Mudi

Temperament

The FCI standard describes the Mudi as exceptionally teachable, lively, courageous, alert, eager to work, attentive and highly adaptable. The AKC gives it top marks for affection, playfulness, energy and trainability. A Mudi connects rewards to behavior very fast and loves learning new things, but it gets bored just as fast. It can be reserved with strangers and loudly announces visitors, so it makes a good watchdog. It usually gets along with other dogs, though some Mudis can be feisty. Its herding instinct may lead it to try rounding up children or cyclists. It needs clear rules and shared activities with its owner. Well handled, it's cheerful, devoted and deeply involved in family life.

Energy

calmvery energetic

Affection

independentvelcro pet

With children

not idealgreat

With other pets

difficultgreat

Trainability

stubborneager to learn

For first-time owners

for experienced ownersyes

With strangers

waryoutgoing

Playfulness

dignifiedeternal puppy

Shedding

minimalheavy

Grooming

easydemanding

Being left alone

strugglescopes well

Apartment living

needs a house and yardgreat in a flat

Barking

quietvocal

With other dogs

difficultgreat

Protectiveness

lowhigh

Drooling

hardly anya lot

Cold tolerance

feels the coldexcellent

Heat tolerance

strugglescopes well

Scores of 1–5 compare the breed with other breeds of the same species, based on the sources at the bottom of the page. Every animal is different. How we score traits

Who is the Mudi for?

The Mudi suits active people who want to train dog sports, enjoy daily learning sessions and have time for long walks. It can be a good first dog for a determined beginner who signs up for obedience classes. It won't work for people looking for a laid-back couch potato, those who are out of the house all day, or neighbors who are sensitive to barking.

Size and looks

Care and exercise

A Mudi needs an hour and a half to two hours of activity a day, ideally combining exercise with brainwork: agility, frisbee, flyball, obedience, nosework or herding. Without a job, it quickly invents its own, often noisy, entertainment. The coat is easy to maintain (short on the head and legs, wavy or curly on the body), and brushing once a week is usually enough, more often during shedding. It doesn't need clipping. Reward-based training brings quick results, but alongside it, teach the dog to settle and rest. A Mudi loves company, so it shouldn't spend whole days alone at home or in a kennel run. Early socialization with people softens its natural suspiciousness. Also make sure a young dog doesn't overdo the jumping until its joints have matured.

Health and breed-related conditions

The AKC describes the Mudi as a generally healthy breed, and responsible breeders test their dogs according to the Mudi Club of America's recommendations recorded in the CHIC database. These include a patella evaluation, hip and elbow X-rays, an exam by a veterinary ophthalmologist and a basic cardiac exam. Because the standard allows the cifra, or merle, coloring, it's important to avoid breeding two merles together, which raises the risk of deafness and eye defects in puppies. The breed's small population means breeders must take care to preserve genetic diversity. The AKC gives a life expectancy of 12–14 years.

• hip and elbow dysplasiaThe American breed club recommends hip and elbow X-rays before breeding.
• patellar luxationA patella evaluation is among the tests recommended by the AKC.
• eye diseasesAn exam by a veterinary ophthalmologist is recommended.
• defects from breeding two merlesPuppies from two cifra (merle) parents have a higher risk of deafness and eye defects.

This is general breed information, not a diagnosis. If something worries you, talk to your veterinarian.

Breed history

According to the FCI standard, the Mudi emerged between the 18th and 19th centuries from crosses between Hungarian herding dogs and, most likely, prick-eared German sheepdogs. For a long time it wasn't distinguished from the Pumi and Puli; in Hungary, herding dogs were simply divided into large and small. Around 1930, Dr. Dezső Fényes, director of the museum in Balassagyarmat, began breeding these dogs separately and named them Mudi. The breed was officially recognized in 1936. The war nearly wiped it out. In 1966, Dr. Zoltán Balassy drew up a new standard, which the FCI approved. The AKC recognized the Mudi in 2022.

Fun facts

• Dr. Dezső Fényes gave the breed the name Mudi around 1930.
• The AKC recognized the Mudi as a full breed in 2022.
• The FCI standard allows the cifra, or merle, coloring, and blue eyes in merle dogs are not a fault.
• The Mudi's head and legs are covered in short, smooth hair, while the rest of the body has a wavy or slightly curly coat.

Frequently asked questions

This breed also appears in

• Medium dog breeds
• Dogs that don’t shed (much)

Sources

1. 1FCI standard nr 238 – Mudifci.be
2. 2AKC – Mudiakc.org
3. 3Wikipedia – Mudien.wikipedia.org

Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.