Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Chihuahua Versus Puli: Introduction
- Chihuahua versus Puli: Overview
- Chihuahua versus Puli: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Chihuahua and the Puli
- The Similarities Between the Chihuahua and the Puli
- Size (Weight and Height) of Chihuahua versus Puli
- Lifespan of Chihuahua versus Puli
- Temperament of the Chihuahua Versus the Puli
- Price of Chihuahua versus Price of Puli
- The Intelligence of the Chihuahua versus the Intelligence of the Puli
- The Popularity of Chihuahua versus Popularity of Puli
- Health Problems of Chihuahua versus Health Problems of Puli
- Tolerates Being Alone: Chihuahua versus Puli
- Do Chihuahuas shed more than Pulis?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Chihuahua or the Puli?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Chihuahua or the Puli?
- Are Chihuahuas good family dogs? What about Pulis?
- Is the Chihuahua Easier to Train than the Puli?
- Which one drools more, the Chihuahua or the Puli
- How Kid-friendly are Chihuahuas and Pulis?
- Does the Chihuahua Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Puli?
- Do Chihuahuas Bark and Howl? What about Pulis?
- Can Chihuahuas Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Pulis Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Chihuahua vs. Puli
- Can Chihuahuas Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Pulis Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Chihuahua Versus Other Dog Breeds
- Conclusion: Chihuahua versus Puli. Which One is a Better Pet?
Chihuahua Versus Puli: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Chihuahua and the Puli? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Chihuahua and the Puli better suits you.
We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Chihuahua and the Puli.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Chihuahua and the Puli is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.
Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Chihuahua and for the Puli. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Chihuahua and the Puli.
Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Chihuahua or the Puli.
Read on.
Chihuahua versus Puli: Overview
A very important difference between the Chihuahua and the Puli is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Chihuahua is a tiny-sized dog while the Puli is a medium-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Chihuahua belongs to the Companion Dogs group. Companion Dogs were bred to be companions for humans. Their main goal in life is to be with people, and they will be very sad if left to themselves for long hours day after day.
On the other hand, the Puli belongs to the Herding Dogs group. Herding Dogs were bred for moving livestock, including sheep, cattle, and even reindeer. Herding dogs work closely with their human shepherds, and their natural intelligence and responsiveness make them highly trainable. They have high levels of energy, which needs to be channeled properly to prevent destructive behavior. Herding breeds are protective of their people and property and make excellent watchdogs. Their intelligence, agility, and activity level make them well suited to dog sports.
Chihuahua versus Puli: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Chihuahua to the Puli based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.
When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets
Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.
However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.
Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Chihuahua and the Puli
| Factor | Chihuahua | Puli |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 5/5 | 1/5 |
| Life Span | 10 to 18 years | 10 to 15 years |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| General Health | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Weight | 3 to 6 pounds | 25 to 35 pounds |
| Good For Novice Owners | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Easy To Train | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 5/5 | 1/5 |
| Height | 6 inches to 9 inches tall at the shoulder | 16 to 17 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Average Lifespan | 14.0 years | 12.5 years |
| Average Price | $1840 | $2250 |
| Price Range | $850 – $2500 | $1875 – $2750 |
| Temperament Score | 69.6 percent | 92.3 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 29 | 150 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 67 | 27 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Chihuahua in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Puli. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.
The Better-Pet score for the Chihuahua is 84 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Puli is 74 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Chihuahua is a better pet than the Puli. So, you should get a Chihuahua!
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Chihuahua and the Puli
Below is a list of where the Chihuahua and the Puli are most different:
The Similarities Between the Chihuahua and the Puli
The Chihuahua and the Puli are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Chihuahua and the Puli are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Chihuahua versus Puli
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Chihuahua and the Puli.
Chihuahuas weigh 3 to 6 pounds when fully grown. Chihuahuas are 6 inches to 9 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
On the other hand, Pulis weigh 25 to 35 pounds when fully grown. Pulis are 16 to 17 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Here is our article on Chihuahua size, Chihuahua growth, and Chihuahua weight.
Lifespan of Chihuahua versus Puli
The lifespan of Chihuahuas is between 10 to 18 years. The average lifespan of Chihuahuas is 14.0 years.
The lifespan of Pulis is between 10 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Pulis is 12.5 years.
Chihuahuas live longer than Pulis.
Go to this article to learn more about Chihuahua lifespan and how long Chihuahua live.
Temperament of the Chihuahua Versus the Puli
The Puli has a better temperament than the Chihuahua.
This is because the temperament score for the Puli is 92.3 percent while the temperament score for the Chihuahua is 69.6 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).
The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.
Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and are protective of their owners.
The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.
With its temperament score of 69.6 percent, the Chihuahua has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
With its temperament score of 92.3 percent, the Puli has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Chihuahua and the Puli by measuring the temperaments of 46 Chihuahuas and 26 Pulis.
Price of Chihuahua versus Price of Puli
The average price of the Chihuahua puppy is $1840. The price of the Chihuahua typically ranges from $850 – $2500. However, the price of a Chihuahua can be as low as $100 and as high as $25000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 1982 Chihuahua puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The average price of the Puli puppy is $2250. The price of the Puli typically ranges from $1875 – $2750. However, the price of the Puli can be as low as $1250 and as high as $3000. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 3 Puli puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Puli is more expensive than the Chihuahua.
| Chihuahua | Puli | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1840 | $2250 |
| Price Range | $850 to $2500 | $1875 to $2750 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Chihuahua and Puli. For different price points, the charts show how many Chihuahua puppies or how many Puli puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of Chihuahuas. The typical price range is shaded Green.
A breakdown of the prices of Pulis?
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Chihuahua puppy or the Puli puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.
Nevertheless, when looking to buy a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.
You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.
Go to this article to learn more about Chihuahua cost and price.
Check out our list of best Chihuahua breeders here
The Intelligence of the Chihuahua versus the Intelligence of the Puli
| Chihuahua | Puli | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 67 out of 130 dog breeds | 27 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 40 To 80 Repetitions! | Tend To Learn New Commands After 15 To 25 Repetitions |
Professor Stanley Coren, the famous psychology/neuropsychological professor and, dog lover/trainer measured and ranked the intelligence of about 130 different dog breeds.
According to Prof. Stanley Coren, the total intelligence that a dog demonstrates is the addition of three types of intelligence. These intelligence types are:
Prof. Coren showed that the Working/Obedience Intelligence of different dog breeds can be measured reliably. Thus, he was able to rank different dog breeds based on their Working/Obedience Intelligence.
This is important because according to Prof. Coren, 51 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from its genes while 49 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from the dog`s environmental circumstances.
To rank the intelligence of dog breeds, Prof. Coren employed the help of 208 dog obedience judges in North America to fill out a detailed survey on dog obedience. This number represented more than half of all of these judges in North America at the time. He also employed 63 veterinarians and 14 guard dog experts to collect data on the personality of different dog breeds.
Prof. Coren found that the Chihuahua has an obedience intelligence rank of 67 out of 130 dog breeds. The Chihuahua belongs to the `Fair Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Chihuahuas tend to learn new commands after 40 to 80 repetitions!.
The Puli has an obedience intelligence rank of 27 out of 130 dog breeds. The Puli belongs to the `Above Average Working Dogs` category. This means that Pulis tend to learn new commands after 15 to 25 repetitions.
The Puli is more intelligent than the Chihuahua.
However, Prof. Coren noted that a dog should not be judged based on its intelligence alone, that other factors such as sociability, adorability, and compatibility with the owner are other very important factors that new dog owners need to consider when deciding on a new dog.
The Popularity of Chihuahua versus Popularity of Puli
Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).
The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the Chihuahua and the Puli over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Chihuahua is more popular with dog owners than the Puli. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Chihuahua is 29 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Puli is 150 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Chihuahua
Popularity of Puli
| Year | Chihuahua Popularity Rank | Puli Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 22 | 136 |
| 2014 | 24 | 151 |
| 2015 | 28 | 154 |
| 2016 | 30 | 159 |
| 2017 | 32 | 142 |
| 2018 | 33 | 160 |
| 2019 | 35 | 160 |
| 2020 | 34 | 143 |
Health Problems of Chihuahua versus Health Problems of Puli
Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. There is nothing like a perfect dog breed.
Both the Chihuahua and the Puli are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.
The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.
Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the Puli is prone to more genetic health problems than the Chihuahua.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Puli than for the Chihuahua.
3 health tests are recommended for Chihuahua while 7 tests are recommended for the Puli.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Chihuahuas and in Pulis.
Chihuahua Health Problems
Chihuahuas are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Chihuahua puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a Chihuahua puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Chihuahua breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Chihuahuas for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Chihuahuas here.
Puli Health Problems
Pulis are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Puli puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a Puli puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Puli breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Pulis for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Pulis here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in Chihuahuas and Pulis
Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Chihuahua Breed is Legg-Calve-Perthes problems.
This is because the Chihuahua ranks 2 out of 40 dog breeds for Legg-Calve-Perthes problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 129 Chihuahuas, 2 of them had Legg-Calve-Perthes problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Chihuahuas, and how common these diseases are in Chihuahuas relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Puli Breed is Degenerative Myelopathy problems.
This is because the Puli ranks 37 out of 70 dog breeds for Degenerative Myelopathy problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 201 Pulis, 6 of them had Degenerative Myelopathy problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Pulis, and how common these diseases are in Pulis relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
The table below lists the common health problems in Chihuahua and in Puli and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Chihuahua and the Puli:
| Disease | Chihuahua Rank | Puli Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Legg-Calve-Perthes problems | 2 out of 40 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Patella problems | 24 out of 145 dog breeds | 39 out of 145 dog breeds |
| Degenerative Myelopathy problems | 50 out of 70 dog breeds | 37 out of 70 dog breeds |
| Congenital Cardiac problems | 64 out of 159 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Eyes problems | 92 out of 182 dog breeds | 144 out of 182 dog breeds |
| Hips problems | 157 out of 198 dog breeds | 115 out of 198 dog breeds |
| Elbow problems | Not Common | 70 out of 144 dog breeds |
*To learn more about each of these diseases, go to OFA.org and search for the disease.
Again, most of these health problems can be prevented through health screening. Responsible breeders screen male and female dog parents for genetic problems. These breeders will only breed dogs that are free of genetic defects. That way, there is little or no chance that their puppies will grow up to have genetic health problems. Always ask a breeder for the list of health tests the breeder screens their dogs for before buying a puppy from such a breeder.
Tolerates Being Alone: Chihuahua versus Puli
Chihuahuas do not like to be left alone.
Pulis do not like to be left alone.
Do Chihuahuas shed more than Pulis?
Chihuahuas do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Check out our articles to learn more on how to minimize shedding in Chihuahuas, and on how to groom a Chihuahua
Pulis do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Chihuahua or the Puli?
Chihuahuas are very easy to groom.
To learn more about how to properly groom a Chihuahua, check out our article on how to groom a Chihuahua.
Learn more on how to take care of a Chihuahua here.
Pulis require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Chihuahua or the Puli?
Chihuahuas do not get along well with other dogs.
Pulis get along very well with other dogs.
Are Chihuahuas good family dogs? What about Pulis?
Chihuahuas are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Chihuahua make a good addition to a family. They love kids and kids love them.
Learn about Chihuahua temperament here.
Pulis are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Is the Chihuahua Easier to Train than the Puli?
Chihuahuas are very easy to train.
To learn more on Chihuahua training, check out our article on how to train a Chihuahua.
Pulis are not easy to train.
Which one drools more, the Chihuahua or the Puli
Chihuahuas do have a very low tendency to drool.
Pulis do have a very low tendency to drool.
How Kid-friendly are Chihuahuas and Pulis?
Chihuahuas get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Pulis get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Does the Chihuahua Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Puli?
Chihuahuas have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.
Pulis have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.
Do Chihuahuas Bark and Howl? What about Pulis?
Chihuahuas bark and howl, but not very much.
Pulis are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Can Chihuahuas Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Pulis Tolerate Cold Weather?
Chihuahuas cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Pulis can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Chihuahua vs. Puli
Chihuahuas do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Pulis have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Can Chihuahuas Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Pulis Tolerate Hot Weather?
Chihuahuas cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Pulis can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Is the Chihuahua Better for Apartment Owners than the Puli?
Chihuahuas adapt very well to apartment living.
Pulis adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Chihuahua or the Puli?
Chihuahuas are very good for new dog owners.
Pulis are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Chihuahua Versus Other Dog Breeds
You may also be interested in how the Chihuahua compares to other breeds aside from the Puli. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Chihuahua to other breeds:
Chihuahua versus Lhasapoo Chihuahua versus Boerboel Chihuahua versus American Staffordshire Terrier Chihuahua versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Chihuahua versus English Toy Spaniel Chihuahua versus Japanese Spitz Chihuahua versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Chihuahua versus Afador Chihuahua versus Bernese Mountain Dog Chihuahua versus Whippet Chihuahua versus Finnish Spitz Chihuahua versus Japanese Chin Chihuahua versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier Chihuahua versus Azawakh Chihuahua versus Japanese Spitz Chihuahua versus Patterdale Terrier Chihuahua versus Stabyhoun Chihuahua versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi Chihuahua versus Clumber Spaniel Chihuahua versus Bracco Italiano Chihuahua versus Pomapoo Chihuahua versus Australian Shepherd Chihuahua versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier Chihuahua versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog Chihuahua versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier
Conclusion: Chihuahua versus Puli. Which One is a Better Pet?
In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Chihuahua and the Puli better suits you and your family.