Differences and Similarities between the Kishu Ken and the Pug.

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Kishu Ken Versus Pug: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Kishu Ken 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 Kishu Ken 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 Kishu Ken 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 Kishu Ken or the Pug.

Kishu Ken versus Pug: Overview

A very important difference between the Kishu Ken and the Pug is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Kishu Ken is a medium-sized dog while the Pug is a small-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Kishu Ken belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.

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.

Kishu Ken versus Pug: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Kishu Ken 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 Kishu Ken and the Pug

Factor Kishu Ken Pug
Does NOT Bark or Howl 5/5 4/5
Height 17 to 22 inches 10 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 2/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 4/5
Does NOT Drool 4/5 5/5
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 4/5
Potential For Playfulness 2/5 5/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 3/5 5/5
Easygoing 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 1/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 1/5
Affectionate With Family 3/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 3/5 4/5
Easy To Groom 3/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 1/5
NOT Rambunctious 3/5 3/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 2/5
Weight 30 to 60 pounds 14 to 18 pounds
Does NOT Shed 2/5 1/5
General Health 4/5 1/5
Easy To Train 4/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 3/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 5/5 2/5
Intelligence 5/5 2/5
Life Span 9 to 13 years 12 to 15 years
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 13.5 years
Price Range No Data $1200 – $1875
Average Price No Data $1620
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 Kishu Ken 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 Kishu Ken is 79 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Pug is 80 out of 125.

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

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

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Kishu Ken and the Pug

    Below is a list of where the Kishu Ken and the Pug are most different:

  • Kishu Kens are not the best dogs for new dog owners. However, Pugs are good for new dog owners.
  • Kishu Kens not very playful. However, Pugs are very playful.
  • Kishu Kens 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.
  • Kishu Kens can tolerate cold weather. However, Pugs cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
  • Kishu Kens are highly intelligent. However, Pugs not very intelligent.
  • The Similarities Between the Kishu Ken and the Pug

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

  • Both the Kishu Ken and the Pug are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Kishu Ken and the Pug do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Kishu Ken and the Pug are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Kishu Ken and the Pug do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
  • Both the Kishu Ken and the Pug shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Kishu Ken and the Pug are very easy to train.
  • Both the Kishu Ken and the Pug have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Kishu Ken and the Pug require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Kishu Ken versus Pug

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Kishu Ken and the Pug.

    Kishu Kens weigh 30 to 60 pounds when fully grown. Kishu Kens are 17 to 22 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 Kishu Ken versus Pug

    The lifespan of Kishu Kens is between 9 to 13 years. The average lifespan of Kishu Kens is 11.0 years.

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

    Pugs live longer than Kishu Kens.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Kishu Ken versus Pug

    Kishu Kens can be left alone only for a short time.

    Pugs do not like to be left alone.

    Do Kishu Kens shed more than Pugs?

    Kishu Kens 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 Kishu Ken or the Pug

    Kishu Kens do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Pugs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Kishu Ken or the Pug?

    Kishu Kens are moderately easy to groom.

    Pugs are very easy to groom.

    Does the Kishu Ken Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Pug?

    Kishu Kens have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.

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

    Do Kishu Kens Bark and Howl? What about Pugs?

    Kishu Kens 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 Kishu Kens Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Pugs Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Kishu Kens can very well tolerate cold weather.

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

    Wanderlust Potential: Kishu Ken vs. Pug

    Kishu Kens 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.

    Can Kishu Kens Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Pugs Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Kishu Kens 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.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Kishu Ken or the Pug?

    Kishu Kens do not get along well with other dogs.

    Pugs get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Kishu Kens good family dogs? What about Pugs?

    Kishu Kens are good family dogs. They are affectionate with family.

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

    How Kid-friendly are Kishu Kens and Pugs?

    Kishu Kens get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Kishu Ken Easier to Train than the Pug?

    Kishu Kens are very easy to train.

    Pugs are fairly easy to train.

    Is the Kishu Ken Better for Apartment Owners than the Pug?

    Kishu Kens adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Pugs adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Kishu Ken or the Pug?

    Kishu Kens 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 Kishu Ken

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

  • Alaskan Klee Kai (76 percent match with Kishu Ken). Here is our comparison of the Pug vs Alaskan Klee Kai.
  • Dutch Shepherd (78 percent match with Kishu Ken). Here is our comparison of the Pug vs Dutch Shepherd.
  • Kai Ken (79 percent match with Kishu Ken). Here is our comparison of the Pug vs Kai Ken.
  • 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 Kishu Ken vs Boxer.
  • English Toy Spaniel (73 percent match with Pug). Here is our comparison of the Kishu Ken vs English Toy Spaniel.
  • French Bulldog (83 percent match with Pug). Here is our comparison of the Kishu Ken vs French Bulldog.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Kishu Ken Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Kishu Ken versus Peek A Poo     Kishu Ken versus Lagotto Romagnolo     Kishu Ken versus Irish Setter     Kishu Ken versus Black Mouth Cur     Kishu Ken versus Siberian Husky     Kishu Ken versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi     Kishu Ken versus Papipoo     Kishu Ken versus German Shepherd Dog     Kishu Ken versus Lowchen     Kishu Ken versus American Bulldog     Kishu Ken versus Hovawart     Kishu Ken versus Shih Tzu     Kishu Ken versus Bracco Italiano     Kishu Ken versus Affenpinscher     Kishu Ken versus Bedlington Terrier     Kishu Ken versus Shetland Sheepdog     Kishu Ken versus Akbash     Kishu Ken versus Cockalier     Kishu Ken versus Mountain Cur     Kishu Ken versus Valley Bulldog     Kishu Ken versus Doberman Pinscher     Kishu Ken versus Cockapoo     Kishu Ken versus Belgian Malinois     Kishu Ken versus Irish Setter     Kishu Ken versus Tibetan Spaniel     

    Pug Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Pug versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier     Pug versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog     Pug versus Affenhuahua     Pug versus Hovawart     Pug versus Rottweiler     Pug versus Newfoundland     Pug versus Field Spaniel     Pug versus Black Russian Terrier     Pug versus Borzoi     Pug versus Aussiedoodle     Pug versus Borzoi     Pug versus Papillon     Pug versus Carolina Dog     Pug versus Catahoula Bulldog     Pug versus Doberman Pinscher     Pug versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier     Pug versus Bolognese     Pug versus Dachshund     Pug versus Sussex Spaniel     Pug versus Collie     Pug versus Mastiff     Pug versus Cockalier     Pug versus Rhodesian Ridgeback     Pug versus Bernese Mountain Dog     Pug versus Spinone Italiano     

    Conclusion: Kishu Ken 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 Kishu Ken and the Pug better suits you and your family.