Is the King Shepherd Better than the Pug as a Pet? Answer…

Quick Links: Table of Contents

King Shepherd Versus Pug: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the King Shepherd and the Pug? 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 King Shepherd 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 King Shepherd and the Pug.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the King Shepherd 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 King Shepherd 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 with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the King Shepherd 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 King Shepherd or the Pug.

King Shepherd versus Pug

King Shepherd versus Pug: Overview

A very important difference between the King Shepherd and the Pug is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The King Shepherd is a giant-sized dog while the Pug is a small-sized dog.

Furthermore, the King Shepherd belongs to the Hybrid Dogs group. Hybrid Dogs are the offspring of 2 or more known, but different, dog breeds.

On the other hand, the Pug belongs to the Companion Dogs group. Companion Dogs 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.

King Shepherd versus Pug: Comparison Table

The table below compares the King Shepherd 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.

Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the King Shepherd and the Pug

Factor King Shepherd Pug
Life Span 10 to 11 years 12 to 15 years
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 5/5
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 1/5
Low Prey Drive 4/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 4/5
Height 25 to 31 inches 10 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder
General Health 3/5 1/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 3/5 3/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 2/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 4/5 5/5
Easygoing 2/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 1/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 1/5
Does NOT Drool 2/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 1/5
Easy To Train 4/5 3/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 3/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 5/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 5/5 2/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 4/5
Intelligence 5/5 2/5
Weight 75 to 150 pounds 14 to 18 pounds
Average Lifespan 10.5 years 13.5 years
Average Price $1560 $1620
Price Range $700 – $2500 $1200 – $1875
Temperament Score 100.0 percent 91.7 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • 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
  • Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the King Shepherd 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 the King Shepherd is 84 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Pug is 80 out of 125.

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

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

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the King Shepherd and the Pug

    Below is a list of where the King Shepherd and the Pug are most different:

  • King Shepherds are not the best dogs for new dog owners. However, Pugs are good for new dog owners.
  • King Shepherds can tolerate hot weather. However, Pugs cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
  • King Shepherds have a very high tendency to drool. However, Pugs do not have the tendency to drool.
  • King Shepherds can tolerate cold weather. However, Pugs cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
  • King Shepherds are highly intelligent. However, Pugs not very intelligent.
  • The Similarities Between the King Shepherd and the Pug

    The King Shepherd and the Pug are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the King Shepherd and the Pug are most similar:

  • Both the King Shepherd and the Pug do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the King Shepherd and the Pug have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
  • Both the King Shepherd and the Pug are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the King Shepherd and the Pug adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the King Shepherd and the Pug are easily disturbed by noise in their environments. They are sensitive to human tone. They will understand the tone of your voice when you try to correct their behaviors with a firm tone.
  • Both the King Shepherd and the Pug are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the King Shepherd and the Pug get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the King Shepherd and the Pug are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the King Shepherd and the Pug shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the King Shepherd and the Pug are very easy to groom.
  • Both the King Shepherd and the Pug gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the King Shepherd and the Pug are very easy to train.
  • Both the King Shepherd and the Pug require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the King Shepherd and the Pug are very playful.
  • Both the King Shepherd and the Pug get along well with other dogs.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of King Shepherd versus Pug

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the King Shepherd and the Pug.

    King Shepherds weigh 75 to 150 pounds when fully grown. King Shepherds are 25 to 31 inches 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.

    Lifespan of King Shepherd versus Pug

    The lifespan of King Shepherds is between 10 to 11 years . The average lifespan of King Shepherds is 10.5 years.

    The lifespan of Pugs is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Pugs is 13.5 years.

    Pugs live longer than King Shepherds.

    Temperament of the Pug Versus the King Shepherd

    The King Shepherd has a better temperament than the Pug.

    This is because the temperament score for the King Shepherd is 100.0 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 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 100.0 percent, the King Shepherd 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 King Shepherd and the Pug by measuring the temperaments of 1 King Shepherds and 48 Pugs.

    Price of King Shepherd versus Price of Pug

    The average price of the King Shepherd puppy is $1560. The price of the King Shepherd typically ranges from $700 – $2500. However, the price of a King Shepherd can be as low as $150 and as high as $3000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 34 King Shepherd 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 the 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 Pug is more expensive than the King Shepherd.

    King Shepherd Pug
    Average Price $1560 $1620
    Price Range $700 to $2500 $1200 to $1875

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

    A breakdown of the prices of King Shepherds. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of King Shepherds. 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 King Shepherd 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 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.

    Tolerates Being Alone: King Shepherd versus Pug

    King Shepherds do not like to be left alone.

    Pugs do not like to be left alone.

    Do King Shepherds shed more than Pugs?

    King Shepherds shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

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

    Which one drools more, the King Shepherd or the Pug

    King Shepherds have a very high tendency to drool.

    Pugs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the King Shepherd or the Pug?

    King Shepherds are very easy to groom.

    Pugs are very easy to groom.

    Does the King Shepherd Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Pug?

    King Shepherds 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.

    Do King Shepherds Bark and Howl? What about Pugs?

    King Shepherds 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 King Shepherds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Pugs Tolerate Cold Weather?

    King Shepherds can very well tolerate cold weather.

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

    Wanderlust Potential: King Shepherd vs. Pug

    King Shepherds 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.

    Can King Shepherds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Pugs Tolerate Hot Weather?

    King Shepherds can tolerate hot weather.

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

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the King Shepherd or the Pug?

    King Shepherds get along very well with other dogs.

    Pugs get along very well with other dogs.

    Are King Shepherds good family dogs? What about Pugs?

    King Shepherds 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 King Shepherds and Pugs?

    King Shepherds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Is the King Shepherd Easier to Train than the Pug?

    King Shepherds are very easy to train.

    Pugs are fairly easy to train.

    Is the King Shepherd Better for Apartment Owners than the Pug?

    King Shepherds adapt very well to apartment living.

    Pugs adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the King Shepherd or the Pug?

    King Shepherds are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Pugs are very good for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the King Shepherd

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

  • Chinook (75 percent match with King Shepherd). Here is our comparison of the Pug vs Chinook.
  • Shiloh Shepherd (75 percent match with King Shepherd). Here is our comparison of the Pug vs Shiloh Shepherd.
  • 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 King Shepherd vs Boxer.
  • English Toy Spaniel (73 percent match with Pug). Here is our comparison of the King Shepherd vs English Toy Spaniel.
  • French Bulldog (83 percent match with Pug). Here is our comparison of the King Shepherd vs French Bulldog.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    King Shepherd Versus Other Dog Breeds

    King Shepherd versus Beagle     King Shepherd versus Cocker Spaniel     King Shepherd versus Saint Berdoodle     King Shepherd versus Irish Water Spaniel     King Shepherd versus Basenji     King Shepherd versus Lancashire Heeler     King Shepherd versus Cavachon     King Shepherd versus Chow Chow     King Shepherd versus Collie     King Shepherd versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel     King Shepherd versus Frenchton     King Shepherd versus Bull Terrier     King Shepherd versus Stabyhoun     King Shepherd versus Black Russian Terrier     King Shepherd versus Doberman Pinscher     King Shepherd versus Bull Terrier     King Shepherd versus Portuguese Water Dog     King Shepherd versus Bearded Collie     King Shepherd versus English Toy Spaniel     King Shepherd versus Sloughi     King Shepherd versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog     King Shepherd versus Saluki     King Shepherd versus Morkie     King Shepherd versus Carolina Dog     King Shepherd versus Shiranian     

    Pug Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Pug versus American Water Spaniel     Pug versus Rottweiler     Pug versus Patterdale Terrier     Pug versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog     Pug versus Labradoodle     Pug versus Basset Hound     Pug versus Jack Russell Terrier     Pug versus Airedale Terrier     Pug versus Saluki     Pug versus Miniature Schnauzer     Pug versus Newfoundland     Pug versus Finnish Lapphund     Pug versus Flat-Coated Retriever     Pug versus Brussels Griffon     Pug versus Curly-Coated Retriever     Pug versus Berger Picard     Pug versus Estrela Mountain Dog     Pug versus Swedish Vallhund     Pug versus Standard Schnauzer     Pug versus Afador     Pug versus Skye Terrier     Pug versus Cockapoo     Pug versus Cockalier     Pug versus Catahoula Leopard Dog     Pug versus Labradoodle     

    Conclusion: King Shepherd 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 King Shepherd and the Pug better suits you and your family.