French Bulldog vs Pug
The two published breed profiles side by side: size, energy, grooming, lifespan, temperament ratings and health.
| French Bulldog | Pug | |
|---|---|---|
| Size class | Medium | Small |
| Adult weight | Up to 12.7 kg | 6.4 to 8.2 kg |
| In pounds | Up to 28 lb | 14 to 18 lb |
| Adult height | 28 to 33 cm | 25 to 33 cm |
| Energy | Moderate | Moderate |
| Grooming | Low | Moderate |
| Coat | Short smooth | Short smooth |
| Shedding | Moderate | High |
| Lifespan | 10 to 12 years | 13 to 15 years |
| Good with children | Reliably good | Reliably good |
| Good with other dogs | Usually good | Usually good |
| Country of origin | France | China |
The main differences
- The French Bulldog is the bigger dog: Up to 12.7 kg against 6.4 to 8.2 kg for the Pug.
- Both have moderate energy in their published profiles.
- The Pug takes more grooming (moderate) than the French Bulldog (low).
- The Pug usually lives longer: 13 to 15 years against 10 to 12 years.
Temperament
French Bulldog: Vivacious, deeply affectionate and intelligent, full of courage yet with clown-like qualities.
Pug: Even tempered, happy and lively disposition, with great charm, dignity and intelligence.
Health worth asking about
Conditions each breed is reported to be predisposed to. Predisposed does not mean inevitable: it means ask the breeder for the parents' test results.
French Bulldog
- Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS), graded by a vet on an exercise tolerance test
- Hereditary cataract (HC-HSF4-2), detectable by DNA test on both parents
- Hip and elbow dysplasia, which breeding stock should be x-rayed for under the hip and elbow scoring schemes
- Skin fold and eye problems linked to the flat face, found on a routine veterinary skin and eye check
Pug
- Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS), graded by a vet on an exercise tolerance test
- Pug dog encephalitis (PDE), with a DNA test that flags dogs at raised risk
- Hip dysplasia, which breeding stock should be hip scored by x-ray before mating
- Hereditary eye disease screened under the BVA/KC/ISDS Eye Scheme
Common questions
Which is bigger, the French Bulldog or the Pug?
The French Bulldog. Adults weigh Up to 12.7 kg, against 6.4 to 8.2 kg for the Pug, going by the published breed profiles.
Which lives longer, the French Bulldog or the Pug?
The published life expectancy is 10 to 12 years for the French Bulldog and 13 to 15 years for the Pug. These are typical ranges across the breed, not a promise about one dog.
Is the French Bulldog or the Pug better with children?
They score the same: reliably good with children. Any dog needs supervising around young children, whatever their breed rating.
Related comparisons
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Not veterinary advice. Breed information is general. Your own dog, and your own vet, always win.
Sources
Every figure on this page comes from the two breed guides, which cite:
- akc.org for adult weight and height, life expectancy, energy, grooming, shedding and the temperament ratings, coat type and health notes
- fci.be for country of origin
- akc.org for adult weight and height, life expectancy, energy, grooming, shedding and the temperament ratings, coat type and health notes
- fci.be for country of origin