Which is Better between the Coton de Tulear and the Pug? A Very Detailed Review.

Coton de Tulear versus Pug

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Coton de Tulear Versus Pug: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Coton de Tulear and the Pug? Well, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will provide you a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Coton de Tulear and the Pug 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 Coton de Tulear and the Pug.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Coton de Tulear and the Pug 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 Coton de Tulear and for the Pug. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Coton de Tulear and the Pug.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Coton de Tulear or the Pug

Coton de Tulear versus Pug

Coton de Tulear versus Pug: Overview

A very important difference between the Coton de Tulear and the Pug is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Coton de Tulear is a tiny-sized dog while the Pug is a small-sized dog.

Furthermore, both the Coton de Tulear and the Pug are Companion Dogs. This means both the Coton de Tulear and the Pug were bred to be companions for humans. Their main goal in life is to be with people, and they will be very sad if left to themselves for long hours day after day.

Coton de Tulear versus Pug: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Coton de Tulear to the Pug 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.

Factor Coton de Tulear Pug
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 1/5
Does NOT Shed 5/5 1/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 5/5 3/5
Life Span 14 to 16 years 12 to 15 years
Easy To Groom 2/5 5/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 4/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 1/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 1/5
Easy To Train 3/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 3/5 3/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 3/5 3/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 5/5
Intelligence 4/5 2/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 5/5
Easygoing 1/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 5/5 4/5
General Health 5/5 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 5/5
Height 8 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder 10 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder
Weight 8 to 13 pounds 14 to 18 pounds
Average Lifespan 15.0 years 13.5 years
Average Price $2060 $1620
Price Range $1745 – $2500 $1200 – $1875
Temperament Score No Data 91.7 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Exam
  • Eye Examination
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- Pug Dog Club of America recommends ANNUAL screening.
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Pug Dog Encephalitis
  • Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency (PKD)
  • Serum Bile Acid Test
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 74 31

    *Data from dogtime.com, OFA.org (The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), petcalculator.com, wikipedia.org, ATTS.org (the American Temperament Test Society)

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Coton de Tulear 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 Pug. 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 a Coton de Tulear is 94 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Pug is 80 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Coton de Tulear is a better pet than the Pug. So, you should get the Coton de Tulear!

    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 Coton de Tulear and the Pug so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    Coton de Tulear versus Pug

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Coton de Tulear and the Pug

    Below is a list of where the Coton de Tulear and the Pug are most different:

  • Coton de Tulears do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies. However, Pugs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Coton de Tulears require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom. However, Pugs are very easy to groom.
  • Coton de Tulears are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds However, Pugs have the tendency to develop certain health problems.
  • The Similarities Between the Coton de Tulear and the Pug

    The Coton de Tulear and the Pug are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Coton de Tulear and the Pug are most similar:

  • Both the Coton de Tulear and the Pug do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Coton de Tulear and the Pug do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Coton de Tulear and the Pug are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Coton de Tulear and the Pug are good for new dog owners.
  • Both the Coton de Tulear and the Pug adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Coton de Tulear and the Pug are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Coton de Tulear and the Pug get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Coton de Tulear and the Pug get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Coton de Tulear and the Pug are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Coton de Tulear and the Pug are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Coton de Tulear versus Pug

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Coton de Tulear and the Pug.

    Coton de Tulears weigh 8 to 13 pounds when fully grown. Coton de Tulears are 8 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Pugs weigh 14 to 18 pounds when fully grown. Pugs are 10 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Price of Coton de Tulear versus Price of Pug

    The average price of the Coton de Tulear puppy is $2060. The price of the Coton de Tulear typically ranges from $1745 – $2500. However, the price of a Coton de Tulear can be as low as $1000 and as high as $3200. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 127 Coton de Tulear puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Pug puppy is $1620. The price of the Pug typically ranges from $1200 – $1875. However, the price of a Pug can be as low as $300 and as high as $6525. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 654 Pug puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Coton de Tulear is more expensive than the Pug.

    Coton de Tulear Pug
    Average Price $2060 $1620
    Price Range $1745 to $2500 $1200 to $1875

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Coton de Tulear and Pug. For different price points, the charts show how many Coton de Tulear puppies or how many Pug puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of Coton de Tulears. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Coton de Tulears. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Pugs

    A breakdown of the prices of Pugs

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Coton de Tulear puppy or the Pug 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 from 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 one of those puppy mills that mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.

    You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.

    Coton de Tulear versus Pug

    Adopting the Coton de Tulear versus Adopting the Pug

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Coton de Tulears and many Pugs are currently available for adoption.

    These adorable and cute dogs are waiting in dog shelters hoping that someday someone will rescue them. Furthermore, adoption costs are lesser than the cost of a new puppy. Dog adoption costs are usually around $300. In addition to your local dog shelter, a good place online to see dogs that are available for adoption is petfinder.com.

    Below is an adorable Male Coton de Tulear named Chef that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Coton de Tulears like Chef on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Coton de Tulears, Pugs are also available for adoption. For example, George is a Male Pug that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Pugs like George that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The Coton de Tulear and the Pug can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    Also Oliver, an adorable Male Pug on petfinder.com that you can adopt.

    You can find more Coton de Tulears and Pugs that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    Coton de Tulear versus Pug

    The Popularity of Coton de Tulear versus Popularity of Pug

    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 Coton de Tulear and the Pug over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Pug is more popular with dog owners than the Coton de Tulear. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Pug is 31 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Coton de Tulear is 74 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Coton de Tulear

    Popularity of Coton de Tulear

    Popularity of Pug

    Popularity of Pug

    Year Coton de Tulear Popularity Rank Pug Popularity Rank
    2014 31.0 33
    2015 85.0 33
    2016 80.0 32
    2017 81.0 31
    2018 81.0 28
    2019 81.0 31
    2020 80.0 29
    2013 no data 31

    Health Problems of Coton de Tulear versus Health Problems of Pug

    Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. Therefore, there is nothing like a perfect puppy.

    Both the Coton de Tulear and the Pug 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 Pug is prone to more genetic health problems than the Coton de Tulear.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Pug than for the Coton de Tulear.

    3 health tests are recommended for Coton de Tulear while 7 tests are recommended for the Pug.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Coton de Tulears and in Pugs.

    Coton de Tulear Health Problems

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

  • Cardiac Exam
  • Eye Examination
  • Patellar Luxation
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Coton de Tulears here.

    Pug Health Problems

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

  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- Pug Dog Club of America recommends ANNUAL screening.
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Pug Dog Encephalitis
  • Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency (PKD)
  • Serum Bile Acid Test
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Pugs here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Coton de Tulears and Pugs

    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 Coton de Tulear Breed is Chondrodysplasia (Cdpa) problems.

    This is because the Coton de Tulear ranks 1 out of 2 dog breeds for Chondrodysplasia (Cdpa) problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 51 Coton de Tulears, 47 of them had Chondrodysplasia (Cdpa) problems.

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

  • Chondrodysplasia (Cdpa) problems: Rank 1 out of 2 Dog Breeds
  • Chondrodystrophy (Cddy) problems: Rank 2 out of 5 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 36 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 61 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Congenital Cardiac problems: Rank 71 out of 159 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 103 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 121 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 168 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 Pug Breed is Hips problems.

    This is because the Pug ranks 1 out of 198 dog breeds for Hips problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 942 Pugs, 676 of them had Hips problems.

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

  • Hips problems: Rank 1 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Necrotizing Meningoencephalitis problems: Rank 1 out of 1 Dog Breeds
  • Tracheal Hypoplasia problems: Rank 1 out of 4 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 2 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Degenerative Myelopathy problems: Rank 14 out of 70 Dog Breeds
  • Legg-Calve-Perthes problems: Rank 14 out of 40 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 32 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 60 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in Coton de Tulear and in Pug and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Coton de Tulear and the Pug:

    Disease Coton de Tulear Rank Pug Rank
    Chondrodysplasia (Cdpa) problems 1 out of 2 dog breeds Not Common
    Chondrodystrophy (Cddy) problems 2 out of 5 dog breeds Not Common
    Patella problems 36 out of 145 dog breeds 32 out of 145 dog breeds
    Thyroid problems 61 out of 115 dog breeds Not Common
    Congenital Cardiac problems 71 out of 159 dog breeds Not Common
    Elbow problems 103 out of 144 dog breeds 2 out of 144 dog breeds
    Hips problems 121 out of 198 dog breeds 1 out of 198 dog breeds
    Eyes problems 168 out of 182 dog breeds 60 out of 182 dog breeds
    Necrotizing Meningoencephalitis problems Not Common 1 out of 1 dog breeds
    Tracheal Hypoplasia problems Not Common 1 out of 4 dog breeds
    Degenerative Myelopathy problems Not Common 14 out of 70 dog breeds
    Legg-Calve-Perthes problems Not Common 14 out of 40 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: Coton de Tulear versus Pug

    Coton de Tulears do not like to be left alone.

    Pugs do not like to be left alone.

    Do Coton de Tulears shed more than Pugs?

    Coton de Tulears do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Pugs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Coton de Tulear or the Pug

    Coton de Tulears do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Pugs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Does the Coton de Tulear Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Pug?

    Coton de Tulears 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.

    Pugs have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Coton de Tulear or the Pug?

    Coton de Tulears require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Pugs are very easy to groom.

    Do Coton de Tulears Bark and Howl? What about Pugs?

    Coton de Tulears are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

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

    Can Coton de Tulears Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Pugs Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Coton de Tulears can moderately tolerate cold weather.

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

    Can Coton de Tulears Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Pugs Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Coton de Tulears can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Pugs cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Is the Coton de Tulear Easier to Train than the Pug?

    Coton de Tulears are fairly easy to train.

    Pugs are fairly easy to train.

    Wanderlust Potential: Coton de Tulear vs. Pug

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

    Pugs do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Coton de Tulear or the Pug?

    Coton de Tulears are very good for new dog owners.

    Pugs are very good for new dog owners.

    Is the Coton de Tulear Better for Apartment Owners than the Pug?

    Coton de Tulears adapt very well to apartment living.

    Pugs adapt very well to apartment living.

    Are Coton de Tulears good family dogs? What about Pugs?

    Coton de Tulears are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

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

    How Kid-friendly are Coton de Tulears and Pugs?

    Coton de Tulears get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Coton de Tulear or the Pug?

    Coton de Tulears get along very well with other dogs.

    Pugs get along very well with other dogs.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Coton de Tulear

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Coton de Tulear 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 Coton de Tulear:

  • Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (78 percent match with Coton de Tulear). Here is our comparison of the Pug vs Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
  • Cavachon (78 percent match with Coton de Tulear). Here is our comparison of the Pug vs Cavachon.
  • Shichon (78 percent match with Coton de Tulear). Here is our comparison of the Pug vs Shichon.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Pug

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

  • Boxer (74 percent match with Pug). Here is our comparison of the Coton de Tulear vs Boxer.
  • English Toy Spaniel (73 percent match with Pug). Here is our comparison of the Coton de Tulear vs English Toy Spaniel.
  • French Bulldog (83 percent match with Pug). Here is our comparison of the Coton de Tulear vs French Bulldog.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Coton de Tulear and how the Pug compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Coton de Tulear and of the Pug to other breeds:

    Coton de Tulear Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Coton de Tulear versus Flat-Coated Retriever     Coton de Tulear versus Manchester Terrier     Coton de Tulear versus West Highland White Terrier     Coton de Tulear versus Catahoula Leopard Dog     Coton de Tulear versus Bouvier des Flandres     Coton de Tulear versus Irish Terrier     Coton de Tulear versus Australian Terrier     Coton de Tulear versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever     Coton de Tulear versus Chihuahua     Coton de Tulear versus German Longhaired Pointer     

    Pug Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Pug versus Pomapoo     Pug versus Collie     Pug versus Lhasapoo     Pug versus Maremma Sheepdog     Pug versus Mastiff     Pug versus Bull Terrier     Pug versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle     Pug versus Welsh Springer Spaniel     Pug versus Lowchen     Pug versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog     

    Conclusion: Coton de Tulear versus Pug. 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 Coton de Tulear and the Pug better suits you and your family.