English Bulldogs Vs Pugs – The Basics
English Bulldogs Vs Pugs; which is a better dog for your family? When choosing a dog, you need to take several factors into account. Things like the amount of care the dog will need (which varies with the breed), if they’re prone to some issues, if they get along with kids and other pets, and if they’re easy to train. All of this should be thought through until you find the perfect match. In this article you’ll find:
- Everything you need to know about both breeds.
- English Bulldogs vs Pugs; which is better with kids/other pets and more.
- Pros and cons of owning one or the other: English Bulldogs vs Pugs.
- And more about America’s most beloved brachycephalic breeds.
When you finish reading this article, you’ll have a sound idea of which of those breeds would be more suited to become part of your family. You must know that, regardless of anyone’s opinion, any dog is a good fit to any home if you’re in to put some effort into their training.
English Bulldogs Vs Pugs? You’ll know the answer in less than 5 minutes! Let’s get right into this breed comparison!
“Bulldogs, whose short snouts prevent them from cooling themselves effectively, are among the breeds most affected by the rigors of transport in unventilated cargo holds”
PETA – People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals
English Bulldogs vs Pugs: origins
Most people believe that both of these breeds come from the same or a similar origin. Still, this couldn’t be further away from the truth! English Bulldogs, as you might have figured, come from England, where they were developed as a breed for bull baiting. They literally fought bulls, which is the origin of the breed’s name.
On the other hand, Pugs come from China, and they’re one of the most ancient breeds around the world. Learn more here about the origins of Pugs. As you can see, not only they’re different in appearance (aside from the similar brachycephalic skull), but they’re also dogs that used to have very different purposes. Pugs are purely a companionship breed from the beginning of their breeding, and English Bullies have been adapted to be companionship dogs.
It’s important to note that even though English Bulldogs come from these troubled origins, they’re no longer what they used to be in terms of aggressiveness.
English Bulldogs vs Pugs: Pros and Cons of each breed
Both breeds are amazing companionship breeds with a few extra traits that make them better than the other in some aspects, making this a very balanced competition. With that being said, it’s up to you to decide which suits your family better after checking out those traits.
English Bulldogs pros
- English Bulldogs are strong, stocky, barrel-shaped dogs just like Pugs; the difference is that they are bigger.
- They don’t bark a lot.
- They are of low energy, so they’re great for older people and busy adults. They love cuddling as much as a Pug.
- They are also loyal and eager to please.
- They are fairly healthy when properly taken care of.
- Finally, they require less care than Pugs because they shed less.
AKC – American Kennel Club
English Bulldogs cons
- They are also brachycephalic, which causes them to have some issues. Learn more about English Bulldogs and Pug’s breathing issues here.
- They eat more than Pugs.
- Since they are bigger, they can suffer from some issues with their weight.
- Also, they’re not as good with kids and other smaller pets for the same reason.
- They are prone to have aggressive traits (like food guarding, territoriality, among other issues) if poorly trained or trained with negative methods.
- They are prone to obesity.
- Finally, it’s harder to train them because of their stubborn streak (they’re not so bright either!).
Pugs pros
- They are smart and comical.
- They are easier to train than English Bullies.
- They are smaller, making them slightly better for apartments.
- It’s cheaper because they don’t eat that much.
- Since they’re small, they are also better with kids and other small pets.
- Generally, they’re more manageable than Bullies (for example, when giving them a bath).
- Since they’re smaller, Pugs have a better lifespan just like other small breeds.
- They are loyal, protective of their own, and of low energy and exercise requirements.
Pugs cons
- They are also prone to suffer from obesity.
- They are brachycephalic.
- They require a little bit more care (they shed more, their nails grow faster, among others)
- They are more active than Bullies, which can get them bored quickly (when they’re young).
- They are more prone to suffer from separation anxiety.
Wrap up: which is better?
As we said above, this decision is up to you. This is a very balanced comparison. Even though Pugs require more care (especially coat care with the right deshedding tools), they’re better with kids, easier to train (especially if you have the right Pug training treats!), and more sociable than English Bulldogs.
On the other hand, English Bullies are much better suited for seniors because they don’t need as much exercise, much care, and overall as much attention as Pugs. They thrive having a lot of playtime in their youth, but they will spend most of their day sleeping and hanging out with you. They do require a little bit more patience and consistency while training them, so take this into account before choosing them.
Both breeds are good with kids, but Pugs are better with them because they’re smaller and easier to train and socialize. Still, this is no issue that a Bully can’t overcome with training.
It’s important to note that English Bulldogs are heavy dogs (up to 55+ pounds!), and also very, very strong. Pugs weigh half of that (up to 20 pounds), which is why kids can handle them easily.
Frequently Asked Questions – English Bulldogs Vs Pugs
Even though they might look like they can tear you apart in one bite, they wouldn’t even think of doing it. Just as any dog, if they’re properly trained and treated with love and patience, they will answer politely in any situation. They’re big-boned good boys!
Pugs and English Bullies have similar issues coming from their brachycephalic skull. Still, both breeds have a different array of issues that you must be aware of, like joint issues in Bullies and allergies in Pugs. However, all of them can be ruled out if you pick the right breeder and the right puppy!
Neither of those breeds is great to sustain heat. Still, Pugs could be better during hot streaks, as they’re smaller and it’s slightly easier for them to cool down than big-boned Bullies. Still, Bullies do better during winter, as they are more protected against cold. Don’t take them to Antarctica though!
Conclusion
Here at PugsClub.org, we love Pugs with our lives. Still, we do recognize that English Bulldogs are amazing dogs that can do great inside any family if given the chance. Don’t let the “mad-dog” face scare you; they’re funny, loving, and sociable fur babies that will love to curl on your lap as if they had the size of a Chihuahua.
If you were wondering; Yes! Pugs and English Bulldogs get along easily as they both love to chill and are not that energetic. Still, for this to happen, you’ll need to keep Pugs on check with daily walks; learn here how to do it.
So, are you ready to adopt one of those smushy-face fur-babies into your family?
