Which is Better between the Kooikerhondje and the Pug? A Very Detailed Review.

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Kooikerhondje Versus Pug: Introduction

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

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

Kooikerhondje versus Pug

Kooikerhondje versus Pug: Overview

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

Furthermore, the Kooikerhondje belongs to the Sporting Dogs group. Sporting Dogs were bred to help hunters catch and retrieve feathered game. Some sporting dog breeds such as Retrievers, which were built for swimming, were bred to hunt waterfowl in water. Whereas sporting dog breeds like setters, spaniels, and pointing breeds were bred to hunt quail, pheasant, and other game birds nest on grasslands. Many Sporting Group breeds have thick, water-repellent coats that protect them from harsh hunting conditions.

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.

Kooikerhondje versus Pug: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Kooikerhondje 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 Kooikerhondje and the Pug

Factor Kooikerhondje Pug
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Easy To Train 1/5 3/5
Life Span 12 to 14 years 12 to 15 years
Height 14 to 16 inches tall at the shoulder 10 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 1/5
Kid-Friendly 2/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 2/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 4/5
Easy To Groom 2/5 5/5
Weight 20 to 25 pounds 14 to 18 pounds
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 5/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 1/5
Affectionate With Family 3/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 1/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 1/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 4/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 4/5 5/5
Easygoing 2/5 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 2/5
Intelligence 4/5 2/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 3/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 5/5
General Health 5/5 1/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 1/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 3/5
Average Lifespan 13.0 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 Kooikerhondje 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 Kooikerhondje is 70 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 Kooikerhondje. 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 Kooikerhondje and the Pug so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    Kooikerhondje versus Pug

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Kooikerhondje and the Pug

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

  • Kooikerhondjes require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom. However, Pugs are very easy to groom.
  • Kooikerhondjes 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 Kooikerhondje and the Pug

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

  • Both the Kooikerhondje and the Pug do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Kooikerhondje and the Pug do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Kooikerhondje and the Pug adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Kooikerhondje 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 Kooikerhondje and the Pug have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Kooikerhondje and the Pug are very playful.
  • Both the Kooikerhondje and the Pug do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Kooikerhondje versus Pug

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

    Kooikerhondjes weigh 20 to 25 pounds when fully grown. Kooikerhondjes are 14 to 16 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.

    Lifespan of Kooikerhondje versus Pug

    The lifespan of Kooikerhondjes is between 12 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Kooikerhondjes is 13.0 years.

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

    Pugs live longer than Kooikerhondjes.

    Kooikerhondje versus Pug
    Kooikerhondje versus Pug

    Tolerates Being Alone: Kooikerhondje versus Pug

    Kooikerhondjes do not like to be left alone.

    Pugs do not like to be left alone.

    Do Kooikerhondjes shed more than Pugs?

    Kooikerhondjes shed moderately.

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

    Which one drools more, the Kooikerhondje or the Pug

    Kooikerhondjes do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Pugs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Kooikerhondje or the Pug?

    Kooikerhondjes require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Pugs are very easy to groom.

    Does the Kooikerhondje Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Pug?

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

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

    Do Kooikerhondjes Bark and Howl? What about Pugs?

    Kooikerhondjes bark and howl, but not very much.

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

    Can Kooikerhondjes Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Pugs Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Kooikerhondjes can very well tolerate cold weather.

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

    Wanderlust Potential: Kooikerhondje vs. Pug

    Kooikerhondjes 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 Kooikerhondjes Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Pugs Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Kooikerhondjes 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 Kooikerhondje or the Pug?

    Kooikerhondjes do not get along well with other dogs.

    Pugs get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Kooikerhondjes good family dogs? What about Pugs?

    Kooikerhondjes are good family dogs. They are affectionate with family.

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

    How Kid-friendly are Kooikerhondjes and Pugs?

    Kooikerhondjes do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Kooikerhondje Easier to Train than the Pug?

    Kooikerhondjes are not easy to train.

    Pugs are fairly easy to train.

    Is the Kooikerhondje Better for Apartment Owners than the Pug?

    Kooikerhondjes adapt very well to apartment living.

    Pugs adapt very well to apartment living.

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

    Kooikerhondjes are OK for new dog owners.

    Pugs are very good for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Kooikerhondje

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

  • Lakeland Terrier (75 percent match with Kooikerhondje). Here is our comparison of the Pug vs Lakeland Terrier.
  • Lhasapoo (75 percent match with Kooikerhondje). Here is our comparison of the Pug vs Lhasapoo.
  • 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 Kooikerhondje vs Boxer.
  • English Toy Spaniel (73 percent match with Pug). Here is our comparison of the Kooikerhondje vs English Toy Spaniel.
  • French Bulldog (83 percent match with Pug). Here is our comparison of the Kooikerhondje vs French Bulldog.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Kooikerhondje Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Kooikerhondje versus Saint Bernard     Kooikerhondje versus Canaan Dog     Kooikerhondje versus Border Terrier     Kooikerhondje versus Manchester Terrier     Kooikerhondje versus Maltese     Kooikerhondje versus Tibetan Terrier     Kooikerhondje versus Redbone Coonhound     Kooikerhondje versus Dutch Shepherd     Kooikerhondje versus Bulldog     Kooikerhondje versus Norfolk Terrier     Kooikerhondje versus Glen of Imaal Terrier     Kooikerhondje versus Hovawart     Kooikerhondje versus Saint Bernard     Kooikerhondje versus Pomsky     Kooikerhondje versus German Shepherd Dog     Kooikerhondje versus Norwich Terrier     Kooikerhondje versus Border Collie     Kooikerhondje versus Toy Fox Terrier     Kooikerhondje versus Shetland Sheepdog     Kooikerhondje versus Puli     Kooikerhondje versus Cavachon     Kooikerhondje versus Finnish Spitz     Kooikerhondje versus Bergamasco Sheepdog     Kooikerhondje versus Cocker Spaniel     Kooikerhondje versus French Bulldog     

    Pug Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Pug versus Plott     Pug versus Pomsky     Pug versus Harrier     Pug versus Collie     Pug versus Keeshond     Pug versus Estrela Mountain Dog     Pug versus Lakeland Terrier     Pug versus Shiba Inu     Pug versus Schipperke     Pug versus Maltese     Pug versus Plott     Pug versus Weimaraner     Pug versus Italian Greyhound     Pug versus Dogo Argentino     Pug versus Lakeland Terrier     Pug versus Schnoodle     Pug versus Irish Terrier     Pug versus Australian Terrier     Pug versus Kuvasz     Pug versus Golden Cocker Retriever     Pug versus Tibetan Mastiff     Pug versus Bulldog     Pug versus Japanese Chin     Pug versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog     Pug versus Goldendoodle     

    Conclusion: Kooikerhondje 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 Kooikerhondje and the Pug better suits you and your family.