Mudi
Breed Description

The Mudi, pronounced like the English word moody, is known by relatively few alternative names compared to many other breeds, reflecting its concentrated development within Hungary and its relatively recent recognition on the international stage. The breed's official scientific designation is Canis Ovilis Fényesi, honoring Dr. Dezső Fényes, the Hungarian museum director credited with formally identifying and naming the breed in 1936. This Latin designation appears on official documentation and distinguishes the Mudi from other Hungarian herding breeds with which it shares historical roots and common ancestry.

In Hungarian, the plural form of Mudi is Mudik, though in English-speaking countries, the plurals Mudis or simply Mudi are both commonly used and accepted. The breed's name origin remains somewhat mysterious, as no definitive explanation has been discovered for why Dr. Fényes chose this particular designation. Some speculate the name may derive from regional Hungarian dialect, while others suggest it may have been coined specifically by Fényes without etymological precedent. The phonetic pronunciation guide commonly provided is moo-dee, helping newcomers correctly articulate this distinctive breed name.

The Mudi is sometimes informally referred to as the Hungarian Mudi or the driver dog, the latter name reflecting the breed's historical role in driving and controlling livestock on Hungarian farms. Unlike its better-known Hungarian cousins, the Puli and Pumi, the Mudi has not acquired numerous nicknames or regional variations in its name, perhaps due to its relative obscurity even within Hungary until recent decades. The breed was essentially unknown outside its native country until enthusiasts began importing specimens to North America and Western Europe in the early 2000s.

Within Hungary, the Mudi is recognized as one of the three traditional Hungarian herding breeds, alongside the corded Puli and the curly-coated Pumi. Before formal classification in the twentieth century, all three types were often grouped together under general designations for small Hungarian sheepdogs, with breeding occurring somewhat interchangeably based on working ability rather than distinct breed characteristics. The Mudi's distinguishing prick ears eventually became the primary feature separating it from its relatives during the formal breed classification process.

The breed gained recognition from the Fédération Cynologique Internationale in 1966, establishing its international status and providing a framework for consistent breeding standards across FCI member countries. More recent recognition by the American Kennel Club in 2022, the Canadian Kennel Club in 2020, and The Kennel Club of the United Kingdom in 2025 has introduced the breed to wider audiences in English-speaking countries, though it remains relatively rare with only a few thousand individuals estimated worldwide.

The Mudi holds recognition from all major international kennel organizations, reflecting the dedicated efforts of breed enthusiasts who have worked to preserve and promote this rare Hungarian herding breed. The Fédération Cynologique Internationale serves as the primary international governing body, having granted official recognition on March 26, 1963, with the current breed standard number 238. The FCI classifies the Mudi in Group 1 (Sheepdogs and Cattle Dogs except Swiss Cattle Dogs), Section 1 (Sheepdogs), without a working trial requirement for championship titles.

The FCI breed standard, most recently updated in October 2023, establishes detailed requirements for the Mudi's distinctive appearance and temperament. According to this standard, the ideal Mudi should be a medium-sized herding dog with a wedge-shaped head, prick ears, and a topline that distinctly slopes toward the rear. The standard emphasizes the breed's lively temperament, describing the Mudi as extremely able to learn, courageous, watchful, keen to work, alert, and adaptable. Hungary holds patronage of the breed within the FCI system.

The American Kennel Club granted full recognition to the Mudi on January 5, 2022, classifying the breed in the Herding Group. This recognition marked the culmination of nearly two decades of work by American enthusiasts, beginning with the breed's acceptance into the AKC Foundation Stock Service in 2004. The Mudi Club of America, organized in 2004, serves as the parent club and maintains close alignment with AKC breed standards while promoting responsible breeding practices and health testing protocols.

The United Kennel Club recognized the Mudi on July 1, 2006, placing the breed within their Herding Dog Group. The UKC standard closely follows FCI requirements while incorporating elements suited to the organization's total dog philosophy. The North American Mudi Alliance, affiliated with UKC, works to promote, improve, and advance the breed worldwide and provides resources for owners and breeders in North America.

The Canadian Kennel Club granted full recognition to the Mudi in 2020, classifying the breed in their Herding Group following years in the Miscellaneous Class. The Mudi Association of Canada, founded in 2002, was instrumental in bringing the breed to CKC's attention and supporting the recognition process. Canadian breeders have contributed significantly to expanding the breed's population in North America.

The Kennel Club of the United Kingdom recognized the Hungarian Mudi effective July 1, 2025, adding the breed to their Pastoral Group on the Imported Breed Register. This recognition makes the Mudi the 225th pedigree breed acknowledged by the UK's registry body. The Hungarian Mudi Club in the United Kingdom worked toward recognition for years, and once an interim breed standard is published, Mudis will be eligible to compete at Kennel Club licensed events with the eventual opportunity to compete for Best in Show at Crufts.

Breed clubs worldwide coordinate health testing recommendations and breeding guidelines to maintain genetic diversity within the small global population. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals works with breed clubs to establish testing protocols for conditions including hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, patellar luxation, and eye disorders. Given the breed's rarity, responsible breeding practices and genetic management remain crucial priorities for all recognized organizations.

The Mudi presents a distinctive silhouette that immediately conveys alertness, intelligence, and athletic capability within a well-proportioned medium-sized frame. The breed standard describes a firmly built herding dog with spitz-like qualities, moderate bone, and good muscle development suited to all-day work in demanding conditions. The body is nearly square when properly proportioned, with the length from the point of shoulder to the point of buttocks approximately equal to the height at the withers, creating a compact and balanced appearance.

The head is the most striking feature of the Mudi, described in the breed standard as undoubtedly the breed's most distinctive part. It should give observers the impression of an alert, always energetic, cheerful, and intelligent animal without any trace of timidity or aggressiveness. The head is wedge-shaped when viewed from above, tapering toward the nose in clean lines. The skull and forehead are slightly domed, with an occiput that is not pronounced and superciliary ridges that are only slightly developed. The stop is barely pronounced, creating smooth transition between skull and muzzle.

The muzzle is moderately strong with a straight bridge of nose, narrowing slightly toward the rounded nose tip with moderately wide nostrils. The length of the muzzle is slightly less than half the total length of the head. Lips are tight-fitting to the teeth with slightly jagged corners. The Mudi possesses a complete scissor bite, with full dentition preferred though minor absences are tolerated in the standard. The expression conveys what enthusiasts describe as a mischievous or daredevil quality that captures the breed's spirited personality.

The eyes are narrow and almond-shaped, set slightly oblique to create the characteristic alert expression. Eye color should be as dark as possible, though dogs with blue merle coloring may have wall eyes or blue-brown speckled eyes without penalty. The eye rims are tight, close-fitting, and evenly pigmented according to coat color. The ears are high-set prick ears of reversed V-shape, approximately ten to fifteen percent longer than their width at the base. They are covered with abundant hair extending beyond the outer edges and are highly responsive to stimulation, capable of moving independently like radar screens tracking sounds.

The neck is slightly high-set, forming an angle of fifty to fifty-five degrees to the horizontal, of medium length, barely arched, and well-muscled without dewlap or pronounced ruff, though males may display a barely developed mane. The body features a topline that distinctly slopes from the withers toward the croup. The back is straight and short, with a short loin that is only slightly arched. The croup is short and slightly sloping. The chest is deep, reaching to the elbows, with a well-developed forechest and moderately sprung ribs.

The tail is set at medium height and may be naturally full length, natural bobtail, or anywhere in between, as Mudis can be born with various tail lengths ranging from complete absence to full length. When present, the tail hangs in repose, forms a large sickle shape when raised, and is abundantly coated with hair on the underside reaching ten to fifteen centimeters in length. The forequarters feature moderately sloping shoulder blades that are well-muscled, with medium-length upper arms holding elbows close to the body. Forelegs are straight and vertical with firm, dry carpal joints and steep pasterns leading to round feet with well-knit toes.

The coat is the Mudi's most distinctive physical feature beyond its head. The head and front of limbs are covered by short, straight, and smooth hair, while the body coat is uniformly very wavy or slightly curly, dense, always shiny, and approximately three to seven centimeters in length. The coat forms cow-licks and ridges at various points and is longest on the backs of the forearms and upper thighs, forming pronounced featherings. The coat is self-cleaning and does not tend to mat, requiring minimal maintenance despite its unique texture.

Accepted colors include black, white, fawn, blue merle, ash or blue grey, and brown, with the merle pattern permissible in combination with any color. Minimal white markings are tolerated but not desired, limited to a chest patch less than five centimeters in diameter and small toe markings. Males ideally stand forty-three to forty-five centimeters at the withers with a range of forty-one to forty-seven centimeters acceptable, weighing eleven to thirteen kilograms. Females are slightly smaller at forty to forty-two centimeters ideal height with a range of thirty-eight to forty-four centimeters, weighing eight to eleven kilograms.

The history of the Mudi stretches back centuries into the pastoral traditions of the Carpathian Basin, where Hungarian shepherds developed several distinct types of herding dogs suited to managing livestock across the vast plains and varied terrain of their homeland. The breed's origins are intertwined with the broader history of Hungarian sheepdogs, which were simply divided into large and small categories until the latter part of the nineteenth century, with little distinction made among the smaller types that would eventually become the Puli, Pumi, and Mudi.

Historical references to Mudi-like dogs appear in Hungarian literature dating back to the eighteenth century, with natural historian Comte de Buffon describing a similar shepherd dog in 1773. Subsequent mentions appear in Ferenc Pethe's History of Nature in 1815, Lajos Méhely's writings in 1902, and Ottó Herman's work in 1912. These accounts describe small, erect-eared herding dogs working alongside shepherds in the Hungarian lowlands, though no clear distinction was made between this type and its relatives at the time.

The breed is believed to have originated from crosses between indigenous Hungarian herding dogs and various prick-eared German herding dogs that arrived in Hungary between the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Some experts suggest the Mudi may have developed from crosses between the Puli and Pumi, while others propose that crossings with German Spitz-type breeds or early forms of what would become the German Shepherd contributed to its development. The truth likely involves multiple influences over many generations of working dog breeding.

The purposeful identification and breeding of the Mudi as a distinct breed is attributed to Dr. Dezső Fényes, director of the museum in Balassagyarmat, who became interested in this particular type of small sheepdog around 1930. He obtained several individuals displaying the characteristic erect ears, brilliant wavy coat, and exceptional intelligence that would define the breed. After several years of careful breeding to establish consistency, Dr. Fényes presented his dogs at a breeding animal fair in March 1936 and submitted the first breed standard.

The committee accepted Fényes's description and formally adopted the name Mudi for this newly recognized breed, though the origin of this name remains unexplained. The breed's official Latin designation, Canis Ovilis Fényesi, honors its founder's contributions to its recognition and preservation. This formal acknowledgment finally distinguished the Mudi from its Hungarian cousins, the Puli and Pumi, establishing it as a separate breed worthy of independent breeding programs.

The newly recognized breed faced devastating challenges almost immediately. World War II wreaked havoc on dog populations throughout Hungary, and the Mudi, never numerous to begin with, was decimated. The chaos of war, economic hardship, and loss of the agricultural traditions that had sustained working dogs for generations brought the breed perilously close to extinction. By the time peace returned, pure Mudis had become exceptionally rare, and the breed's survival was genuinely uncertain.

Recovery efforts began in earnest during the 1960s, led by dedicated enthusiasts who sought out remaining examples and worked to rebuild the population. Dr. Zoltán Balassy wrote a new breed standard in 1966, which served as the basis for the Fédération Cynologique Internationale's official recognition that same year. This standard was necessarily based on only a handful of remaining Mudis and expanded the acceptable size range and color variations beyond the original 1936 standard to encompass the diversity present in surviving specimens.

The breed remained virtually unknown outside Hungary for decades following FCI recognition, with the greatest populations concentrated in their homeland and in Finland, where the breed developed a following among herding enthusiasts. The first Mudis arrived in North America in the mid-1990s, with the inaugural Canadian imports reaching Calgary in 1996. American imports followed shortly after, and dedicated fanciers began working toward recognition by North American kennel clubs.

The early 2000s marked a turning point for international awareness of the breed. The Mudi was accepted into the AKC Foundation Stock Service in 2004, the same year the Mudi Club of America was organized to promote and protect the breed. Gradual progress through the miscellaneous class eventually led to full AKC recognition in January 2022. Similar paths led to Canadian Kennel Club recognition in 2020 and United Kennel Club recognition in 2006, introducing the breed to growing audiences of dog enthusiasts.

Today, the Mudi remains rare globally, with estimates suggesting only a few thousand individuals worldwide. Hungary maintains the largest population, followed by Finland, with smaller but growing numbers scattered throughout Europe and North America. The breed continues to work as a herding dog in its homeland, where shepherds still prize Mudis for their ability to manage flocks of up to five hundred sheep. Their versatility has also led to success in search and rescue work, drug detection, and competitive dog sports including agility, flyball, and obedience.

The Mudi possesses a temperament that perfectly suits its heritage as an all-purpose farm dog, combining exceptional intelligence with tireless work ethic, bold courage, and genuine devotion to its people. The breed standard describes the Mudi as extremely able to learn, of lively temperament, courageous, watchful, keen to work, alert, and adaptable, a summary that captures the essence of a dog bred for centuries to handle whatever challenges Hungarian farm life presented.

At the core of the Mudi's personality lies remarkable intelligence that manifests as rapid learning ability combined with independent thinking. These dogs grasp new concepts with startling speed, often requiring only a few repetitions to master behaviors that might take other breeds dozens of attempts. Owners frequently describe witnessing the lightbulb moment when their Mudi figures something out, a visible demonstration of the cognitive processing that makes this breed exceptional. However, this intelligence comes with the caveat that Mudis bore quickly with repetitive training and will disengage or improvise their own interpretations if drills become monotonous.

The Mudi's working heritage has produced a dog with almost terrier-like intensity and enthusiasm for whatever task captures its attention. These dogs approach everything head-on with dynamic energy, whether herding livestock, hunting vermin, playing games, or training for competition. This vigor means anything a Mudi does tends to be quite dramatic in its execution. Their intensity extends to environmental awareness, with Mudis displaying an almost feral attentiveness to their surroundings, noticing and responding to stimuli that other dogs might ignore entirely.

Despite their high energy outdoors, well-trained Mudis can develop excellent off switches that allow them to settle calmly indoors when their exercise and mental stimulation needs have been met. This ability to transition between intense activity and relaxed companionship makes them more adaptable to home life than their energy levels might suggest, though achieving this balance requires consistent training and adequate outlets for their drive. Without sufficient stimulation, Mudis can become vocal, demanding, and destructive as they seek their own entertainment.

The breed's relationship with strangers reflects its guardian heritage. Mudis typically display aloofness and wariness toward unfamiliar people, neither rushing to greet newcomers enthusiastically nor displaying aggressive hostility. They assess strangers carefully before deciding whether to accept them, a process that can take multiple positive encounters before the dog relaxes its reserve. Once trust is established, Mudis become easy-going and affectionate, but they maintain discriminating judgment about who belongs in their circle.

Within the family, Mudis form intense bonds characterized by loyalty and devotion. They typically develop a particularly strong attachment to one primary person while remaining affectionate toward other family members. This close bonding means they thrive when included in family activities and can struggle with isolation or prolonged separation from their people. Their desire to please, once bonded, makes them responsive partners who genuinely want to cooperate with their owners.

The Mudi's vocalization tendencies deserve special mention, as these dogs were bred to alert farmers to anything unusual and to communicate while working livestock. They remain natural alarm dogs who will bark at perceived threats, unusual sounds, or changes in their environment. This alertness makes them excellent watchdogs but can become problematic in noise-sensitive living situations without proper training to moderate their vocal expressions. Early training can help establish appropriate barking behaviors.

Socialization proves crucial for developing a well-adjusted Mudi, as the breed's natural wariness can tip toward fearfulness or inappropriate aggression without adequate positive exposure to varied people, places, and experiences during puppyhood. Some young Mudis may display lack of confidence manifesting as shyness or compensating aggression, though most recover quickly from initial caution and proceed with characteristic boldness once they determine a situation is safe.

The Mudi can integrate successfully into family life when provided with appropriate outlets for its considerable energy and intelligence, though prospective owners should carefully evaluate whether their lifestyle can accommodate this demanding breed's needs. These dogs thrive in active households where they can participate in daily activities and receive the mental and physical stimulation essential to their wellbeing. Their relatively compact size and adaptable nature allow them to fit into various living situations, but their high drive means apartment living presents challenges without significant commitment to exercise.

Children and Mudis generally coexist well when both are properly managed and the dog has been socialized with young people from puppyhood. The breed's sturdy build handles childish play reasonably well, and their playful nature often makes them enthusiastic companions for active youngsters. However, their herding instincts may manifest as attempts to control children's movements through nipping or circling, behaviors that require training to redirect. Supervision remains important, particularly with younger children who may not recognize the dog's signals or respond appropriately to herding behaviors.

The Mudi's relationship with other household pets varies depending on socialization history and individual temperament. Dogs raised with cats and other animals from puppyhood typically coexist peacefully with their household companions, accepting them as part of the family group. However, their strong prey drive and herding instincts can create challenges with small animals or pets that run, potentially triggering chase and control behaviors. Introductions to new pets should proceed carefully with appropriate management protocols.

Other dogs in the household present variable dynamics depending on the individuals involved. Mudis can live successfully with canine companions, particularly when raised together or carefully introduced, but some individuals display pushiness, same-sex aggression, or attempts to dominate other dogs. Their herding instincts may also lead them to try to control other dogs' movements, which can create tension. Multi-dog households require thoughtful management and may work best with dogs of complementary temperaments.

Housing considerations for Mudis center more on exercise access than space requirements alone. While they can adapt to apartment living with sufficient outdoor exercise, they genuinely thrive with access to securely fenced yards where they can run and play. Their alertness and tendency to bark at environmental stimuli may create issues in multi-unit housing with shared walls. Rural or suburban settings with property to patrol often suit their nature better than dense urban environments.

The breed's environmental sensitivity means Mudis notice and react to changes, sounds, and activities in their surroundings more intensely than many breeds. This awareness makes them excellent alarm dogs but can become overwhelming in chaotic or constantly changing environments. They generally do best in households with some predictability and routine, though their adaptability allows them to adjust to reasonable variations once they understand the patterns.

Climate considerations favor moderate conditions for the Mudi. Their medium-length coat provides reasonable protection from cold, and they can work in various weather conditions, but extreme heat requires careful management. They should not be left outdoors in harsh weather and benefit from climate-controlled indoor living. Their athleticism and work drive mean they may not self-regulate activity appropriately in hot conditions, requiring owner intervention to prevent overheating.

The time commitment required for Mudi ownership extends beyond physical exercise to include mental stimulation, training reinforcement, and quality interaction. These dogs need engaged owners who can provide varied activities, ongoing training challenges, and meaningful companionship. Households where dogs are left alone for extended periods or expected to entertain themselves typically struggle with Mudi ownership, as understimulated individuals develop behavioral problems including excessive barking, destructive behaviors, and anxiety.

Training a Mudi presents a unique and rewarding experience that differs significantly from working with more biddable breeds, requiring handlers who appreciate the breed's exceptional intelligence while understanding its need for variety and engagement. These dogs learn with remarkable speed, often grasping new concepts within just a few repetitions, but they quickly lose interest in monotonous drilling and may refuse to cooperate if training becomes repetitive or boring. Successful Mudi training requires creativity, flexibility, and a willingness to keep sessions short, varied, and genuinely interesting for this thinking breed.

Positive reinforcement methods work exceptionally well with Mudis, who are typically highly motivated by food, toys, and praise from their trusted handlers. Their desire to please their bonded person, combined with their intelligence, creates dogs capable of impressive achievements across multiple disciplines when trained with engagement and respect. Harsh corrections or punishment-based approaches typically backfire, potentially damaging the trust relationship essential for cooperation or triggering defensive responses from these sensitive dogs.

Early socialization represents perhaps the most critical element of Mudi development, establishing the foundation for confident, well-adjusted adult behavior. Puppies should be exposed to an enormous variety of people, places, sounds, surfaces, and experiences during the critical socialization window, building positive associations that counterbalance natural wariness toward novelty. Inadequately socialized Mudis may develop problematic fearfulness or reactivity that proves difficult to modify in adulthood.

Basic obedience training should begin early and continue throughout the dog's life, establishing clear communication and reinforcing the handler's leadership position. Mudis benefit from understanding what is expected of them and appreciate consistency in rules and boundaries. However, training sessions should remain brief and engaging, ending on positive notes before the dog loses interest. Multiple short sessions throughout the day typically produce better results than single extended training periods.

The Mudi excels in virtually every canine sport and activity that engages both body and mind. Herding remains their traditional forte, and many Mudis demonstrate strong natural instincts when introduced to livestock work. They also achieve remarkable success in agility, where their speed, intelligence, and enthusiasm create spectacular performances. Flyball, obedience, rally, tracking, scent work, and even Frisbee competition all showcase different aspects of the breed's versatility.

Exercise requirements for the Mudi are substantial, reflecting their heritage as all-day working farm dogs bred for tireless activity. A minimum of one to two hours of vigorous daily exercise is typically necessary to maintain good behavior and physical condition, though individual needs vary based on age, health, and breeding lines. This exercise should include opportunities for running, playing, and engaging in activities that challenge both body and mind rather than simple repetitive walking.

Mental stimulation deserves equal attention alongside physical exercise for this intelligent breed. Puzzle toys, scent work, training games, and opportunities to problem-solve help satisfy the Mudi's need for cognitive engagement. A physically exhausted but mentally understimulated Mudi may still develop behavioral problems, as their active minds require challenges to remain content. Varying activities and introducing new challenges helps maintain interest and prevents boredom.

Without adequate outlets for their considerable energy and intelligence, Mudis develop their own entertainment, which typically manifests as undesirable behaviors. Excessive barking, destructive digging, inappropriate herding of family members or other pets, and general hyperactivity often indicate insufficient stimulation rather than inherent behavior problems. Addressing the underlying needs through appropriate exercise and mental engagement usually resolves these issues more effectively than attempting to suppress the behaviors directly.

The breed's strong herding instincts may emerge during play and daily life, manifesting as circling, nipping at heels, or attempts to control movement of people and other animals. Training should address these behaviors early, redirecting the instinct into appropriate outlets like formal herding work or structured games while teaching the dog that casual herding of family members is not acceptable.

This respectable longevity reflects the breed's heritage as a hardy working dog developed under conditions that naturally selected for health and functionality rather than exaggerated physical features. The breed is generally considered healthy and robust, though like all purebred dogs, they have predispositions to certain conditions that responsible owners should understand and monitor for throughout their dog's life.

Health screening including hip and elbow radiographic evaluation, patellar examination, and eye certification by a veterinary ophthalmologist helps identify affected individuals and allows responsible breeders to make informed decisions that improve the health of future generations while helping owners address emerging conditions early. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals maintains recommended health testing protocols for the Mudi that include hip and elbow evaluation, patellar luxation examination, and ACVO eye examination, with optional testing for autoimmune thyroiditis, multiple drug sensitivity, and cardiac evaluation available for breeders seeking comprehensive health documentation.

The Mudi's grooming requirements are remarkably minimal for a breed with such a distinctive coat, earning descriptions as a wash-and-wear dog that maintains itself with little intervention. The breed's unique coat texture, combining short smooth hair on the head and legs with wavy to curly hair on the body, possesses natural self-cleaning properties and does not tend to mat despite its length and texture. This easy-care characteristic made the breed practical for Hungarian farmers who needed working dogs that could maintain themselves without extensive grooming attention.

Regular brushing once or twice weekly suffices for most Mudis, helping remove loose hair, distribute natural skin oils, and maintain coat health without requiring extensive time investment. A slicker brush or pin brush works well for working through the curly body coat, while a simple bristle brush handles the shorter hair on the head and legs. The coat should be brushed in the direction of hair growth, and any small tangles can usually be worked out gently with fingers before brushing.

Bathing should be performed only as needed, typically every few months or when the dog becomes notably dirty. The Mudi's coat has natural properties that help repel dirt, and excessive bathing strips beneficial oils that contribute to coat health and self-cleaning ability. When bathing is necessary, a mild dog shampoo applied after thorough wetting, worked into a lather, and completely rinsed prevents residue buildup. The curly coat should be allowed to air dry naturally to maintain its characteristic texture rather than being blow-dried, which can alter the wave pattern.

The breed standard explicitly states that Mudis should be presented naturally, never appearing sculpted, woolly, fluffed, or blown dry to obscure the curls and texture of the coat. This natural presentation philosophy extends beyond the show ring to daily maintenance, meaning owners should not trim, clip, or otherwise alter the coat's natural appearance. The only acceptable trimming involves tidying excess hair between the paw pads if it accumulates.

Shedding in the Mudi is typically light to moderate throughout the year, with seasonal increases during spring and fall coat changes. Regular brushing during heavy shedding periods helps manage loose hair and keeps shedding manageable. The breed is not considered hypoallergenic despite its curly coat, and people with dog allergies should spend time with Mudis before committing to ownership to assess their individual reaction.

Ear care requires regular attention due to the breed's erect, hair-covered ears. Weekly examination for redness, odor, excessive wax, or discharge helps identify developing problems early. Cleaning should be performed with veterinarian-approved ear cleanser and cotton balls, wiping the visible portions of the ear without inserting anything into the ear canal. The abundant hair on and around the ears should be checked for debris or matting.

Nail maintenance follows standard protocols, with monthly trimming or grinding typically sufficient for dogs that do not naturally wear down their nails through activity on hard surfaces. The breed's active nature often helps maintain nail length naturally, though regular checks ensure nails remain at appropriate length. Overgrown nails can affect gait and cause discomfort, particularly in a breed as active as the Mudi.

Dental care deserves consistent attention, as the breed may be predisposed to dental issues according to some veterinary sources. Daily tooth brushing with canine-formulated toothpaste provides optimal protection against periodontal disease, though even two to three times weekly offers significant benefit. Dental chews and appropriate chew toys supplement brushing, and professional dental cleanings may be recommended periodically by the veterinarian based on individual assessment.