Quick Links: Table of Contents
- American Water Spaniel Versus Puli: Introduction
- American Water Spaniel versus Puli: Overview
- American Water Spaniel versus Puli: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the American Water Spaniel and the Puli
- The Similarities Between the American Water Spaniel and the Puli
- Size (Weight and Height) of American Water Spaniel versus Puli
- Lifespan of American Water Spaniel versus Puli
- Temperament of the American Water Spaniel Versus the Puli
- The Intelligence of the American Water Spaniel versus the Intelligence of the Puli
- The Popularity of American Water Spaniel versus Popularity of Puli
- Health Problems of American Water Spaniel versus Health Problems of Puli
- Tolerates Being Alone: American Water Spaniel versus Puli
- Do American Water Spaniels shed more than Pulis?
- Which one drools more, the American Water Spaniel or the Puli
- Which is Easier to Groom, the American Water Spaniel or the Puli?
- Does the American Water Spaniel Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Puli?
- Do American Water Spaniels Bark and Howl? What about Pulis?
- Can American Water Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Pulis Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: American Water Spaniel vs. Puli
- Can American Water Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Pulis Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the American Water Spaniel or the Puli?
- Are American Water Spaniels good family dogs? What about Pulis?
- How Kid-friendly are American Water Spaniels and Pulis?
- Is the American Water Spaniel Easier to Train than the Puli?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the American Water Spaniel
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Puli
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: American Water Spaniel versus Puli. Which One is a Better Pet?
American Water Spaniel Versus Puli: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the American Water Spaniel 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 Water Spaniel 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 Water Spaniel and the Puli.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the American Water Spaniel 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 Water Spaniel 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 Water Spaniel 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 Water Spaniel or the Puli.
American Water Spaniel versus Puli: Overview
Both the American Water Spaniel and the Puli are similar in size. The American Water Spaniel and the Puli are both medium-sized dogs.
Furthermore, the American Water Spaniel belongs to the Sporting Dogs group. Sporting Dogs were bred to help hunters catch and retrieve feathered game. Some sporting dog breeds such as Retrievers, which were built for swimming, were bred to hunt waterfowl in water. Whereas sporting dog breeds like setters, spaniels, and pointing breeds were bred to hunt quail, pheasant, and other game birds nest on grasslands. Many Sporting Group breeds have thick, water-repellent coats that protect them from harsh hunting conditions.
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 Water Spaniel versus Puli: Comparison Table
The table below compares the American Water Spaniel 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 Water Spaniel and the Puli
| Factor | American Water Spaniel | Puli |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Height | 1 foot, 3 inches to 1 foot, 6 inches tall at the s | 16 to 17 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Life Span | 12 to 15 years | 10 to 15 years |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Weight | 25 to 45 pounds | 25 to 35 pounds |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| General Health | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Intelligence | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Train | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 13.5 years | 12.5 years |
| Price Range | No Data | $1875 – $2750 |
| Average Price | No Data | $2250 |
| Temperament Score | 77.8 percent | 92.3 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 159 | 150 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 44 | 27 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the American Water Spaniel 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 Water Spaniel is 71 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Puli is 74 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Puli is a better pet than the American Water Spaniel. So, you should get the Puli!
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 Water Spaniel 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 Water Spaniel and the Puli
Below is a list of where the American Water Spaniel and the Puli are most different:
The Similarities Between the American Water Spaniel and the Puli
The American Water Spaniel and the Puli are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the American Water Spaniel and the Puli are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of American Water Spaniel versus Puli
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the American Water Spaniel and the Puli.
American Water Spaniels weigh 25 to 45 pounds when fully grown. American Water Spaniels are 1 foot, 3 inches to 1 foot, 6 inches tall at the s 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 Water Spaniel versus Puli
The lifespan of American Water Spaniels is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of American Water Spaniels is 13.5 years.
The lifespan of Pulis is between 10 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Pulis is 12.5 years.
American Water Spaniels live longer than Pulis.
Temperament of the American Water Spaniel Versus the Puli
The Puli has a better temperament than the American Water Spaniel.
This is because the temperament score for the Puli is 92.3 percent while the temperament score for the American Water Spaniel is 77.8 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 77.8 percent, the American Water Spaniel 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 American Water Spaniel and the Puli by measuring the temperaments of 9 American Water Spaniels and 26 Pulis.
The Intelligence of the American Water Spaniel versus the Intelligence of the Puli
| American Water Spaniel | Puli | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 44 out of 130 dog breeds | 27 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 25 To 40 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 American Water Spaniel has an obedience intelligence rank of 44 out of 130 dog breeds. The American Water Spaniel belongs to the `Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that American Water Spaniels tend to learn new commands after 25 to 40 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 American Water Spaniel.
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 American Water Spaniel 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 American Water Spaniel and the Puli over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Puli is more popular with dog owners than the American Water Spaniel. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Puli is 150 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the American Water Spaniel is 159 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of American Water Spaniel
Popularity of Puli
| Year | American Water Spaniel Popularity Rank | Puli Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 144 | 136 |
| 2014 | 160 | 151 |
| 2015 | 157 | 154 |
| 2016 | 156 | 159 |
| 2017 | 167 | 142 |
| 2018 | 166 | 160 |
| 2019 | 164 | 160 |
| 2020 | 158 | 143 |
Health Problems of American Water Spaniel 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 American Water Spaniel 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 American Water Spaniel.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Puli than for the American Water Spaniel.
3 health tests are recommended for American Water Spaniel while 7 tests are recommended for the Puli.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in American Water Spaniels and in Pulis.
American Water Spaniel Health Problems
American Water Spaniels are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing American Water Spaniel 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 American Water Spaniel puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your American Water Spaniel 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 American Water Spaniels for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for American Water Spaniels 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 American Water Spaniels 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 American Water Spaniel Breed is Eyes problems.
This is because the American Water Spaniel ranks 16 out of 182 dog breeds for Eyes problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 160 American Water Spaniels, 6 of them had Eyes problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in American Water Spaniels, and how common these diseases are in American Water Spaniels 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 American Water Spaniel and in Puli and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the American Water Spaniel and the Puli:
| Disease | American Water Spaniel Rank | Puli Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Eyes problems | 16 out of 182 dog breeds | 144 out of 182 dog breeds |
| Degenerative Myelopathy problems | 21 out of 70 dog breeds | 37 out of 70 dog breeds |
| Congenital Cardiac problems | 38 out of 159 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Thyroid problems | 95 out of 115 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Elbow problems | 122 out of 144 dog breeds | 70 out of 144 dog breeds |
| Hips problems | 133 out of 198 dog breeds | 115 out of 198 dog breeds |
| Patella problems | Not Common | 39 out of 145 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: American Water Spaniel versus Puli
American Water Spaniels do not like to be left alone.
Pulis do not like to be left alone.
Do American Water Spaniels shed more than Pulis?
American Water Spaniels shed moderately.
Pulis do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Which one drools more, the American Water Spaniel or the Puli
American Water Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.
Pulis do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the American Water Spaniel or the Puli?
American Water Spaniels are moderately easy to groom.
Pulis require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Does the American Water Spaniel Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Puli?
American Water Spaniels have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other 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 Water Spaniels Bark and Howl? What about Pulis?
American Water Spaniels bark and howl, but not very much.
Pulis are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Can American Water Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Pulis Tolerate Cold Weather?
American Water Spaniels cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Pulis can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: American Water Spaniel vs. Puli
American Water Spaniels 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 Water Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Pulis Tolerate Hot Weather?
American Water Spaniels can tolerate hot weather.
Pulis can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the American Water Spaniel or the Puli?
American Water Spaniels do not get along well with other dogs.
Pulis get along very well with other dogs.
Are American Water Spaniels good family dogs? What about Pulis?
American Water Spaniels 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 Water Spaniels and Pulis?
American Water Spaniels get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Pulis get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Is the American Water Spaniel Easier to Train than the Puli?
American Water Spaniels are very easy to train.
Pulis are not easy to train.
Is the American Water Spaniel Better for Apartment Owners than the Puli?
American Water Spaniels do not adapt well to apartment living.
Pulis adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the American Water Spaniel or the Puli?
American Water Spaniels 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 Water Spaniel
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the American Water Spaniel 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 Water Spaniel:
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:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the American Water Spaniel and how the Puli compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the American Water Spaniel and of the Puli to other breeds:
American Water Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds
American Water Spaniel versus Bolognese American Water Spaniel versus Shichon American Water Spaniel versus Shih Tzu American Water Spaniel versus Golden Retriever American Water Spaniel versus Mountain Cur American Water Spaniel versus Mal Shi American Water Spaniel versus English Toy Spaniel American Water Spaniel versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen American Water Spaniel versus Sloughi American Water Spaniel versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever American Water Spaniel versus Papillon American Water Spaniel versus Entlebucher Mountain Dog American Water Spaniel versus Cockalier American Water Spaniel versus Boxerdoodle American Water Spaniel versus Vizsla American Water Spaniel versus Affenhuahua American Water Spaniel versus Berger Picard American Water Spaniel versus Chi-Poo American Water Spaniel versus Brussels Griffon American Water Spaniel versus Cesky Terrier American Water Spaniel versus Portuguese Water Dog American Water Spaniel versus Ibizan Hound American Water Spaniel versus Collie American Water Spaniel versus Komondor American Water Spaniel versus Miniature Schnauzer
Puli Versus Other Dog Breeds
Puli versus Vizsla Puli versus American Hairless Terrier Puli versus Beaglier Puli versus Afghan Hound Puli versus Cairn Terrier Puli versus Flat-Coated Retriever Puli versus Afghan Hound Puli versus Icelandic Sheepdog Puli versus Welsh Terrier Puli versus Maremma Sheepdog Puli versus Pomsky Puli versus Akbash Puli versus Goldador Puli versus Pomsky Puli versus Lancashire Heeler Puli versus Bernese Mountain Dog Puli versus Cockalier Puli versus Kuvasz Puli versus American Water Spaniel Puli versus Bullmastiff Puli versus Weimaraner Puli versus Sloughi Puli versus Shiloh Shepherd Puli versus Akbash Puli versus Field Spaniel
Conclusion: American Water Spaniel 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 Water Spaniel and the Puli better suits you and your family.