Temperament and care ratings
The American Kennel Club rates every breed from 1 to 5 on the traits below. They describe how the breed tends to be, not a promise about one dog.
Coat: Corded coat, long.
A Puli suits
- A home that changes often, or apartment life (adaptability 4 of 5)
- A first-time owner who wants an eager learner (trainability 5 of 5)
- People who hate dog hair on the sofa (shedding 1 of 5)
- Anyone who wants a natural watchdog (protective nature 5 of 5)
Think twice if
- You can't offer daily training or puzzle games (mental stimulation needs 5 of 5)
- You don't want regular grooming: coat care is 5 of 5
What the ratings mean day to day
An energy score of 3 and mental stimulation needs of 5 mean a good daily walk and some play. With barking at 3 of 5 and a watchdog score of 5, expect some barking at the door. Grooming at 5 of 5 means brushing several times a week or regular professional grooming.
Popularity
In 2020 it ranked 143.
Breeds with a similar profile
Closest matches across all 14 trait ratings:
Polish Lowland SheepdogKidsEnergyShedding
Compare: Puli vs Polish Lowland Sheepdog · Puli vs Komondor · Puli vs Standard Schnauzer
Frequently asked questions
Are Pulis good with kids?
The AKC rates the Puli 3 out of 5 for being good with young children. Supervise early meetings and teach kids how to handle a dog.
Do Pulis shed a lot?
Shedding is rated 1 out of 5 (very low), and coat grooming 5 out of 5.
Are Pulis easy to train?
Trainability is rated 5 out of 5 and mental stimulation needs 5 out of 5.
How much energy does a Puli have?
Energy is rated 3 out of 5 and playfulness 3 out of 5.
Ratings: American Kennel Club breed pages, compiled February 2022 (AKC Puli page). 2025 ranking: AKC, published August 2026. How we check.