Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Puli. Final Verdict on Which one is a Better Pet.

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Polish Lowland Sheepdog Versus Puli: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Polish Lowland Sheepdog 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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog 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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog 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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog or the Puli.

Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Puli: Overview

Both the Polish Lowland Sheepdog and the Puli are similar in size. The Polish Lowland Sheepdog and the Puli are both medium-sized dogs.

Furthermore, both the Polish Lowland Sheepdog and the Puli are Herding Dogs. This means both the Polish Lowland Sheepdog and the Puli 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.

Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Puli: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Polish Lowland Sheepdog 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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog and the Puli

Factor Polish Lowland Sheepdog Puli
Does NOT Shed 5/5 5/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 1/5 1/5
Life Span 10 to 12 years 10 to 15 years
Height 17 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder 16 to 17 inches tall at the shoulder
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 1/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 2/5
Tolerates Being Alone 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
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 1/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 1/5
Weight 35 to 55 pounds 25 to 35 pounds
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 4/5 4/5
Easygoing 2/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 4/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 3/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 5/5
General Health 4/5 5/5
Easy To Train 4/5 2/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 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
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 12.5 years
Price Range No Data $1875 – $2750
Average Price No Data $2250
Temperament Score 54.5 percent 92.3 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Congenital Deafness
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 169 150

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Polish Lowland Sheepdog 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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog is 84 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Puli is 74 out of 125.

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

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

    The Similarities Between the Polish Lowland Sheepdog and the Puli

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

  • Both the Polish Lowland Sheepdog and the Puli do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Polish Lowland Sheepdog and the Puli do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Polish Lowland Sheepdog and the Puli require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Both the Polish Lowland Sheepdog and the Puli are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the Polish Lowland Sheepdog and the Puli adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Polish Lowland Sheepdog 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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog and the Puli can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Polish Lowland Sheepdog and the Puli can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Polish Lowland Sheepdog and the Puli get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Polish Lowland Sheepdog and the Puli are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Polish Lowland Sheepdog and the Puli are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Polish Lowland Sheepdog and the Puli have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Polish Lowland Sheepdog and the Puli require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Polish Lowland Sheepdog and the Puli are very playful.
  • Both the Polish Lowland Sheepdog and the Puli are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Puli

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Polish Lowland Sheepdog and the Puli.

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs weigh 35 to 55 pounds when fully grown. Polish Lowland Sheepdogs are 17 to 20 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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Puli

    The lifespan of Polish Lowland Sheepdogs is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Polish Lowland Sheepdogs 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 Polish Lowland Sheepdogs.

    Temperament of the Polish Lowland Sheepdog Versus the Puli

    The Puli has a better temperament than the Polish Lowland Sheepdog.

    This is because the temperament score for the Puli is 92.3 percent while the temperament score for the Polish Lowland Sheepdog is 54.5 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 54.5 percent, the Polish Lowland Sheepdog 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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog and the Puli by measuring the temperaments of 11 Polish Lowland Sheepdogs and 26 Pulis.

    The Popularity of Polish Lowland Sheepdog 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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog 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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog. 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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog is 169 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Polish Lowland Sheepdog

    Popularity of Polish Lowland Sheepdog

    Popularity of Puli

    Popularity of Puli

    Year Polish Lowland Sheepdog Popularity Rank Puli Popularity Rank
    2013 157 136
    2014 170 151
    2015 164 154
    2016 169 159
    2017 176 142
    2018 170 160
    2019 173 160
    2020 175 143

    Health Problems of Polish Lowland Sheepdog 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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog 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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Puli than for the Polish Lowland Sheepdog.

    2 health tests are recommended for Polish Lowland Sheepdog while 7 tests are recommended for the Puli.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Polish Lowland Sheepdogs and in Pulis.

    Polish Lowland Sheepdog Health Problems

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

  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Polish Lowland Sheepdogs 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 Polish Lowland Sheepdogs 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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog Breed is Rcd4 Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems.

    This is because the Polish Lowland Sheepdog ranks 1 out of 8 dog breeds for Rcd4 Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 341 Polish Lowland Sheepdogs, 60 of them had Rcd4 Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems.

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

  • Rcd4 Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems: Rank 1 out of 8 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 60 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 106 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 116 out of 144 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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog and in Puli and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Polish Lowland Sheepdog and the Puli:

    Disease Polish Lowland Sheepdog Rank Puli Rank
    Rcd4 Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems 1 out of 8 dog breeds Not Common
    Hips problems 60 out of 198 dog breeds 115 out of 198 dog breeds
    Eyes problems 106 out of 182 dog breeds 144 out of 182 dog breeds
    Elbow problems 116 out of 144 dog breeds 70 out of 144 dog breeds
    Degenerative Myelopathy problems Not Common 37 out of 70 dog breeds
    Patella problems Not Common 39 out of 145 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: Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Puli

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs can be left alone only for a short time.

    Pulis do not like to be left alone.

    Do Polish Lowland Sheepdogs shed more than Pulis?

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs 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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog or the Puli

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Pulis do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Polish Lowland Sheepdog or the Puli?

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs 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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Puli?

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs 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 Polish Lowland Sheepdogs Bark and Howl? What about Pulis?

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs 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 Polish Lowland Sheepdogs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Pulis Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Pulis can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Polish Lowland Sheepdog vs. Puli

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs 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 Polish Lowland Sheepdogs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Pulis Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs 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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog or the Puli?

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Pulis get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Polish Lowland Sheepdogs good family dogs? What about Pulis?

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs 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 Polish Lowland Sheepdogs and Pulis?

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Polish Lowland Sheepdog Easier to Train than the Puli?

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs are very easy to train.

    Pulis are not easy to train.

    Is the Polish Lowland Sheepdog Better for Apartment Owners than the Puli?

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs adapt very well to apartment living.

    Pulis adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Polish Lowland Sheepdog or the Puli?

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs 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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Polish Lowland Sheepdog 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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog:

  • Barbet (83 percent match with Polish Lowland Sheepdog). Here is our comparison of the Puli vs Barbet.
  • Bernedoodle (79 percent match with Polish Lowland Sheepdog). Here is our comparison of the Puli vs Bernedoodle.
  • Miniature Schnauzer (79 percent match with Polish Lowland Sheepdog). Here is our comparison of the Puli vs Miniature Schnauzer.
  • 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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog vs Briard.
  • Welsh Terrier (75 percent match with Puli). Here is our comparison of the Polish Lowland Sheepdog vs Welsh Terrier.
  • Scottish Terrier (79 percent match with Puli). Here is our comparison of the Polish Lowland Sheepdog vs Scottish Terrier.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Polish Lowland Sheepdog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Curly-Coated Retriever     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Labrador Retriever     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Bull Terrier     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Sussex Spaniel     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Bullmastiff     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus American Foxhound     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Norwich Terrier     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Curly-Coated Retriever     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus German Longhaired Pointer     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Miniature Schnauzer     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Shihpoo     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Carolina Dog     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Bearded Collie     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Pomeranian     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Lhasa Apso     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Bichon Frise     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Briard     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Kai Ken     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Westiepoo     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus West Highland White Terrier     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Norwegian Buhund     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Neapolitan Mastiff     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Dachshund     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Kai Ken     

    Puli Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Puli versus Border Collie     Puli versus Pointer     Puli versus Border Collie     Puli versus Boston Terrier     Puli versus Patterdale Terrier     Puli versus Valley Bulldog     Puli versus Treeing Walker Coonhound     Puli versus Saint Bernard     Puli versus Welsh Springer Spaniel     Puli versus Bernese Mountain Dog     Puli versus Whoodle     Puli versus American Water Spaniel     Puli versus Tibetan Spaniel     Puli versus Chinese Shar-Pei     Puli versus German Pinscher     Puli versus Scottish Terrier     Puli versus Sussex Spaniel     Puli versus Valley Bulldog     Puli versus Beaglier     Puli versus Chi-Poo     Puli versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi     Puli versus Korean Jindo Dog     Puli versus Hovawart     Puli versus Australian Terrier     Puli versus Chihuahua     

    Conclusion: Polish Lowland Sheepdog 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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog and the Puli better suits you and your family.