Pug and french bulldog: who to choose?

A pug and a French bulldog are similar dogs that are often confused. Most people do not know which breed is more suitable for them, they are lost in the choice. To decide, you need to study the characteristics of the character and care for each of the dogs.

Some people believe that a pug and a French bulldog are dogs of the same origin and they have a lot in common. Some may even mix animals, especially if they have the same color. Despite the similarities, these are different animals and each story has its own characteristics.

For the first time this breed was mentioned in ancient China. Records of pets were found in manuscripts of the 13th – 14th centuries. They were described as square doggies with a short muzzle. In those days, lords and shorthaired animals lived. The latter type was very popular and the pug known at the moment came from it. They were loved for the wrinkles on the forehead, which looked like hieroglyphs. And also the pug was called a dog, on whose head there is an imperial sign. Only a rich man could afford such a dog.

In the XV century, animals came to France, where the breed began to gain rapid popularity, they became known throughout Europe. The rulers of different states started pugs for themselves, and even in Russia the princes Golitsyn lived such a breed.

The French Bulldog is descended from the English Bulldog, which was used as a fighting in the bullring. French is a miniature copy of English, before they were also used for fighting. But the fighting was banned, so the breed was remade into a rat-catcher. Although the name of the dogs is French, it appeared in England, from where over time they came with emigrants to France. Dogs quickly gained popularity, only very wealthy people could buy them.

Registration of animals took place in France, where it got its name. Dogs were brought to Russia in the 19th century and presented at an exhibition in St. Petersburg. According to journalists, it became known that in those days the breed instantly gained popularity, its representatives lived with many famous people: Mayakovsky, Kustodiev, Chaliapin.

Since a pug with a French bulldog is similar in external characteristics, many people cannot decide which breed to buy. Despite the fact that at first glance inexperienced people can mix up two dogs, there are a large number of differences between them.

Pugs have a large, square head. The head of bitches is smaller than that of males. The upper part of the skull (when viewed from above) should be flat between the ears. With a side view, the forehead is flat. If the dog has a rounded shape - this is a reason for disqualification. On the forehead there should be noticeable folds with sufficient depth. The lower jaw is wide enough with a prominent chin.

The jaw is powerful and heavy. In front, she is flattened, due to which the dog seems stern. Folds on the jaw are also present and the most distinct serves as a separation of the superciliary arch. This fold should not cross on the forehead. The muzzle is short; its length is half the width of the forehead. Folds are present throughout the face. A narrow or weak jaw is considered a vice.

The French have symmetry in the folds on the face. The muzzle should be upturned, wide and short. The face of a real French bulldog is 1/6 of its head in length.

The pug has dark eyes and round, large size. Looking at them, you might think that the animal is sad. They have a bright shine. Dull eyes symbolize the presence of a disease. Bug-eyed is a serious flaw, as is diagonalization with the appearance of protein.

Bulldogs also have round eyes, large and have a dark brown color. The landing of the eyes is low and wide. The look is always endowed with vivacity and good nature. Dark eyelids are a prerequisite.

A pug has two types of ears: roses and buttons. In the first case, the hall is located in the middle, the ears themselves are laid back. In the second case, the auricle is completely hidden. In two versions, the ears are small in size, they should be pressed tightly to the head. French Bulldog’s ears are medium in size and always directed forward. High landing with a distant location from each other is a prerequisite. The shape is triangular with a wide base, the tip is rounded.

The pug has a strong, long neck with a scruff behind the back of the skull. Bulldogs, on the contrary, have a short neck with pronounced muscles. A dog should not have ligaments under its throat.

A pug is characterized by a powerful and dense body. The upper part is flat, the back should be flat, the breast is wide. The bulldog has a strong skeleton, the body itself looks compact and neat. The back also has muscles and sufficient width. The upper body is curved and smoothly rises to the lower back, after which it sharply decreases towards the tail. The abdomen with the inguinal region is tightened and the sides are rounded.

The legs of a pug are not quite short, straight, have muscles and are parallel. On the pads there are soft and thick pads with divided fingers. The limbs of the French are short and strong. The fingers should be closed with small paws that are slightly turned outward. The hind limbs are longer. The hips are strong, endowed with muscles.

The pug's tail is located in a tight curl. Two turns - this is a valuable feature, which suggests that the dog is purebred. Landing should be high and lie on its side with the pressure to the thigh. The bulldog has a short tail, which is wide at the base, and begins to narrow towards the end, landing is low. From birth, it can be nodular or broken, which suggests that the dog is purebred. The tail of some individuals is wrapped in a ringlet, but such a sign is not among the mandatory.

The pug is characterized by a short coat, which fits snugly to the body. It is soft to the touch, outwardly brilliant. A bulldog, on the contrary, has a short and thick coat, which does not have a pronounced undercoat. Unlike a pug, a Frenchman does not shed so much and does not smell like a dog.

A pug is allowed several colors: silver, yellow-fawn and black. French bulldogs are white, white with spots, white-brindle, white-fawn, and also allowed tiger, fawn. For any color, a prerequisite is the presence of black eyelids.

The pug bitch reaches 8 kilograms with a height of 25–30 cm. A male can grow up to 30–35 cm with a weight category of 6–10 kg. Bitches of the French bulldog weigh 9–12 kilograms with a height of 28–35 cm. For a male, an increase of 30–38 cm with a weight category of 10–15 kg is allowed.

The nature of the pug and the French bulldog is very different. The first breed is docile, loyal to humans and other pets. They get along well with children and will be a good friend even for a cat. A pug is a sensitive and tender animal, which is characterized by obedience, love for affection and the need for attention from the owner. These dogs respond very well to training and quickly master new teams.

The owner can teach his pet basic commands, but the breed is not suitable for work. By its nature, a pug will be flexible, not prone to aggression. The pet will quickly adapt to new conditions. He is always happy where his owner is. Dogs do not need long walks and will gladly spend the evening with the owner in home comfort.

The French Bulldog cannot boast of the pug's complaisance, as they are stubborn and independent. For the Frenchman, a normal situation is when he ignores the commands of his master. However, they are also affectionate and devoted, get along well with children and other household members. A bulldog is able to stand up for its owner if it is in danger. He can even engage in battle with another dog. The breed is characterized by energy and mobility. For a walk, you should watch your pet, as it can chase a cat or just rush off to explore new surroundings.

And also dogs of this breed do not show aggression, although they are wary of strangers. However, he loves household members very much. The bulldog is easy to train and you can run with it, participate in agility. The difference in character suggests that the pug is suitable for a person who is used to a quiet pastime. With him you can walk leisurely, take with you to the cottage or barbecue. Frenchmen will feel good along with active people who like to train.

Puppies of two breeds look charming and will not leave anyone indifferent. But you need to understand that dogs are not suitable for every person, you should consider the characteristics of each animal. Both the pug and the French bulldog are decorative dogs. The pug will not be active and participate in active games. They belong to the category of calm and balanced dogs. For a significant part of their life, they are on the couch, watching what is happening from the side. These are dogs for people who like to spend most of their time at home and receive guests.

A pug is better than a bulldog to train and is happy to learn basic commands. For a person who is rarely at home, but dreams of a dog, it is better to pay attention to the pug. However, one should not forget that the dog is also a living creature that needs attention and communication. If she is alone for a long time, she will be sad and may become depressed.

The French Bulldog is a kind and cheerful dog, but it also will not work because it wants to get an energetic companion for sports. They have weak joints that are not aimed at active loads. Since the respiratory system is also imperfect, long runs are not for them. Both representatives of the breeds boast a long life span of about 12 years.

Since both dogs are brachycephalus (animals with a short muzzle), they often have problems with the respiratory system. Both breeds have difficulty coping with hot or very cold weather and often get colds.

When choosing, you must take into account the tendency to disease. Large eyes are often injured, and owners may also experience third-century prolapse, glaucoma, along with corneal injury and cataracts. Often, a pug suffers from epilepsy, dermatitis, and allergies. French Bulldog is ill with discopathy, stenosis of the nasal passage. Bitches often can not be born on their own, you have to resort to the help of a veterinarian.

In terms of grooming, dogs have the same needs. Be sure to remember the following rules:

• you need to monitor the nutrition of your animal; both breeds are prone to obesity, which is undesirable for them;
• when the cold season comes, you should put your pet in warm clothes for a walk; due to the tendency to colds, hypothermia should not be allowed;
• animals do not need bathing and combing;
• you can do water procedures once every three months or if the dog is dirty, you should use special shampoos that are sold at the pet store;
• heat is the enemy of both breeds; Do not forget the dogs in the car, and in warm weather you should walk early in the morning or evening.

Below you can see a video story about how a pug and a French bulldog differ.