French Bulldog vs Pug: 5 Main Differences Explained

French Bulldog vs Pug

With their stocky bodies, flat noses, and exuberant personalities, French bulldogs and pugs have a whole lot in common. But despite their differences, these dog breeds actually have their origins on opposite sides of the globe. Both the pug and Frenchie were bred to be companion pets for two very different classes of people at two very different times. Their similarities allow each to fill a comparable niche in a household, but their differences are frequently distinct and can sometimes be an important consideration in finding the perfect breed for an individual or family. If you have difficulty telling with identification of the breeds and just need some facts or are looking for a small-sized companion dog with a big personality, keep reading.

Comparing Pug vs French Bulldog

The 5 Key Differences Between Bulldogs and Pugs

Size/Weight

Both the pug and the Frenchie stand roughly a foot tall, with French bulldogs being about an inch taller on average. Despite that, the average Frenchie is roughly one and a half times as heavy as a comparable pug. Most of that excess weight comes in the form of muscle, a reflection of the fact that the Frenchie was produced from larger bulldogs. Interestingly, the English bulldog is believed to have pug DNA in its lineage.

Both pugs and French bulldogs are prone to overeating, so closely monitored dietary habits can be critical to prevent obesity, especially since that extra weight can worsen the respiratory health issues that brachycephalic dogs often face. Obesity in both breeds can lead to diabetes, hypertension, kidney disease, and other illnesses.

Facial Structure

The most obvious similarity these breeds share in terms of facial structure is that they’re brachycephalic. The fact that a pug has a shorter nose than a French bulldog makes it pretty easy to tell the shapes of their faces apart when they’re side by side, but the best point of identification when checking out a puppy or dog is the ears. A pug’s ears sag down over its face, while a French bulldog’s ears are large, upright, and alert. They’re commonly compared to the ears of a bat.

Both breeds also have wrinkles in their faces, although a pug’s wrinkles are deeper set and more prevalent. While both pugs and Frenchies often share similar colors and patterning, the Frenchie is available in a much wider array of colors.

Health

As brachycephalic dogs, both Frenchies and pugs often have breathing issues. These issues can make especially hot and humid environments difficult to them, and it can limit their amount of exercise. This is a significantly more serious problem for pugs since they’re the more dramatically brachycephalic of the two, and it can lead to compounding issues with obesity if left unchecked. Both breeds are also more sensitive to anesthesia.

While eye issues can be found in both breeds, they tend to be more likely in pugs. Ulcers and dry eye are two of the more common, and both breeds have histories of skin and autoimmune disorders. These dogs’ companions need to be conscientious about overheating, but both breeds can and still should have active lives. A modest walk or period of playtime a day should be enough to suit their temperaments and their health, and Frenchies often jump enthusiastically into sports like agility and rally. If that’s something you have an interest in, you might want to shape that interest from puppy age.

Temperament

Regarding personality, these two breeds have a whole lot in common. The pug and French bulldog are individually both gregarious and playful, and that manifests as both an affectionate outward approach to strangers and a devoted sense of affection for their human companions. Where they differ is in terms of temperament. French bulldogs are easily the more laidback of the two, while pugs are livelier companions that are sometimes known for their barking. Cleverness and intelligence are some of the more prominent traits these dogs share, but that intelligence can also manifest as a stubbornness.

Understandably, this bullishness is more apparent in the French bulldog, while the pug is usually more capable of putting aside their sharp intelligence out of a desire to please. They need training like any dog, but neither is particularly difficult to teach. That’s particularly true if you begin to set strong boundaries from the time that they’re a puppy.

Coat

The coats of the French bulldog and pug have both similarities and differences, but they can serve as a great point of identification if you understand the facts about them. Both the Frenchie and the pug have short and hair, but that’s largely where the similarities end. A Frenchie’s coat tends to be more coarse than the silky fur of the pug, but pugs shed more and typically require more grooming.

In either case, they aren’t prodigious shedders when compared to the average dog breed. Both breeds need to have their coats brushed about once a week, and they should also have their nails trimmed regularly. The prominent wrinkles along the faces of both breeds should be regularly cleaned, as they’re known to slowly accumulate bacteria over time.

Up Next…

If you’re deciding between a pug for a Frenchie, we have more facts to share!

• 10 Incredible Pug Facts Pugs make great pets but do some with health risks.
• 10 Incredible French Bulldog Facts Did you know the French bulldog isn’t even from France? Find out more Frenchie facts.
• Do French Bulldogs Shed? Shedding is a deal breaker for some pet owners.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Lined Photo/Shutterstock.com