| Pug | French Bulldog |
|---|---|
|
|
| Wins 65.40% of 1k fights | Wins 34.60% of 1k fights |
The better choice for most people is a Pug over a Frech Bulldog for a number of reasons. Frenchies are adorable and I actually own one myself, but the cost to purchase one, their health problems, and behavioral issues can rule them out as an option for most people. Let's dig deeper into exactly why.
French Bulldogs are the Mercedes of the dog world. You can expect to pay upwards of $10,0000 from a top breeder and a minimum of $3,500 everywhere else. I bought mine back in 2019, prior to the economy tanking and still paid close to $5,000.
Pugs are still pretty expensive but not on the level of Frenchies. You can expect to pay between $1,000 and $2,000. So, roughly the cost of the latest iPhone with the highest storage options and specs.
In my experience, Pugs are much easier to train than Frenchies as they tend to want to please their owners more. French Bulldogs by contrast, are pretty self centered and don't respond as well training.
Though, it is possible to take advantage of the dog's love for food and entice them with the promise of treats in exchange for compliance.
Neither of these dogs should be kept outside for long periods of time, especially if you live in a hot climate. These are companion dogs and wouldn't survive very long on their own outdoors.
In fact, pugs are so small and unathletic that they are likely to become a meal for a predatory bird. There is also the risk of a coyote or other predatory canine wandering into your yard for an easy meal.
Please, don't leave your pug or your French Bulldog outside; they will either pass out or become a meal.
If you own a Frech Bulldog, you should definitely buy pet insurance. Its also a safe option for any dog. The reason for this is that many surgeries your dog can get often cost several thousand dollars.
My French Bulldog, for example, had to have three surgeries on three different occasions to remove bowel obstructions. You see, French Bulldogs have a nasty habit of eating anything they can fit in their mouths.
The problem is, sometimes, they eat things they are unable to pass naturally. When this happens, there is an obstruction, and the dog can die if it's not removed in time.
So, each time my dog ate something too big to pass, I paid upwards of $3,500 out of pocket! Had I purchased pet insurance through a company like Spot Pet Insurance, I would have only paid 10% of that cost.
I've often heard that they eat random objects like pencils, erasers, and toys due to boredom. So, like most pet owners do, I decided to spend more time with my Frenchie and provide near constant mental stimulation.
I even went as far as moving my office downstairs to his favorite room in the house, our family room. I bought toys and different treats and a mere one month after the initial bowel obstruction incident, it happend again!
Once I ponied up the 3K and brought him home, I again began to spend even more time with him, went on additional walks, and bought more toys. Then, as fate would have it, a third item was swallowed and needed to be cut out of him.
After about 9k in surgergies I came to the conclusion that this breed is somehow genetically predisposed to eating random items if they have a similar consistency to things they normally eat.
The taste of the object doesn't really matter as my dog has eaten a foam cylinder, wine cork, and a few other things that virtually have no taste. So, if you decide to get a cute Frenchie, keep everything off your floor, which may be impossible if you have little kids at home.
It's hard to believe the Frenchie and Pug descended from something as big and ferocious as a wolf. But, despite its cute appearance the Pug was cross-bred from more animals that were closely related to wolves like the Pekingnese.
Thus, preserving more of its wolfly DNA.
If you want an affordable, easier-to-train small dog, opt for the Pug over the French Bulldog. But, if your pockets are deep enough and you have abundant patience, go with the adorable Frenchie.
Remember, no matter what dog you choose, be sure to look around for Pet Health Insurance. Most plans have low premiums reasonable deductibles, and will potentially save you thousands of dollars each year.
If you're dropping a few thousand on a puppy, be sure to insure it properly.
Posted by: Matt Irving on 04/28/2024
