French bulldog
PugSide by side
A tick marks the better of the two on each line.
| French bulldog | Pug | |
| First year | £3,322 | £3,097✓ |
|---|---|---|
| Each year after | £1,492 | £1,312✓ |
| A month | £124 | £109✓ |
| Food a month | £27 | £21✓ |
| Insurance, a month | £50 | £43✓ |
| Adult weight | 9 to 13kg | 6 to 9kg |
| Lifespan | About 10 years | About 11 years✓ |
| Grooming | At home | At home |
| Breed health problems | Well-known problems | Well-known problems |
| Over its life | £16,750 | £16,217 |
Which should you pick?
Pick the pug if…
- You want the cheaper dog to run: about £180 a year less
- You want a smaller dog: usually 6 to 9kg
- A longer life matters to you: about 11 years on average
Health problems to know about
French bulldog
- Breathing problems from the flat face
- Skin fold infections
- Spine problems
Pug
- Breathing problems from the flat face
- Eye injuries
- Skin fold infections
Whichever you choose, ask the breeder for health test results for both parents, and look for lifetime insurance with at least £7,000 a year for vet fees.
Compare insurance for either breed
Look for lifetime cover. Quotes for the same puppy can vary a lot between insurers.
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Questions
Which is cheaper, a French bulldog or a pug?
The pug is cheaper to run, by about £180 a year.
Which lives longer, a French bulldog or a pug?
French bulldogs live about 10 years and pugs about 11 years on average.
Which is bigger, a French bulldog or a pug?
French bulldogs usually weigh 9 to 13kg and pugs 6 to 9kg as adults.
More comparisons
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These use the same starting figures as our breed pages: a girl puppy at £1,000, mid-range food for the adult weight, a week of kennels a year and no daycare. Put in your own figures.