Pug vs. French Bulldog: Which One Should I Choose?

When it comes to adopting a small breed puppy, for sure you will come across the Pug and the French Bulldog breeds. No wonder, as both breeds are adorable looking, great companions, and ideal for indoor living. But choosing one of them is almost impossible as there aren’t that many differences. There is no exact outcome in the battle of Pug vs French Bulldog, but you will find many helpful facts in this article to expand your views.

First, you can read about their history and origins. By scrolling down, you will find facts about their appearance, colors, and sizes. You will find the most differences in this section. Their personality, intelligence, activity level, and trainability is also introduced. We compare their health characteristics and life span, and finally, their prices.

History and Origins

Despite the many similarities in appearance, Pugs and French Bulldogs have completely different origins. Pugs are an ancient breed without any doubt. This breed can date back at least 2000 years to ancient China where they were almost a sacred animal. Pugs were extremely popular among the royal family and the nobility, sometimes even guarded by soldiers. This breed only arrived in Europe during the 16th century, when China began trading with European nations.

On the other hand, the French Bulldog is a relatively new breed dating back to the late 1800s in England. The smaller versions of English Bulldogs, the so-called toy Bulldogs were favored by lacemakers, to keep them warm while working. After the industrial revolution, these women had to move to France where handmade laces were still appreciated. The standing bat-ear of their dogs was soon recognized and adored by Parisian women, and the French Bulldog soon became extremely popular among the French artists. As artists were mostly supported by the rich novelty, French Bulldogs became the symbol of wealth. If you are interested in a more detailed history of French Bulldogs, read our article by clicking here!

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What is Frug?

As both Pugs and French Bulldogs are adored by many, the idea of crossbreeding became inevitable. When you mix a Pug and a Frenchie parent, you will get a Frug! Frugs are a true mix of their parents, containing both of their most loved characteristics. 

Appearance, Color, and Size

Both Pugs and French Bulldogs have smooshy, flat faces. Due to their brachycephalic face structure, both breeds are known as loud snorers. The most striking difference between Pugs’ and French Bulldogs’ looks is the ear. While French Bulldogs have distinctive standing, erect ears, Pugs’ ears are floppy and feel velvety to the touch. The other main difference is the tail. Pugs have small, tightly curled tails while Frenchies’ tails are stumpy and small that either stand straight or slightly screwed. Pugs have large, flat round heads, while Frenchies have square-shaped heads. 

When you look at their body structure, you will find that Pugs have a more round body, while Frenchies look more athletic compared to Pugs. They are similar in size, but Frenchies are a few pounds heavier due to their muscular body, and a few inches taller than Pugs. An adult French Bulldog can weigh anywhere between 17 to 33 lb, and grow as tall as 12 inches. A Pug on the other hand can weigh 14 to 18 lbs, and grow as tall as 11 inches.

Purebred Pugs only come in two different colors, black and fawn. On the other hand, French Bulldogs come in a large variety of colors, which we love. This gives the prospective owners a chance to express their personalities too. Besides the usual plain colors such as black, red, beige, blue, or lilac, you can also choose to adopt a puppy with interesting and unusual coat color. Merle color Frenchies have dark spots all over their bodies, while tanned Frenchies have a solid base color with red or beige markings on their paws, chest, bottom, cheek, and eyebrows.

Pugs are double-coated dogs, so they tend to shed a lot, especially during the summer. On the other hand, the color of a French Bulldog is single-layered with little to no odor and minimal shedding. The coat of both breeds is short, although you can adopt a rare type of Frenchie, the Fluffy Frenchie with a longer coat and furry ears.

Personality 

As both Pugs and French Bulldogs were bred to keep company, they have a calm and loving nature. They both are ideal as family dogs, as they are super loving and great with kids. 

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The activity level of Pugs is lower than the Frenchies’. Pugs are lazier and require shorter walks and play times than Frenchies. Therefore, Pugs are ideal for elderly owners, who are no longer capable of taking long walks or playing active games like hide-and-seek. One of the reasons for Pugs’ laziness is their huge appetite. We said many times that Frenchies’ appetite is like a bottomless pit, but Pugs are even worse. This can lead to serious health issues at Pugs, which we will cover later on in this article.

If you are looking for a partner-in-crime who could accompany you wherever you go and is also a great company for your kids, we’d definitely recommend you to choose a French Bulldog!

Training

In your decision-making, the trainability of Pugs and French Bulldogs should also play a role. After all, you will be the one that has to live with the puppy for many, many years! When it comes to the trainability of Pugs and French Bulldogs, there is no meaningful difference though. They both are stubborn and more of a free-will breed. They respond well to positive reinforcement, especially if it includes some snacks and treats. The way to their heart is through their belly, so be prepared with a huge pile of healthy dog treats once you start the dog training.

Health and Lifespan

As both breeds have brachycephalic face structures, they are more prone to respiratory illnesses and other complications. The bulgy eyes of Pugs are a common source of health issues. Pugs are more prone to obesity, and generally have more health problems compared to French Bulldogs, although they live longer life. The average life expectancy of a Pug is 12-14 years, and the average life expectancy of a French Bulldog is 10-12 years.

It’s no secret that French Bulldogs are prone to several health issues, which doesn’t mean that they will be developed for certain, but as a responsible parent, you should definitely be aware of them. If you choose your Frenchie from a reputable breeder who’ll do anything to breed only healthy puppies, you can hugely reduce the risk of your dog having any of these issues.

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Price 

In many cases, we see that prospective owners base their final decisions on the price. But actually, the final price of a dog is only the beginning of dog ownership. Besides the basic costs of food and dog items, a prospective owner also has to consider future vet costs. Although a Pug is much cheaper than a French Bulldog, the possible vet costs can put a massive financial demand on the owner. 

Compared to the 800-1,500 USD of a Pug, a French Bulldog might seem an expensive choice with its 4,000-6,000 USD price. French Bulldogs are one of the most expensive breeds of all, as their popularity is constantly expanding, and ethical breeders like us are trying their best to raise healthy puppies. The price of a French Bulldog depends on many factors, but if you are curious about what is included in our prices, click to read this article! 

Pug vs. French Bulldog: which one is the best for you? 

Both French Bulldogs and Pugs are amazing, loving puppies without any doubt. But if a decision has to be made, we always recommend making the choice based on your lifestyle. While Pugs are couch potatoes, Frenchies can be great companions in any life situation. Price can also be a strong factor, but always consider the hidden costs like unexpected vet check-ins. Therefore, whichever you choose, always buy from a trusted, ethical breeder!

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You might also be interested in our blog about retro pug.