Fetch FinderFunny, loving and happy to nap all day. Pugs are excellent apartment dogs but their flat faces need careful handling in heat. Playful, quiet and built for apartment life. Frenchies need little exercise, but their flat faces make them sensitive to heat and cold.
Side by side
| Pug | French Bulldog | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Small | Small |
| Weight | 14–18 lb | 16–28 lb |
| Lifespan | 13–15 years | 10–12 years |
| Yearly cost (est.) | $1,200–$2,800 | $1,500–$3,000 |
| Family dog | Great family dog | Good family dog |
| Energy level | ||
| Shedding | ||
| Grooming needs | ||
| Apartment-friendly | ||
| Handles cold | ||
| Affectionate / cuddly | ||
| Good with kids | ||
| Good for first-time owners | ||
| Easy to train | ||
| Good with other dogs | ||
| Good with cats | ||
| OK being left alone | ||
| Reliable off-leash | ||
| Protective / watchdog | ||
| Barking | ||
| Drooling |
Which one should you choose?
Choose a Pug if…
- you can't stand drool
- you have young kids at home
- this is your first dog
- you have cats at home
Choose a French Bulldog if…
- you want less dog hair around the house
- you want a quieter dog
- you want easy coat care
- you'd like a bigger, sturdier dog
How they handle cold weather
Pug: Needs a coat in cold winters; cold air can also make breathing harder.
French Bulldog: Needs a coat for cold winters and short outdoor trips on very cold days.
Still deciding? Take the 3-minute quiz, or compare any breeds side by side.
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Small · 14–18 lb👪 Great family dogPugFunny, loving and happy to nap all day. Pugs are excellent apartment dogs but their flat faces need careful handling in heat.
Small · 16–28 lb👪 Good family dogFrench BulldogPlayful, quiet and built for apartment life. Frenchies need little exercise, but their flat faces make them sensitive to heat and cold.