A Detailed Comparison of the Puli and the Shiloh Shepherd.

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Puli Versus Shiloh Shepherd: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Puli and the Shiloh Shepherd 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 Puli and for the Shiloh Shepherd. 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 Puli and the Shiloh Shepherd.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Puli or the Shiloh Shepherd.

Puli versus Shiloh Shepherd: Overview

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

Furthermore, 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.

On the other hand, the Shiloh Shepherd 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.

Puli versus Shiloh Shepherd: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Puli to the Shiloh Shepherd 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 Puli and the Shiloh Shepherd

Factor Puli Shiloh Shepherd
Good For Novice Owners 1/5 2/5
Does NOT Shed 5/5 2/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 1/5 4/5
Life Span 10 to 15 years 9 to 14 years
Height 16 to 17 inches tall at the shoulder 26 to 30 inches
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 5/5
Easy To Train 2/5 5/5
Weight 25 to 35 pounds 80 to 130 pounds
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 2/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 2/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 4/5 1/5
Easygoing 2/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 5/5
Intelligence 4/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 5/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 2/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 4/5
General Health 5/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 1/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 1/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 5/5
Average Lifespan 12.5 years 11.5 years
Average Price $2250 No Data
Price Range $1875 – $2750 No Data
Temperament Score 92.3 percent 80.8 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Congenital Deafness
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Puli 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 Shiloh Shepherd. 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 Puli is 74 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Shiloh Shepherd is 82 out of 125.

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

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

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Puli and the Shiloh Shepherd

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

  • Pulis do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies. However, Shiloh Shepherds shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Pulis require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom. However, Shiloh Shepherds are very easy to groom.
  • Pulis are not very friendly towards strangers. However, Shiloh Shepherds are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Pulis are not easy to train. However, Shiloh Shepherds are very easy to train.
  • Pulis adapt well to apartment living. However, Shiloh Shepherds do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Pulis have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets. However, Shiloh Shepherds have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
  • The Similarities Between the Puli and the Shiloh Shepherd

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

  • Both the Puli and the Shiloh Shepherd are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the Puli and the Shiloh Shepherd do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Puli and the Shiloh Shepherd 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 Puli and the Shiloh Shepherd can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Puli and the Shiloh Shepherd are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Puli and the Shiloh Shepherd are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Puli and the Shiloh Shepherd are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Puli and the Shiloh Shepherd get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Puli and the Shiloh Shepherd get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Puli and the Shiloh Shepherd have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Puli and the Shiloh Shepherd do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Both the Puli and the Shiloh Shepherd require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Puli and the Shiloh Shepherd are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Puli versus Shiloh Shepherd

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

    Pulis weigh 25 to 35 pounds when fully grown. Pulis are 16 to 17 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Shiloh Shepherds weigh 80 to 130 pounds when fully grown. Shiloh Shepherds are 26 to 30 inches when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Puli versus Shiloh Shepherd

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

    The lifespan of Shiloh Shepherds is between 9 to 14 years . The average lifespan of Shiloh Shepherds is 11.5 years.

    Pulis live longer than Shiloh Shepherds.

    Temperament of the Puli Versus the Shiloh Shepherd

    The Puli has a better temperament than the Shiloh Shepherd.

    This is because the temperament score for the Puli is 92.3 percent while the temperament score for the Shiloh Shepherd is 80.8 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 92.3 percent, the Puli has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 80.8 percent, the Shiloh Shepherd has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Puli and the Shiloh Shepherd by measuring the temperaments of 26 Pulis and 26 Shiloh Shepherds.

    Health Problems of Puli versus Health Problems of Shiloh Shepherd

    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 Puli and the Shiloh Shepherd 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 Shiloh Shepherd.

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

    7 health tests are recommended for Puli while 4 tests are recommended for the Shiloh Shepherd.

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

    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.

    Shiloh Shepherd Health Problems

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

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Shiloh Shepherds here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Pulis and Shiloh Shepherds

    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
  • 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 Shiloh Shepherd Breed is Congenital Cardiac problems.

    This is because the Shiloh Shepherd ranks 39 out of 159 dog breeds for Congenital Cardiac problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 740 Shiloh Shepherds, 3 of them had Congenital Cardiac problems.

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

  • Congenital Cardiac problems: Rank 39 out of 159 Dog Breeds
  • Degenerative Myelopathy problems: Rank 40 out of 70 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 42 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 52 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 97 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in Puli and in Shiloh Shepherd and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Puli and the Shiloh Shepherd:

    Disease Puli Rank Shiloh Shepherd Rank
    Degenerative Myelopathy problems 37 out of 70 dog breeds 40 out of 70 dog breeds
    Patella problems 39 out of 145 dog breeds Not Common
    Elbow problems 70 out of 144 dog breeds 52 out of 144 dog breeds
    Hips problems 115 out of 198 dog breeds 42 out of 198 dog breeds
    Eyes problems 144 out of 182 dog breeds Not Common
    Congenital Cardiac problems Not Common 39 out of 159 dog breeds
    Thyroid problems Not Common 97 out of 115 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: Puli versus Shiloh Shepherd

    Pulis do not like to be left alone.

    Shiloh Shepherds do not like to be left alone.

    Do Pulis shed more than Shiloh Shepherds?

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

    Shiloh Shepherds shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Puli or the Shiloh Shepherd

    Pulis do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Shiloh Shepherds drool moderately.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Puli or the Shiloh Shepherd?

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

    Shiloh Shepherds are very easy to groom.

    Does the Puli Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Shiloh Shepherd?

    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.

    Shiloh Shepherds 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.

    Do Pulis Bark and Howl? What about Shiloh Shepherds?

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

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

    Can Pulis Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shiloh Shepherds Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Pulis can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Shiloh Shepherds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Puli vs. Shiloh Shepherd

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

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

    Can Pulis Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shiloh Shepherds Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Pulis can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Shiloh Shepherds can tolerate hot weather.

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

    Pulis get along very well with other dogs.

    Shiloh Shepherds get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Pulis good family dogs? What about Shiloh Shepherds?

    Pulis are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Shiloh Shepherds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Pulis and Shiloh Shepherds?

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

    Shiloh Shepherds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Puli Easier to Train than the Shiloh Shepherd?

    Pulis are not easy to train.

    Shiloh Shepherds are very easy to train.

    Is the Puli Better for Apartment Owners than the Shiloh Shepherd?

    Pulis adapt very well to apartment living.

    Shiloh Shepherds do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

    Pulis are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Shiloh Shepherds are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    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 Shiloh Shepherd vs Briard.
  • Welsh Terrier (75 percent match with Puli). Here is our comparison of the Shiloh Shepherd vs Welsh Terrier.
  • Scottish Terrier (79 percent match with Puli). Here is our comparison of the Shiloh Shepherd vs Scottish Terrier.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Shiloh Shepherd

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

  • Flat-Coated Retriever (78 percent match with Shiloh Shepherd). Here is our comparison of the Puli vs Flat-Coated Retriever.
  • Labrador Retriever (79 percent match with Shiloh Shepherd). Here is our comparison of the Puli vs Labrador Retriever.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Puli Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Puli versus Irish Setter     Puli versus Australian Shepherd     Puli versus Cockalier     Puli versus Mountain Cur     Puli versus Cockalier     Puli versus Great Pyrenees     Puli versus Glen of Imaal Terrier     Puli versus German Wirehaired Pointer     Puli versus Goldador     Puli versus Belgian Sheepdog     Puli versus Lancashire Heeler     Puli versus Korean Jindo Dog     Puli versus American Pit Bull Terrier     Puli versus Borzoi     Puli versus German Longhaired Pointer     Puli versus Bich Poo     Puli versus Doberman Pinscher     Puli versus Whoodle     Puli versus Kuvasz     Puli versus Sussex Spaniel     Puli versus German Pinscher     Puli versus Norwegian Lundehund     Puli versus Standard Poodle     Puli versus Akita Chow     Puli versus Bichon Frise     

    Shiloh Shepherd Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Shiloh Shepherd versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog     Shiloh Shepherd versus Pomapoo     Shiloh Shepherd versus Treeing Walker Coonhound     Shiloh Shepherd versus Lhasapoo     Shiloh Shepherd versus Pyrenean Mastiff     Shiloh Shepherd versus Karelian Bear Dog     Shiloh Shepherd versus Kai Ken     Shiloh Shepherd versus Lancashire Heeler     Shiloh Shepherd versus Sloughi     Shiloh Shepherd versus American Pit Bull Terrier     Shiloh Shepherd versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi     Shiloh Shepherd versus Yorkshire Terrier     Shiloh Shepherd versus Bernedoodle     Shiloh Shepherd versus American Staffordshire Terrier     Shiloh Shepherd versus Shichon     Shiloh Shepherd versus Glen of Imaal Terrier     Shiloh Shepherd versus Yorkipoo     Shiloh Shepherd versus Dalmatian     Shiloh Shepherd versus Pharaoh Hound     Shiloh Shepherd versus Pyrenean Mastiff     Shiloh Shepherd versus Bedlington Terrier     Shiloh Shepherd versus German Longhaired Pointer     Shiloh Shepherd versus Pug     Shiloh Shepherd versus Kooikerhondje     Shiloh Shepherd versus Finnish Spitz     

    Conclusion: Puli versus Shiloh Shepherd. 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 Puli and the Shiloh Shepherd better suits you and your family.