nature of this breed. Six of the eight stamps were issued by countries having a strong tie to the history of the Puli—Hungary and Mongolia.
