Bulldog vs. Pug — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 15, 2024
Bulldogs are muscular and hefty with a distinctive pushed-in nose, while Pugs are smaller, compact dogs known for their playful nature and similarly squished facial structure.
Difference Between Bulldog and Pug
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Bulldogs, originally bred for bull-baiting, exhibit a stocky build and formidable appearance, characterized by their broad shoulders and massive head. Whereas, Pugs, once royal pets in China, are considerably smaller and are known for their charming, sociable personality, which contrasts with the Bulldog’s more stoic demeanor.
Bulldogs have a distinctive pushed-in nose and loose, wrinkled skin, particularly around the face, which gives them a rather severe expression. On the other hand, Pugs also feature a squished face but with large, round eyes that give them a perpetually surprised and appealing look, making them widely regarded as comically endearing.
The coat of a Bulldog is short, flat, and smooth, requiring minimal grooming. While Pugs have a similar short coat, they tend to shed more frequently and require a bit more in terms of grooming to manage their shedding and keep their folds clean.
Bulldogs are known for their resilience and strength, traits that made them excellent at the now-banned sport of bull-baiting. On the other hand, Pugs are celebrated more for their companionship and ability to bond deeply with their families, often being described as shadows to their owners due to their clingy nature.
Regarding health, Bulldogs face more severe challenges due to their physical structure, such as respiratory problems, skin infections, and joint pain. Pugs also share some of these health issues, particularly breathing difficulties and eye problems, but generally have fewer joint issues compared to Bulldogs.
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Comparison Chart
Origin
England
China
Size
Medium to large; 40-50 lbs
Small; 14-18 lbs
Coat
Short, flat, smooth
Short, smooth, sheds more
Face
Wide, pushed-in nose, deep folds
Squished, large expressive eyes
Personality
Calm, courageous, dignified
Playful, affectionate, sociable
Compare with Definitions
Bulldog
Requires moderate exercise and maintenance.
Daily walks and regular cleaning of facial folds keep the Bulldog healthy.
Pug
Requires regular grooming to manage shedding.
Brushing her Pug’s coat daily helps manage the hair around the house.
Bulldog
Originally bred for bull-baiting, now a popular companion.
Bulldogs are often seen as mascots for sports teams due to their tough appearance.
Pug
A small toy breed well-loved for its playful and affectionate nature.
The Pug eagerly wagged its tail, waiting for playtime.
Bulldog
Prone to specific health issues due to its distinctive physical traits.
The Bulldog’s breathing problems are a concern for any owner.
Pug
Features a distinctive short-muzzled face and curled tail.
Her Pug’s curled tail seemed to perfectly match his happy demeanor.
Bulldog
Known for its resilience and strong, muscular physique.
Despite his Bulldog's sturdy build, he moves with surprising gentleness.
Pug
Known for being particularly sociable and loving companions.
The Pug loves attending gatherings, often mingling with all the guests.
Bulldog
A medium-sized dog breed known for its loose, wrinkled skin and stocky build.
The Bulldog lazily lounged on the porch, watching the world go by.
Pug
Can suffer from health issues related to its facial structure.
Special care is needed to keep the Pug’s face folds clean and dry.
Bulldog
The Bulldog, also known as the English Bulldog or British Bulldog, is a medium-sized dog breed. It is a muscular, hefty dog with a wrinkled face and a distinctive pushed-in nose.
Pug
The pug is a breed of dog with physically distinctive features of a wrinkly, short-muzzled face, and curled tail. The breed has a fine, glossy coat that comes in a variety of colors, most often light brown (fawn) or black, and a compact, square body with well-developed muscles.
Bulldog
A dog of a breed originally developed in England for bullbaiting, having a short stocky body, large head, and strong square jaws with dewlaps. Also called English bulldog.
Pug
A dog of a dwarf breed like a bulldog with a broad flat nose and deeply wrinkled face.
Bulldog
A short-barreled, large-caliber revolver or pistol.
Pug
A small, slender moth which rests with its wings stretched out to the sides.
Bulldog
A heat-resistant material used to line puddling furnaces.
Pug
Pugged clay.
Bulldog
Chiefly British A proctor's assistant at Oxford University or Cambridge University.
Pug
A boxer
A come-from-nowhere pug gets a shot at the heavyweight title
Bulldog
Relentless or stubborn
"The Boston team has seldom before given such an exhibition of bulldog tenacity and fight" (Glenn Stout).
Pug
The footprint of an animal
I saw the pug marks of the tigress in the soft earth
Bulldog
To throw (a calf or steer) by seizing its horns and twisting its neck until the animal falls.
Pug
Work (clay) into a soft, plastic condition suitable for making bricks or pottery, without air pockets
Bricks set in pugged clay
Bulldog
A breed of dog developed in England by the crossing of the bullbaiting dog and the Pug to produce a ladies' companion dog, having a very smooth coat, a flattened face, wrinkly cheeks, powerful front legs, and smaller hind legs.
Pug
Pack (a space) with pug, sawdust, or other material in order to deaden sound
Old-fashioned pugging with dry sand cannot be carried out
Bulldog
The original form of this breed, the British bulldog.
Pug
Track (an animal) by its footprints.
Bulldog
A stubborn or determined person.
We need a lawyer who will fight for our case, a real bulldog.
His bulldog determination was destined to bring him the opportunity he was seeking.
Pug
A dog of a small sturdy breed developed in China, having a short muzzle, wrinkled face, short smooth coat, and tightly curled tail.
Bulldog
A refractory material used as a furnace lining, obtained by calcining the cinder or slag from the puddling furnace of a rolling mill.
Pug
A pug nose.
Bulldog
One of the proctors' officers.
Pug
Clay ground and kneaded with water into a plastic consistency for forming bricks or pottery.
Bulldog
(pro wrestling) Any move in which the wrestler grabs an opponent's head and jumps forward, so that the wrestler lands, often in a sitting position, and drives the opponent's face into the mat.
Pug
A machine for grinding and mixing clay.
Bulldog
A bulldog edition.
Pug
A footprint, track, or trail, especially of an animal; a pugmark.
Bulldog
Any of various species of African freshwater fish in the genus Marcusenius, a type of elephantfish.
Pug
A fighter, especially a boxer.
Bulldog
To force oneself (in a particular direction).
Pug
To work or knead (clay) with water.
Bulldog
(transitive) To chase (a steer) on horseback and wrestle it to the ground by twisting its horns (as a rodeo performance).
Pug
To fill in with clay or mortar.
Bulldog
A variety of dog, of remarkable ferocity, courage, and tenacity of grip; - so named, probably, from being formerly employed in baiting bulls.
Pug
To make soundproof by covering or packing with clay, mortar, sawdust, or felt.
Bulldog
A refractory material used as a furnace lining, obtained by calcining the cinder or slag from the puddling furnace of a rolling mill.
Pug
A small dog of an ancient breed originating in China, having a snub nose, wrinkled face, squarish body, short smooth hair, and curled tail.
Bulldog
Characteristic of, or like, a bulldog; stubborn; as, bulldog courage; bulldog tenacity.
Pug
A bargeman.
Bulldog
A sturdy thickset short-haired breed with a large head and strong undershot lower jaw; developed originally in England for bull baiting
Pug
(obsolete) chaff; the refuse of grain
Bulldog
Attack viciously and ferociously
Pug
Any geometrid moth of the genus Eupithecia.
Bulldog
Throw a steer by seizing the horns and twisting the neck, as in a rodeo
Pug
(obsolete) An elf or hobgoblin.
Bulldog
Stubbornly unyielding;
Dogged persistence
Dour determination
The most vocal and pertinacious of all the critics
A mind not gifted to discover truth but tenacious to hold it
Men tenacious of opinion
Pug
An upper servant in a great house.
Pug
A harlot; a prostitute.
Pug
(informal) One who fights with fists; a boxer.
Pug
Any compressed clay-like material mixed and worked into a soft, plastic condition for making bricks, pottery or for paving. (Also pug soil)
Pug
A pug mill.
Pug
The pawprint or footprint of an animal.
Pug
(obsolete) A term of endearment.
Pug
(online gaming) PuG {{gloss}}
Pug
(transitive) To mix and stir when wet.
To pug clay for bricks or pottery
Pug
(transitive) To fill or stop with clay by tamping; to fill in or spread with mortar, as a floor or partition, for the purpose of deadening sound.
Pug
To mix and stir when wet, as clay for bricks, pottery, etc.
Pug
To fill or stop with clay by tamping; to fill in or spread with mortar, as a floor or partition, for the purpose of deadening sound. See Pugging, 2.
Pug
Tempered clay; clay moistened and worked so as to be plastic.
Pug
A pug mill.
Pug
An elf, or a hobgoblin; also same as Puck.
Pug
A name for a monkey.
Pug
A name for a fox.
Pug
An intimate; a crony; a dear one.
Pug
Chaff; the refuse of grain.
Pug
A prostitute.
Pug
One of a small breed of pet dogs having a short nose and head; a pug dog.
Pug
Any geometrid moth of the genus Eupithecia.
Pug
A footprint; a track; as of a boar.
Pug
Small compact smooth-coated breed of Asiatic origin having a tightly curled tail and broad flat wrinkled muzzle
Common Curiosities
What are common health concerns for Bulldogs?
Bulldogs often face respiratory problems, skin infections, and joint pain.
Do Pugs require special care for their eyes?
Yes, Pugs often require special care for their eyes because their prominent eyes are prone to injuries and irritations.
Can Bulldogs live in apartments?
Yes, Bulldogs can adapt well to apartment living due to their lower energy levels.
What type of climate is best for a Bulldog?
Bulldogs do best in moderate climates; they can struggle with breathing in very hot or very cold weather due to their short snouts.
How long do Bulldogs typically live?
Bulldogs typically have a lifespan of about 8 to 10 years, which can be influenced by their health and care.
How much exercise does a Pug need?
Pugs need moderate daily exercise to maintain health but can easily become overheated.
What is the typical weight range for a Bulldog?
Bulldogs typically weigh between 40 to 50 pounds.
Are Pugs easy to train?
Pugs can be stubborn but respond well to positive reinforcement training methods, making training a fun and rewarding process.
Are Pugs good with children?
Yes, Pugs are known for being great with children due to their gentle and playful nature.
What are the feeding requirements for a Bulldog?
Bulldogs require a well-balanced diet that is portion-controlled to prevent obesity, a common issue in the breed due to their less active nature.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
