Take one look at a mudi’s medium-sized stature and you may think, “that’s a good apartment dog.” Well, no one may disagree with you more than the neighbor of an apartment-dwelling mudi. Though friendly and affectionate, mudik (if you didn’t see above, this is the plural form of mudi!) are also frequent barkers. Bred to alert farmers of suspicious activities, the mudi will alert you to just about everything, suspicious or otherwise. Obedience training combined with sufficient mental and physical stimulation will go a long way in curbing this behavior. Which brings us to the next reason why the mudi may not be the best fit for apartments — they are extremely high-energy.
This is why the breed fares well with active owners prepared to give their mudi a good workout. If properly socialized, the mudi should do well with kids and other pets they’re raised with but may be standoffish with visitors and other humans they don’t consider part of their pack. They are also attention-craving dogs who prefer to play, exercise, and snuggle with their humans rather than spending time alone.
The mudi dog, also known as the Hungarian mudi, is considered generally healthy. But like any breed, they have certain medical conditions they’re prone to. Here are some health issues that a mudi may experience:
Mudi owners will want to familiarize themselves with different health insurance plans and enroll early to lower out-of-pocket expenses. Alternatively, budgeting for a pet savings account can protect you and your dog in the event of an emergency. Cataracts, for example, are a common condition seen in the mudi that may require a surgery that costs between $2,700 and $4,000.
Although the mudi dog was only officially recognized by the American Kennel Club in 2022, their history traces back to the 19th century in Hungary. They likely descended from puli, pumi, and German spitz dogs and were first bred separately from the others by museum director Dr. Deszö Fényesi, who came up with the name for the herding dog.
Hungarian dog populations were significantly reduced during World War II, and the mudi almost disappeared completely. The breed was revived in the 1960s when new breed standards were written to include a wider size and coat color range.
Today, the mudi dog remains a rare breed, with fewer than 500 in the United States and a couple thousand worldwide. They are most popular in their native country of Hungary, where they continue to work on farms herding flocks of sheep. Mudik are also skilled competitors in dog sports, most commonly in agility and obedience events.
Before you bring home a mudi, get prepared by planning your first trip to the vet, scheduling vaccinations, providing flea and tick preventatives, and puppy-proofing your home. The mudi is an active dog that requires plenty of outdoor playtime. Signing up FidoAlert provides you with a free Fido ID and tag in the event your dog takes off.
If your ideal Saturday is spent curled up on the couch basking in the glow of your favorite streaming service, the high-energy mudi might not be a fit for you. Active families, on the other hand, will find a suitable companion in the breed. The mudi loves to hike, go on long walks, and swim. These dogs don’t tire out easily and will resort to barking, digging, and other destructive behaviors when not properly physically and mentally stimulated. Plan on at least an hour of exercise each day to keep your mudi satiated.
The breed is incredibly athletic and can participate in agility courses to meet their exercise needs. According to the Mudi Club of America, the breed also excels at flyball, obedience, herding, and frisbee. Their thick coats make them more adaptable to colder environments than warm ones, so be wary of overheating in hot summer months.
While some dogs are short-haired and others are long-haired, the mudi is the best of both worlds. Their wedge-shaped head and the front of their legs have short fur, and the rest of their body has a long thick coat. They shed their winter coats in the spring but otherwise only need to be brushed every couple of days to avoid matting. Unless they get dirty from outdoor play, mudi owners should only need to bathe their pups once a month with a high-quality shampoo. Be sure to routinely trim their nails, clean their ears, and brush their teeth to prevent dental diseases.
As with any dog, mudi owners will want to consult their vet to determine how much to feed their four-legged friend. Because they have high exercise needs, dog foods formulated for active canines may be recommended. To avoid obesity, make sure that treats don’t make up more than 10% of their daily caloric intake. Every dog is unique, but generally speaking, an adult mudi will require 1 to 1.5 cups of kibble a day, split into two meals.
Looking to burn some of your mudi’s seemingly-boundless energy? Try some training exercises! The mudi is a working dog with high intelligence, and training gives them fun tasks to keep busy.
Not quite sure that a mudi is right for you? Even if you are, it’s worth taking the time to research and consider other similar breeds. Here are a few to get you started:
Yes. The mudi was bred to work on farms, and one of their responsibilities was to alert their owners to danger. They possess this instinctual watchdog tendency to this day and are known for frequent vocalizations. Using a “quiet” command can help curb this behavior.
The mudi is a rare breed with less than 500 in the United States and a couple thousand worldwide. The dogs are most common in Hungary, where many continue to work on farms herding sheep.
Although they are generally considered healthy, the mudi breed is prone to hip dysplasia, epilepsy, luxating patella, and cataracts.
The mudi is incredibly affectionate and loves to please their humans. They can be standoffish with strangers at first, but with proper training and socialization will be friendlier towards others they don’t consider part of their pack.
The mudi is a high-energy breed that requires at least one hour of exercise a day. They fare best with active owners who can satisfy their physical and mental needs.
