Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Puli Versus Spinone Italiano: Introduction
- Puli versus Spinone Italiano: Overview
- Puli versus Spinone Italiano: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Puli and the Spinone Italiano
- The Similarities Between the Puli and the Spinone Italiano
- Size (Weight and Height) of Puli versus Spinone Italiano
- Lifespan of Puli versus Spinone Italiano
- Temperament of the Spinone Italiano Versus the Puli
- Price of Puli versus Price of Spinone Italiano
- The Popularity of Puli versus Popularity of Spinone Italiano
- Health Problems of Puli versus Health Problems of Spinone Italiano
- Tolerates Being Alone: Puli versus Spinone Italiano
- Do Pulis shed more than Spinone Italianos?
- Which one drools more, the Puli or the Spinone Italiano
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Puli or the Spinone Italiano?
- Does the Puli Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Spinone Italiano?
- Do Pulis Bark and Howl? What about Spinone Italianos?
- Can Pulis Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Spinone Italianos Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Puli vs. Spinone Italiano
- Can Pulis Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Spinone Italianos Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Puli or the Spinone Italiano?
- Are Pulis good family dogs? What about Spinone Italianos?
- How Kid-friendly are Pulis and Spinone Italianos?
- Is the Puli Easier to Train than the Spinone Italiano?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Puli
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Spinone Italiano
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Puli versus Spinone Italiano. Which One is a Better Pet?
Puli Versus Spinone Italiano: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Puli and the Spinone Italiano? 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 Spinone Italiano 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 Spinone Italiano.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Puli and the Spinone Italiano 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 Spinone Italiano. 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 Spinone Italiano.
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 Spinone Italiano.
Puli versus Spinone Italiano: Overview
A very important difference between the Puli and the Spinone Italiano is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Puli is a medium-sized dog while the Spinone Italiano 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 Spinone Italiano belongs to the Sporting Dogs group. Sporting Dogs were bred to help hunters catch and retrieve feathered game. Some sporting dog breeds such as Retrievers, which were built for swimming, were bred to hunt waterfowl in water. Whereas sporting dog breeds like setters, spaniels, and pointing breeds were bred to hunt quail, pheasant, and other game birds nest on grasslands. Many Sporting Group breeds have thick, water-repellent coats that protect them from harsh hunting conditions.
Puli versus Spinone Italiano: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Puli to the Spinone Italiano 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 Spinone Italiano
| Factor | Puli | Spinone Italiano |
|---|---|---|
| Good For Novice Owners | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Life Span | 10 to 15 years | 10 to 14 years |
| Height | 16 to 17 inches tall at the shoulder | 22 to 28 inches |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Train | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Weight | 25 to 35 pounds | 61 to 86 pounds |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Easygoing | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| 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 | 5/5 |
| General Health | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 12.5 years | 12.0 years |
| Average Price | $2250 | $1180 |
| Price Range | $1875 – $2750 | $1000 – $1000 |
| Temperament Score | 92.3 percent | 50.0 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 150 | 112 |
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 Spinone Italiano. 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 Spinone Italiano is 86 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Spinone Italiano is a better pet than the Puli. So, you should get the Spinone Italiano!
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 Spinone Italiano so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Puli and the Spinone Italiano
Below is a list of where the Puli and the Spinone Italiano are most different:
The Similarities Between the Puli and the Spinone Italiano
The Puli and the Spinone Italiano are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Puli and the Spinone Italiano are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Puli versus Spinone Italiano
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Puli and the Spinone Italiano.
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, Spinone Italianos weigh 61 to 86 pounds when fully grown. Spinone Italianos are 22 to 28 inches when fully grown.
Lifespan of Puli versus Spinone Italiano
The lifespan of Pulis is between 10 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Pulis is 12.5 years.
The lifespan of Spinone Italianos is between 10 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Spinone Italianos is 12.0 years.
Pulis live longer than Spinone Italianos.
Temperament of the Spinone Italiano Versus the Puli
The Puli has a better temperament than the Spinone Italiano.
This is because the temperament score for the Puli is 92.3 percent while the temperament score for the Spinone Italiano is 50.0 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).
The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.
Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and are protective of their owners.
The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.
With its temperament score of 92.3 percent, the Puli has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
With its temperament score of 50.0 percent, the Spinone Italiano has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Puli and the Spinone Italiano by measuring the temperaments of 26 Pulis and 6 Spinone Italianos.
Price of Puli versus Price of Spinone Italiano
The average price of the Puli puppy is $2250. The price of the Puli typically ranges from $1875 – $2750. However, the price of a Puli can be as low as $1250 and as high as $3000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 3 Puli puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The average price of the Spinone Italiano puppy is $1180. The price of the Spinone Italiano typically ranges from $1000 – $1000. However, the price of the Spinone Italiano can be as low as $1000 and as high as $3000. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 30 Spinone Italiano puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Puli is more expensive than the Spinone Italiano.
| Puli | Spinone Italiano | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $2250 | $1180 |
| Price Range | $1875 to $2750 | $1000 to $1000 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Puli and Spinone Italiano. For different price points, the charts show how many Puli puppies or how many Spinone Italiano puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of Pulis. The typical price range is shaded Green.
A breakdown of the prices of Spinone Italianos
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Puli puppy or the Spinone Italiano 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 Popularity of Puli versus Popularity of Spinone Italiano
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 Spinone Italiano over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Spinone Italiano is more popular with dog owners than the Puli. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Spinone Italiano is 112 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Puli is 150 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Puli
Popularity of Spinone Italiano
| Year | Puli Popularity Rank | Spinone Italiano Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 136 | 117 |
| 2014 | 151 | 118 |
| 2015 | 154 | 112 |
| 2016 | 159 | 105 |
| 2017 | 142 | 111 |
| 2018 | 160 | 109 |
| 2019 | 160 | 116 |
| 2020 | 143 | 110 |
Health Problems of Puli versus Health Problems of Spinone Italiano
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 Spinone Italiano 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 Spinone Italiano.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Puli than for the Spinone Italiano.
7 health tests are recommended for Puli while 5 tests are recommended for the Spinone Italiano.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Pulis and in Spinone Italianos.
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:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Pulis here.
Spinone Italiano Health Problems
Spinone Italianos are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Spinone Italiano 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 Spinone Italiano puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Spinone Italiano 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 Spinone Italianos for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Spinone Italianos here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in Pulis and Spinone Italianos
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:
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 Spinone Italiano Breed is Shoulder problems.
This is because the Spinone Italiano ranks 5 out of 22 dog breeds for Shoulder problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 50 Spinone Italianos, 2 of them had Shoulder problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Spinone Italianos, and how common these diseases are in Spinone Italianos relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
The table below lists the common health problems in Puli and in Spinone Italiano and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Puli and the Spinone Italiano:
| Disease | Puli Rank | Spinone Italiano Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Degenerative Myelopathy problems | 37 out of 70 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Patella problems | 39 out of 145 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Elbow problems | 70 out of 144 dog breeds | 61 out of 144 dog breeds |
| Hips problems | 115 out of 198 dog breeds | 77 out of 198 dog breeds |
| Eyes problems | 144 out of 182 dog breeds | 164 out of 182 dog breeds |
| Shoulder problems | Not Common | 5 out of 22 dog breeds |
| Thyroid problems | Not Common | 16 out of 115 dog breeds |
| Congenital Cardiac problems | Not Common | 20 out of 159 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 Spinone Italiano
Pulis do not like to be left alone.
Spinone Italianos do not like to be left alone.
Do Pulis shed more than Spinone Italianos?
Pulis do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Spinone Italianos shed moderately.
Which one drools more, the Puli or the Spinone Italiano
Pulis do have a very low tendency to drool.
Spinone Italianos have a very high tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Puli or the Spinone Italiano?
Pulis require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Spinone Italianos require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Does the Puli Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Spinone Italiano?
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.
Spinone Italianos 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 Spinone Italianos?
Pulis are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Spinone Italianos are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Can Pulis Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Spinone Italianos Tolerate Cold Weather?
Pulis can very well tolerate cold weather.
Spinone Italianos can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Puli vs. Spinone Italiano
Pulis have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Spinone Italianos do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Can Pulis Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Spinone Italianos Tolerate Hot Weather?
Pulis can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Spinone Italianos can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Puli or the Spinone Italiano?
Pulis get along very well with other dogs.
Spinone Italianos get along very well with other dogs.
Are Pulis good family dogs? What about Spinone Italianos?
Pulis are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Spinone Italianos are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are Pulis and Spinone Italianos?
Pulis get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Spinone Italianos get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Is the Puli Easier to Train than the Spinone Italiano?
Pulis are not easy to train.
Spinone Italianos are very easy to train.
Is the Puli Better for Apartment Owners than the Spinone Italiano?
Pulis adapt very well to apartment living.
Spinone Italianos adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Puli or the Spinone Italiano?
Pulis are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Spinone Italianos are very good 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:
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Spinone Italiano
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Spinone Italiano 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 Spinone Italiano:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Puli and how the Spinone Italiano compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Puli and of the Spinone Italiano to other breeds:
Puli Versus Other Dog Breeds
Puli versus Whoodle Puli versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier Puli versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Puli versus Saluki Puli versus English Cocker Spaniel Puli versus Great Pyrenees Puli versus Stabyhoun Puli versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde Puli versus Canaan Dog Puli versus Chinese Shar-Pei Puli versus French Spaniel Puli versus Bulldog Puli versus Great Pyrenees Puli versus Dogue de Bordeaux Puli versus Welsh Springer Spaniel Puli versus Shiba Inu Puli versus Bedlington Terrier Puli versus Mountain Cur Puli versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever Puli versus Kai Ken Puli versus Border Terrier Puli versus American Foxhound Puli versus French Bulldog Puli versus French Bulldog Puli versus Canaan Dog
Spinone Italiano Versus Other Dog Breeds
Spinone Italiano versus Mountain Cur Spinone Italiano versus Kishu Ken Spinone Italiano versus West Highland White Terrier Spinone Italiano versus Mastiff Spinone Italiano versus Silky Terrier Spinone Italiano versus Black Russian Terrier Spinone Italiano versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Spinone Italiano versus Border Collie Spinone Italiano versus Harrier Spinone Italiano versus Barbet Spinone Italiano versus Shichon Spinone Italiano versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Spinone Italiano versus Kishu Ken Spinone Italiano versus Alaskan Klee Kai Spinone Italiano versus Bergamasco Sheepdog Spinone Italiano versus Gordon Setter Spinone Italiano versus Beaglier Spinone Italiano versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi Spinone Italiano versus Berger Picard Spinone Italiano versus Akita Chow Spinone Italiano versus Yorkshire Terrier Spinone Italiano versus Cane Corso Spinone Italiano versus Jack Russell Terrier Spinone Italiano versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Spinone Italiano versus Patterdale Terrier
Conclusion: Puli versus Spinone Italiano. 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 Spinone Italiano better suits you and your family.