Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Pekingese Versus Pug: Introduction
- Pekingese versus Pug: Overview
- Pekingese versus Pug: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Pekingese and the Pug
- The Similarities Between the Pekingese and the Pug
- Size (Weight and Height) of Pekingese versus Pug
- Lifespan of Pekingese versus Pug
- Temperament of the Pug Versus the Pekingese
- Price of Pekingese versus Price of Pug
- Adopting the Pekingese versus Adopting the Pug
- The Intelligence of the Pekingese versus the Intelligence of the Pug
- The Popularity of Pekingese versus Popularity of Pug
- Tolerates Being Alone: Pekingese versus Pug
- Do Pekingeses shed more than Pugs?
- Which one drools more, the Pekingese or the Pug
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Pekingese or the Pug?
- Does the Pekingese Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Pug?
- Do Pekingeses Bark and Howl? What about Pugs?
- Can Pekingeses Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Pugs Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Pekingese vs. Pug
- Can Pekingeses Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Pugs Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Pekingese or the Pug?
- Are Pekingeses good family dogs? What about Pugs?
- How Kid-friendly are Pekingeses and Pugs?
- Is the Pekingese Easier to Train than the Pug?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Pekingese
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Pug
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Pekingese versus Pug. Which One is a Better Pet?
Pekingese Versus Pug: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Pekingese 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 Pekingese 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 Pekingese and the Pug.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Pekingese 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 Pekingese 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 Pekingese 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 Pekingese or the Pug.
Pekingese versus Pug: Overview
A very important difference between the Pekingese and the Pug is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Pekingese is a tiny-sized dog while the Pug is a small-sized dog.
Furthermore, both the Pekingese and the Pug are Companion Dogs. This means both the Pekingese 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.
Pekingese versus Pug: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Pekingese 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 Pekingese and the Pug
| Factor | Pekingese | Pug |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Life Span | 12 to 15 years | 12 to 15 years |
| Easygoing | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| General Health | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 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 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Height | 6 to 9 inches tall at the shoulder | 10 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Weight | 7 to 14 pounds | 14 to 18 pounds |
| Average Lifespan | 13.5 years | 13.5 years |
| Average Price | $1930 | $1620 |
| Price Range | $1288 – $2500 | $1200 – $1875 |
| Temperament Score | 93.3 percent | 91.7 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | No Data |
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 86 | 31 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 73 | 57 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Pekingese 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 Pekingese is 77 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 Pekingese. 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 Pekingese and the Pug so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Pekingese and the Pug
Below is a list of where the Pekingese and the Pug are most different:
The Similarities Between the Pekingese and the Pug
The Pekingese and the Pug are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Pekingese and the Pug are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Pekingese versus Pug
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Pekingese and the Pug.
Pekingeses weigh 7 to 14 pounds when fully grown. Pekingeses are 6 to 9 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 Pekingese versus Pug
The lifespan of Pekingeses is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Pekingeses is 13.5 years.
The lifespan of Pugs is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Pugs is 13.5 years.
Temperament of the Pug Versus the Pekingese
The Pekingese has a better temperament than the Pug.
This is because the temperament score for the Pekingese is 93.3 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 93.3 percent, the Pekingese 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 Pekingese and the Pug by measuring the temperaments of 15 Pekingeses and 48 Pugs.
Price of Pekingese versus Price of Pug
The average price of the Pekingese puppy is $1930. The price of the Pekingese typically ranges from $1288 – $2500. However, the price of a Pekingese can be as low as $700 and as high as $7500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 138 Pekingese 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 Pekingese is more expensive than the Pug.
| Pekingese | Pug | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1930 | $1620 |
| Price Range | $1288 to $2500 | $1200 to $1875 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Pekingese and Pug. For different price points, the charts show how many Pekingese puppies or how many Pug puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of Pekingeses. 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 Pekingese 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.
Adopting the Pekingese versus Adopting the Pug
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Pekingeses 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 Pekingese named Noodles that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Pekingeses like Noodles on pefinder.com.
Also, like Pekingeses, Pugs are also available for adoption. For example, Wilber is a Male Pug that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Pugs like Wilber that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.
Billy is the name of another Pekingese (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.
Also, Ralphie is an adorable Male Pug on petfinder.com that you can adopt.
You can find more Pekingeses and Pugs that are available for adoption on petfinder.
The Intelligence of the Pekingese versus the Intelligence of the Pug
| Pekingese | Pug | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 73 out of 130 dog breeds | 57 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 80 To 100 Repetitions Or More! | 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 Pekingese has an obedience intelligence rank of 73 out of 130 dog breeds. The Pekingese belongs to the `Lowest Degree of Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Pekingeses tend to learn new commands after 80 to 100 repetitions or more!.
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 Pekingese.
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 Pekingese 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 Pekingese 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 Pekingese. 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 Pekingese is 86 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Pekingese
Popularity of Pug
| Year | Pekingese Popularity Rank | Pug Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 77 | 31 |
| 2014 | 82 | 33 |
| 2015 | 80 | 33 |
| 2016 | 93 | 32 |
| 2017 | 88 | 31 |
| 2018 | 92 | 28 |
| 2019 | 83 | 31 |
| 2020 | 95 | 29 |
Tolerates Being Alone: Pekingese versus Pug
Pekingeses can be left alone only for a short time.
Pugs do not like to be left alone.
Do Pekingeses shed more than Pugs?
Pekingeses 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 Pekingese or the Pug
Pekingeses do have a very low tendency to drool.
Pugs do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Pekingese or the Pug?
Pekingeses require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Pugs are very easy to groom.
Does the Pekingese Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Pug?
Pekingeses 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 Pekingeses Bark and Howl? What about Pugs?
Pekingeses are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Pugs are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Can Pekingeses Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Pugs Tolerate Cold Weather?
Pekingeses can very well tolerate cold weather.
Pugs cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Wanderlust Potential: Pekingese vs. Pug
Pekingeses 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 Pekingeses Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Pugs Tolerate Hot Weather?
Pekingeses cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Pugs cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Pekingese or the Pug?
Pekingeses do not get along well with other dogs.
Pugs get along very well with other dogs.
Are Pekingeses good family dogs? What about Pugs?
Pekingeses 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 Pekingeses and Pugs?
Pekingeses do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.
Pugs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Is the Pekingese Easier to Train than the Pug?
Pekingeses are fairly easy to train.
Pugs are fairly easy to train.
Is the Pekingese Better for Apartment Owners than the Pug?
Pekingeses adapt very well to apartment living.
Pugs adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Pekingese or the Pug?
Pekingeses are very good for new dog owners.
Pugs are very good for new dog owners.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Pekingese
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Pekingese 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 Pekingese:
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 Pekingese and how the Pug compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Pekingese and of the Pug to other breeds:
Pekingese Versus Other Dog Breeds
Pekingese versus Whippet Pekingese versus Shihpoo Pekingese versus Stabyhoun Pekingese versus Finnish Lapphund Pekingese versus Bull Terrier Pekingese versus Border Terrier Pekingese versus Goldador Pekingese versus Black Russian Terrier Pekingese versus Treeing Walker Coonhound Pekingese versus Vizsla Pekingese versus Westiepoo Pekingese versus Berger Picard Pekingese versus Japanese Chin Pekingese versus Yorkshire Terrier Pekingese versus Whippet Pekingese versus American Water Spaniel Pekingese versus Finnish Spitz Pekingese versus Tibetan Spaniel Pekingese versus Vizsla Pekingese versus Cocker Spaniel Pekingese versus Australian Terrier Pekingese versus American Staffordshire Terrier Pekingese versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog Pekingese versus Beaglier Pekingese versus Canaan Dog
Pug Versus Other Dog Breeds
Pug versus Karelian Bear Dog Pug versus Maltese Pug versus Bluetick Coonhound Pug versus Australian Terrier Pug versus Schnoodle Pug versus Lancashire Heeler Pug versus Norfolk Terrier Pug versus Kishu Ken Pug versus Australian Cattle Dog Pug versus Scottish Terrier Pug versus Labrador Retriever Pug versus Shetland Sheepdog Pug versus Barbet Pug versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Pug versus Afghan Hound Pug versus Maltese Pug versus Peek A Poo Pug versus Redbone Coonhound Pug versus Bichon Frise Pug versus Saluki Pug versus Estrela Mountain Dog Pug versus Akita Chow Pug versus Pomapoo Pug versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde Pug versus Akita Chow
Conclusion: Pekingese 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 Pekingese and the Pug better suits you and your family.