Character
The similarity of the characters of both breeds is expressed in clumsiness and laziness. They are equally friendly and selflessly devoted to their owner. They get along well with small children and get along with pets.
The differences in the pug's character are stubbornness and vindictiveness. He expresses his emotions by indignant sniffling and snorting. The French Bulldog will silently endure dissatisfaction, occasionally using its voice. If there are very young children in the family, it is better to wait to purchase a pet until they are older.
Pugs are more cowardly and phlegmatic. They are unlikely to get into a fight with other dogs. And the bulldog, without much hesitation, will rush to protect the owner if he senses danger.
Character traits
There are a lot of similarities in the character of both breeds. Pugs and French bulldogs are friendly and sociable, and bond well with their owner and his family members. It is noteworthy that pugs get along well in families with small children, responding well to their playful games and taking active part. French Bulldogs are somewhat wary of babies, but love to play with older children.
A pug differs from a bulldog in several important character traits:
- extraordinary gluttony and omnivorousness (this cute, clumsy dog is able to steal any tasty treat he likes, no matter how high it lies, and even a piece of soap can be tasty);
- waywardness (despite the constant training of the dog, occasionally it can do tricks that its owners will not like at all);
- stubbornness (more often this manifests itself in young dogs or in poorly trained dogs, but it happens that even a normal representative of the breed who has undergone a course of education has situations when he decides to show who’s boss).
Important! You should not follow your pet’s lead and indulge him in his desires. This mistake can lead to serious consequences that are inappropriate for all family members.
French Bulldogs are very intelligent dogs. With proper upbringing and constant attention, they will behave very well, both at home and on walks, without showing aggression towards other dogs and people.
Care and maintenance
Who is easier to keep - a pug or a French bulldog? Hair care for pugs and bulldogs is without any special features. It is enough to wipe the wool with a damp cloth once a week. You can bathe once a month. If the street is slushy and dirty, then the paws and belly are washed immediately upon arrival home, wiped thoroughly, and the animal is protected from drafts until it is completely dry. During shedding, you will need more frequent brushing with a soft brush or a special fleecy glove for grooming.
Skin care for representatives of both breeds involves daily inspection for inflammation. Particular attention is paid to areas on the fingertips and folds on the muzzle.
The French bulldog, compared to the pug, does not have a specific dog smell.
Difficulty of care
By and large, neither pugs nor French bulldogs are problematic dogs to keep. Representatives of both breeds need to brush their teeth (especially if the animal is naturally fed), spend time on the ears, eyes, folds on the face, and clean out the nasal passages. You will definitely need to trim your nails 1-2 times a month. Both pugs and bulldogs are bathed no more than once a quarter. Dogs are brushed once a week. But during shedding, caring for a pug becomes more difficult, because dead hair leaves their coat more actively than that of wire-haired bulldogs.
Education and training
Comparison of such character traits as ability to train and difficulty in upbringing will help a doubting person make a choice.
Pugs are ready to learn new commands no more than 15 minutes a day. Then interest in knowledge is lost, the dog needs to be distracted by more pleasant activities: lie down or take a nap.
You can start training a bulldog even when you are quite old. Even a child can handle this activity. Playful learning will not keep you waiting for results.
Training and education
The pug should be taught simple commands like “stay”, “sit” and others. Training and education should begin as soon as the puppy appears in the house, since adult dogs, due to the fact that they are very stubborn, are difficult to train.
Pugs quickly get tired of monotonous commands, so it will be more productive to train them for 10-15 minutes 2-3 times a day.
The Bulldog is a very smart dog and is easy to train, even if you start training them as an adult. Even a child over 8 years old can handle training this breed. It is best for dogs to present training in the form of a game, then they will put more effort into learning.
However, it should be remembered that bulldogs should not be punished too much, as this can cause them psychological trauma.
Health
Dogs of both breeds are susceptible to various diseases that are characteristic of artificially bred breeds. Before getting a French bulldog or pug, it is better to think several times about your ability to devote enough time and incur material costs to go to the veterinarian.
The main problem of pugs is excess weight and the ailments that accompany it. Skin inflammation, allergic reactions, conjunctivitis are the result of an incorrectly selected diet.
Due to the structure of the skull (small size of the nasal passages), they are susceptible to breathing problems. Pugs have a hard time with temperature changes; they suffer from excessive heat and cold.
Eye diseases are a common companion of this breed. Loss of the eyeball as a result of injury occurs in almost every dog. A timely visit to a veterinary clinic will help smooth out the consequences.
French Bulldogs are also prone to being overweight. There are frequent skin diseases, which manifest themselves as allergies. Intolerance to environmental components (dust, pollen) is usually a hereditary disease.
Hip dysplasia is a physiological disease. Associated with obesity.
Labor is difficult due to the structure of the torso; delivery occurs by caesarean section. Seek the help of qualified and experienced veterinarians.
There are breathing problems. Shortness of breath and snoring are noted, which is the norm for the French. But brachycephalic breathing, caused by the specific structure of the larynx and nostrils, is a complex disease. In this case, the dog takes every breath with great difficulty. The only solution is surgery to correct the inside of the larynx.
The pug and French bulldog are not examples of good health; the owner will have to constantly take care of the pet’s well-being.
Care
The pug does not require much care; it will be enough to carry out the usual procedures for dogs - cleaning the ears, teeth, wiping the eyes with a damp disc, trimming the claws, and also wiping the folds on the dog’s face with baby lotion that does not contain alcohol and combing it as often as possible, since pugs are very molt.
The French Bulldog will also not require much time spent on grooming. They should be bathed no more than once a month, as otherwise the skin may become dry, itching and dandruff may appear.
In addition to cleaning the ears, eyes, teeth and trimming the nails of bulldogs, you need to inspect the pads of their paws for cracks and wipe the folds on the face with baby lotion. You can brush it once a week, or even less often, since bulldogs do not shed much and they do not have a “dog” smell.
Price of puppies
These representatives of the two breeds have approximately the same price tag. In a nursery with a high long-term reputation, a puppy will cost more than from a novice breeder.
You can buy a dog for your soul, without any claims to a show future, on the market. Price 1-10 thousand rubles. Such a puppy will have signs of breed rejection, which is an obstacle to further breeding. There can be no question of pedigree in this case.
Nurseries offer for sale specimens divided into categories:
- Pet class. Puppies with slight deviations in appearance from the established standard. There is no negative impact on the quality of life. Price 15-20 thousand rubles.
- Breeding class. Dogs with the prospect of good offspring. Purchased for further breeding. They do not participate in exhibitions. Price tag 20-25 thousand rubles.
- Show class. Dogs whose future lies in participation in exhibition shows and competitions. The price of a puppy is 30-50 thousand rubles.
Whom to choose
Both breeds are representatives of decorative dog breeds. You should not expect a pug to be very active and playful. This is a balanced and calm pet. The pug spends most of his time on the couch, watching what is happening. These dogs will become companions for people who often receive guests in their home. Thanks to their balanced character, they get along well with young children. They are happy to learn standard commands and simple tricks.
French Bulldogs are less trainable than Pugs. The latter understand basic commands more easily and quickly master the general training course.
A person who is constantly away from home, but dreams of having a pet, will make the right choice in favor of a pug. Do not forget that a dog is a living creature, it requires attention, and if the owner is absent for a long time, it will become sad.
French bulldogs are good-natured, funny people. This breed should not be chosen by those who need an energetic companion. Weak joints are not adapted to active physical activity. The imperfection of the bulldog's respiratory system is not conducive to long marathons.
Difference between Pugs and French Bulldogs
Now that the features of one and the other breed are listed, let's try to summarize to answer the question: pug or French bulldog?
- Baby pugs cost a little more than bulldog puppies;
- With almost equal height, the weight of pugs is almost half that of French bulldogs;
- Pugs live longer than bulldogs;
- Outwardly, some people prefer pugs, while others are attracted to bulldogs. It’s difficult to judge who wins here;
- Many of the ailments of pugs are also characteristic of French bulldogs. We can say that in terms of health these are equal dogs;
- Pugs are less active than bulldogs. They also have a greater tendency to obesity due to their insatiable appetite;
- Pugs are kind, love attention, and rarely show character. Bulldogs are more willful, but not aggressive. They are capable of being not just family friends, but also brave defenders;
- Because they shed more heavily, pugs are a little more difficult to groom. But in general, nothing supernatural is required from the owner.
We invite you to familiarize yourself with Catozal for cats: instructions for use, contraindications
Interesting stories
Curious case
A resident of Gomel decided to give a gift to his wife. She always dreamed of a French bulldog. One fine autumn day, a man saw a dog sitting alone on a leash near a store. Deciding that fortune was smiling on him, giving him the opportunity to acquire the treasured dog absolutely free, the Gomel resident, without thinking twice, untied the dog and disappeared with the loot.
On the same day, a report was filed at the nearest police department about a missing pug dog. The owner insisted that she only came into the store for a minute. Having gone out with shopping, the woman did not see her beloved pet. As a result of operational search work, the man was found 10 days later. He did not deny what he had done and immediately admitted to the kidnapping. Not knowing the difference between a pug and a French bulldog, the attacker made the fatal mistake of bringing the wrong breed of dog into the house. This aroused the ire of his wife, who demanded to get rid of the dog.
Pugs and Bulldogs: The Dangers of Air Travel
An interesting study was conducted by American airlines. According to statistics, over the past 10 years, 280 animals have died in flights, 80% of which are dogs. The most vulnerable were pugs and French bulldogs, dogs with flattened faces and flat noses. Since then, many airlines do not accept representatives of these breeds for carriage in the luggage compartment.
Brachycephalic dogs are sensitive to changes in the air condition in the luggage compartment and temperature changes. Have more breathing problems than other dog breeds. However, being overweight has a negative impact on your condition during the flight.
Veterinarians advise: for a favorable outcome of the flight, you need to bring the dog’s weight to normal, and also accustom it to carrying in advance. If the size of the dog allows it to be transported as hand luggage, then it is better to take the animal into the cabin.
And yet: pug or French bulldog? When assessing appearance, it is worth noting that the bulldog makes a more serious impression. And it’s not surprising, because his ancestors are fighting dogs. Pugs are so cute, just one look is worth it! The funny folded face has captivated millions of breeders.
If you compare these dogs, it becomes clear that each has its own pros and cons. But it’s not for nothing that they say that a dog is a reflection of its owner. How you treat an animal is how the owner will treat himself in the future. Patience, affection, and exactingness in upbringing will help you find a true friend in a pet of any breed.
Advantages and disadvantages
It is worth pointing out clearly the pros and cons of both one breed and the other.
Advantages of a pug
:
- positive, easily adapts to the family; child-friendly; love relaxed walks at a slow pace; feeding can be done with natural food and dry food; no need for frequent combing.
Disadvantages of a Pug:
- trusting people; owners may develop an allergy to wool; folds on the skin are a problem area; you need to take care of your teeth.
Now let’s look at the advantages of such a breed as the French bulldog:
- funny and pleasant appearance; hardly barks; unpretentious wool; will not be an enemy of other animals
But, like all breeds, they have their downsides.:
The French Bulldog is one of the most loved breeds as it is an ideal city dog that does not require a huge amount of space.
They don't need much house training as they don't become champions, and you can forget about swimming as it will be more like an anchor.
Pugs, in turn, are also not activists and are suitable for apartment conditions, but at the same time they are trainable and you may still take your dog to an exhibition.
Both breeds are excellent family friends, children's favorites, and easy to care for.
The main thing is to avoid overheating or hypothermia, and both have a good-natured disposition.
So choose them according to your liking and how this cutie can become your pet.