A Detailed Comparison of the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Puli.

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Caucasian Shepherd Dog Versus Puli: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Caucasian Shepherd Dog 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog or the Puli.

Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Puli

Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Puli: Overview

A very important difference between the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Puli is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Caucasian Shepherd Dog is a giant-sized dog while the Puli is a medium-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Caucasian Shepherd Dog belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.

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.

Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Puli: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Caucasian Shepherd Dog 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Puli

Factor Caucasian Shepherd Dog Puli
Good For Novice Owners 1/5 1/5
Life Span 10 to 12 years 10 to 15 years
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 2/5 4/5
Easygoing 4/5 2/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 2/5 3/5
Kid-Friendly 2/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 2/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 2/5
Easy To Groom 2/5 1/5
Easy To Train 2/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 1/5
NOT Rambunctious 4/5 1/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 4/5 1/5
Height 24 to 34 inches 16 to 17 inches tall at the shoulder
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 2/5
General Health 3/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 2/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 3/5 5/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 5/5
Does NOT Drool 2/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 3/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 2/5 3/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 1/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 5/5 4/5
Weight 80 to 220 pounds 25 to 35 pounds
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 12.5 years
Average Price $2110 $2250
Price Range $1500 – $2500 $1875 – $2750
Temperament Score 85.0 percent 92.3 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Dentition
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye examination, results registered with the OFA.
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog is 69 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog. 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Puli so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Puli

    Below is a list of where the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Puli are most different:

  • Caucasian Shepherd Dogs do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly. However, Pulis get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Caucasian Shepherd Dogs do not get along well with other dogs. However, Pulis get along well with other dogs.
  • Caucasian Shepherd Dogs 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.
  • Caucasian Shepherd Dogs have low energy levels. They do not require a lot exercise time. However, Pulis have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Caucasian Shepherd Dogs have low exercise needs. However, Pulis require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Caucasian Shepherd Dogs 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.
  • Caucasian Shepherd Dogs have a very high tendency to drool. However, Pulis do not have the tendency to drool.
  • The Similarities Between the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Puli

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

  • Both the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Puli are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Puli cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
  • Both the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Puli are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Puli require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Both the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Puli are not easy to train.
  • Both the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Puli are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Puli gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Puli are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Puli are prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Puli do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Both the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Puli can tolerate cold weather.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Puli

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Puli.

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs weigh 80 to 220 pounds when fully grown. Caucasian Shepherd Dogs are 24 to 34 inches 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Puli

    The lifespan of Caucasian Shepherd Dogs is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Caucasian Shepherd Dogs is 11.0 years.

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

    Pulis live longer than Caucasian Shepherd Dogs.

    Temperament of the Puli Versus the Caucasian Shepherd Dog

    The Puli has a better temperament than the Caucasian Shepherd Dog.

    This is because the temperament score for the Puli is 92.3 percent while the temperament score for the Caucasian Shepherd Dog is 85.0 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 85.0 percent, the Caucasian Shepherd Dog 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Puli by measuring the temperaments of 20 Caucasian Shepherd Dogs and 26 Pulis.

    Price of Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Price of Puli

    The average price of the Caucasian Shepherd Dog puppy is $2110. The price of the Caucasian Shepherd Dog typically ranges from $1500 – $2500. However, the price of a Caucasian Shepherd Dog can be as low as $1000 and as high as $4000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 56 Caucasian Shepherd Dog 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog.

    Caucasian Shepherd Dog Puli
    Average Price $2110 $2250
    Price Range $1500 to $2500 $1875 to $2750

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and Puli. For different price points, the charts show how many Caucasian Shepherd Dog puppies or how many Puli puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of Caucasian Shepherd Dogs. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Caucasian Shepherd Dogs. 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog 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.

    Health Problems of Caucasian Shepherd Dog 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog 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 the same number of genetic health problems as the Caucasian Shepherd Dog.

    7 health tests are recommended for Caucasian Shepherd Dog while 7 tests are recommended for the Puli.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Caucasian Shepherd Dogs and in Pulis.

    Caucasian Shepherd Dog Health Problems

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Caucasian Shepherd Dog 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Caucasian Shepherd Dog 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dogs for:

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Dentition
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye examination, results registered with the OFA.
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Caucasian Shepherd Dogs 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:

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Congenital Deafness
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Pulis here.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Puli

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs can be left alone only for a short time.

    Pulis do not like to be left alone.

    Do Caucasian Shepherd Dogs shed more than Pulis?

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog or the Puli

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs have a very high tendency to drool.

    Pulis do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Caucasian Shepherd Dog or the Puli?

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

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

    Does the Caucasian Shepherd Dog Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Puli?

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dogs Bark and Howl? What about Pulis?

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs bark and howl, but not very much.

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

    Can Caucasian Shepherd Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Pulis Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Pulis can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Caucasian Shepherd Dog vs. Puli

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Pulis Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs 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.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Caucasian Shepherd Dog or the Puli?

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs do not get along well with other dogs.

    Pulis get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Caucasian Shepherd Dogs good family dogs? What about Pulis?

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dogs and Pulis?

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Caucasian Shepherd Dog Easier to Train than the Puli?

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs are not easy to train.

    Pulis are not easy to train.

    Is the Caucasian Shepherd Dog Better for Apartment Owners than the Puli?

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Pulis adapt very well to apartment living.

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

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Caucasian Shepherd Dog 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog:

  • Afador (76 percent match with Caucasian Shepherd Dog). Here is our comparison of the Puli vs Afador.
  • Akbash (73 percent match with Caucasian Shepherd Dog). Here is our comparison of the Puli vs Akbash.
  • Mastiff (72 percent match with Caucasian Shepherd Dog). Here is our comparison of the Puli vs Mastiff.
  • Boerboel (71 percent match with Caucasian Shepherd Dog). Here is our comparison of the Puli vs Boerboel.
  • 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog vs Briard.
  • Welsh Terrier (75 percent match with Puli). Here is our comparison of the Caucasian Shepherd Dog vs Welsh Terrier.
  • Scottish Terrier (79 percent match with Puli). Here is our comparison of the Caucasian Shepherd Dog vs Scottish Terrier.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and how the Puli compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and of the Puli to other breeds:

    Caucasian Shepherd Dog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Icelandic Sheepdog     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Azawakh     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Glen of Imaal Terrier     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Black and Tan Coonhound     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Lowchen     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Silky Terrier     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Pyrenean Shepherd     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Alaskan Klee Kai     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Kuvasz     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Pyrenean Mastiff     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Black Russian Terrier     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus English Setter     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Lhasapoo     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus German Shorthaired Pointer     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Portuguese Pointer     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Shiranian     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Frenchton     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Karelian Bear Dog     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Pekingese     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Treeing Walker Coonhound     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Scottish Deerhound     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Affenhuahua     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Central Asian Shepherd Dog     

    Puli Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Puli versus Berger Picard     Puli versus French Bulldog     Puli versus Bluetick Coonhound     Puli versus Golden Retriever     Puli versus German Wirehaired Pointer     Puli versus Boxer     Puli versus Belgian Tervuren     Puli versus English Setter     Puli versus German Longhaired Pointer     Puli versus Giant Schnauzer     Puli versus American Foxhound     Puli versus Xoloitzcuintli     Puli versus Standard Poodle     Puli versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen     Puli versus Swedish Vallhund     Puli versus Standard Schnauzer     Puli versus Neapolitan Mastiff     Puli versus Afador     Puli versus Boerboel     Puli versus Boxerdoodle     Puli versus Pomsky     Puli versus Dachshund     Puli versus Pharaoh Hound     Puli versus Morkie     Puli versus Pomapoo     

    Conclusion: Caucasian Shepherd Dog 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Puli better suits you and your family.