French Bulldog vs Pug: Physical Characteristics And Behavior

When talking about French Bulldog vs. Pug, it’s sometimes difficult to see the differences. They have distinct physical characteristics and behavior. Pugs are a pure breed of dogs that are considered companion dogs. One of their traits is the wrinkly face characterized by a short muzzle.

The French Bulldogs, also known as Frenchies, resemble a miniature bulldog. Their distinctive trait is their ears that resemble those of the bats.

Are Pugs And French Bulldogs Related?

They are similar in appearance, size, and behavior. Quiet and playful, Pugs and Frenchies are both little affectionate friends, and they are great apartment dogs. They are also similar regarding the care and attention they need to stay healthy. However, Pugs and Frenchies are not related: it is unclear when the Pug dog first appeared. Yet, according to the American Dog Kennel, Pugs date back to ancient China and share their origins with the Pekingese dog.

Much more recent in the history of the Frenchies, which dates back to the mid-1800s in England. Later, they eventually became very popular in France. They started calling him Bouledogues Français, and that’s how his name became French Bulldog.

Pug Dog Characteristics & Facts

Pugs have a very short tail that curls tightly upwards on the hip. Another distinctive feature is their stocky and compact body with well-developed muscles. They have a beautiful smooth coat of hair that has a variety of colors, the most prominent being different shades of brown and black across this breed.

Also known as Carlin or Mops, Pugs also have two types of shapes of their ears. There are the rose ears and the button ears. They are of the same features, only that the rose ears are much smaller than the button ears. The button ears are more prominent and favored among dog breeders.

Pugs have strong legs of moderate length and small feet, and black nails. Their lower teeth extend forward more than the upper teeth, which results in an under-bite that is quite prominent as a facial feature.

Pug Puppy

Pugs have a lifespan of 12-15 years. They are friendly dogs that crave attention and love from their owners. Their need for care makes them want to please their owners in any way they can, and if ignored, they become heartsick.

They are also kid-friendly, making them a good option for families with kids that want to own a dog. Pugs are smart, playful, charming, and mischievous. Also, Pugs are, and this can make training them a challenge. Although they have a coat of really short hair, pugs are prone to constant shedding, which occurs very often, i.e., daily.

If not excessively spoilt, a pug can be depended upon for its charm, sweet and adorable personality. Adult pugs spend most of their time sleeping. The average weight is between 14 and 18 pounds for both sexes and is between 10 to 14 inches tall at the shoulders.

A Pug puppy with good temperaments is endearing. While choosing one, choose one that is kind of a meet-me-midway puppy, i.e., one that does not beat or get beaten by its mates nor one that cowers in the corner or seems to be a lone ranger.

A Pug’s recommended feeding options are a half to one cup of good quality dry dog food divided into two meals.

Frenchies: Characteristics & Facts

French Bulldogs puppies are cross-breed between English bulldogs and local ratters in France. The trademark feature of a French Bulldog is its large bat ears. Frenchies are calm well-disposed dogs that love human contact.

French Bulldog

They love to make new friends and are also known to sit well with other animals.

The French Bulldog does not bark much, only when announcing the presence of visitors or strangers but is always very alert. For this reason, they are considered to be good watchdogs. This breed of dog thrives well in an environment filled with love.

French Bulldogs have a lifespan of 10-12 years. They adapt to life anywhere, and despite their dull look, they are known to be very lively. Younger Frenchies love to chase the ball while the older ones retain a degree of dignity and can be well-certified couch potatoes. Other than that, they like to walk in cold weather and can be trophy-awarded clowns.

Many Frenchies are friendly animals though some are politely laid back. They interact well with other animals, but the males may bicker with other males. Frenchies may also hunt smaller animals like rodents.

Most Frenchies do not swim and may drown if they fall into a swimming pool; hence swimming pool owners must be wary of letting these beloved canine friends wander around without supervision.

Pug and French Bulldog – Health Issues

French Bulldogs and Pugs are also born with health problems mostly due to their physical features. They have trouble breathing and require special care, especially in the summer since they are prone to suffer heatstroke. For a dog owner, it is recommended to have their home well air-conditioned during such a season.

They can also suffer respiratory, spinal, and eye problems. Because of their short snouts, French Bulldogs tend to snore, snuffle, grunt, and sneeze loudly. These sounds may be appreciated by some and also intolerable to others.

Some French Bulldogs drool after eating and drinking. Some slobber water while drinking, more so those with heavy, loose lips.

They are also prone to flatulence (i.e., gassiness). This is because they gasp in the air while eating, and at the end of the day, that air needs to go somewhere, and where other than getting released via the rear passage. They are not to be blamed, though, because this is a characteristic of all short-faced breeds.

Pugs and French Bulldogs are also very stubborn, and one has to be consistent in training to understand that you mean what you say. They can be manipulated with goodies but beware of this method since it could lead to an obese dog who only reacts to what he’s told when you wave a treat.

French Bulldogs can be quite slow to housebreak, and one can expect to see results between 4-6 months of consistent training.

FAQs

Are Pugs and French Bulldogs related?

They are not related. French Bulldog and Pugs are small apartment dogs, ideal for family life. Although similar, there are clear differences in their form and appearance. The Frenchie is squatter than the Pug and larger than the Pug.

Do Pugs and French Bulldogs need exercise?

Since they do not have very high energy levels, French Bulldogs and Pugs generally don’t need much exercise. However, like everyone, including us humans, they need daily activity; for this purpose, short walks or moments of play in the park or a suitable space will be fine.

Is Pug a Bulldog?

Although the two have some traits in common, such as the squat shape, flat snout, and wrinkles, DNA tests have shown that Bulldogs and Pugs are not related. In reality, the Pug has the same origins as the Pekingese.

Do Pugs bark a lot?

Although they are very quiet, Pugs bark. Usually, they bark when they hear people passing outside the door. In some cases, their voice is somewhat hoarse and not very loud, but the neighbors can hear them quite well in other instances!

Do Frenchies bark a lot?

The French Bulldogs are quieter when compared to the Pugs. Many French are friendly with everyone and other pets, while others are reserved. Like the Pugs, the French Bulldogs usually bark to announce visitors, but generally, they are quiet dogs.

Do Pugs bark if left alone?

Dogs often bark because of loneliness and separation anxiety. Even the Pugs, when they are left alone for a long time, can feel lonely and sad, and for this reason, they do bark. However, if it is a few hours, they spend their time sleeping.

Do Frenchies bark when left alone?

Separation anxiety is one of the most common behavioral problems in French Bulldogs. They can suffer from loneliness much more than Pugs, and when they are alone, they can bark and even do damage at home, like tearing up furniture.

How many hours a day do Pugs sleep?

Adult Pugs can sleep as much as 14 hours a day, while younger ones are more vital and tend to stay awake, especially if they spend the day at home with them.

How many hours a day do French Bulldogs sleep?

Frenchies sleep for about 12 to 14 hours a day.

Are French Bulldogs bigger than Pugs?

As we already know, the Pugs and Frenchies resemble each other in their body structure. The most obvious difference is the ears: the French Bulldogs are famous for their bat-like ears. Furthermore, the body of the Frenchie is more stocky and a little larger than the Pug.

Pug vs. Frenchie: Are French Bulldogs healthier than Pugs?

Both have similar health problems. Because of their breathing, they are subject to heatstroke, and if they live in hot countries, it is essential to have an air-conditioned house. Frenchies and Pugs also suffer from spinal disorders and joint diseases along with respiratory problems.

Do Frenchies shed like Pugs?

French Bulldogs shed less than Pugs and are also easy to groom.

Do Pugs like to cuddle?

Yes, the Pugs are very cuddly. They are very affectionate and tend to follow you everywhere. They are also tender, funny, and above all, comical.

Can Pugs and French Bulldog eat bananas?

They can eat bananas because they contain fiber. Still, this fruit is also very caloric, so it is better not to abuse it.

Are Pugs playful dogs?

Yes, Pugs like playing with adults and children, and they are very happy when you give them toys (specific for dogs).

Do Pugs like water?

The Pugs are attracted by the water and have a lot of fun playing on the beach or in the pool. Still, you have to be very careful so that they don’t get tired, especially puppies.

Can Frenchies swim?

No! The French Bulldogs do not know how to swim, and in the presence of water, they need constant surveillance.

Conclusion

All dogs need to be well-exposed to new people, places, sounds, and experiences. Exposure, especially when young, ensures that your puppy will grow up to be a well-rounded dog.

Taking him out for strolls in the park to meet other dogs, stores that allow dogs, and inviting visitors regularly is a great way to help your dog refine his social acceptance skills.

When buying a dog, ask your breeder to show you health clearance certificates for both parents. Health clearance certificates prove that a dog has been tested and cleared of a particular health condition. This way, you will know what the puppy’s health is.

When it comes to food and nutrition, like individuals, dogs are also unique and different from each other, meaning they all don’t consume the same amount. It goes without saying that an active dog requires more energy hence more food than a less active dog.

Also, please pay attention to not over-indulge your dog in food to avoid cases of obesity since food is second nature meaning they will never say no to food; hence it all goes back to you to control their intake. Encouraging your dog to exercise is a good way to ensure that any excess fat is burnt and the food consumed is well-utilized.

Both Pugs and French Bulldogs are known not to be hypoallergenic breeds.