Pug/French bulldog?

[OhHolyFuck]

Have finally moved into a place where I can get a dog and love both these breeds, want to do research first though so has anyone owned either and can give me their experiences?
Thanks

[MimsyBorogroves]

I haven't owned them, however I would advise that if you are going to get one that either you look at a breed specific rescue (which would have history of the animal) or, if you are wanting to buy, you research a breeder very carefully. Both breeds are prone to issues with skeletons, allergies, eyes and ears. They are also very popular, so there will be lots of backyard breeders and puppy farmers wanting to cash in. A cheaper dog will = higher vets bills long term. Both breeds will be expensive to insure.

I believe both breeds are quite stubborn in house training too. Having owned a breed which is difficult to house train myself (a hound) this is difficult - especially with children. I was lucky enough to be at home all the time so it wasn't as difficult as it could be.

[FarrowandBallAche]

Pugs moult A LOT.

[OhHolyFuck]

I work nights (and ex-DP is here with the children then) so I'm home all day so hopefully that'll help

Will definitely look into acquiring one 'properly' - I'd hate to think id be adding to backyard breeding and want a dog that's going to be as happy/healthy for as long as possible
Happy to take as long as it takes to get the right one than rush into it

[Greenteandchives]

My son has a Frenchie. He is adorable. Well trained and obedient, loyal, hilarious, a real character and was easy to house train. Does not need much exercise, and doesn't bark, just 'huffs'. I love him. .
Was not cheap. My son did a lot of research and travelled a long way for a good breeder.

[BlackbirdSingsInTheDeadOfNight]

My parents had a French bulldog in the 1990s. At the time the breed was very unusual and people generally assumed he was a pug. It's a breed which can be beset by health problems, and he was an especially unlucky example. For his final 5 or 6 years he had one eye (and was blind in it), one ear, back legs that didn't work properly and numerous other problems. He was my granny's dog initially and I suspect she didn't research the bloodlines/inherited health problems very thoroughly before buying.

There are far more breeders around now, but frenchies (and pugs for that matter) seem to go for astonishingly high prices.

[cupcakesandwine]

I have a pug and from talking to other pug owners he seems pretty typical. Lovely nature and very funny. Downsides are: moults like you would not believe, prone to skin problems, still not house trained at a year old (apparently very common) and still won't walk to heel, comes when called as long as there are no paper bags, bins etc in the vicinity which might contain food - pugs LIVE for food.

He's hard work, but he is a sweetie and we love him. IME there are much easier breeds. Try a poodle!

[Roseberrry]

this website has a lot of useful info on pug temperament

[cupcakesandwine]

Roseberry, yes I agree that website gives an accurate description of a pug.

[Wineandpopcorn]

My lovely Pug had multiple health problems, was never fully toilet trained, and keeled over and died at a very early age. It was so traumatic, and quite common apparently . We got him after lots of research, and from a reputable breeder. I would never have a pug again due to the multitude of health problems .

[Iloveterriers]

As they are brachecephalic (short noses) they are prone to brachecephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS) and may require surgery to have excess tissue cut out from the back of their throats to enable them to breath better. They are also both prone to eye problems due to them sticking out and spinal problems. Both breeds have soared in popularity and many are being imported illegally from abroad.
Honestly, although they are both lovely dogs in terms of personality, I wouldn't get a breed which has been bred to look a certain way which has caused it horrible health conditions. There are plenty of lovely breeds out there which aren't mutants. And don't get me started on British Bulldogs (I'm a vet nurse)

[sparechange]

They are the current breed de jour so breeders are churning them out at a rate of knots to keep up with demand.

Their health problems are widely known, but these 'responsible' breeders also seem to love docking their tails, despite it being illegal and completely immoral.

So if you are set on following the herd getting one of these breeds, please for the love of god stay away from any breeders selling docked puppies.
Someone who thinks it is acceptable to hack off their tail at a few days old, just to make a style statement is not anyone I would class as responsible, or give any money to

[toboldlygo]

Neither of those breeds are docked, sparechange, they are born tailless or with very short screw tails. Both are associated with life-limiting spinal and neurological problems (hemivertebrae etc.)

[noddingoff]

Roseberry's website is good, especially about the health conditions. If you get either of these breeds and don't bother getting them used to having their face, mouth, eyes, ears and feet thoroughly handled, then limply tell your vet that you can't put in the eye drops when it gets eye ulcers, or that you can't brush its undererupted rotated overcrowded teeth, or put drops in its atopic ears, or wash under its yeasty nose fold, or can't clip more than one nail at a time as it panics and goes blue (it takes very little stress to make a brachycephalic dog go blue) then I will find you and I will kill you
Ditto if you appear shocked and horrified at the cost and effort involved treating its first eye ulcer.
Ditto if you like running and expect the dog to come training with you then bring it in collapsed on a mildly warm day.
Ditto if you complain when the insurance premium rises to £60/month.
(Can you tell I'm a vet who's getting annoyed with the frequency of these scenarios?)
Not to mention the luxating patellas, hemivertebrae, aortic stenosis etc etc.
I think "reputable breeder" is probably the least-worst option - but no matter which pug or Frenchie you buy, do bear in mind that you are choosing to buy something designed to have physical abnormalities/disabilities so you have to accept the cost and work that goes with it, for as long as the dog shall live.
Yes they have sweet temperaments - but so do many dogs which aren't conformational trainwrecks.

[sweetkitty]

So many for sale just now from £1000-3000 for a Frenchie. They are very popular which is a bad thing as they could be overbred by people wanting to make fast money

[frenchiepup]

We have a french bulldog. They have the best character, he is funny and entertaining but also loves to sit on /next to you for cuddles throughout the day! He was easy to housebreak and crate train. Loves all dogs and excellent with children. However he can be a bit stubbon at times. He is pretty healthy so far had no problems except we worked out that he is allergic to chicken - so no food or treats with chicken and he is good. Rarely a smelly fart! But some say they are prettg stinky breed and some have lots of health problems. Check the french bulldog club of england website for potential health problems but also they have a puppy section to put you on contact with breeders (i think)

[puggymummy1]

I have a black pug who is almost 7. No house training issues and very easy to train. Excellent on and off the lead and loves everyone. She did have an operation to reduce her soft palate and had her nostrils widened when she was two and just before this she had tests that concluded she was allergic to beef, wheat and milk. She doesn't moult much at all. I wouldn't change her for the world.

[SmellOfPythonInTheMorning]

I have a two year old pug that we got from a breeder. The breeder was fantastic and provided us with ton of information and as many visits as we wanted beforehand; we are still in touch with them.

Having said that, if I was to do it again I would rescue a dog rather than buying a puppy. I now help a couple of pug rescues and it is heartbreaking how many of them are abused and/or abandoned because of the popularity of the breed.

noddingoff makes very good points. Our pug has had eye ulcers and skin problems, but we agreed from the start that we'd never skimp on veterinary care for him. He has brought so much happiness to our home! He is stubborn, moults and farts for England, and totally obsessed with food. He is also incredibly sweet, gives the best cuddles and makes us laugh almost every day with his crazy pug antics.

[Gide]

Be very careful where you source a puppy if you decide on a pug. Lots of unethical breeders who don't health test and TBH, I wouldn't go near the breed. Many of them just aren't 'for for purpose' and suffer horribly with skin folds and breathing issues. Look for an assured breeder on the Kennel Club website (no guarantees even with those) because at least they health test. Look at the breed websites for support.

[30DayDead]

Most Pugs can't breathe properly. Please don't get a dog like that.

[Helloandgoodbye]

Pugs moult all day every day. I thought I would be able to handle it - how wrong I was. It actually gets you down. I used to hoover him to try and ease the moulting - didn't work. Lovely natured dogs but mine also died after 7 years so quite young(ish), had seizures like epileptic fits. Had to have him put down in the end. He came from a reputable breeder too and cost £1000. He was such a lovely boy my dad absolutely adored him and still talks about him 5 years later.

[RTKangaMummy]

My brother has a pug who has just been DX with a hereditary disease that I can't remember but it is a horrible disease something like encephalitis,

it is a very young dog and he paid lots of money to a "good" breeder to buy a "good" dog iyswim but obviously someone wasn't honest somewhere as it is in the genes and shouldn't have happened as it is a common fault (I think) so anyway the breeder should have known not to breed from those parents

[Raia]

We've got a rescue Frenchie. They are lovely dogs, very friendly, good with children etc, but I do agree with those who are critical about the breeding of these dogs. We got our girl from Battersea Dogs' Home and I'm pretty sure she'd been used for breeding and then dumped when she got too old. She has breathing difficulties and skin problems (which we've now got under control with non-steroidal meds). She was obese when we got her and as far as we can tell had rarely, if ever, been walked. She's six and we are having to teach her how to go for walks. So I'd say to anyone please don't buy one of these dogs from a breeder, especially (obviously) a backyard breeder. Someone has used our dog, knowing about her health problems, to breed from and that's just irresponsible.

We had a Boston Terrier before this and he had all sorts of health problems (similar health implications to those Frenchies and pugs have because they're all brachycephalic).

I'd say if you love these breeds then get a rescue dog, don't fuel the trade in puppies.

[Stinkybumsteve]

I've had ten Frenchies, as well as Dobie, lab, Dulux dog, poodles, Irish setter, cavalier, Cocker, border collie - all Rescue dogs .

Yes, Frenchies come with health issues, but so do all breeds.
There's a massive trade in puppy farming and imported dogs: reputable responsible breeders will test parents for BOAS, luxating patella etc and will not breed from affected dogs.
They don't let the bitches have too many litters ; they don't keep the dogs outside in sheds. This is expensive, and is reflected in the price.
If you see a Frenchy for less than a grand, you can bet its parents haven’t been selected for good health, and the pup's likely to have problems:
Eg £700 bargain needs a £2,500 surgery for BOAS surgery, for example.

Importers and backyard breeders are very skilled at hoodwinking punters: they advertise as UK bred, they let you meet the (fake) dam/sire, they give you all the "right" answers. They even sell dogs that turn out to be crosses: mixed with chihuahua, staffy, Pug, anything.

They exist because people want cheap puppies and they want them now. If you're dead set on a Frenchy, I'd say :

1. don't buy an import
   
2. don't buy cheap
   
3. buy from someone who's been in the breeding game for years, not from Mrs Get-rich-quick
   
4. prepare to wait, and to travel
   
5. read as much as you can about the breed (real books, not Facebook, and goggle "BAOS/BOAS)
   
6. consider fostering first, to get experience of the breed
   
7. consider adoption:
   
   F. Bulldog Saviours
   F. Bulldog Rescue GB
   
   are two Rescues, and there'll be similar for pugs

[BagelGoesWalking]

Holy would you be open to other breeds of dog at all?

To me ( and it's only opinion, obviously) it just seems bonkers to pay £1000 more or less for a dog with so many potential health problems, or any dog for that matter.

So many dogs in rescue, not all are there because they are "bad" dogs. There are all kinds of reasons. Many puppies also in rescue. Obviously, some puppies could have undiscovered health problems but many will be absolutely fine.

Temperament is everything when you have children. Look at smaller rescues who are flexible re. Young children. Often their dogs will be in foster homes so they will have been assessed with other dogs/children/cats etc. They will already be house trained, will have basic training and will be much easier for you. After a nights work, surely you won't want to be awake all day with a puppy needing training and eyes on them 24/7 for house training?

You'll only pay about £250 for a rescue dog, so you'll have plenty left from £1,000 for pet insurance, toys, food, vaccinations and so on.

[Mummymoanasaurus]

I am getting my French bulldog puppy next week! Yes he is from a reputable breeder, have seen both parents many times, both have had all relevant health checks, brought up in the home. I know what I am getting into as I have a bulldog already 😳
Noddinoff - you won't have to come and find me and kill me I promise! I can go all over my bulldog, eyes,ears, mouth, nails clipped no problem etc and only walk early morning/evening in the warmer months and my insurance is just over £60 per month