Breed Comparison: Chinook Versus Puli

Quick Links: Table of Contents

Chinook Versus Puli: Introduction

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

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

Chinook versus Puli

Chinook versus Puli: Overview

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

Furthermore, the Chinook 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.

Chinook versus Puli: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Chinook 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 Chinook and the Puli

Factor Chinook Puli
Good For Novice Owners 1/5 1/5
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 2/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Life Span 12 to 15 years 10 to 15 years
Easy To Groom 2/5 1/5
Low Prey Drive 4/5 2/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 1/5
Height 21 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder 16 to 17 inches tall at the shoulder
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 3/5 1/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 1/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 3/5 1/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 4/5 4/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 2/5
General Health 4/5 5/5
Easy To Train 4/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 5/5
Easygoing 1/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 5/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 1/5 5/5
Intelligence 5/5 4/5
Weight 55 to 70 pounds 25 to 35 pounds
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
  • Clear By Parentage
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Congenital Deafness
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 177 150

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Chinook 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 Chinook is 87 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Puli is 74 out of 125.

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

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

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Chinook and the Puli

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

  • Chinooks 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.
  • Chinooks 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.
  • The Similarities Between the Chinook and the Puli

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

  • Both the Chinook and the Puli are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the Chinook and the Puli do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Chinook and the Puli do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Chinook and the Puli require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Both the Chinook and the Puli adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Chinook and the Puli can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Chinook and the Puli are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Chinook and the Puli are very playful.
  • Both the Chinook 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 Chinook and the Puli can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Chinook and the Puli are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Chinook and the Puli get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Chinook and the Puli get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Chinook and the Puli are highly intelligent.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Chinook versus Puli

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

    Chinooks weigh 55 to 70 pounds when fully grown. Chinooks are 21 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 Chinook versus Puli

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

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

    Chinooks live longer than Pulis.

    Temperament of the Chinook Versus the Puli

    The Puli has a better temperament than the Chinook.

    This is because the temperament score for the Puli is 92.3 percent while the temperament score for the Chinook 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 Chinook 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 Chinook and the Puli by measuring the temperaments of 9 Chinooks and 26 Pulis.

    The Popularity of Chinook 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 Chinook 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 Chinook. 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 Chinook is 177 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Chinook

    Popularity of Chinook

    Popularity of Puli

    Popularity of Puli

    Year Chinook Popularity Rank Puli Popularity Rank
    2013 156 136
    2014 171 151
    2015 177 154
    2016 175 159
    2017 179 142
    2018 190 160
    2019 184 160
    2020 186 143

    Health Problems of Chinook 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 Chinook 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 Chinook.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Puli than for the Chinook.

    3 health tests are recommended for Chinook while 7 tests are recommended for the Puli.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Chinooks and in Pulis.

    Chinook Health Problems

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

  • Clear By Parentage
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Chinooks 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.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Chinooks 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 Chinook Breed is Patella problems.

    This is because the Chinook ranks 5 out of 145 dog breeds for Patella problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 52 Chinooks, 5 of them had Patella problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Chinooks, and how common these diseases are in Chinooks relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Patella problems: Rank 5 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 63 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 82 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • 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:

  • Degenerative Myelopathy problems: Rank 37 out of 70 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 39 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 70 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 115 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 144 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in Chinook and in Puli and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Chinook and the Puli:

    Disease Chinook Rank Puli Rank
    Patella problems 5 out of 145 dog breeds 39 out of 145 dog breeds
    Hips problems 63 out of 198 dog breeds 115 out of 198 dog breeds
    Eyes problems 82 out of 182 dog breeds 144 out of 182 dog breeds
    Degenerative Myelopathy problems Not Common 37 out of 70 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: Chinook versus Puli

    Chinooks do not like to be left alone.

    Pulis do not like to be left alone.

    Do Chinooks shed more than Pulis?

    Chinooks 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 Chinook or the Puli

    Chinooks do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Pulis do have a very low tendency to drool.

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

    Chinooks 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 Chinook Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Puli?

    Chinooks 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 Chinooks Bark and Howl? What about Pulis?

    Chinooks 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 Chinooks Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Pulis Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Chinooks can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Pulis can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Chinook vs. Puli

    Chinooks 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 Chinooks Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Pulis Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Chinooks 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 Chinook or the Puli?

    Chinooks get along very well with other dogs.

    Pulis get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Chinooks good family dogs? What about Pulis?

    Chinooks 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 Chinooks and Pulis?

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

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

    Is the Chinook Easier to Train than the Puli?

    Chinooks are very easy to train.

    Pulis are not easy to train.

    Is the Chinook Better for Apartment Owners than the Puli?

    Chinooks adapt very well to apartment living.

    Pulis adapt very well to apartment living.

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

    Chinooks 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 Chinook

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Chinook 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 Chinook:

  • Keeshond (76 percent match with Chinook). Here is our comparison of the Puli vs Keeshond.
  • King Shepherd (75 percent match with Chinook). Here is our comparison of the Puli vs King Shepherd.
  • 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 Chinook vs Briard.
  • Welsh Terrier (75 percent match with Puli). Here is our comparison of the Chinook vs Welsh Terrier.
  • Scottish Terrier (79 percent match with Puli). Here is our comparison of the Chinook vs Scottish Terrier.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Chinook Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Chinook versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier     Chinook versus Carolina Dog     Chinook versus Peek A Poo     Chinook versus Spanish Mastiff     Chinook versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel     Chinook versus Lhasapoo     Chinook versus Saluki     Chinook versus Pomapoo     Chinook versus Welsh Springer Spaniel     Chinook versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen     Chinook versus Curly-Coated Retriever     Chinook versus Sealyham Terrier     Chinook versus Pharaoh Hound     Chinook versus Stabyhoun     Chinook versus Spanish Mastiff     Chinook versus Bernese Mountain Dog     Chinook versus Maremma Sheepdog     Chinook versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog     Chinook versus Norwich Terrier     Chinook versus Schipperke     Chinook versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog     Chinook versus Toy Fox Terrier     Chinook versus Basset Hound     Chinook versus Bergamasco Sheepdog     Chinook versus Boston Terrier     

    Puli Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Puli versus Bergamasco Sheepdog     Puli versus Beagle     Puli versus Peek A Poo     Puli versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi     Puli versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle     Puli versus Lhasapoo     Puli versus Welsh Terrier     Puli versus Mastiff     Puli versus Chihuahua     Puli versus Goldendoodle     Puli versus Schipperke     Puli versus English Cocker Spaniel     Puli versus Beaglier     Puli versus Pharaoh Hound     Puli versus Catahoula Leopard Dog     Puli versus Pomchi     Puli versus Harrier     Puli versus Carolina Dog     Puli versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog     Puli versus Chihuahua     Puli versus German Shepherd Dog     Puli versus Black Mouth Cur     Puli versus Shih Tzu     Puli versus Belgian Tervuren     Puli versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne     

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