Golden Retriever vs Pug
Compare the Golden Retriever to the Pug. Use the tool below to compare temperament, size, personality, maintenance requirements, and everything else between Golden Retrievers and Pugs.
Quick Summary
- Owner Experience - Both the Golden Retriever and the Pug are good for new owners, but the Golden Retriever is a slightly better choice.
- Children - Both the Golden Retriever and Pug are great with children.
- Grooming - The Golden Retriever requires moderate grooming, but the Pug has high grooming needs.
- Barking - Both the Golden Retriever and Pug are above average barkers.
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| Breed Name | Golden Retriever | Pug |
| General Details | ||
| Breed Type | Purebred | Purebred |
| Is Hypoallergenic | No | No |
| Lifespan | 10-12 yrs. | 12-15 yrs. |
| Height | 21-24 in. | 10-14 in. |
| Weight | 55-80 lb | 13-20 lb |
| Intelligence | High | Below Average |
| History | ||
| Origin Country | UK (Scotland) | China |
| Origin Year | 1865 AD | 206 BC |
| Temperament | ||
| Overall Friendliness | ||
| Family Friendly | ||
| Kid Friendly | ||
| Pet Friendly | ||
| Stranger Friendly | ||
| Personality | ||
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| Living Environment | ||
| Apartment | Yes | Yes |
| Indoor | Yes | Yes |
| Small Yard | Yes | No |
| Medium Yard | Yes | No |
| Large Yard | Yes | No |
| Temperature Tolerance ¹ | 30°F to 80°F | 55°F to 80°F |
| Barks/Howls | ||
| Exercise Needs | ||
| Energy Level | High | Low |
| Exercise Required | Medium-High | Low |
| Top Running Speed | 25 mph | 12 mph |
| Strength | High | Low |
| Grooming Needs | ||
| Coat Maintenance | Medium-High | High |
| Shedding | Medium-High | High |
| Dander | Medium | High |
| Drool Amount | None | None |
¹This is estimated min/max temperature range for a healthy adult dog. Dogs that live indoors, puppies, seniors, unwell dogs, and/or dogs with improperly groomed coats may overheat sooner and get cold more quickly.
| Breed Name | Golden Retriever | Pug |
| Breed Mentality | ||
| Dominant/Alpha | No | No |
| Family/Pack | Yes | Yes |
| Independent | No | No |
| Breed Focus | ||
| Distracted Easily | No | No |
| Average | No | Yes |
| Focused & Patient | Yes | No |
| Breed Instincts | ||
| Aggression | Below Average | Below Average |
| Burrow/Digging | Below Average | Below Average |
| Chasing | High | Below Average |
| Follow Commands | High | Below Average |
| Fighting | Below Average | Below Average |
| Guarding | Below Average | Below Average |
| Herding | Below Average | Below Average |
| Hunting | High | Below Average |
| Protection | Below Average | Below Average |
| Remove Vermin | Below Average | Below Average |
| Sledding | Below Average | Very Low |
| Watch | Below Average | Below Average |
| Breed Name | Golden Retriever | Pug |
| Lifespan | ||
| Lifespan | 10-12 yrs. | 12-15 yrs. |
| Common Health Issues | ||
| Allergies | Yes | Yes |
| Bloat | Yes | No |
| Cataracts | Yes | No |
| Cheyletiella Dermatitis | No | Yes |
| Corneal Ulcers | No | Yes |
| Demodectic Mange | No | Yes |
| Distichiasis | No | Yes |
| Dry Eye | No | Yes |
| Elbow Dysplasia | Yes | No |
| Entropion | No | Yes |
| Epilepsy | Yes | Yes |
| Hemangiosarcoma | Yes | No |
| Hemi-vertebrae | No | Yes |
| Hip Dysplasia | Yes | Yes |
| Hypothyroidism | Yes | No |
| Legg-perthes Disease | No | Yes |
| Nerve Degeneration | No | Yes |
| Osteochondrosis Dissecans | Yes | No |
| Osteosarcoma | Yes | No |
| Patellar Luxation | No | Yes |
| Progressive Retinal Atrophy | Yes | Yes |
| Proptosis | No | Yes |
| Pug Dog Encephalitis | No | Yes |
| Staph Infection | No | Yes |
| Subvalvular Aortic Stenosis | Yes | No |
| Vaccination Sensitivity | No | Yes |
| Von Willebrand's Disease | Yes | No |
| Yeast Infection | No | Yes |
| Breed Name | Golden Retriever | Pug |
| Coat | ||
| Fur | Yes | Yes |
| Coat Type | ||
| Double Coat | Yes | Yes |
| Coat Texture | ||
| Wavy | Yes | No |
| Straight | No | Yes |
| Coat Length(s) | ||
| Medium | Yes | No |
| Short | No | Yes |
| Coat Color(s) | ||
| Dark Golden | Yes | No |
| Gold | Yes | No |
| Light Golden | Yes | No |
| Black | No | Yes |
| Fawn | No | Yes |