Mudi
A quick, alert Hungarian farm dog with a wavy coat, a busy mind and a strong wish to work with its person.
At a glance
- Size
- Medium
- Height at the withers
- Males 41–47 cm · Females 38–44 cm
- Weight
- Males 11–13 kg · Females 8–11 kg
- Life expectancy
- 12–14 years
- Exercise
- 60–120 min a day
- Grooming
- Once a week
- Coat
- Wavy, medium
- Colours
- Black, Fawn, Blue merle, Grey, Brown, White
- Bred for
- Herding, Guarding
- Country of origin
- Hungary
- FCI
- Group 1, no. 238 · Sheepdogs & cattle dogs
Breeders on Kuldo
No breeders on Kuldo have this breed yet.
Living with the breed
| Affectionate with family | 5/5 – Very high |
|---|---|
| Good with children | 4/5 – High |
| Good with other dogs | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Good with cats | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Open to strangers | 2/5 – Low |
| Energy | 5/5 – Very high |
| Playfulness | 4/5 – High |
| Needs mental stimulation | 5/5 – Very high |
| Easy to train | 5/5 – Very high |
| Prey drive | 4/5 – High |
| Watchful and protective | 4/5 – High |
| Barking | 4/5 – High |
| Shedding | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Grooming effort | 2/5 – Low |
| Drooling | 1/5 – Very low |
| Good for first-time owners | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Suits apartment living | 2/5 – Low |
| Adaptability | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Copes with being alone | 2/5 – Low |
| Copes with heat | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Copes with cold | 4/5 – High |
Kuldo's own guidance from the breed's typical traits. Every dog is an individual, so talk to the breeder.
Is it the right breed for you?
Great if you …
- enjoy dog sports or regular training
- want a medium-sized, low-fuss coat
- lead an active outdoor life
Think twice if you …
- want a quiet dog that rarely barks
- are away from home most of the day
- prefer a dog that is relaxed with strangers
Care
Temperament
Lively, attentive and strongly bonded to its own people. It is usually reserved with strangers and makes a keen watchdog. Sensitive and quick to react, it does best with a calm, consistent household.
Exercise
Plan on one to two hours of activity a day with real tasks for the brain. Agility, herding, obedience, flyball and long hikes all suit it well.
Grooming
The wavy coat is easy to keep: a weekly brush and a check for burrs is usually enough. It sheds moderately and needs no trimming.
Training
Highly trainable and eager to work, but it learns bad habits as fast as good ones. Use short, varied, reward-based sessions and channel its alertness early.
Health
The Mudi is generally robust; hip and elbow dysplasia, patellar luxation, epilepsy and some eye conditions are occasionally seen. Ask the breeder for the parents' hip, elbow, eye and patella results.
Health tests breeders usually do
- Hips (HD)
- Elbows (ED)
- Eye examination
- Kneecaps (patella)
Ask the breeder to show you the parents' results.
About the breed
The Mudi comes from Hungarian farms, where it herded sheep and cattle, kept vermin down and warned of strangers. It was only described as a separate breed in the 1930s and almost disappeared after the Second World War before enthusiasts rebuilt it. It remains rare outside its homeland.
At home the Mudi is close to its family and keen to be involved in everything. It is quick, vocal and watchful, so it suits people who enjoy training and an active outdoor life. Given work for body and mind it settles well; without it, barking and restlessness tend to follow.
Did you know?
Some Mudi puppies are born with a naturally short or bobbed tail.