Are Boston terriers or pugs cuter? Decisions like this are always so difficult! So, let’s talk about everything that makes these breeds so cute and see if it helps you decide.
Boston terriers and pugs both have big eyes, short snouts, and tiny bodies. They’re short-haired dogs with similar cuddly, friendly temperaments. Pugs are a bit smaller, standing a maximum of 13 inches tall. Bostons can be a bit more vocal, but not much!
In this article, we’ll discuss the similarities and differences between Boston terriers and pugs, plus which is cuter! We’ll also discuss how to care for them if you’re considering adopting one!
Boston terriers are small-medium dogs with bi or tri-colored coats.
Weighing under 25 pounds, Boston Terriers are small-medium dogs. They’re perfect for people who want a dog larger than most house cats but not so big that they’re hard to manage or costly to feed.
Short Bi or Tri-Colored Coats
Boston terriers always have more than one coat color under breed standards. They can be:
Black and white
Black, brindle, and white
Brindle and white
Seal and white
Seal, brindle, and white
Their coats are also short and super easy to manage! A quick brush down once a week keeps their coat healthy and removes some fur so they shed less around the house.
They have Huge Ears!
One of my favorite things about this breed is their big ears. They stand upright naturally, though Boston terrier puppies are born with floppy ears that straighten as they age.
Baby-Doll Eyes
They also have large eyes that are sure to draw your attention. This makes it super easy for them to win our hearts and even beg for extra treats!
Short Muzzles
Boston terriers are bred for cuteness, sometimes over health. Their short snouts are an unfortunate example of this.
Though they’re adorable, short snouts cause breathing difficulties and other health problems.
Friendly
Boston Terriers tend to get along with almost anyone. They’re great companions, family dogs, and even enjoy meeting new people!
Cuddly
These puppers love a good snuggle! Most of them are lap dogs who will always want to lay on top of you or right by your side. It might be difficult to get out of bed or off the couch with a sweet Boston Terrier asking for more cuddle time with those big puppy eyes!
Clingy
Being lap dogs, Bostons are also clingy. This can become a problem if they are left alone for too long or develop separation anxiety.
Boston Terriers are great for families that work or go to school at different times, so someone can usually be home with the dog.
Energetic
They’re also energetic and love to play! When you aren’t cuddling, you’ll likely be playing tug-of-war with toys or watching them do zoomies around the living room.
Infrequent Barking
Boston terriers can and will bark, but it’s very infrequent. They’re not prone to excessive barking and will likely only bark for short periods when excited.
Pugs come in two colors: fawn and black. Their coats are short and shed heavily.
Pugs are even smaller than Boston terriers, weighing 14-18 pounds. They’re still fairly sturdy, muscular dogs, but they’re also super easy for most people to manage on a leash.
Wrinkly Skin
Pugs have wrinkles, primarily around their faces and necks. They require more grooming maintenance than dogs without folds in their skin, but some people find them adorable enough to be worth it!
Short Coat
Like Boston terriers, pugs also have short coats that are easy to maintain. Unlike Boston terriers, pugs only have two solid colors accepted under the AKC breed standard: black and fawn. They can also have black mask markings on their faces.
Big Eyes
Another similarity between these breeds are their eyes. This is no surprise since humans have been found to adore big eyes in animals!
Opposite Boston terriers, pugs have tiny, floppy ears. I think they’re just as cute as the big, upright ears, personally!
Cuddlesome
If you walk into a pug guardian’s home, I bet you’ll find them resting on the couch with their fur baby in their lap! These dogs love to cuddle close.
Outgoing
Pugs are also outgoing. Like Bostons, they get along with most people and dogs. Of course, all breeds should be supervised when first meeting someone new, and always around children!
Playful
They’re also incredibly playful and love their toys, romping around the backyard, and activities with their families!
Quiet
Pugs bark very little–usually even less than Boston terriers. If you’re looking for a quiet addition to your home, a Pug might be a good fit.
Boston terriers tend to be more energetic than pugs.
Pugs shed more than Boston terriers, but both pups will leave quite a bit of fur around the house.
They each require a quick, weekly brushing to keep their coats sleek and healthy. This will also cut down on the shed fur you find around the house–or even on yourself after a cuddle!
Exercise
Boston terriers are more energetic than pugs, so they might be better if you’re looking for an exercise buddy for light activities.
Both dogs are brachycephalic or short-snouted and should be watched carefully in the heat. Too hot, and they should be kept indoors until the weather cools down in the evening or early the next morning.
Strenuous exercise is also, unfortunately, a no-go for these pups. Everything should be taken at their pace and with a watchful eye on their breathing.
Training
Both dogs are sensitive and eager to please. This means that they’ll listen pretty well during training.
It also means they’ll be even more hurt by harsh or aversive training methods than your average dog. Remember to train based on primarily positive reinforcement!
Health
Unfortunately, neither of these dogs is healthy. At baseline, most of them have a hard time breathing in their daily lives due to poor breeding. I definitely don’t recommend supporting breeders of either breed!
Pugs and Bostons are brachycephalic or short-snouted. This causes breathing difficulties, increased susceptibility to heat stroke, exercise intolerance, and more.
Many brachycephalic dogs need surgery at some point in their lives either as a result of or to correct symptoms of brachycephalic airway syndrome .
They may also suffer from eye problems or luxating patella . Pugs often have skin issues as a result of their wrinkled skin.
Both pugs and Boston terriers are unhealthy due to poor breeding.
These dogs are similar, so deciding which is cuter for you can be difficult! I hope the lists above have given you some things to think about.
Also, consider how each dog will fit into your lifestyle. For instance, Bostons can tolerate a bit more exercise, but neither breed is built to be a marathon runner!
Pugs are smaller, which might make them a better fit for you. They’re also a bit quieter when it comes to barking.
Neither dog is good for a single person who works outside the home unless you can have someone stop by once or twice a day so that they aren’t alone for extended times. Even then, some dogs won’t thrive in this environment.
They also don’t make good dogs to purchase from breeders, since breeding practices for both are so unethical. Instead, they make a great shelter or rescue dog!
At the end of the day, it’s all about personal preference and whether you can make a pug or Boston terrier happy in your home!
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