In the latest direct comparison, Pugs had a higher rate of clinical breathing problems than French Bulldogs—but only within the tested UK dataset. A 2026 study found brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS) in 19.8% of the Pugs and 15.6% of the French Bulldogs assessed. Both breeds face meaningful risk, and those figures cannot predict how an individual dog will breathe.
What causes breathing problems in Pugs and French Bulldogs?
Both breeds have brachycephalic, or short-headed, conformation. The shortened skull and muzzle can be associated with narrowed nostrils, an elongated soft palate, everted laryngeal saccules, or a narrow trachea. These anatomical changes can obstruct airflow; the abnormalities and their severity vary from dog to dog.
The resulting upper-airway disorder is called brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS). Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine identifies both Pugs and French Bulldogs among the breeds most frequently affected. BOAS can worsen with age, so noisy breathing should not automatically be treated as normal just because a dog has a short face. Cornell’s BOAS overview and the American College of Veterinary Surgeons’ overview describe the condition and its anatomical causes.
What do the breed comparisons show?
The clearest current head-to-head comparison is a 2026 study of UK Royal Kennel Club–registered dogs assessed through the Respiratory Function Grading Scheme (RFGS). It found a higher clinical BOAS rate in Pugs than in French Bulldogs, but the result describes screened, registered dogs—not every dog in either breed.
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| Study and population | Pugs classified with BOAS | French Bulldogs classified with BOAS | What the comparison means |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 UK RFGS dataset of registered dogs | 19.8% | 15.6% | Pugs had 33% higher odds of clinical disease in this dataset. PLOS ONE, 2026 |
| 2017 study sample of 604 dogs | 64.6% | 58.9% | The Pug proportion was numerically higher, but the study found no significant difference in functional-grade distributions between the breeds. These are study-sample rates, not general-population estimates. PLOS ONE, 2017 |
The percentages should not be combined or read as a trend. The studies examined different populations using different approaches, and selection into testing affects the proportion classified as affected. The older study’s much higher sample rates do not contradict the newer comparison; they show why a BOAS percentage needs its study population and method alongside it.
How much does risk vary between individual dogs?
A breed-level comparison cannot tell you whether a particular Pug will have worse breathing than a particular French Bulldog. Dogs within either breed differ in airway anatomy, severity, and body condition. In the 2017 comparison, moderate-to-severe nostril stenosis was associated with BOAS across the three breeds studied. Body-condition score was associated with risk in Pugs and Bulldogs, while selected body measurements predicted risk in breed-specific models. A 2015 multi-breed study also linked shorter relative muzzle length and thicker necks with greater BOAS risk among the dogs it studied. These are risk associations—not a way to diagnose an individual by appearance alone. PLOS ONE, 2017; PLOS ONE, 2015.
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What signs of BOAS should owners watch for?
- Noisy breathing, including snoring, wheezing, or snorting
- Reduced exercise tolerance or difficulty breathing during activity
- Gagging when swallowing food or water
- Labored or open-mouth breathing
- Gums that look blue rather than pink, or collapse
Persistent noise or limited exercise tolerance deserves veterinary attention rather than being dismissed as an expected feature of a short-faced breed. In one 2015 study of French Bulldogs, 60% of owners failed to recognize BOAS in dogs graded as affected in that study sample. PLOS ONE, 2015.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.When should a dog get urgent veterinary care?
Struggling to breathe, blue gums, or collapse are urgent signs: seek veterinary care immediately. Do not try to diagnose BOAS at home. A veterinarian can assess the dog and discuss functional grading or treatment as appropriate. The American College of Veterinary Surgeons describes the airway abnormalities and clinical care associated with brachycephalic syndrome.
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