A Detailed Comparison of the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Puli.

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American Pit Bull Terrier Versus Puli: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the American Pit Bull Terrier 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 American Pit Bull Terrier 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 American Pit Bull Terrier and the Puli.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the American Pit Bull Terrier 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 American Pit Bull Terrier 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 American Pit Bull Terrier 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 American Pit Bull Terrier or the Puli.

American Pit Bull Terrier versus Puli

American Pit Bull Terrier versus Puli: Overview

Both the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Puli are similar in size. The American Pit Bull Terrier and the Puli are both medium-sized dogs.

Furthermore, the American Pit Bull Terrier belongs to the Terrier Dogs group. Terrier Dogs were originally bred to go underground to hunt rodents and other small wild animals (vermin). Terriers come in a wide range of sizes and shapes, but all terriers are energetic, highly intelligent, and territorial. Terries also have the tendency to escape. They require a securely fenced yard.

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.

American Pit Bull Terrier versus Puli: Comparison Table

The table below compares the American Pit Bull Terrier 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 American Pit Bull Terrier and the Puli

Factor American Pit Bull Terrier Puli
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 2/5
Dog Friendly 1/5 5/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Life Span 12 to 16 years 10 to 15 years
Height 17 to 19 inches tall at the shoulder 16 to 17 inches tall at the shoulder
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 1/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 2/5 4/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 3/5 4/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 3/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 2/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 2/5
Weight 30 to 85 pounds 25 to 35 pounds
Easygoing 2/5 2/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 5/5
General Health 4/5 5/5
Easy To Train 4/5 2/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 1/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 1/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 1/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 5/5 2/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 1/5
Does NOT chew on things 1/5 3/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 1/5 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 5/5
Average Lifespan 14.0 years 12.5 years
Average Price $1140 $2250
Price Range $400 – $1200 $1875 – $2750
Temperament Score 87.4 percent 92.3 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Congenital Deafness
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the American Pit Bull Terrier 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 American Pit Bull Terrier is 75 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Puli is 74 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the American Pit Bull Terrier is a better pet than the Puli. So, you should get the American Pit Bull Terrier!

    Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

    Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Puli so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Puli

    Below is a list of where the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Puli are most different:

  • American Pit Bull Terriers do not get along well with other dogs. However, Pulis get along well with other dogs.
  • American Pit Bull Terriers shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies. However, Pulis do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • American Pit Bull Terriers are very friendly towards strangers. However, Pulis are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • American Pit Bull Terriers are very easy to groom. However, Pulis require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • The Similarities Between the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Puli

    The American Pit Bull Terrier and the Puli are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Puli are most similar:

  • Both the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Puli do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Puli do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Puli are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Puli are easily disturbed by noise in their environments. They are sensitive to human tone. They will understand the tone of your voice when you try to correct their behaviors with a firm tone.
  • Both the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Puli are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Puli are highly intelligent.
  • Both the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Puli have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Puli have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Puli require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Puli are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Puli get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Puli do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Both the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Puli are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of American Pit Bull Terrier versus Puli

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Puli.

    American Pit Bull Terriers weigh 30 to 85 pounds when fully grown. American Pit Bull Terriers are 17 to 19 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.

    Lifespan of American Pit Bull Terrier versus Puli

    The lifespan of American Pit Bull Terriers is between 12 to 16 years. The average lifespan of American Pit Bull Terriers is 14.0 years.

    The lifespan of Pulis is between 10 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Pulis is 12.5 years.

    American Pit Bull Terriers live longer than Pulis.

    Temperament of the American Pit Bull Terrier Versus the Puli

    The Puli has a better temperament than the American Pit Bull Terrier.

    This is because the temperament score for the Puli is 92.3 percent while the temperament score for the American Pit Bull Terrier is 87.4 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 87.4 percent, the American Pit Bull Terrier has an above-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 American Pit Bull Terrier and the Puli by measuring the temperaments of 931 American Pit Bull Terriers and 26 Pulis.

    Price of American Pit Bull Terrier versus Price of Puli

    The average price of the American Pit Bull Terrier puppy is $1140. The price of the American Pit Bull Terrier typically ranges from $400 – $1200. However, the price of a American Pit Bull Terrier can be as low as $100 and as high as $15000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 877 American Pit Bull Terrier 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 American Pit Bull Terrier.

    American Pit Bull Terrier Puli
    Average Price $1140 $2250
    Price Range $400 to $1200 $1875 to $2750

    The charts below show the price distribution for the American Pit Bull Terrier and Puli. For different price points, the charts show how many American Pit Bull Terrier puppies or how many Puli puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of American Pit Bull Terriers. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of American Pit Bull Terriers. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Pulis

    A breakdown of the prices of Pulis

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the American Pit Bull Terrier 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.

    Tolerates Being Alone: American Pit Bull Terrier versus Puli

    American Pit Bull Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Pulis do not like to be left alone.

    Do American Pit Bull Terriers shed more than Pulis?

    American Pit Bull Terriers shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Pulis do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the American Pit Bull Terrier or the Puli

    American Pit Bull Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Pulis do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the American Pit Bull Terrier or the Puli?

    American Pit Bull Terriers are very easy to groom.

    Pulis require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Does the American Pit Bull Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Puli?

    American Pit Bull Terriers 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 American Pit Bull Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Pulis?

    American Pit Bull Terriers bark and howl, but not very much.

    Pulis are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Can American Pit Bull Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Pulis Tolerate Cold Weather?

    American Pit Bull Terriers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Pulis can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: American Pit Bull Terrier vs. Puli

    American Pit Bull Terriers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Pulis have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can American Pit Bull Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Pulis Tolerate Hot Weather?

    American Pit Bull Terriers can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Pulis can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the American Pit Bull Terrier or the Puli?

    American Pit Bull Terriers do not get along well with other dogs.

    Pulis get along very well with other dogs.

    Are American Pit Bull Terriers good family dogs? What about Pulis?

    American Pit Bull Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Pulis are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are American Pit Bull Terriers and Pulis?

    American Pit Bull Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Pulis get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the American Pit Bull Terrier Easier to Train than the Puli?

    American Pit Bull Terriers are very easy to train.

    Pulis are not easy to train.

    Is the American Pit Bull Terrier Better for Apartment Owners than the Puli?

    American Pit Bull Terriers adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Pulis adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the American Pit Bull Terrier or the Puli?

    American Pit Bull Terriers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Pulis are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the American Pit Bull Terrier

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the American Pit Bull Terrier that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the American Pit Bull Terrier:

  • American Staffordshire Terrier (76 percent match with American Pit Bull Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Puli vs American Staffordshire Terrier.
  • American Water Spaniel (74 percent match with American Pit Bull Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Puli vs American Water Spaniel.
  • German Shepherd Dog (77 percent match with American Pit Bull Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Puli vs German Shepherd Dog.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Puli

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Puli that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Puli:

  • Briard (77 percent match with Puli). Here is our comparison of the American Pit Bull Terrier vs Briard.
  • Welsh Terrier (75 percent match with Puli). Here is our comparison of the American Pit Bull Terrier vs Welsh Terrier.
  • Scottish Terrier (79 percent match with Puli). Here is our comparison of the American Pit Bull Terrier vs Scottish Terrier.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the American Pit Bull Terrier and how the Puli compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the American Pit Bull Terrier and of the Puli to other breeds:

    American Pit Bull Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    American Pit Bull Terrier versus Tibetan Mastiff     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Standard Poodle     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Welsh Springer Spaniel     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Chihuahua     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Beagle     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Mal Shi     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Japanese Chin     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Coton de Tulear     American Pit Bull Terrier versus West Highland White Terrier     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Basset Hound     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Swedish Vallhund     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Xoloitzcuintli     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Canaan Dog     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Vizsla     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Ibizan Hound     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Bracco Italiano     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Shiloh Shepherd     American Pit Bull Terrier versus English Springer Spaniel     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Belgian Tervuren     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Bichon Frise     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Vizsla     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Sealyham Terrier     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Pyrenean Mastiff     

    Puli Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Puli versus Frenchton     Puli versus Ibizan Hound     Puli versus Catahoula Bulldog     Puli versus Scottish Terrier     Puli versus Mudi     Puli versus Canaan Dog     Puli versus Irish Terrier     Puli versus Australian Cattle Dog          Puli versus Afador     Puli versus Shichon     Puli versus Bulldog     Puli versus Boxer     Puli versus Welsh Terrier     Puli versus Finnish Spitz     Puli versus Pomapoo     Puli versus Brussels Griffon     Puli versus Whoodle     Puli versus German Shorthaired Pointer     Puli versus Norwegian Buhund     Puli versus Japanese Spitz     Puli versus English Springer Spaniel     Puli versus Shihpoo     Puli versus Skye Terrier     Puli versus Maltipoo     

    Conclusion: American Pit Bull Terrier 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 American Pit Bull Terrier and the Puli better suits you and your family.