Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | French Bulldog | Pug |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $29,367 | $30,209 |
| First year | $7,995 | $5,707 |
| Monthly average | $250 | $217 |
| Puppy price | $2,000 to $6,500 | $1,200 to $3,000 |
| Routine care, yearly | $2,371 | $2,233 |
| Documented conditions | 19 | 26 |
| Median lifespan | 9.8 yrs | 11.6 yrs |
| Adult weight | 20 to 28 lb | 14 to 18 lb |
| Daily food | 1.8 cups | 1.3 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $184 | $184 |
| Risk profile | High, early onset | High, early onset |
| Biggest single risk | Hip dysplasia | Obesity |
Health risks compared
What tends to go wrong in each breed, how often, and what it costs to treat.
| Condition | Measured result | Treatment cost |
|---|---|---|
| Hip dysplasia | 33%screened dogs | $1,200–$3,500 |
| Skin disease | 18%1-yr clinical | $252–$679 |
| Digestive disease | 17%1-yr clinical | $354–$954 |
| Ear disease | 16%1-yr clinical | $100–$270 |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15%1-yr clinical | $281–$756 |
| Upper respiratory disease, including BOAS | 13%1-yr clinical | $422–$1,136 |
| Periodontal disease | 13%1-yr clinical | $246–$663 |
| Eye disease | 11%1-yr clinical | $449–$1,209 |
| Intervertebral disc disease (US) | 8%lifetime, owner | $3,776–$10,168 |
| Elbow dysplasia | 8%screened dogs | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7%1-yr clinical | $84–$226 |
| Patellar luxation | 7%screened dogs | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Brachycephalic airway obstruction syndrome (BAOS) | 5%owner survey | $1,784–$4,802 |
| Hypersensitivity (allergic) skin disorder | 5%owner survey | $629–$1,694 |
| Otitis media | 4%owner survey | $100–$270 |
| Degenerative myelopathy | 4%screened dogs | not priced |
| Persistent vomiting | 3%owner survey | not priced |
| Food Allergy | 3%owner survey | $378–$1,017 |
| Intervertebral disc disorder | 3%owner survey | $3,776–$10,168 |
| Patellar luxation/Slipping kneecap | 3%owner survey | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Chronic Itching | 2%owner survey | $629–$1,694 |
| Autoimmune thyroiditis | 0%screened dogs | $169–$455 |
| Spinal disease including IVDD | n/a | $3,776–$10,168 |
| Condition | Measured result | Treatment cost |
|---|---|---|
| Obesity | 13%1-yr clinical | $168–$452 |
| Hip dysplasia | 73%screened dogs | $1,200–$3,500 |
| Extracted teeth (US) | 37%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Skin disease | 36%1-yr clinical | $252–$679 |
| Elbow dysplasia | 36%screened dogs | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Digestive disease | 30%1-yr clinical | $354–$954 |
| Ear Infection (US) | 19%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Dental calculus (US) | 18%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15%1-yr clinical | $281–$756 |
| Periodontal disease | 13%1-yr clinical | $246–$663 |
| Degenerative myelopathy | 12%screened dogs | not priced |
| Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) (US) | 10%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Corneal ulcer (US) | 10%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Dog bite (US) | 9%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Hearing loss (incompletely deaf) (US) | 9%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Osteoarthritis (US) | 8%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Deafness (US) | 8%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Stenotic/narrow nares (US) | 8%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Ear infection | 7%1-yr clinical | $100–$270 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7%1-yr clinical | $84–$226 |
| Corneal Ulcer | 6%owner survey | $469–$1,264 |
| Patellar luxation | 6%screened dogs | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Umbilical hernia | 5%owner survey | $621–$1,671 |
| Hypersensitivity (allergic) skin disorder | 4%owner survey | $629–$1,694 |
| Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS Dry Eye) | 4%owner survey | $224–$604 |
| Seizure/Fitting | 3%owner survey | $1,485–$3,999 |
| Entropion | 2%owner survey | $449–$1,209 |
| Epilepsy | 2%owner survey | $1,485–$3,999 |
| Patellar luxation/Slipping kneecap | 2%owner survey | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome | n/a | $1,784–$4,802 |
Advertisement
Both breeds carry surgical risk, and premiums are priced by breed
Expected vet costs are $0 for the French Bulldog and $392 for the Pug. Every policy excludes anything already diagnosed, so this is worth sorting out before you pick either dog.
Common questions
Is a French Bulldog or a Pug more expensive?
The French Bulldog is cheaper by about $842 over a lifetime. French Bulldog: $29,367. Pug: $30,209. Health costs are not inside either figure. They are documented separately below, in the units each study used.
Which lives longer, a French Bulldog or a Pug?
The Pug has the longer typical lifespan. French Bulldog: 9.8 years. Pug: 11.6 years.
Which is healthier, a French Bulldog or a Pug?
Both figures below are what it costs to own the dog, not what it costs if something goes wrong. The French Bulldog's biggest single risk is hip dysplasia, seen in 33% of the breed. For the Pug it is obesity, at 13%.
How we calculated this
Both breeds run through one model, so the comparison is like for like. Full method.