Is the Lakeland Terrier Better than the Puli as a Pet? Answer…

Quick Links: Table of Contents

Lakeland Terrier Versus Puli: Introduction

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

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

Lakeland Terrier versus Puli

Lakeland Terrier versus Puli: Overview

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

Furthermore, the Lakeland 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.

Lakeland Terrier versus Puli: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Lakeland 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 Lakeland Terrier and the Puli

Factor Lakeland Terrier Puli
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Does NOT chew on things 5/5 3/5
Life Span 12 to 15 years 10 to 15 years
Height 13 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder 16 to 17 inches tall at the shoulder
Weight 15 to 17 pounds 25 to 35 pounds
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 2/5
Does NOT Shed 4/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 2/5 1/5
Easy To Train 2/5 2/5
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 1/5
Easygoing 3/5 2/5
Dog Friendly 3/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 2/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 1/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 4/5 4/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 4/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 3/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 5/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 2/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 1/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 5/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
General Health 5/5 5/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 1/5
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 12.5 years
Average Price $1810 $2250
Price Range $1600 – $2325 $1875 – $2750
Temperament Score 75.0 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
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 142 150
    Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) 62 27

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Lakeland 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 Lakeland Terrier 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 Lakeland Terrier is a better pet than the Puli. So, you should get the Lakeland 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 Lakeland Terrier and the Puli so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Similarities Between the Lakeland Terrier and the Puli

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

  • Both the Lakeland Terrier and the Puli do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Lakeland Terrier and the Puli do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Lakeland Terrier and the Puli do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Lakeland Terrier and the Puli require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Both the Lakeland Terrier and the Puli are not easy to train.
  • Both the Lakeland Terrier and the Puli adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Lakeland Terrier and the Puli can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Lakeland Terrier and the Puli can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Lakeland Terrier and the Puli get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Lakeland Terrier and the Puli are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Lakeland Terrier and the Puli have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Lakeland Terrier and the Puli are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Lakeland Terrier and the Puli do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Both the Lakeland Terrier and the Puli require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Lakeland Terrier and the Puli are very playful.
  • Both the Lakeland Terrier and the Puli are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Lakeland Terrier and the Puli are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Lakeland Terrier and the Puli have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Lakeland Terrier versus Puli

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

    Lakeland Terriers weigh 15 to 17 pounds when fully grown. Lakeland Terriers are 13 to 14 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 Lakeland Terrier versus Puli

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

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

    Lakeland Terriers live longer than Pulis.

    Temperament of the Lakeland Terrier Versus the Puli

    The Puli has a better temperament than the Lakeland Terrier.

    This is because the temperament score for the Puli is 92.3 percent while the temperament score for the Lakeland Terrier is 75.0 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 75.0 percent, the Lakeland Terrier 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 Lakeland Terrier and the Puli by measuring the temperaments of 8 Lakeland Terriers and 26 Pulis.

    Price of Lakeland Terrier versus Price of Puli

    The average price of the Lakeland Terrier puppy is $1810. The price of the Lakeland Terrier typically ranges from $1600 – $2325. However, the price of a Lakeland Terrier can be as low as $1000 and as high as $2550. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 11 Lakeland 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 Lakeland Terrier.

    Lakeland Terrier Puli
    Average Price $1810 $2250
    Price Range $1600 to $2325 $1875 to $2750

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Lakeland Terriers. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Lakeland 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 Lakeland 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.

    The Intelligence of the Lakeland Terrier versus the Intelligence of the Puli

    Lakeland Terrier Puli
    Intelligence Rank 62 out of 130 dog breeds 27 out of 130 dog breeds
    Trainability Tend To Learn New Commands After 40 To 80 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:

  • Instinctive Intelligence: This is the natural intelligence a dog has because of what the dog was bred for. This type of intelligence comes from instinct. For example, dog breeds that were bred for guarding will have high `guarding` instinctive intelligence, while dog breeds that were bred for hunting will what high `hunting` instinctive intelligence. However, you cannot compare the intelligence of dog breeds based on instinctive intelligence because such a comparison will not make sense.
  • Adaptive Intelligence (learning and problem-solving ability): This indicates what a dog can learn to do for himself or herself. It includes learning and benefiting from experience with his environment, solving new problems, and so forth. Adaptive intelligence is specific to each dog, and not breed specific. Thus, two dogs can have remarkably different levels of adaptive intelligence even if they are of the same breed.
  • Working/Obedience Intelligence: This intelligence is the closest to what we might call school-learning ability and it is based upon what the dog can learn to do when instructed by humans. Importantly, different dog breeds have different learning abilities. Also, science has shown that some dog breeds can learn faster than some other breeds. This means certain dog breeds tend to have higher working/obedience intelligence than some other breeds. Dogs with high Working/Obedience Intelligence are smart and easy to train.
  • 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 Lakeland Terrier has an obedience intelligence rank of 62 out of 130 dog breeds. The Lakeland Terrier belongs to the `Fair Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Lakeland Terriers tend to learn new commands after 40 to 80 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 Lakeland Terrier.

    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 Lakeland Terrier 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 Lakeland Terrier and the Puli over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Lakeland Terrier is more popular with dog owners than the Puli. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Lakeland Terrier is 142 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Puli is 150 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Lakeland Terrier

    Popularity of Lakeland Terrier

    Popularity of Puli

    Popularity of Puli

    Year Lakeland Terrier Popularity Rank Puli Popularity Rank
    2013 134 136
    2014 149 151
    2015 141 154
    2016 145 159
    2017 138 142
    2018 147 160
    2019 148 160
    2020 136 143

    Tolerates Being Alone: Lakeland Terrier versus Puli

    Lakeland Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Pulis do not like to be left alone.

    Do Lakeland Terriers shed more than Pulis?

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

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

    Which one drools more, the Lakeland Terrier or the Puli

    Lakeland Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Pulis do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Lakeland Terrier or the Puli?

    Lakeland Terriers 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 Lakeland Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Puli?

    Lakeland Terriers 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 Lakeland Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Pulis?

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

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

    Can Lakeland Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Pulis Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Lakeland Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Pulis can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Lakeland Terrier vs. Puli

    Lakeland Terriers have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

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

    Can Lakeland Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Pulis Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Lakeland Terriers 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 Lakeland Terrier or the Puli?

    Lakeland Terriers get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Pulis get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Lakeland Terriers good family dogs? What about Pulis?

    Lakeland 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 Lakeland Terriers and Pulis?

    Lakeland Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Lakeland Terrier Easier to Train than the Puli?

    Lakeland Terriers are not easy to train.

    Pulis are not easy to train.

    Is the Lakeland Terrier Better for Apartment Owners than the Puli?

    Lakeland Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

    Pulis adapt very well to apartment living.

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

    Lakeland Terriers are OK for new dog owners.

    Pulis are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Lakeland Terrier

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

  • Irish Terrier (79 percent match with Lakeland Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Puli vs Irish Terrier.
  • Barbet (80 percent match with Lakeland Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Puli vs Barbet.
  • 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 Lakeland Terrier vs Briard.
  • Welsh Terrier (75 percent match with Puli). Here is our comparison of the Lakeland Terrier vs Welsh Terrier.
  • Scottish Terrier (79 percent match with Puli). Here is our comparison of the Lakeland Terrier vs Scottish Terrier.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Lakeland Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Lakeland Terrier versus Cockapoo     Lakeland Terrier versus Bordoodle     Lakeland Terrier versus Redbone Coonhound     Lakeland Terrier versus American Hairless Terrier     Lakeland Terrier versus Schipperke     Lakeland Terrier versus Pyrenean Shepherd     Lakeland Terrier versus Leonberger     Lakeland Terrier versus Lhasapoo     Lakeland Terrier versus Dachshund     Lakeland Terrier versus German Wirehaired Pointer     Lakeland Terrier versus Boerboel     Lakeland Terrier versus Tibetan Terrier     Lakeland Terrier versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen     Lakeland Terrier versus Puggle     Lakeland Terrier versus Boxerdoodle     Lakeland Terrier versus American Pit Bull Terrier     Lakeland Terrier versus Pyrenean Shepherd     Lakeland Terrier versus German Shepherd Dog     Lakeland Terrier versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog     Lakeland Terrier versus Italian Greyhound     Lakeland Terrier versus Australian Terrier     Lakeland Terrier versus Black Mouth Cur     Lakeland Terrier versus Portuguese Water Dog     Lakeland Terrier versus Glen of Imaal Terrier     Lakeland Terrier versus Harrier     

    Puli Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Puli versus Bull Terrier     Puli versus Goldendoodle     Puli versus Bearded Collie     Puli versus Sheepadoodle     Puli versus Samoyed     Puli versus Bergamasco Sheepdog     Puli versus Toy Poodle     Puli versus Silky Terrier     Puli versus Chinese Crested     Puli versus Greyhound     Puli versus Giant Schnauzer     Puli versus Entlebucher Mountain Dog     Puli versus Bichon Frise     Puli versus Siberian Husky     Puli versus Redbone Coonhound     Puli versus Swedish Vallhund     Puli versus Kuvasz     Puli versus American Hairless Terrier     Puli versus Yorkshire Terrier     Puli versus Beaglier     Puli versus Pug     Puli versus Biewer Terrier     Puli versus Japanese Spitz     Puli versus Doberman Pinscher     Puli versus Tibetan Terrier     

    Conclusion: Lakeland 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 Lakeland Terrier and the Puli better suits you and your family.