Quick Links: Table of Contents
- French Bulldog Versus Pug: Introduction
- French Bulldog versus Pug: Overview
- French Bulldog versus Pug: Comparison Table
- The Similarities Between the French Bulldog and the Pug
- Size (Weight and Height) of French Bulldog versus Pug
- Temperament of the French Bulldog Versus the Pug
- Price of French Bulldog versus Price of Pug
- Adopting the French Bulldog versus Adopting the Pug
- The Intelligence of the French Bulldog versus the Intelligence of the Pug
- The Popularity of French Bulldog versus Popularity of Pug
- Health Problems of French Bulldog versus Health Problems of Pug
- Tolerates Being Alone: French Bulldog versus Pug
- Can French Bulldogs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Pugs Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which one drools more, the French Bulldog or the Pug
- Can French Bulldogs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Pugs Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Does the French Bulldog Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Pug?
- Wanderlust Potential: French Bulldog vs. Pug
- Do French Bulldogs shed more than Pugs?
- Do French Bulldogs Bark and Howl? What about Pugs?
- How Kid-friendly are French Bulldogs and Pugs?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the French Bulldog or the Pug?
- Is the French Bulldog Easier to Train than the Pug?
- Are French Bulldogs good family dogs? What about Pugs?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the French Bulldog or the Pug?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the French Bulldog
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Pug
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: French Bulldog versus Pug. Which One is a Better Pet?
French Bulldog Versus Pug: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the French Bulldog 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 French Bulldog 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 French Bulldog and the Pug.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the French Bulldog 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 French Bulldog 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 French Bulldog 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 French Bulldog or the Pug
French Bulldog versus Pug: Overview
Both the French Bulldog and the Pug are similar in size. The French Bulldog and the Pug are both small-sized dogs.
Furthermore, both the French Bulldog and the Pug are Companion Dogs. This means both the French Bulldog 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.
French Bulldog versus Pug: Comparison Table
The table below compares the French Bulldog 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 | French Bulldog | Pug |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Height | 11 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder | 10 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Life Span | 11 to 14 years | 12 to 15 years |
| Weight | 16 to 28 pounds | 14 to 18 pounds |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| General Health | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Easygoing | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Intelligence | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Easy To Train | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 12.5 years | 13.5 years |
| Average Price | $4610 | $1620 |
| Price Range | $3100 – $5000 | $1200 – $1875 |
| Temperament Score | 96.2 percent | 91.7 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
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| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 5 | 31 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 58 | 57 |
*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 French Bulldog 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 French Bulldog is 86 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Pug is 80 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the French Bulldog is a better pet than the Pug. So, you should get the French Bulldog!
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 French Bulldog and the Pug so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Similarities Between the French Bulldog and the Pug
The French Bulldog and the Pug are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the French Bulldog and the Pug are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of French Bulldog versus Pug
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the French Bulldog and the Pug.
French Bulldogs weigh 16 to 28 pounds when fully grown. French Bulldogs are 11 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.
Temperament of the French Bulldog Versus the Pug
The French Bulldog has a better temperament than the Pug.
This is because the temperament score for the French Bulldog is 96.2 percent while the temperament score for the Pug is 91.7 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 they 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 96.2 percent, the French Bulldog has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
With its temperament score of 91.7 percent, the Pug has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the French Bulldog and the Pug by measuring the temperaments of 52 French Bulldogs and 48 Pugs.
Price of French Bulldog versus Price of Pug
The average price of the French Bulldog puppy is $4610. The price of the French Bulldog typically ranges from $3100 – $5000. However, the price of a French Bulldog can be as low as $123 and as high as $40000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 2308 French Bulldog 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 French Bulldog is more expensive than the Pug.
| French Bulldog | Pug | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $4610 | $1620 |
| Price Range | $3100 to $5000 | $1200 to $1875 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the French Bulldog and Pug. For different price points, the charts show how many French Bulldog puppies or how many Pug puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of French Bulldogs. The typical price range is shaded Green.
A breakdown of the prices of Pugs
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the French Bulldog 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.
Adopting the French Bulldog versus Adopting the Pug
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many French Bulldogs 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 French Bulldog named Rafiki that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable French Bulldogs like Rafiki on pefinder.com.
Also, like French Bulldogs, Pugs are also available for adoption. For example, Frank is a Male Pug that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Pugs like Frank that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.
Floyd is the name of another French Bulldog (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.
Also Frankie, an adorable Male Pug on petfinder.com that you can adopt.
You can find more French Bulldogs and Pugs that are available for adoption on petfinder.
The Intelligence of the French Bulldog versus the Intelligence of the Pug
| French Bulldog | Pug | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 58 out of 130 dog breeds | 57 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 40 To 80 Repetitions! | Tend To Learn New Commands After 40 To 80 Repetitions! |
Professor Stanley Coren, the famous psychology/neuropsychological professor and, dog lover/trainer measured and ranked the intelligence of about 130 different dog breeds.
According to Prof. Stanley Coren, the total intelligence that a dog demonstrates is the addition of three types of intelligence. These intelligence types are:
Prof. Coren showed that the Working/Obedience Intelligence of different dog breeds can be measured reliably. Thus, he was able to rank different dog breeds based on their Working/Obedience Intelligence.
This is important because according to Prof. Coren, 51 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from its genes while 49 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from the dog`s environmental circumstances.
To rank the intelligence of dog breeds, Prof. Coren employed the help of 208 dog obedience judges in North America to fill out a detailed survey on dog obedience. This number represented more than half of all of these judges in North America at the time. He also employed 63 veterinarians and 14 guard dog experts to collect data on the personality of different dog breeds.
Prof. Coren found that the French Bulldog has an obedience intelligence rank of 58 out of 130 dog breeds. The French Bulldog belongs to the `Fair Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that French Bulldogs tend to learn new commands after 40 to 80 repetitions!.
The Pug has an obedience intelligence rank of 57 out of 130 dog breeds. The Pug belongs to the `Fair Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Pugs tend to learn new commands after 40 to 80 repetitions!.
The Pug is more intelligent than the French Bulldog.
However, Prof. Coren noted that a dog should not be judged based on its intelligence alone, that other factors such as sociability, adorability, and compatibility with the owner are other very important factors that new dog owners need to consider when deciding on a new dog.
The Popularity of French Bulldog 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 French Bulldog and the Pug over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the French Bulldog is more popular with dog owners than the Pug. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the French Bulldog is 5 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Pug is 31 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of French Bulldog
Popularity of Pug
| Year | French Bulldog Popularity Rank | Pug Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 11 | 31 |
| 2014 | 9 | 33 |
| 2015 | 6 | 33 |
| 2016 | 6 | 32 |
| 2017 | 4 | 31 |
| 2018 | 4 | 28 |
| 2019 | 4 | 31 |
| 2020 | 2 | 29 |
Health Problems of French Bulldog 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 French Bulldog 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 the same number of genetic health problems as the French Bulldog.
7 health tests are recommended for French Bulldog while 7 tests are recommended for the Pug.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in French Bulldogs and in Pugs.
French Bulldog Health Problems
French Bulldogs are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing French Bulldog 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 French Bulldog puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your French Bulldog 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 French Bulldogs for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for French Bulldogs 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:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Pugs here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in French Bulldogs 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 French Bulldog Breed is Chondrodystrophy (Cddy) problems.
This is because the French Bulldog ranks 1 out of 5 dog breeds for Chondrodystrophy (Cddy) problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 55 French Bulldogs, 33 of them had Chondrodystrophy (Cddy) problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in French Bulldogs, and how common these diseases are in French Bulldogs 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 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:
The table below lists the common health problems in French Bulldog and in Pug and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the French Bulldog and the Pug:
| Disease | French Bulldog Rank | Pug Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Chondrodystrophy (Cddy) problems | 1 out of 5 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Cystinuria problems | 2 out of 6 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Tracheal Hypoplasia problems | 3 out of 4 dog breeds | 1 out of 4 dog breeds |
| Canine Multifocal Retinopathy problems | 4 out of 6 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Dentition Database problems | 9 out of 49 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Legg-Calve-Perthes problems | 15 out of 40 dog breeds | 14 out of 40 dog breeds |
| Baer Hearing Test problems | 16 out of 21 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Hips problems | 22 out of 198 dog breeds | 1 out of 198 dog breeds |
| Patella problems | 25 out of 145 dog breeds | 32 out of 145 dog breeds |
| Degenerative Myelopathy problems | 34 out of 70 dog breeds | 14 out of 70 dog breeds |
| Elbow problems | 63 out of 144 dog breeds | 2 out of 144 dog breeds |
| Eyes problems | 77 out of 182 dog breeds | 60 out of 182 dog breeds |
| Thyroid problems | 107 out of 115 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Necrotizing Meningoencephalitis problems | Not Common | 1 out of 1 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: French Bulldog versus Pug
French Bulldogs do not like to be left alone.
Pugs do not like to be left alone.
Can French Bulldogs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Pugs Tolerate Hot Weather?
French Bulldogs cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Pugs cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Which one drools more, the French Bulldog or the Pug
French Bulldogs do have a very low tendency to drool.
Pugs do have a very low tendency to drool.
Can French Bulldogs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Pugs Tolerate Cold Weather?
French Bulldogs cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Pugs cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Does the French Bulldog Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Pug?
French Bulldogs 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.
Wanderlust Potential: French Bulldog vs. Pug
French Bulldogs do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Pugs do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Do French Bulldogs shed more than Pugs?
French Bulldogs shed moderately.
Pugs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Do French Bulldogs Bark and Howl? What about Pugs?
French Bulldogs bark and howl, but not very much.
Pugs are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
How Kid-friendly are French Bulldogs and Pugs?
French Bulldogs 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 French Bulldog or the Pug?
French Bulldogs get along very well with other dogs.
Pugs get along very well with other dogs.
Is the French Bulldog Easier to Train than the Pug?
French Bulldogs are very easy to train.
Pugs are fairly easy to train.
Is the French Bulldog Better for Apartment Owners than the Pug?
French Bulldogs adapt very well to apartment living.
Pugs adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the French Bulldog or the Pug?
French Bulldogs are very good for new dog owners.
Pugs are very good for new dog owners.
Are French Bulldogs good family dogs? What about Pugs?
French Bulldogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Pugs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Which is Easier to Groom, the French Bulldog or the Pug?
French Bulldogs are very easy to groom.
Pugs are very easy to groom.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the French Bulldog
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the French Bulldog 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 French Bulldog:
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:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the French Bulldog and how the Pug compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the French Bulldog and of the Pug to other breeds:
French Bulldog Versus Other Dog Breeds
French Bulldog versus American Pit Bull Terrier French Bulldog versus American Eskimo Dog French Bulldog versus Sloughi French Bulldog versus Bedlington Terrier French Bulldog versus Aussiedoodle French Bulldog versus Miniature Pinscher French Bulldog versus Kishu Ken French Bulldog versus Braque du Bourbonnais French Bulldog versus Great Pyrenees French Bulldog versus Canaan Dog
Pug Versus Other Dog Breeds
Pug versus American Hairless Terrier Pug versus Leonberger Pug versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog Pug versus Miniature Schnauzer Pug versus Mudi Pug versus King Shepherd Pug versus Bullmastiff Pug versus Kishu Ken Pug versus Mudi Pug versus Braque du Bourbonnais
Conclusion: French Bulldog 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 French Bulldog and the Pug better suits you and your family.