Other names: Hungarian Mudi, Canis Ovilis Fenyesi.
The Mudi (in Hungarian, the plural form of mudi is mudik) is a herding dog breed from Hungary. It is closely related to the Puli and Pumi, from which it was separated in the 1930s. Today, the Mudi is bred for work, sport, companionship, and show. They continue to be used in herding, as well as participating in a variety of dog sports. They are often said to be the “barkiest dog breed” and are not recommended for the typical dog owner.
History
The Mudi was first discovered as a breed in 1936 by Dr. Dezso Fenyes in Hungary, where it became known as the “driver dog.” Mudis nearly disappeared shortly after their recognition, as many were killed during World War II. The breed became recognized by The Federation Cynologique Internationale in 1966, followed by the United Kennel Club in 2006. In the American Kennel Club, Mudi is in the Miscellaneous Class. The Mudi still actively herds in Hungary with Hungarian shepherds and with flocks of up to 500 sheep.
Description
Appearance
Mudi usually weighs 18 to 29 pounds (8.2 to 13.2 kg) and stand 15 to 19 inches (38 to 48 cm) high at the withers. The coat is medium wavy or curly, with short hair on the face and legs. The accepted colours are black (fekete), brown (barna), white (fehér), Fawn (fakó), Ash (hamvas), and Cifra (marbling of black and grey.) Mudis are born with various lengths of tails from bobtails to long full-length tails. Dogs born with short or natural bobtail will be indicated on the FCI pedigree. The Mudi standard indicates other characteristics of the breed.
Temperament
The Mudi is a versatile farm dog that can hunt, exterminate rodents, and act as a capable herding dog and flock guardian. They are great for alerting and protecting their home and family. They have a high pitched bark and are often very loud. There are three herding dogs native to Hungary: the Puli, Pumi and Mudi, all having similar characteristics. The Mudi is a clever, keen, active dog who becomes very attached to its owner and family. They are often aloof with strangers and early socialization is recommended. The Mudi is often talked about as being “the barkiest breed”. The Mudi is not recommended for the typical dog owner due to not only its high energy but also that many in the breed have temperament issues and struggle with fearfulness and reactivity.