They may look alike with their deeply wrinkled faces and faces, but the Pug and Bulldog are two distinct breeds, each with their own unique history and distinctive traits.
Two strains of two continents
The pug likely originated in China, where it served as a cuddly companion for Tibetan Buddhist monks. During the 16th century, merchants introduced the Pines to the Netherlands, where small dogs became favorite companions of members of the Dutch royal family. When the presence of the pug spread to France and England, it sought to please the royal courts of these nations. In 1885, the American Kennel Club officially registered and recognized the Pirate as a member of the Toy Group.
The bulldog, often referred to as the English bulldog, originated in England. The pampered existence of the Pug was not involved. Bulldogs were used primarily to hunt bulls in sporting arenas around 500 years ago. Once this vicious practice was outlawed, breeders dedicated their efforts to masking the bulldog’s temperament from aggressive attacker to loving companion. The American Kennel Club officially welcomed the Reformed Bulldog into the Non-Sporting group in 1886.
Keep up with different appearances
The Pug is the largest breed within the Toy breed group. Their average weight ranges from 14 to 18 lbs. The bulldog is much heavier, weighing between 40 and 50 pounds. Pugs and Bulldogs both have short, smooth, shiny coats that require minimal grooming. The pug’s coat is either a solid black color or blended with a black muzzle and black markings on the ears. Bulldogs are available in a wide range of colors, including red, white, fawn, pinstriped and bulldog.
Both of these breeds show large heads and inferior jaws, but the Bulldog ones are more noticeable. The bulldog is a prominent dewlap. A pug’s eyes are large and prominent, while a bulldog’s eyes are deep set. The pug’s tail curls tightly over a dog’s hindquarters, but a bulldog’s short tail may be either straight or curled inwards like a corkscrew. Bulldogs have short stubby ears, and pugs usually have short button ears. The pug has longer legs than the bulldog, whose physique is determined by its low-slung torso and shorter legs. Both of these dogs have deep facial wrinkles and facial, or thrust-in faces.
A pair of personal characters
Finding the differences between the temperament of a pug and a bulldog mix is a challenge. Today’s Bulldog is a stud, not the fighter from a bygone era. Pugs and bulldogs are both friendly and friendly with strangers and get along well with children and most other household pets. The bulldog is a dignified charmer who is content to occupy your couch. The pug is more lively, playful and entertaining.
All breeds have a violent streak that will challenge their owners from time to time. Potential dog owners seeking an affectionate family member who requires only a minimal amount of exercise may need to base their decision more on the appearances of a Pug and Bulldog as their personalities are remarkably similar. No wonder both breeds remain among the 35 most popular breeds on the American Kennel Club’s registry.
Consider their health concerns
Both bulldogs and pugs share a few health concerns, one of which is known as brachio-spinal airway syndrome, a condition caused by pressure in the facial structure and shortening of the airway. This condition puts both dogs at high risk for heat stroke. Another health issue that these two breeds share is patellar luxation, a condition in which the knee joint pops in and out of place. All breeds also have a high risk of gum disease due to malocclusion and crowding of the teeth in their mouths. Hip dysplasia, a deformity of the hip joint, was observed in both dogs.
Due to the spherical and prominent width of pug eyes, they are prone to infection, ulceration of the cornea, and dry eyes. Some additional health conditions that can cause baldness include:
- Canine scleroderma encephalitis, an intractable encephalitis that leads to epileptic seizures and death.
- Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, in which blood flow to the hind leg bone is restricted.
- Intestinal pyloric shunt, a defect in which the vessel that should supply blood to the liver instead of transporting blood around the liver.
- Hemivertebrae, is a deformity of the bones of the spine, which can lead to uncoordinated gait and paralysis.
Some of the health conditions that affect bulldogs include:
- Skin infections, especially in deep skin creases and skin folds.
- Gastric torsion, a life-threatening condition in which the stomach twists on its axis, cutting off its blood supply.
- Bladder stones, which are mineral formations that can cause pain, blood in the urine, and the possibility of urethral obstruction in males.
- Cherry eye, prolapse of the gland within the eyelid.
- Ventricular septal defect, a congenital heart defect in which the ventricular wall does not fully fuse, forcing the chambers of the heart’s ventricles to work harder to pump enough blood.
With the efforts an owner makes to maintain their healthy weight, practicing an at-home dental care routine, and following up on regular veterinary check-ups, the average lifespan of a pug is between 12 and 14 years. Even with the same diligent care, however, the average life span of a Bulldog is shorter at 8 to 10 years.
