Is the Azawakh Better than the Puli as a Pet? Our Answer.

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Azawakh Versus Puli: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Azawakh 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 Azawakh 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 Azawakh 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 Azawakh or the Puli.

Azawakh versus Puli: Overview

A very important difference between the Azawakh and the Puli is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Azawakh is a large-sized dog while the Puli is a medium-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Azawakh belongs to the Hound Dogs group. Hound Dogs were bred to pursue and hunt warm-blooded animals. Hounds hunt by using their good sight or their good sense of smell. Dogs that belong to the Hound Group have strong prey drives and often will stop at nothing to catch what they are pursuing.

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.

Azawakh versus Puli: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Azawakh 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 Azawakh and the Puli

Factor Azawakh Puli
Tolerates Cold Weather 1/5 4/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 5/5 2/5
Life Span 12 to 15 years 10 to 15 years
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 1/5
Kid-Friendly 2/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 1/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 1/5
Height 23 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder 16 to 17 inches tall at the shoulder
Easygoing 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 2/5
Dog Friendly 3/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 5/5
General Health 3/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 3/5
Easy To Train 3/5 2/5
Intelligence 3/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 3/5 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 3/5 5/5
Weight 33 to 55 pounds 25 to 35 pounds
Affectionate With Family 4/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 1/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 4/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 5/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 1/5
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 12.5 years
Price Range No Data $1562 – $2188
Average Price No Data $1880
Temperament Score 100.0 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 Azawakh 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 Azawakh is 81 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Puli is 74 out of 125.

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

    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 Azawakh and the Puli so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Azawakh and the Puli

    Below is a list of where the Azawakh and the Puli are most different:

    • Azawakhs cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold. However, Pulis can tolerate cold weather.
    • Azawakhs are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl. However, Pulis are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
    • Azawakhs do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly. However, Pulis get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
    • Azawakhs do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them. However, Pulis have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
    • Azawakhs do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful. However, Pulis do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
    • Azawakhs are very easy to groom. However, Pulis require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.

    The Similarities Between the Azawakh and the Puli

    The Azawakh and the Puli are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Azawakh and the Puli are most similar:

    • Both the Azawakh and the Puli do not have the tendency to drool.
    • Both the Azawakh and the Puli are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
    • Both the Azawakh and the Puli are not very friendly towards strangers.
    • Both the Azawakh and the Puli are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
    • Both the Azawakh and the Puli have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
    • Both the Azawakh and the Puli require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
    • Both the Azawakh and the Puli adapt well to apartment living.

    Size Comparison of Azawakh versus Puli

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Azawakh and the Puli.

    Azawakhs weigh 33 to 55 pounds when fully grown. Azawakhs are 23 to 27 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 Azawakh versus Puli

    The lifespan of Azawakhs is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Azawakhs is 13.5 years.

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

    Azawakhs live longer than Pulis.

    Temperament of the Azawakh Versus the Puli

    The Azawakh has a better temperament than the Puli.

    This is because the temperament score for the Azawakh is 100.0 percent while the temperament score for the Puli is 92.3 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 100.0 percent, the Azawakh 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 Azawakh and the Puli by measuring the temperaments of 1 Azawakhs and 26 Pulis.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Azawakh versus Puli

    Azawakhs can be left alone only for a short time.

    Pulis do not like to be left alone.

    Do Azawakhs shed more than Pulis?

    Azawakhs shed moderately.

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

    Which one drools more, the Azawakh or the Puli

    Azawakhs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Pulis do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Azawakh or the Puli?

    Azawakhs are very easy to groom.

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

    Does the Azawakh Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Puli?

    Azawakhs 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.

    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 Azawakhs Bark and Howl? What about Pulis?

    Azawakhs are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

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

    Can Azawakhs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Pulis Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Azawakhs cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Pulis can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Azawakh vs. Puli

    Azawakhs 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 Azawakhs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Pulis Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Azawakhs 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 Azawakh or the Puli?

    Azawakhs get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Pulis get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Azawakhs good family dogs? What about Pulis?

    Azawakhs 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 Azawakhs and Pulis?

    Azawakhs do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Azawakh Easier to Train than the Puli?

    Azawakhs are fairly easy to train.

    Pulis are not easy to train.

    Is the Azawakh Better for Apartment Owners than the Puli?

    Azawakhs adapt very well to apartment living.

    Pulis adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Azawakh or the Puli?

    Azawakhs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Pulis are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Conclusion: Azawakh 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 Azawakh and the Puli better suits you and your family.