Mudi: Your Complete Guide
The mudi is a herding dog breed that can trace its roots back to Hungary. It’s closely related to dog breeds like the pumi and puli, which is where it gets many of its physical attributes. The breed is thought to have separated from pumis and pulis during the 1930s, when the mudi became a distinctive breed with unique traits.
Today, mudis are a popular breed, and they continue to grow in popularity around the world. While they’re still bred in Hungary, breeders have also popped up in the United States, which has made it easier for more people to enjoy a mudi companion.
That said, it’s important to learn as much as possible before you adopt a dog. Learning the facts about the mudi breed will make it easier to determine if they’re a good fit for you. Plus, you don’t have to worry about adopting a dog just to put them back up for adoption later.
Read on to learn more below.
Quick Look at the
Below is a quick glance at the mudi regarding their physical characteristics, lifespan, temperament, and grooming needs.
| Weight/Height | 14-20 inches, 30-60 pounds |
| Coat Type | Medium-length, wavy, unique merle pattern |
| Grooming Needs |  |
| Shedding | |
| Temperament | Active, intelligent, loyal, brave |
| Good With Kids |  |
| Good With Other Animals | |
| Intelligence |  |
| Easy to Train | |
| Energy Level | |
| Barking Habits | |
| Lifespan | 12-14 years |
What Is the History of Mudis?
Mudis have been around for over 100 years, so there’s a lot of history to follow. Their history begins during the 19th century, and they come from Hungary.
The breed is a mix between the puli, pumi, and German Spitz, and it’s one of the rarest breeds you can find. This is because most mudis are located in Hungary, and it’s likely that less than a couple thousand mudis are available around the world.
Still, countries like Finland and the United States still have decent numbers of mudis available if you find them through the right breeder.
It’s also important to note that the mudi is one of the most recent breeds to be recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC). The breed was recognized by the organization in 2022.
What Do Mudis Look Like?
Mudis have a distinct appearance that separates them from similar breeds. In fact, they’re one of the few breeds that can have a merle pattern on their coat. Otherwise, they can be a handful of other colors like black and brown. Merle patterns can be blue, red, and sometimes even fawn.
When it comes to their hair, you’ll notice more of it around their legs and the top of their head. The rest of their hair is medium-length, wavy, and puffy around the tail. When it comes to their eye color, it depends on their coat. For example, black mudis typically have brown eyes, whereas mudis with the merle pattern may have blue eyes.
Physical features include their long snout, muscular build, and pointy ears.
What Size Is a Mudi?
Mudis are medium-sized dogs according to their height and weight. Their height is 15-20 inches at the shoulder, and their total body length ranges from 23-28 inches.
As for their weight, mudis can weigh 20-40 pounds. There are some slight variations in size between males and females, but the differences are hard to notice. Males weigh a few pounds more than females on average, which also applies to their height.
What Is a Mudi’s Coat Type and Length?
Mudis have a curly coat that’s medium in length. The coat is dense, glossy, and about two inches in total length.
As for hair distribution, they have shorter hair on their head and front legs than in other places on the body – their longest hair is behind their forelegs and upper thigh area. Some mudis can have long tails, while others may have smaller bobtails. This depends on the mudi’s parents.
There isn’t much variation in coat type from dog to dog, so this is about what you can expect.
What Is a Mudi’s Temperament?
Mudis are smart dogs that love to get vocal when they want to play or notice something wrong. They’re not aggressive and get along with other animals, people, and other types of pets as long as they have some for socialization.
Mudis love to please their owners and perform a job or task, which is what they were bred for. Therefore, their temperament is best suited for jobs that require exercise, like herding or hunting. That said, mudis also do well with plenty of walks and playtime. As long as you expend their energy, they won’t get too restless or obnoxious around the house.
Mudis may also have a different temperament based on the individual dog. For example, some mudis are hesitant with strangers and may even act standoffish towards them. Ultimately, it depends on the dog.
Are Mudis Good With Kids?
Mudis are good dogs with children as long as they’re raised together and with respect. Introducing a mudi to your family can also go well as long as the dog is handled properly. Handling the dog properly just means no forceful tugging or rough play, so keep an eye on this when your children are playing with your mudi.
Are Mudis Good With Other Animals?
Mudis are herding dogs, so they’re great with other animals, especially big animals. They don’t have the biggest prey drive, so mudis will get along with cats, Guinea pigs, and other small dogs. If you’re worried about your mudi interacting with your animals, focus on socialization training from a young age. This can improve their behavior around other animals.
Are Mudis Aggressive?
Mudis are not aggressive dogs. While they can get aggressive if they feel threatened, they’re no more aggressive than other dog breeds. Still, it’s important to note that they might get aggressive if they protect your family from potential threats. They’re also courageous enough to engage with potential threats.
Do Mudis Bark?
Mudis have a high herding drive and a lot of energy, which is a recipe for a dog that loves to get vocal. Expect your mudi to bark when they want something, see something, or even if they get hungry. This makes them a bad fit for apartments, especially if they have noise restrictions or if you have close neighbors.
Thankfully, mudis can be trained to bark less. You just need to focus on it from a young age.
Are Mudis Affectionate?
Mudis are affectionate dogs, but not in the lapdog sense. Instead, they show their affection through loyalty and a desire to please their owners. However, some mudis will sit on your lap and lie beside you on the couch. Ultimately, it depends on the mudi and how you train them.
Are Mudis Intelligent?
Mudis are intelligent dogs. They’re smart enough to learn complex tasks, in-depth training, and well over 100 commands. Mudis are also smart enough to perform jobs like herding, hunting, and even some tracking.
It’s also worth noting that mudis are smart enough for unique types of training. They’re good for agility training, and service dog work, and they even have enough emotional intelligence for therapy dog and emotional support animal work.
Are Mudis Energetic?
Mudis are very energetic dogs, especially if you bring them outside. They love to play games, chase balls, and go for a good run.
On the other hand, Mudis are more relaxed indoors. They don’t have any problems sitting on the couch with you or relaxing around the house in a comfortable doggie bed – just make sure you tire them out before you bring them inside for some rest.
Are Mudis Easy to Train?
Yes, mudis are easy to train. They’re smart dogs that love to please their owners, so they respond well to most types of training. If you want to get the best results, begin training while your mudi is a puppy (3-6 months).
You can start with basic obedience and move on to more complex commands or tasks once they get the basics. We also recommend socialization training during this time to help them get used to your family and any other animals you may have.
Mudis are also easy to train for a specific task. Once they have the basics down, it’s easy to prepare them for service dog work and other jobs around your property.
Are Mudis Good Watchdogs?
Mudis are great watchdogs because they’re easy to train and calm enough to warn you about danger without being overly aggressive. The mudi breed is also smart enough to recognize dangerous situations and brave enough to protect its owners.
For these reasons, mudis are great service dogs, and you won’t have to worry about them wavering when you need help or want your property secured.
That said, they do need to be trained for this type of role. We recommend starting at a young age.
Are Mudis Good Service Dogs?
Mudis are great service dogs if you can find one. Their rarity makes them one of the most expensive service dog options, especially if you live outside Hungary. That said, their traits make them great service dogs because they love to perform a task and aren’t difficult to train.
Mudis work well as physical service dogs that can guide someone with vision impairments, and even fetch medications or open doors. This breed is also perfect for people with mental health disabilities because they’re emotionally intelligent enough to remind people when it’s time for medication.
The last thing to note is that mudis are suitable for work as an emotional support dog or therapy dog. Their calm temperament is ideal for living in spaces that are pet-friendly as long as you have an ESA letter. Mudis are also capable therapy dogs that can comfort large groups of people in hospitals, schools, and hospice care facilities.
How to Care for a Mudi?
Mudis are easy dogs to care for. There isn’t much that you have to do, aside from occasional baths, nail trimmings, and brushing a few times per week. Aside from grooming, it’s important to have their health screened to check for any conditions like hip, knee, or elbow dysplasia.
When it comes to daily care, please provide them with plenty of exercise and activities. It’s best to give them a specific task so that you don’t have to worry about them not getting enough exercise. Playing with them and taking your mudi for an hour-long walk, or two 30-minute walks, will also help with their exercise needs.
Feeding your mudi a healthy, well-rounded diet is also essential for their health.
Do You Need to Groom a Mudi?
Mudis are easy dogs to care for, especially for grooming. You only have to brush their coat a few times per week, and their hair doesn’t need to be trimmed often. Moreover, it’s important to brush their ears a few times per week to prevent health problems.
Hair aside, you also need to care for other parts of their body. Their nails need to be trimmed as needed, and you should feed them bones to improve their dental health. Otherwise, brush their teeth a few times per week.
Do Mudis Shed?
Yes, mudis shed. That said, they don’t shed as much as other dog breeds. They shed their coats during the spring, and it doesn’t come back fully until the winter. So, brush their coats often during this time to prevent hair from getting on your furniture. Other than the spring, mudis are low-maintenance when it comes to shedding.
What Health Problems Do Mudis Have?
The mudi doesn’t have many health problems, but it’s common for the breed to experience health issues in old age. Still, as with any breed, it’s important to have health evaluations to determine if your mudi is at risk for any health conditions. You’ll want to screen your mudi for the following health conditions:
- Hip Evaluations: Hip dysplasia
- Patella Evaluations: Knee problems like arthritis
- Eye Examinations: Cataracts and other eye degeneration illnesses
- Elbow Evaluations: Elbow dysplasia, joint pain, arthritis
Make sure that you get all health evaluations from a reputable veterinarian clinic or organization. For eye exams, your best option is to get an evaluation from an ACVO Ophthalmologist. These health issues can be managed by catching them early, feeding your mudi a healthy diet, and giving them plenty of exercise through walking or playing.
Furthermore, love and affection can go a long way with your mudi. A dog’s mental health can cause problems with their health, especially in stressful situations.
How Long Do Mudis Live?
Mudis have an average lifespan for small dogs. They live for about 12 to 14 years and don’t face many life-threatening health conditions.
However, it’s important to keep an eye on their knees, hips, and elbows as they age – start checking at around 8-10 years of age. This is the most common time for the initial dysplasia symptoms to start creeping up. Feed them a healthy diet and get plenty of exercise to prolong their life.
What Should a Mudi Eat?
Mudis should eat a well-rounded diet that consists of healthy fats, protein, carbohydrates, and fiber. Nutrients like vitamins and minerals should also be present in the kibble to ensure that your mudi gets all the micronutrients they need. You can feed them kibble, some wet food, and even some whole foods like chicken or beef.
It’s also a good idea to feed mudis snacks and treats. This can help with training and hold their appetite. Plus, some treats can even help with their dental health!
When it comes to amounts, adult mudis need around 1.5 cups of kibble split between two meals, while puppies should be fed three to four meals per day. Puppies may also need more kibble, so check with your vet before committing to an amount.
Is a Mudi the Right Dog for Me?
The mudi is a well-rounded breed that can adjust to many situations. That said, some homes are better than others for the mudi, and it’s important to consider some of the reasons why.
First and foremost, the mudi is best suited for homes that have a job the dog can do. This includes herding, hunting, or watching over a large property.
Mudis need at least an hour of physical activity per day, so it’s essential to get them exercise by walking or playing if you don’t have a job for them to do. Mudis also do better with experienced dog owners who can offer leadership through training and discipline.
On the other hand, mudis aren’t the best fit for your home if you don’t have the space for them. They’re adaptable but not great at living in apartments. Additionally, not having a backyard can cause problems if you can’t get them to exercise elsewhere.
Always consider these factors before adopting a mudi for the best results.