Breed comparison
Boston Terrier vs Pug
How the two breeds compare on the American Kennel Club's 1 to 5 trait ratings, and which one suits which home.
Pug5Affection with family5
5Good with young children5
4Good with other dogs4
5Openness to strangers5
5Playfulness5
4Energy level3
4Trainability4
3Mental stimulation needs3
3Adaptability5
3Watchdog / protective3
2Barking1
2Shedding4
2Coat grooming2
1Drooling1
The biggest differences
- Adaptability: the Pug scores 5 out of 5, the Boston Terrier 3.
- Shedding: the Pug scores 4 out of 5, the Boston Terrier 2.
They score the same on affection with family, good with young children, good with other dogs, openness to strangers, playfulness, trainability.
Which one should you choose?
Pick the Boston Terrier if you want an energetic exercise partner, you want less dog hair. Pick the Pug if you prefer a calmer dog, you want a quieter dog, you live in a smaller home or move often.
Ratings are general breed tendencies from the AKC. Every dog is an individual, so meet the dog, and its parents if you can, before you decide. Not sure? Try the breed selector.
Source: American Kennel Club breed ratings (compiled February 2022). How we check.