Which is Better between the Puli and the Sloughi? A Very Detailed Review.

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Puli Versus Sloughi: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Puli and the Sloughi 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 Sloughi. 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 Sloughi.

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 Sloughi.

Puli versus Sloughi: Overview

A very important difference between the Puli and the Sloughi is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Puli is a medium-sized dog while the Sloughi is a large-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 Sloughi belongs to the Hound Dogs group. Hound Dogs were bred to pursue and hunt warm-blooded animals. Hounds hunt by using their good sight or their good sense of smell. Dogs that belong to the Hound Group have strong prey drives and often will stop at nothing to catch what they are pursuing.

Puli versus Sloughi: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Puli to the Sloughi 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 Sloughi

Factor Puli Sloughi
Good For Novice Owners 1/5 2/5
Does NOT Shed 5/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 1/5 5/5
Life Span 10 to 15 years 12 to 16 years
Height 16 to 17 inches tall at the shoulder 24 to 29 inches tall at the shoulder
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 3/5
Easy To Train 2/5 3/5
Weight 25 to 35 pounds 40 to 63 pounds
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 3/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 3/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 4/5 4/5
Easygoing 2/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 2/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 1/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 4/5
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 1/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 1/5 3/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 3/5
Average Lifespan 12.5 years 14.0 years
Average Price $2250 No Data
Price Range $1875 – $2750 No Data
Temperament Score 92.3 percent 100.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Congenital Deafness
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Exam by a veterinarian with Board certification by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine, Specialty of Cardiology
  • DNA Repository
  • Eye Examination by a board certified ACVO Ophthalmologist- minimum age 12 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 150 189

    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 Sloughi. 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 Sloughi is 79 out of 125.

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

    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 Sloughi so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Puli and the Sloughi

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

  • Pulis require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom. However, Sloughis are very easy to groom.
  • The Similarities Between the Puli and the Sloughi

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

  • Both the Puli and the Sloughi are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the Puli and the Sloughi do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Puli and the Sloughi do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Puli and the Sloughi are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Puli and the Sloughi are not easy to train.
  • Both the Puli and the Sloughi adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Puli and the Sloughi 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 Sloughi are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Puli and the Sloughi have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Puli and the Sloughi are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Puli and the Sloughi get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Puli and the Sloughi get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Puli and the Sloughi have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Puli and the Sloughi require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Puli versus Sloughi

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

    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, Sloughis weigh 40 to 63 pounds when fully grown. Sloughis are 24 to 29 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Puli versus Sloughi

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

    The lifespan of Sloughis is between 12 to 16 years. The average lifespan of Sloughis is 14.0 years.

    Sloughis live longer than Pulis.

    Temperament of the Puli Versus the Sloughi

    The Sloughi has a better temperament than the Puli.

    This is because the temperament score for the Sloughi is 100.0 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 92.3 percent, the Puli has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 100.0 percent, the Sloughi has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Puli and the Sloughi by measuring the temperaments of 26 Pulis and 3 Sloughis.

    The Popularity of Puli versus Popularity of Sloughi

    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 Puli and the Sloughi over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Puli is more popular with dog owners than the Sloughi. 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 Sloughi is 189 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Puli

    Popularity of Puli

    Popularity of Sloughi

    Popularity of Sloughi

    Year Puli Popularity Rank Sloughi Popularity Rank
    2013 136 no data
    2014 151 no data
    2015 154 no data
    2016 159 185.0
    2017 142 188.0
    2018 160 192.0
    2019 160 191.0
    2020 143 189.0

    Health Problems of Puli versus Health Problems of Sloughi

    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 Sloughi 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 Sloughi.

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

    7 health tests are recommended for Puli while 6 tests are recommended for the Sloughi.

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

    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.

    Sloughi Health Problems

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

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Exam by a veterinarian with Board certification by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine, Specialty of Cardiology
  • DNA Repository
  • Eye Examination by a board certified ACVO Ophthalmologist- minimum age 12 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Sloughis here.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Puli versus Sloughi

    Pulis do not like to be left alone.

    Sloughis can be left alone only for a short time.

    Do Pulis shed more than Sloughis?

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

    Sloughis shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Puli or the Sloughi

    Pulis do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Sloughis do have a very low tendency to drool.

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

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

    Sloughis are very easy to groom.

    Does the Puli Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Sloughi?

    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.

    Sloughis 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 Pulis Bark and Howl? What about Sloughis?

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

    Sloughis are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

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

    Pulis can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Sloughis cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Wanderlust Potential: Puli vs. Sloughi

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

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

    Can Pulis Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Sloughis Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

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

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

    Pulis get along very well with other dogs.

    Sloughis get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Pulis good family dogs? What about Sloughis?

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

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

    How Kid-friendly are Pulis and Sloughis?

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

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

    Is the Puli Easier to Train than the Sloughi?

    Pulis are not easy to train.

    Sloughis are fairly easy to train.

    Is the Puli Better for Apartment Owners than the Sloughi?

    Pulis adapt very well to apartment living.

    Sloughis adapt very well to apartment living.

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

    Pulis are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

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

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

  • Bracco Italiano (78 percent match with Sloughi). Here is our comparison of the Puli vs Bracco Italiano.
  • Ibizan Hound (79 percent match with Sloughi). Here is our comparison of the Puli vs Ibizan Hound.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Puli Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Puli versus Maremma Sheepdog     Puli versus Sloughi     Puli versus Japanese Chin     Puli versus Chi-Poo     Puli versus Rhodesian Ridgeback     Puli versus Japanese Chin     Puli versus Silky Terrier     Puli versus Afghan Hound     Puli versus Spinone Italiano     Puli versus Sheepadoodle     Puli versus Pomchi     Puli versus Dalmatian     Puli versus Azawakh     Puli versus Central Asian Shepherd Dog     Puli versus Irish Wolfhound     Puli versus Kuvasz     Puli versus Briard     Puli versus Australian Cattle Dog     Puli versus Vizsla     Puli versus Pomchi     Puli versus Beagle     Puli versus Samoyed     Puli versus Carolina Dog     Puli versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog     Puli versus Manchester Terrier     

    Sloughi Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Sloughi versus Golden Cocker Retriever     Sloughi versus Bich Poo     Sloughi versus Miniature Poodle     Sloughi versus Keeshond     Sloughi versus French Bulldog     Sloughi versus Mudi     Sloughi versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel     Sloughi versus Bordoodle     Sloughi versus Pharaoh Hound     Sloughi versus Kai Ken     Sloughi versus Boxerdoodle     Sloughi versus Biewer Terrier     Sloughi versus Border Collie     Sloughi versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel     Sloughi versus Yorkshire Terrier     Sloughi versus Newfoundland     Sloughi versus Curly-Coated Retriever     Sloughi versus Lancashire Heeler     Sloughi versus Black and Tan Coonhound     Sloughi versus Peek A Poo     Sloughi versus Boston Terrier     Sloughi versus Tibetan Spaniel     Sloughi versus Basset Hound     Sloughi versus Morkie     Sloughi versus Kai Ken     

    Conclusion: Puli versus Sloughi. 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 Sloughi better suits you and your family.