Pug vs. French Bulldog: Which is Better for Families?

Pug

The Pug was first developed in China and was specifically bred for companionship for the Chinese Imperial Court. Pugs have a small but compact body (often described as a square). Pugs have a black mask and come in fawn, apricot, black, fawn, or silver.

Pug Pros

It's hard to resist the cute squished up face of a Pug. Pugs are often known as clown dogs because they love to make their owners laugh!

• The pug is highly tuned in to his or her owner's emotions and they make good apartment dogs.
• Pugs do not tend to be barkers and are good for beginning dog owners.
• Pugs tend to be easy-going and thrive on human companionship.
• Pugs can get along with other dogs and cats.
• Pugs can be mischievous and being short-nosed they make interesting wheezing and snoring noises!
• Pugs are good for families with small children as these dogs are gentle and generally are good-natured.

Pug Cons

Even though there are a lot of good things about Pugs, there are also some downsides. The wrinkled and squished up face has caused several health problems in Pugs. The most obvious is that the Pug can have breathing difficulties.

• Pugs may need corrective surgery is the soft palate in their mouth makes it difficult to breathe or their nostrils are not wide enough.
• Pugs tend to be noisy making grunting, wheezing, and snoring sounds.
• Pugs are also prone to eye issues having eyes that stick out and also dental issues.
• Pugs tend to be good eaters so owners need to be careful they do not get overweight.
• Pugs tend to be gassy as they inhale a lot of air when they eat.
• The folds and wrinkles of a Pug need to be cleaned regularly to avoid infection.

French Bulldog

The French Bulldog, affectionately known as a Frenchie, actually originally hails from England. Frenchies were developed by crossing ratting dogs and toy bull terriers. Frenchies have their trademark bat-like ears. Frenchies have a flat-face and have a square body type that has muscle. Frenchies have short coats that are easy to care for. Frenchies come in a variety of colors including brindle, black, fawn, pied, and cream.

French Bulldog Pros

• French Bulldogs are also known to be comedians and bond deeply with their owners being highly affectionate.
• Frenchies do not tend to bark unnecessarily making them good candidates for apartment living.
• Frenchies can get along with children and other dogs and cats.
• Frenchies are often called "clown dogs" for their fun-loving nature.
• Frenchies get along well with older children past the toddler ages. They are sturdier than other toy breeds making them a good choice for families.

French Bulldog Cons

French Bulldogs are not without their cons, however. One of the biggest is that being flat-faced comes with a host of health problems.

• Frenchies cannot handle heat very well and can suffer from heatstroke.
• Frenchies can suffer from respiratory diseases, their flat noses also mean they tend to be gassy and make snoring and wheezing noises.
• The changes in the Frenchies' appearances have led to shorter life expectancies among this breed with an average lifespan being 8-13 years.
• Frenchies The large head size of Frenchies makes it difficult for them to give birth naturally and they usually require c-sections.
• Frenchies are also prone to spinal and disc degeneration.
• Frenchies tend to be good eaters and can suffer from obesity.
• Frenchies can also be stubborn and difficult to train much like the English Bulldog.
• Frenchies can develop separation anxiety if not properly socialized.

Related: The 5 Bulldog Types That Are Popular Today

How to Choose

What is the Difference?

As far as size goes, the French Bulldog is larger and more sturdy. The French Bulldog is easier to train than the Pug. French Bulldogs do not have a tail and tend to have a more square-type build. Pugs are squat dogs with wrinkles and they are calm and require little exercise. Pugs are more compact dogs and tend to be a little less messy than Frenchies (they may drool or slobber).

Which is Better With Families?

Both breeds share many similarities: flat-nosed, good with pets and kids, friendly, easy-going, and are companion dogs. An owner that is looking for a more sturdy dog will likely choose a French Bulldog as they are larger than a Pug and typically weight between 22-30 lbs and Pugs weigh between 13-18 lbs.

Both dogs have low exercise needs and are content with walks around the block and 10-20 minutes of exercise per day. French Bulldogs are the more intelligent of the two dog breeds in terms of training.

Pugs are intelligent dogs that are family-oriented and form strong attachments to their families. Pugs can require a lot of repetition and gentle training. Pugs may be a bit harder to housetrain than Frenchies as they are a bit more sensitive to wet and rainy weather. Pugs tend to have more problems with their legs while Frenchies tend to have spinal problems.

Pugs also tend to be a good choice for families with children because of their affable nature. Pugs tend to be less active than Frenchies making them more likely to be couch potatoes.

Final Verdict

In terms of availability, both dogs are fairly popular and should not be difficult to find. Frenchie is one of the most popular dogs in America. The Pug also ranks high in terms of popularity, although it has not made the top ten list within the last couple of years.

French Bulldogs are more likely to handle rougher play better than Pugs because of their size and their build. Families with very young children may consider a French Bulldog.