Bulldog vs Pug

A Bulldog
Photo: Pleple2000
A Pug
Photo: Abuk SABUK

Side by side

Bulldog
Pug
Adult weight
Males 23–32.2 kg (51–71 lb); females 20.2–28.4 kg (45–63 lb) (measured in UK vet records, n = 1,621, mean ±1 SD)1
Males 8.8–11.1 kg (19–24 lb); females 7.3–9.3 kg (16–21 lb) (measured in UK vet records, n = 1,009, middle 50%)1
Height
Males 35.6–38.1 cm; females 35.6–38.1 cm (breed club figure)2
No sourced figure
Lifespan
Median 9.8 years3
Median 11.6 years3
Fully grown
11 months, both sexes4
10 months, both sexes4
Group
Pinschers & molossoids5
Companion & toy6
Coat
Short coat5
Short coat6
Shedding
Sheds through the year
Grooming
A brush once a week
Exercise
A moderate amount
A modest amount
Health
Breathing obstruction from a short muzzle (far more likely); Cherry eye (far more likely)7,8
Breathing obstruction from a short muzzle (far more likely); Corneal ulcers (far more likely)9
Class
Companion
Lap dog

Which suits you

Size
The Bulldog is far larger: about 26 kg (57 lb) as an adult, against 9.1 kg (20 lb) for the Pug.
Lifespan
In UK vet records the Pug lives longer: a median of 11.6 years, against 9.8 for the Bulldog.
Exercise
Plan for a moderate amount of exercise with the Bulldog, and a modest amount with the Pug.
Temperament
They differ most on independence (Bulldog: decides for itself; Pug: cooperative, with its own ideas) and on loyalty (Bulldog: friendly with everyone; Pug: bonded to its family).
Alike
Both are rated the same on affection: a lap or leaning dog.
Neither is the better dog in general. Which suits you depends on your home, your days and the care you can give.
Take the breed matcher

What they're like

Bulldog
Pinschers & molossoids · Medium

In temperament the modern Bulldog is calm, affectionate and good-natured, steady rather than lively, though often determined and somewhat stubborn.

Pug
Companion & toy · Small

By temperament the Pug is good-natured, sociable and playful. It likes to stay close to its people and often follows them about the house.

The Bulldog page →The Pug page →

Breed traits

Day to day
Bulldog
Pug
Activity
Happy with modest walks
Happy with modest walks
Intelligence
Easy-going, simple routines
Easy-going, simple routines
Handler demand
Suits a first-time owner
Suits a first-time owner
With people
Bulldog
Pug
Affection
A lap or leaning dog
A lap or leaning dog
Loyalty
Differs
Friendly with everyone
Bonded to its family
Independence
Differs
Decides for itself
Cooperative, with its own ideas
Around the home
Bulldog
Pug
Sensitivity
Differs
Hardy, takes a busy home in its stride
Average
Voice
Quiet
Quiet
Prey drive
Usually fine with small pets
Usually fine with small pets
Breed explains only about 9% of how individual dogs differ in behaviour10. Meet the dog. A good breeder breeds for temperament as well as health, and matches each puppy's personality to the right home11,12.

Puppy growth

Reference curves · both sexes
The Bulldog grows to the heavier adult, about 26 kg against the Pug's 9.2 kg.
Bulldog
Pug
0102030402m4m6m9m12m18m
0102030402m3m4m6m9m12m18m

More comparisons

Compare the Bulldog with
Bulldog vs French BulldogFrench Bulldog vs PugAmerican Pit Bull Terrier vs BulldogAmerican Bulldog vs BulldogBrussels Griffon vs PugBulldog vs Entlebucher Mountain DogAll breed comparisons →

Sources

Parts of this page were written by AI ·