Pug and French Bulldog: who to choose?

The Pug and the French Bulldog are similar dogs that are often confused. Most people do not know which breed is best for them, they are lost in the choice. To decide, you need to study the characteristics of the character and care of each of the dogs.

Some people believe that the pug and the French Bulldog are dogs of the same background and have many similarities. Some may even confuse animals, especially if they have the same color. Despite the similarity, these are different animals and each story has its own characteristics.

This breed was first mentioned in ancient China. Pet records were found in manuscripts from the 13th – 14th centuries. They were described as square dogs with a short muzzle. In those days, the nobles lived long-haired and short-haired animals. The latter type was very popular and from it came the currently known pug. They were loved for the folds on their foreheads that looked like hieroglyphs. And also the pug was called a dog, on whose head there is an imperial sign. Only a rich man could afford such a dog.

In the 15th century, animals came to France, where the breed began to gain rapid popularity, they became known throughout Europe. The rulers of different states got themselves pugs, and even in Russia such a breed lived with the princes Golitsyn.

The French Bulldog descended from the English Bulldog, which was used as a fighting dog in the bull arena. The Frenchie is a miniature copy of the English, previously they were also used for fighting. But fighting was banned, so the breed was converted into a rat catcher. Although the name of the dogs is French, it appeared in England, from where they eventually came with emigrants to France. Dogs quickly gained popularity, only very wealthy people could buy them.

Registration of animals took place in France, where it got its name. The dogs were brought to Russia in the 19th century and presented at an exhibition in St. Petersburg. According to journalists, it became known that in those days the breed instantly gained popularity, its representatives lived with many famous people: Mayakovsky, Kustodiev, Chaliapin.

Since the French Bulldog and Pug are similar in appearance, many people are confused about which breed to buy. Despite the fact that at first glance, an inexperienced person may confuse two dogs, there are a lot of differences between them.

Pugs have large, square heads. Bitches have smaller heads than males. The top of the skull (when viewed from above) should be flat between the ears. From the side view, the forehead is flat. If the dog has a rounded shape, this is a reason for disqualification. The forehead should have noticeable wrinkles with sufficient depth. The lower jaw is wide enough with a prominent chin.

The jaw is powerful and heavy. It is flattened in front, due to which the dog looks stern. There are also folds on the jaw, and the most pronounced one serves as a division of the brow arch. This fold should not overstep the forehead. The muzzle is short; its length is half the width of the forehead. There are folds all over the face. A narrow or weak jaw is considered a defect.

The French have symmetry in the folds on the muzzle. The muzzle should be turned up, wide and short. The length of the muzzle of a real French Bulldog is equal to 1/6 of the head.

The pug's eyes are dark in color and round, large in size. Looking at them, you might think that the animal is sad. They have a bright shine. Dull eyes symbolize the presence of some kind of disease. Bulge-eye is a serious defect, as well as a slanting with the appearance of a squirrel.

Bulldog eyes are also round, large and have a dark brown color. The set of the eyes is low and wide. The look is always endowed with liveliness and good nature. Dark eyelids are a must.

The pug has two types of ears: roses and buttons. In the first case, the hall is located in the middle, the ears themselves are laid back. In the second case, the auricle is completely hidden. In two versions, the ears are small, they should be tightly pressed to the head. In the French Bulldog, the ears are of medium size and are always directed forward. A high seating position, well spaced apart, is a must. Triangular shape with a wide base, rounded tip.

The pug has a strong, long neck with a nape behind the back of the skull. Bulldogs, on the other hand, have a short neck with prominent muscles. The dog should not have ligaments under the throat.

The pug is characterized by a powerful and dense body. The upper part should be flat, the back should be flat, the breast should be wide. The bulldog has a strong backbone, the body itself looks compact and neat. The back is also muscular and wide enough. The upper body is curved and smoothly rises to the loin, after which it drops sharply to the tail. The belly with the groin area is tucked up, the sides are rounded.

The legs of the pug are not quite short, straight, muscular and parallel. The legs have soft and thick pads with separated toes. French legs are short and strong. The toes should be closed with small paws that are slightly turned outward. The hind legs are longer. The thighs are strong and well muscled.

In a pug, the tail is in a tight curl. Two turns is a valuable trait that indicates that the dog is purebred. The seating position should be high and lying on one side, pressing against the thigh. The bulldog has a short tail, which is wide at the base, and begins to taper towards the end, the landing is low. From birth, he can be knobby or broken, which indicates that the dog is purebred. The tail of some individuals is wrapped in a ring, but this feature is not mandatory.

The pug has a short coat that fits snugly to the body. It is soft to the touch, outwardly shiny. The Bulldog, on the other hand, has a short and thick coat, which does not have a pronounced undercoat. Unlike the pug, the Frenchie does not shed so much and does not smell like a dog.

The pug is allowed in several colors: silver, yellow-yellow and black. French bulldogs are white, white with spots, white-brindle, white-fawn, and brindle, fawn is also allowed. For any color, a prerequisite is the presence of black eyelids.

A pug bitch reaches 8 kilograms with a height of 25-30 cm. A male can grow up to 30-35 cm with a weight category of 6-10 kg. French Bulldog bitches weigh 9–12 kilograms with a height of 28–35 cm. For a dog, let us assume a height of 30–38 cm with a weight category of 10–15 kg.

The nature of the pug and the French Bulldog is very different. The first breed is distinguished by complaisance, loyalty to humans and other pets. They get along well with children and will be a good friend even for a cat. The pug is a sensitive and gentle animal, which is characterized by obedience, love for affection and the need for attention from the owner. These dogs are very trainable and quickly learn new commands.

The owner can teach his pet basic commands, but the breed is not suitable for work. By its nature, the pug will be docile, not inclined to show aggression. The pet will quickly adapt to new conditions. He is always happy where his owner is. Dogs do not need long walks and will gladly spend the evening with their owner in home comfort.

The French Bulldog cannot boast of the docility of the pug, as they are distinguished by their stubbornness and independence. It is normal for a Frenchman to ignore his master's commands. However, they are also affectionate and loyal, get along well with children and other household members. The bulldog is able to defend its owner if it is in danger. He can even fight another dog. The breed is distinguished by its vigor and mobility. On a walk, you should keep an eye on your pet, as he can chase the cat or just rush off to explore new surroundings.

And also dogs of this breed do not show aggression, although they are wary of strangers. However, he loves household members very much. Bulldog is easy to train and you can run with him, participate in agility. The difference in character suggests that the pug is suitable for a person who is used to a quiet pastime. You can take a leisurely walk with him, take barbecue with you to the dacha. French people will feel good around active people who enjoy training.

Puppies of two breeds look adorable and will not leave anyone indifferent. But you need to understand that dogs are not suitable for every person, you should take into account the characteristics of each animal. Both the pug and the French Bulldog are decorative dogs. The pug will not be active and will not participate in active games. They belong to the category of calm and balanced dogs. For a significant part of their lives, they are on the couch, observing what is happening from the side. These are dogs for people who like to spend most of their time at home and receive guests.

The pug lends itself better to training than a bulldog and learns basic commands with pleasure. For a person who is rarely at home, but dreams of a dog, it is better to pay attention to a pug. However, one should not forget that a dog is also a living being that needs attention and communication. If she is alone for a long time, she will be sad and may become depressed.

The French Bulldog is a kind and cheerful dog, but it is also not suitable for those who want an energetic companion for sports. They have weak joints that are not targeted for strenuous activity. Since the respiratory system is also imperfect, long runs are not for them. Both of the breeds boast a long lifespan of about 12 years.

Since both dogs are brachycephalic (animals with a short muzzle), they often have problems with the respiratory system. Both breeds struggle with hot or very cold weather and often develop colds.

When choosing, you need to take into account the tendency to disease. Large eyes are often injured, and wearers may experience prolapse of the third eyelid, glaucoma, along with corneal trauma and cataracts. Often the pug suffers from epilepsy, dermatitis and allergies. The French Bulldog gets sick with discopathy, stenosis of the nasal passage. Bitches often cannot give birth on their own, I have to resort to the help of a veterinarian.

In terms of grooming, dogs have the same needs. Be sure to remember the following rules:

• you need to monitor the nutrition of your animal; both breeds are prone to obesity, which is undesirable for them;
• when the cold season comes, you should dress your pet in warm clothes for a walk; due to a tendency to colds, hypothermia should not be allowed;
• animals do not need bathing and combing;
• you can do water procedures once every three months or if the dog gets dirty, while you should use special shampoos that are sold at the pet store;
• heat is the enemy of both breeds; dogs should not be forgotten in the car, and in warm weather, you should go for a walk early in the morning or in the evening.

See a video below about the difference between a pug and a French bulldog.