The Mudi is a breed native to Hungary that has traditionally been used for herding cattle. Their great intelligence and their ability to adapt have allowed these dogs to be used in different tasks and disciplines over the years. However, their presence in the world is scarce, being a difficult breed to find outside their native country.
If you want to know more about the characteristics of the mudi dog, we recommend that you read the following file on our site in which we will talk about about its origin, character, care and possible he alth problems.
Origin of the Mudi Dog
The Mudi is a sheepdog originating in Hungary that emerged between the 18th and 19th centuriesUnlike other breeds that have been specially created by humans, the Mudi seems to have evolved naturally from crosses between Spitz-type dogs and other Hungarian breeds such as the Puli or the Pumi.
The breed was on the verge of extinction during World War II, but thanks to the great work done by conservationists of this breed, the mudi has survived to the present day.
The Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) recognized the breed in 1966, and since then so have the American Kennel Club (2004) and the United Kennel Club (2006). Currently, the number of specimens of this breed is small It is estimated that there are only a few thousand Mudis in the world, with Hungary being the country with largest population, followed by others such as Finland, USA and Canada.
Characteristics of mudi
Within the racial standard of the mudi, the following anatomical characteristics stand out:
- It's a medium-sized dog. Females weigh between 8 and 11 kg and are 38-44 cm tall, while males weigh between 11 and 13 kg and measure between 41 and 47 cm.
- The head is wedge-shaped and a gently marked stop (naso-frontal depression).
- His facial expression is that of an alert, energetic and intelligent animal. The eyes are usually dark in color and set at an angle, giving their gaze a somewhat defiant look.
- The ears are triangular and set high. The mudis always keep their ears erect and respond to stimuli by moving them very lively.
- The tail has a mid-height insertion. At rest it hangs down to the hocks, while when the animal is alert it is held sickle-shaped by enzymes from the line of the back.
- As for the fur, the head and the front of the limbs are covered by short, straight hair, while in the rest of the body the coat is long and has marked waves or slight curls.
Colors of the mudi
The mudi's coat can have different base colors:
- Bay
- Black
- Blackbird Blue
- Brown
- White
On this basis, white spots may appear, both on the chest and fingers.
Mudi Character
The Mudi is a dog with a great learning capacity, a temperament lively, brave and awake, which also stands out for easily adapting to different environments and tasks. All of these characteristics make the Mudi a tremendously versatile breed. As we have already mentioned, it has traditionally been used as a herding dog for both sheep and large animals. However, its innumerable abilities and skills have allowed the mudi to also be used for other activities such as guarding and defense or drug detection.
In addition, it is a great companion animal that stands out for its temperament stable and cheerful The mudi is an animalvery sociable , who enjoys family life and usually has a good relationship both with children and with other animals. In general, it adapts easily to life inside the home, although it is important that it has access to a patio or garden where it can play and entertain itself.
One point to note is that is usually quite a vocal dogDue to his herding origins, he is usually a barking dog, which can be somewhat annoying for some caregivers. In addition, sometimes his territorial instinct can generate conflicts with other dogs. However, proper education and socialization from an early age will prevent these problems.
Mudi dog care
The Mudi is an easy breed to care for that does not have very specific demands. However, like any other dog, he needs basic care to stay physically and mentally he althy:
- Feeding: Regardless of whether they are fed with fodder or a homemade ration, Mudis should receive ahigh-quality diet , he althy and adapted to your age and activity level. In this other post we talk in depth about what dogs eat.
- Exercise: although they are animals that adapt easily to life inside homes, they need to release their energy daily to stay he althy and balanced. Therefore, it is convenient that they have a patio or garden where they can relax and that they take at least one long walk a day to satisfy their physical, mental and social.
- Grooming: in terms of hygiene and brushing, they are not especially demanding animals. A brushing a week and a bath when needed (approximately once a month) will be enough to keep his coat strong and shiny. In addition, it is important to maintain good ear hygiene, trim nails regularly and monitor the possible presence of external parasites in the coat.
Mudi education
Like any breed, the Mudi must receive proper education and socialization from an early age in order to avoid behavioral problems with people and other animals in his adult life. The Mudi is an extremely intelligent breed Although it can be somewhat stubborn at times, it is usually a dog that is easily trained and alsoenjoy learning and working Of course, to obtain the expected results and not disturb their well-being, it is essential to use training techniques that are respectful of the animal, such as those that use positive reinforcement and reject punishment or any kind of violence.
In general, Mudis are very active dogs, both physically and mentally, which makes them excellent candidates for exercising in some disciplines such as Agility or Flyball. This type of training not only reinforces and consolidates the ties between the keepers and their animals, but also helps to consume part of their energy.
To help you with the education and training of your Mudi, we recommend you consult these articles:
- How to train a puppy?
- How to socialize a puppy?
- How to train a dog?
Mudi dog he alth
In general, the Mudi is considered a he althy dog breed. The fact that it arose naturally, without human intervention, makes it less predisposed to certain hereditary pathologies than other breeds.
However, there are some diseases that tend to occur with some frequency in these dogs and, therefore, should be monitored regularly. These pathologies are:
- Hip dysplasia
- Elbow dysplasia
- Patella dislocation
- Waterfalls
- Epilepsy
On the other hand, it is essential to carry out an adequate schedule of vaccinations and deworming in order to avoid other problems, such as serious infestations of parasites.
Where to adopt a mudi dog?
As we have already mentioned, the Mudi is a dog that is infrequently found outside its native Hungary. For this reason, it can be somewhat complicated to find a specimen of this breed in the animal protection associations of Spain or other countries.
If you are thinking of including a Mudi in your family, we recommend that you contact the clubs of this breed or a canine society in the place where you live so that they can guide you in the search for your future companion In any case, remember that what is truly important when adopting a new animal is not that it meets any breed standard, but that you can welcome it into your home and adapt to its needs and lifestyle.
