Breed comparison
French Bulldog 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
3Energy level3
4Trainability4
3Mental stimulation needs3
5Adaptability5
3Watchdog / protective3
1Barking1
3Shedding4
1Coat grooming2
3Drooling1
The biggest differences
- Drooling: the French Bulldog scores 3 out of 5, the Pug 1.
They score the same on affection with family, good with young children, good with other dogs, openness to strangers, playfulness, energy level.
Which one should you choose?
Pick the French Bulldog if you want less dog hair. Pick the Pug if its looks and size suit you better, since the ratings are close.
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.