Is the Puli or the Spanish Water Dog better for families with children?

Both the Puli and the Spanish Water Dog are considered good with children when properly socialized and supervised.

Which sheds more, the Puli or the Spanish Water Dog?

The Puli and Spanish Water Dog shed a similar amount (very low).

Which is easier to train, the Puli or the Spanish Water Dog?

Both breeds have comparable trainability. Consistency and positive reinforcement work well for each.

Is Puli or Spanish Water Dog bigger?

Puli and Spanish Water Dog are a similar size (Medium).

Which barks more, Puli or Spanish Water Dog?

Puli tends to be the more vocal of the two, so Spanish Water Dog is the quieter choice.

Which is better for apartment living, Puli or Spanish Water Dog?

For apartment or apartment living, Puli and Spanish Water Dog are an even match — either can work well.

Puli vs Spanish Water Dog: Which Needs Less Grooming?

Puli vs Spanish Water Dog: full comparison

Trait	Puli	Spanish Water Dog
Size	Medium	Medium
Energy level	High	Very High
Trainability	High	High
Friendliness	Medium	Medium
Good with children	Medium	Medium
Grooming needs	Very High	High
Shedding	Very Low	Very Low
Barking	High	Medium
Protectiveness	High	High
Adaptability	Medium	Medium
Typical lifespan	13 years	12 years
Hypoallergenic	Yes	Yes

Size and living space

The Puli is a moderately built dog that adapts to an average home, with a little outdoor space preferred. By comparison, the Spanish Water Dog is a moderately built dog that adapts to an average home, with a little outdoor space preferred. Because they are a similar size, neither has a clear space advantage — both will suit the same kind of home.

Exercise and energy needs

The Puli needs a good deal of daily exercise — long walks, running or vigorous play. The Spanish Water Dog is a true athlete that needs intense daily exercise and a job to do, or it will get restless. If you have a busy schedule, the lower-energy of the two will be easier to keep satisfied; if you are active and want a dog to keep up, the higher-energy breed is the better match.

Grooming and shedding

The Puli is a serious grooming commitment, with daily brushing and regular salon visits and barely sheds, keeping your home and clothes clean. The Spanish Water Dog requires frequent brushing and regular professional trims and barely sheds, keeping your home and clothes clean. Both are considered hypoallergenic, so either works well for allergy-conscious homes. If low upkeep matters to you, factor this in — the difference adds up over a dog's lifetime.

Temperament, training and family life

The Puli is quick to learn and a pleasure to train, barks fairly often, especially to alert you and usually does well with children given socialization and supervision. The Spanish Water Dog is quick to learn and a pleasure to train, gives voice moderately, typically when something warrants it and usually does well with children given socialization and supervision. On guarding instinct, Puli keeps a watchful eye and is protective of home and family, whereas Spanish Water Dog keeps a watchful eye and is protective of home and family.

Which is better for…

For apartment or apartment living, Puli and Spanish Water Dog are an even match — either can work well.
For families with young children, Puli and Spanish Water Dog are an even match — either can work well.
For first-time dog owners, Puli and Spanish Water Dog are an even match — either can work well.
For being left alone during the workday, Spanish Water Dog has the edge, coping better with independence and being quieter when unsupervised.
For allergy sufferers, Puli and Spanish Water Dog are an even match — either can work well.

Which should you choose?

Choose the Puli if you want a calmer, lower-energy companion or you want a longer-lived breed.

Choose the Spanish Water Dog if you want a more energetic partner for sport and adventure, you prefer lower grooming upkeep, or you prefer a quieter dog.

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Frequently asked questions

Is the Puli or the Spanish Water Dog better for families with children?: Both the Puli and the Spanish Water Dog are considered good with children when properly socialized and supervised.
Which sheds more, the Puli or the Spanish Water Dog?: The Puli and Spanish Water Dog shed a similar amount (very low).
Which is easier to train, the Puli or the Spanish Water Dog?: Both breeds have comparable trainability. Consistency and positive reinforcement work well for each.
Is Puli or Spanish Water Dog bigger?: Puli and Spanish Water Dog are a similar size (Medium).
Which barks more, Puli or Spanish Water Dog?: Puli tends to be the more vocal of the two, so Spanish Water Dog is the quieter choice.
Which is better for apartment living, Puli or Spanish Water Dog?: For apartment or apartment living, Puli and Spanish Water Dog are an even match — either can work well.

Puli vs Spanish Water Dog