Breeds
Pug vs French Bulldog: Which Flat-Faced Companion Fits You?
Pugs and French Bulldogs are both small, flat-faced companions that love people, need little exercise and struggle in heat. The Pug is a little smaller and longer-lived, at 14 to 18 pounds and 13 to 15 years per the AKC; the Frenchie is heavier, at under 28 pounds, with bat ears and a sturdier frame. Pugs shed more and need extra eye and wrinkle care; Frenchies rarely bark but have a stubborn streak.
By Matt GarnettUpdated November 14, 20264 min read4 sources
Side by side
Size: the AKC lists Pugs at 10 to 13 inches and 14 to 18 pounds, and French Bulldogs at 11 to 13 inches and under 28 pounds. Lifespan: AKC gives Pugs 13 to 15 years and Frenchies 10 to 12. Popularity: the Frenchie is No. 1 on the AKC list and the Pug No. 38. Coat: both short; VCA says Pugs are usually fawn or black and shed more than many owners expect, while the Frenchie's shedding is average.
Energy: both moderate, with short walks and light play. Heat: both very sensitive; VCA rates the Frenchie 1 out of 5 for warm weather and calls Pugs highly sensitive to heat and humidity. Training: both can be stubborn and respond best to food rewards. Children and pets: both typically good. Time alone: both prefer company. Best for: apartment or house owners who want a cuddly, low-exercise companion and will take heat seriously.
Looks and origins
The AKC describes the Pug as once the mischievous companion of Chinese emperors and later the mascot of Holland's royal House of Orange. VCA notes its broad head, short muzzle, large prominent eyes and deep facial wrinkles, on a compact, sturdy body. VCA says the short coat is usually fawn or black.
The French Bulldog descends from small bulldogs taken to France by lace workers in the 1800s and was recognized by the AKC in 1898, according to VCA. It is heavier-boned, with a large square head, a muscular body and the upright bat ears that make it easy to tell apart from a Pug at a glance.
Temperament
VCA describes Pugs as affectionate, playful and social with children and other pets, happiest close to their people and prone to anxiety or boredom when left alone too long. They are playful in short bursts but tire faster than athletic breeds. The AKC sums them up simply: Pugs live to love and to be loved.
Frenchies are clownish, fun-loving and affectionate, per VCA, very good with children and friendly with strangers and other pets. VCA rates them 1 out of 5 for barking and 2 out of 5 for ease of training: willing to please but stubborn, and likely to rebel against forceful methods. Rough play from children can hurt a Frenchie's back, so supervise.
Heat, exercise and breathing
Both breeds are brachycephalic, and their short muzzles limit airflow. VCA warns that heat, humidity and intense exertion can quickly cause breathing distress in Pugs, and calls Frenchies extremely prone to overheating. Walk both in the coolest part of the day, keep exercise light, offer water often and run the air conditioning in summer. Never leave either in a parked car.
VCA also warns that French Bulldogs cannot swim, so supervise closely around water and consider a dog life jacket. A Frenchie's short coat gives little protection against cold, so a coat helps in winter. Call your vet urgently if either breed has noisy, labored breathing or collapses after exercise.
Grooming, eyes and skin folds
Pugs need regular brushing to manage their surprisingly heavy shedding, and VCA advises cleaning and drying facial folds often to prevent infection and watching the eyes for redness, squinting or irritation, because those prominent eyes are easily injured. Frenchies need a brush about once a week, and VCA says their facial wrinkles, and any folds around the tail, should be checked, cleaned and dried daily.
Keep nails short and stay on top of dental care, since VCA lists periodontal disease among Pug concerns. Both breeds gain weight easily, and extra pounds make breathing harder, so measure meals and keep treats small. Ask your vet what an ideal body condition looks like for your dog.
Health and which to choose
VCA lists brachycephalic airway problems, hemivertebrae, patellar luxation, several eye conditions including corneal ulcers and dry eye, skin fold infections, atopic dermatitis, Pug dog encephalitis and mast cell tumors among Pug concerns. Frenchies share the airway and heat problems and, as VCA notes, a back that can be hurt by rough handling. Ask a breeder about breathing, spine and eye health in both parents, and seek prompt vet care for any squinting or red eye.
Choose a Pug if you want a small, sociable, longer-lived lap dog and do not mind shedding and daily wrinkle and eye care. Choose a French Bulldog if you want a sturdier companion that rarely barks and sheds less and can manage a stubborn streak with patient, reward-based training. Both are wonderful in the right, heat-aware home.
This page is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your pet.
Common questions
Which is bigger, a Pug or a French Bulldog?
The French Bulldog. The AKC lists Frenchies at under 28 pounds and 11 to 13 inches, and Pugs at 14 to 18 pounds and 10 to 13 inches. Frenchies are also heavier-boned and more muscular.
Which lives longer, a Pug or a Frenchie?
The Pug, on average. The AKC lists Pugs at 13 to 15 years and French Bulldogs at 10 to 12 years. Keeping either lean and cool, and seeing your vet regularly, helps.
Do Pugs shed more than French Bulldogs?
Yes. VCA says Pugs shed more than many owners expect and need regular brushing, while French Bulldog shedding is average and a brush about once a week is usually enough.
Are Pugs or French Bulldogs better for apartments?
Both suit apartments. VCA describes Pugs as well suited to apartments or houses and Frenchies as calm housedogs that rarely bark. Both need air conditioning in hot weather and short daily walks.
Sources we checked
This guide is general information, not veterinary advice. If your pet is unwell or injured, contact your veterinarian.
