What Does a Mudi Look Like?
Mudis stand around 14-19 inches tall and weigh between 18 and 29 pounds. They have a fluffy tail, which can range from a bobtail to full-length. Their ears are triangular and stand erect, and their eyes are usually dark brown but can also be light brown or blue.
Their medium-length, curly or wavy fur can be black, white, brown, gray, yellow, or a combination of these colors. They may be solid-colored or merle, which means they have mottled patches of color that give it a striking look.
What Is the Temperament of a Mudi Like?
Mudi owners often describe their dogs as ‘big puppies’ because of their youthful energy and playful nature. Alert and active, they’re are always up for a game of fetch or a walk around the block. They are also one of the smartest herding breeds, making them easy to train for obedience and agility competitions.
However, they do have high exercise needs. A good way to provide this is by enrolling them in agility or obedience competitions, or by taking them hunting or hiking. If confined to a small space for too long, they can become destructive. With enough stimulation – both physical and mental – they’re calm and loving family members.
How to Train a Mudi
These dogs respond best to positive reinforcement training methods, such as treats and praise. They’re eager to please their owners. Avoid using punishment or harsh rebukes, as these will only make the dog fearful and resistant to training.
Start with basic commands such as sit, stay, come, and down, and then move on to more challenging tasks such as retrieving, hunting, or agility competitions.
Mudis and Other Dogs
The Mudi gets along well with other dogs, and often play together in puppyhood. However, they may become dominant over other dogs as they mature. It’s important to properly socialize them with other animals when they’re young so that this doesn’t become a problem.
Mudis and Children
With proper socialization, Mudis can be wonderful family pets. They’re gentle with children and enjoy playing games and taking walks together. As always, supervision is necessary when small children are around any dog breed.
What Health Issues Should You Be Aware of?
Like all breeds, Mudis are susceptible to a few health issues. They can live 12-14 years in great condition, but some possible problems include:
- hip and elbow dysplasia,
- patellar luxation,
- cataracts,
- epilepsy.
All of these issues can be screened for by your veterinarian, so be sure to ask about them at your next check-up. If you get a puppy from a reputable breeder, they’re unlikely to have neurological problems.
Joint disorders, on the other hand, can develop regardless of your dog’s genetic makeup. To prevent them, keep your puppy at a healthy weight and avoid giving them demanding exercise or running them on hard surfaces while they’re growing.
Cataracts (clouding of the eye’s lens) are common in many dog breeds and can be treated with surgery to restore full vision, as long as they’re detected early.
How Much Grooming Do Mudis Need?
These dogs don’t need much grooming to keep their curly coat healthy and free of mats. A good brushing or combing once a week is usually enough, but more may be necessary during shedding season.
Bathe your dog only when necessary, as over-bathing can strip the natural oils from their skin and fur. Trim their nails monthly, and check their ears at least once a week for wax build-up and infection.
Where Can You Get a Mudi Puppy?
Mudi puppies are not as common as some other dog breeds, so you may have to do a bit of searching to find one. The best place to start is with a breeder who belongs to the Mudi Club of America.
Be sure to ask lots of questions about the puppy’s parents and health history, and be prepared to pay a premium price for a well-bred Mudi – about $2,000 to $2,500 on average.
Adopting a Mudi from a rescue organization or shelter is also an option if you’re lucky enough to find one, but you may not have as much information about the dog’s background or health. The Mudi Club of America occasionally lists Mudis in need of new homes on their Rescue page.
The History of the Mudi Dog Breed
The Mudi is a relatively new breed, having been discovered in Hungary in the 1936 by Dr. Dezso Fenyes. They were used to herd sheep and other livestock, and became known as the “driver dog”. They’re thought to be related to the Puli and Pumi, two other Hungarian herding dogs.
Shortly after their discovery, the Mudi almost went extinct during World War II, but survived thanks to a few dedicated breeders. They were recognized as a breed by the FCI (International Canine Federation) in 1966, and the American Kennel Club listed them as a purebred dog breed in January 2022.
Is the Mudi the Right Dog Breed for You?
The Mudi is an active, intelligent dog who needs plenty of exercise and stimulation. They make excellent working dogs and can perform almost any task well. If you have the time to devote to training them and providing them with plenty of exercise, a Mudi may be the perfect pet for you. Otherwise, they may be better suited to someone else.
Be sure to do your research before deciding if a Mudi is the right dog breed for you. There are many other breeds out there that may be a better fit for your lifestyle. But if you’re looking for an energetic, intelligent herding dog who can do it all, the Mudi may just be perfect!
Can They Live in an Apartment?
Mudis need a lot of exercise and room to run, so they’re not the best choice for an apartment dweller. If you don’t have a yard or live in a small space, a Mudi is not the right dog breed for you.
Are They Good with Cats and Other Animals?
These dogs are typically good with cats and other animals, but they may chase smaller pets if they’re not properly socialized. Be sure to introduce your Mudi to any other pets in your home early on, and provide plenty of supervision when they’re around small animals.
Fun Facts about Mudis
If you’re interested in learning more about these medium-sized herding dogs, here are a few more facts to satisfy your curiosity.
- They’re the only herding dog breed recognized by the AKC that comes in merle and also has healthy, solid white dogs.
- The Mudi has been recorded in the AKC’s Foundation Stock Service since 2004, and has been eligible to compete in Companion Events since 2008. Still, it wasn’t until 2022 that it was fully recognized by the organization as a breed.
- Besides herding flocks of sheep, Mudis are nowadays used in Hungary by the police to detect drugs.
- When these dogs were first discovered to work by the side of Hungarian shepherds, those shepherds called them ‘German Puli‘.
Interested in Getting One of These Newly-Recognized Dogs?
The Mudi is a rare herding dog breed that’s only recently been recognized by the AKC. They’re an active, intelligent dog who needs plenty of exercise and room to run. If you’re interested in getting one of these dogs, be prepared to spend some time training them and exercising them.
Do you have a Mudi? Share your experiences in the comments below!
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