Mudi Dog Breed Information

Group

Herding

Weight

8.2-13 kg

Height

38-44 cm

Lifespan

13-14 years

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About the Mudi

Reviewed by:

Dr. Cristina Alice Vulpe

Veterinarian

Mudi may be pronounced as “moody”, but this attention-loving, affable, and obedient pup is far from it! As long as they are given plenty of exercise and owner-bonding time, a Mudi dog can the happiest four-legged friend you ever came across!

Besides affection, these dogs also have a lot of energy and love nothing more than being given a task to complete or a new skill to master. This Hungarian sheepdog breed never lost its knack for hard work. It likes each day to feel productive, and the love and treats it receives to feel well-deserved.

For this reason, they need an owner present most of the time to allocate them tasks to do. Are you the right owner for a Mudi? Read this breed guide to find out!

What is the history & origin of the Mudi?

The Mudi comes from Austria and is thought to be a descendant of the German Spitz. Although its origins remain vague, there’s a good chance that the Mudi came about naturally, and is the result of a German Spitz mixed with different Austrian sheepdogs. Before the 20th century, the Mudi existed, but it wasn’t recognised as a separate breed by anybody.

It was lumped together alongside Pumis and Pulis and were each considered to be the same breed! It wasn’t until 1930 that a museum director by the name of Dr Deszö Fényesi fell in love with the characteristics that made the Mudi stand out from other sheepdogs, and wanted to establish the dog as a separate breed in its own right.

Fényesi started a small breed club for the Mudi and is credited with giving the dog its name. The dog and its name were widely accepted across Austria by the advent of the war. However, like most dogs, the war greatly impacted dog populations, and the Mudi became even more obscure than it already was.

The few that survived were used to create a new breed standard in the post-war years, leading to The Federation Cynologique Internationale recognising the breed in 1966. Popularity for the breed continued to grow over the decades, and the Mudi finally became recognised by the AKC (American Kennel Club) in 2022.

What is a Mudi breed?

Despite the breed’s recent recognition as a purebred breed by the AKC, Mudi herding dogs remain a distinctly rare breed. Although they are sought-after, you may struggle to find one outside of Austria or surrounding countries. However, in spite of its rare status, the Mudi is something of a celebrity in its home country and has even appeared on postage stamps there.

The Mudi breed not only carries the high energy of a sheepdog but also the general appearance. What makes the breed distinct is the merle pattern that appears on some of their coats, their thick and wavy hair, wedge-shaped head, and pricked-up ears that they can turn to hear great distances.

Their coats are medium length and can come in ash-brown, regular brown, fawn, black, or white.

Some Mudis are still living the lives of their ancestors and are used on farms to herd livestock. In Finland, their work ethic and energy are used for search and rescue; while in America, their agility and determination are used in dog sports. They’re noted for being particularly good at flyball.

Who is a Mudi best for?

If you’ve got a flock of the most stubborn livestock and you struggle to keep it under control, a Mudi dog could complete most of the work for you. Even today, dogs from this herding breed are adopted for their expert farm skills, while others are used as rescue dogs. They love to work, so the most ideal owner for a Mudi would be someone who keeps livestock.

However, this does not have to be the case. They can fit right into any family situation and will grow attached to all members of the family – this includes other animals!

However, given their work ethic, Mudis need plenty of space to run around and keep active, so a big garden is necessary. They also need human companionship for the majority of the day, and should never be left cooped up in a small space.

Mudi Grooming & Shedding

The silky-soft appearance of a Mudi’s coat may lead you to believe that they require a lot of grooming. They shed very little dog hair over the year, and their bouncy coats repel dirt and other debris. They may shed a little more during spring, but not majorly. Overall, you should only have to brush a Mudi once per week.

In terms of bathing, you could probably get away with only bathing when they get particularly dirty, like rolling-in-the-mud dirty. Not that bathing a Mudi is a hassle – they are quite fond of water!

Their minimal grooming needs don’t mean you can neglect cleaning your Mudi. These dogs still need their teeth brushed daily and their nails trimmed regularly.

Do Mudis bark a lot?

If a guest shows up out of the blue, you can expect your Mudi to appear standoffish, growly, and potentially very barky. This is, unfortunately, part of their nature as working dogs. They have guard dog instincts inside, which is good if you are looking for someone to warn you whenever someone is approaching, but bad if you don’t.

If you live in a busy residential district, your Mudi may be prone to excessive barking, given the number of passers-by. Although it may be difficult to get them to stop barking completely, you should train them not to do it from a young age. Always praise them when they keep quiet and give them a light telling off whenever they get too loud or excessive.

What is the average weight & height of a Mudi?

Both male and female fully grown Mudis will weigh somewhere between 8.2 and 13kg. A female Mudi will measure between 38 and 44cm and a male between 41 and 47cm.

Are Mudis easy to train?

This herding dog has a finely tuned alertness and is capable of learning and responding to commands easily. They can quickly pick up on patterns, and therefore don’t get easily confused. For these reasons, Mudis are particularly easy to train. They also derive plenty of enjoyment out of pleasing their owner, hence why they’re often picked as show dogs.

Training can involve any amount of tricks or stunts and can be worked into a healthy exercise routine.

New experiences also keep these dogs curious and plenty of opportunities to socialise with other dogs will help them develop a steady personality.

How do Mudis behave? A look at their temperament and personality

The nature of these herding breeds demands that you give them plenty of things to do. If they are insufficiently tasked, they’ll make up their own tasks. This could see them digging huge holes in your garden, herding wild animals, or displaying a destructive side to their personalities.

They form a strong bond with their owners, but they also have an intrinsic bond to work. You need to keep them active with tasks to keep their personalities and hobbies steady and predictable.

They’ve got quite adaptable personalities, however, meaning they could be introduced to new tasks at any stage in life and enjoy them.

Other ways you could describe the personality of this ‘driver dog’, as it is sometimes referred to, would be energetic, keen, brave, obedient, and very good-natured.

Does the Mudi have any common health issues?

Mudis aren’t particularly prone to any major health concerns, and, like other German Spitz breeds, are generally considered to be a very healthy breed! However, they are prone to some general pup health concerns, such as cataracts, hip dysplasia, epilepsy, and luxating patella.

To ensure you adopt a healthy pup, check the puppy’s parents to avoid any genetic health problems.

What is the lifespan of a Mudi?

The Mudi shares the same life span as several other dog breeds, and will typically live between 13 and 14 years.

How much does a Mudi need to be fed?

This medium-sized dog needs a healthy diet of meat, vegetables, and healthy fats. They are prone to gaining weight easily, so it would be best to consult your vet regarding portion sizes.

How much can you expect to pay for a Mudi in Australia?

There are only a few thousand Mudi dogs alive in the world today, so you may struggle to find one in Australia. You may need to travel to Austria or Finland (where the 2nd largest Mudi population can be found) to find a Mudi breeder. You can expect to spend the equivalent of $4,000 from a trustworthy Mudi club.