Mudi
Temperament:
The home country of the Mudi is Hungary. This temperamental "Hungarian shepherd dog" is not yet very well known outside its country of origin. The dog breed recognized by the FCI is classified in Group 1 "Herding and Drifting Dogs", Section 1 "Sheepdogs (without working test)". The intelligent and docile dog is an ideal family dog.
Characteristics
The Mudi is a medium-sized dog. The size of the males varies between 41 and 47 cm and the females between 38 and 44 cm. Males weigh between 11 and 13 kg and the bitches between 8 and 11 kg. This robust breed has a life expectancy of 13 to 15 years.
Typical for this breed is the different coat. The head and the front of the legs have short smooth fur. The rest of the body is covered with a dense slightly longer wavy or curly coat.
The glossy coat comes in the color variations of dun, black, ash, brown or white. The black color is most common in the Mudi. The Mudi should be solid in color. Small white markings are undesirable, but are tolerated.
A special coloration you can find in the Mudi under the name Blue-merle. The coat is in a dark or light bluish gray color. In addition, the coat is black speckled, striped, spotted or brindle.
The Mudi has a compact build with a wedge-shaped head. The head shape with the prick ears and the alert eyes give an intelligent and watchful impression.
Normally, this breed has a hanging tail. The end of the tail is slightly bent upwards or raised. Partially dogs can be born with a stubby tail or without a tail. The FCI also accepts these dogs with birth defects as purebred dogs.
The Mudi is used as a working dog in Hungary. They independently herd different types of livestock. Whether it is pigs, sheep or geese, the Mudi always controls these animals with looks and his voice.
The Mudi is a typical herding dog. They are extraordinarily clever and docile. Despite its independent nature, it easily fits into its family. This lively and adaptable dog also has a sensitive side.
Aggression in the environment or during training clearly unsettles him. With strangers he prefers to keep his distance. He is always loyal to his family and all his four-legged friends.
He is not aggressive. The Mudi loves to protect his family. Changes in the environment (garden, yard area) are commented loudly.
This breed must be constantly occupied and challenged. Especially as a family dog, sufficient compensation should be provided by dog sports. The sports agility, obedience, dog dancing or tournament dog sports are suitable for this.
Other possibilities are the use as a companion dog for jogging, cycling or riding. It is important with this dog breed that he sees "a sense in his activity". Sufficient breaks protect against overexcited behavior.
Coat care:
Shedding:
Energy level:
Trainability:
Children suitable:
The right food
As in all other points, the diet of the Mudi is also completely uncomplicated. However, the amount of food should still be adjusted to the weight, age and activity of the dog.
In puppy and young dog age, an appropriate high-quality food should be chosen. This way you avoid deficiency symptoms in the joint and cartilage area.
The adult dog should be fed twice a day. The quantity and quality of food must be adjusted to the physical activity of the Mudi.
At the same time, care must be taken not to increase the body weight. Also in this breed, each dog has an individual food conversion.
With this original breed should pay attention to a high proportion of meat in the daily ration. Pay attention to quality in dry or wet food. Barfen with mineral supplements is also suitable for the Mudi.
Help for the right diet can be obtained from veterinarians, specialty stores and breeders. No matter what food you choose, there must always be enough fresh water.
In the senior age you should switch to products specifically for older dogs. A change of food must be done slowly, so that the stomach and intestines can get used to the new product.
Last but not least, don't forget about the calories of treats. The tasty reward during training and everyday dog life can be reflected in the waistline of the quadruped.
Mudi care
The care of a mudi is not time-consuming. The soft and shiny coat does not mat and is dirt repellent. It is enough to regularly remove the dead hair with a brush or comb.
During the coat change, however, you should brush out the coat daily. This will help you to stem the tide of "flying hair" in the apartment.
The Mudi generally does not have problems with his ears or teeth. A regular control of the standing ears is sufficient. If necessary, you can use an ear cleaner to carefully clean the inner ear area. Please do not use a cotton swab.
Dry chews or dental care snacks are sufficient against tartar formation. You can give the Mudi a real bone from the butcher at regular intervals. Marrow bones are well suited. They taste, serve for dental care and the dog is busy for a longer time.
An application of toothpaste and toothbrush should be practiced in any case already in the puppy age, so that the adult dog allows it.
Every now and then a control of the claws should take place. You should pay attention to whether the claws are sufficiently worn or whether there are small injuries in the claw area. These robust dogs sometimes do not show minor injuries.
Older dogs can have problems with too long claws. You can easily correct this yourself with the claw scissors.
There are no known breed-specific diseases in this robust and original dog breed.
Suitable accessories
The Mudi needs a collar and/or a dog harness and a leash as normal accessories. Collar and harness should fit and not chafe.
In the living area, you can provide your dog with its own dog bed or dog basket. Both of these should give the dog enough room to stretch out.
For the intelligent and docile Mudi, brain games are an ideal diversion from his sporting activities. With such games you can bridge bad weather periods in the house.
Protective clothing (dog coat or similar) against weather conditions is not needed by the Mudi.
There are many options for employment in your own garden. Small hurdles and a tunnel as a course. A ball or a Frisbee disc to play with. A paddling pool for the summer.
Other accessories depend on what kind of dog sport you want to practice with your four-legged friend.
Origin & History
The origin of this breed is not clear. This dog breed originated in Hungary in the course of the 18th and 19th centuries. Various Hungarian herding and herding dogs are represented with their heritage in the Mudi.
In addition, some characteristics of small German shepherds can be found in the appearance and behavior of the Mudi. The Empress Maria-Theresia of Austria settled the Danube Swabians in Hungary in the 18th century.
This ethnic group brought their dogs with them to the new homeland. Among them were for example Schafpudel, Schäferspitz or Pommernspitz. These small German herding dogs with standing ears mixed with the resident Hungarian herding dogs.
Already in 1815 you can find a description and a picture of a shepherd dog with prick ears. This record with picture can be clearly attributed to the present Mudi.
It is widely believed that the Mudi is closely related to the Puli and the Pumi. Around 1900 the breeding of sporting dogs was started in Hungary. From that time a third type of herding dog became known. Besides the herding dogs with hanging ears and tipping ears, a group of herding dogs with standing ears was now common and recognized.
In 1936 the studbook of the Mudi was opened in Hungary. The breed standard was established and the name of the breed was determined. Everything was organized by Mr. Dezsö Fenyes. The museum director from Balassagvarmat was enthusiastic about this type of herding dog.
The namesake of this breed was a black male with the typical conformation and the name Mudi. The stud book is open to this day. Dogs of this breed type are included in the breed register. This also applies to specimens without papers.
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