Differences and Similarities between the Pekingese and the Puli.

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Pekingese Versus Puli: Introduction

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

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

Pekingese versus Puli

Pekingese versus Puli: Overview

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

Furthermore, the Pekingese belongs to the Companion Dogs group. Companion Dogs were bred to be companions for humans. Their main goal in life is to be with people, and they will be very sad if left to themselves for long hours day after day.

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.

Pekingese versus Puli: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Pekingese 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 Pekingese and the Puli

Factor Pekingese Puli
Tolerates Hot Weather 1/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 1/5 1/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 5/5 1/5
Life Span 12 to 15 years 10 to 15 years
Easygoing 4/5 2/5
Kid-Friendly 2/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 2/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 2/5
General Health 2/5 5/5
NOT Rambunctious 4/5 1/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 4/5 1/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 2/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 3/5
Easy To Train 3/5 2/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 3/5 5/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 1/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 5/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 2/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 2/5
Height 6 to 9 inches tall at the shoulder 16 to 17 inches tall at the shoulder
Weight 7 to 14 pounds 25 to 35 pounds
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 12.5 years
Average Price $1930 $2250
Price Range $1288 – $2500 $1875 – $2750
Temperament Score 93.3 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 86 150
    Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) 73 27

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Pekingese 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 Pekingese is 77 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Puli is 74 out of 125.

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

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

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Pekingese and the Puli

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

  • Pekingeses 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.
  • Pekingeses do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly. However, Pulis get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Pekingeses do not get along well with other dogs. However, Pulis get along well with other dogs.
  • Pekingeses have the tendency to develop certain health problems. However, Pulis are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Pekingeses 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.
  • Pekingeses have low exercise needs. However, Pulis require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Pekingeses are good for new dog owners. However, Pulis are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Pekingeses 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 Pekingese and the Puli

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

  • Both the Pekingese and the Puli do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Pekingese and the Puli require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Both the Pekingese and the Puli are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Pekingese and the Puli can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Pekingese and the Puli are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Pekingese and the Puli are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Pekingese and the Puli adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Pekingese and the Puli are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Pekingese and the Puli have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Pekingese versus Puli

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

    Pekingeses weigh 7 to 14 pounds when fully grown. Pekingeses are 6 to 9 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 Pekingese versus Puli

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

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

    Pekingeses live longer than Pulis.

    Temperament of the Pekingese Versus the Puli

    The Pekingese has a better temperament than the Puli.

    This is because the temperament score for the Pekingese is 93.3 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 93.3 percent, the Pekingese 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 Pekingese and the Puli by measuring the temperaments of 15 Pekingeses and 26 Pulis.

    Price of Pekingese versus Price of Puli

    The average price of the Pekingese puppy is $1930. The price of the Pekingese typically ranges from $1288 – $2500. However, the price of a Pekingese can be as low as $700 and as high as $7500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 138 Pekingese 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 Pekingese.

    Pekingese Puli
    Average Price $1930 $2250
    Price Range $1288 to $2500 $1875 to $2750

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

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Pekingeses. 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 Pekingese 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 Pekingese versus the Intelligence of the Puli

    Pekingese Puli
    Intelligence Rank 73 out of 130 dog breeds 27 out of 130 dog breeds
    Trainability Tend To Learn New Commands After 80 To 100 Repetitions Or More! 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 Pekingese has an obedience intelligence rank of 73 out of 130 dog breeds. The Pekingese belongs to the `Lowest Degree of Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Pekingeses tend to learn new commands after 80 to 100 repetitions or more!.

    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 Pekingese.

    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 Pekingese 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 Pekingese and the Puli over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Pekingese is more popular with dog owners than the Puli. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Pekingese is 86 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Puli is 150 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Pekingese

    Popularity of Pekingese

    Popularity of Puli

    Popularity of Puli

    Year Pekingese Popularity Rank Puli Popularity Rank
    2013 77 136
    2014 82 151
    2015 80 154
    2016 93 159
    2017 88 142
    2018 92 160
    2019 83 160
    2020 95 143

    Tolerates Being Alone: Pekingese versus Puli

    Pekingeses can be left alone only for a short time.

    Pulis do not like to be left alone.

    Do Pekingeses shed more than Pulis?

    Pekingeses 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 Pekingese or the Puli

    Pekingeses do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Pulis do have a very low tendency to drool.

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

    Pekingeses 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 Pekingese Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Puli?

    Pekingeses 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 Pekingeses Bark and Howl? What about Pulis?

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

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

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

    Pekingeses can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Pulis can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Pekingese vs. Puli

    Pekingeses 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 Pekingeses Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Pulis Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Pekingeses 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 Pekingese or the Puli?

    Pekingeses do not get along well with other dogs.

    Pulis get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Pekingeses good family dogs? What about Pulis?

    Pekingeses 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 Pekingeses and Pulis?

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

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

    Is the Pekingese Easier to Train than the Puli?

    Pekingeses are fairly easy to train.

    Pulis are not easy to train.

    Is the Pekingese Better for Apartment Owners than the Puli?

    Pekingeses adapt very well to apartment living.

    Pulis adapt very well to apartment living.

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

    Pekingeses are very good for new dog owners.

    Pulis are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Pekingese

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

  • Dandie Dinmont Terrier (72 percent match with Pekingese). Here is our comparison of the Puli vs Dandie Dinmont Terrier.
  • Mal Shi (72 percent match with Pekingese). Here is our comparison of the Puli vs Mal Shi.
  • Pomeranian (72 percent match with Pekingese). Here is our comparison of the Puli vs Pomeranian.
  • Pomsky (72 percent match with Pekingese). Here is our comparison of the Puli vs Pomsky.
  • 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 Pekingese vs Briard.
  • Welsh Terrier (75 percent match with Puli). Here is our comparison of the Pekingese vs Welsh Terrier.
  • Scottish Terrier (79 percent match with Puli). Here is our comparison of the Pekingese vs Scottish Terrier.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Pekingese Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Pekingese versus Puggle     Pekingese versus Kai Ken     Pekingese versus Bullmastiff     Pekingese versus Maltese     Pekingese versus Goldador     Pekingese versus Bull Terrier     Pekingese versus Belgian Sheepdog     Pekingese versus Samoyed     Pekingese versus Beaglier     Pekingese versus Barbet     Pekingese versus Gordon Setter     Pekingese versus Norfolk Terrier     Pekingese versus Karelian Bear Dog     Pekingese versus Affenhuahua     Pekingese versus Bernese Mountain Dog     Pekingese versus Hovawart     Pekingese versus Flat-Coated Retriever     Pekingese versus Pomeranian     Pekingese versus Jack Russell Terrier     Pekingese versus Pyrenean Shepherd     Pekingese versus Afador     Pekingese versus Australian Cattle Dog     Pekingese versus Sussex Spaniel     Pekingese versus Frenchton     Pekingese versus Airedale Terrier     

    Puli Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Puli versus Pomsky     Puli versus Labrador Retriever     Puli versus Doberman Pinscher     Puli versus Bloodhound     Puli versus American Pit Bull Terrier     Puli versus Border Collie     Puli versus Yorkshire Terrier     Puli versus Redbone Coonhound     Puli versus Goldador     Puli versus Giant Schnauzer     Puli versus Carolina Dog     Puli versus Mountain Cur     Puli versus Brussels Griffon     Puli versus Bolognese     Puli versus Bichon Frise     Puli versus Chi-Poo     Puli versus Golden Cocker Retriever     Puli versus Saint Bernard     Puli versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier     Puli versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog     Puli versus Coton de Tulear     Puli versus Belgian Tervuren     Puli versus Field Spaniel     Puli versus Kuvasz     Puli versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi     

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