Mudi Breed Standard
AKC Standard
GENERAL APPEARANCE
The Mudi is an extremely versatile, intelligent, alert, agile all purpose Hungarian farm dog. The Mudi has courage, a trait useful for working the most stubborn livestock. The breed is a loyal protector of property and family members without being overly aggressive. The Mudi is sometimes used for flushing out wild boar in Hungary.
The Mudi is medium in size and moderate in conformation. The profile is nearly square with a slightly sloping topline from withers to croup. The head is wedge shaped with erect ears. The coat is short and straight on the face and front of the legs. The rest of the body is covered by a coat that is very wavy to curly, growing to a length of up to approximately 3 inches.
SIZE, PROPORTION, SUBSTANCE
The Mudi is medium boned. The height from the withers to the ground is nearly equal to the body length from the point of the shoulder to the point of buttocks. The depth of the brisket is slightly less than half of the height at the withers. The Mudi should stand squarely on all fours and when viewed from the side, the topline, front legs and back legs should closely approximate a square.
Size - Dogs are from 16 inches to 18½ inches, ideal 17½ inches, bitches from 15 inches to 17½ inches, ideal 16½ inches. DISQUALIFICATION: Dogs less than 15 ½ inches and over 19 inches, and bitches less than 14 ½ inches and over 18 inches. Weight - Ideal weight in dogs is 24 pounds to 29 pounds and in bitches 18 pounds to 24 pounds.
HEAD
The head is wedge shaped when viewed from the top with sufficient fill under the eyes to make a smooth wedge line from ear to nose. The length of the muzzle is slightly less than half of the total length of the head creating a wedge shape when viewed from the side. The stop is defined but not obvious. Expression - The Mudi expression is alert, lively and intelligent. Eyes - The eyes are almond shaped and set slightly oblique thus giving the Mudi a "dare devil" expression. The eyes should be as dark as possible. The following variations are permitted: Merle patterned dogs can have solid brown, blue, or brown speckled with blue eye(s). Brown, gray and gray-brown dogs can have lighter brown eyes. Yellow and white colored dogs can have dark brown, lighter brown, blue, or brown speckled with blue eye(s). Rims of lids are tight, close-fitting to the eyeball and completely pigmented. Brown and gray-brown dogs have brown pigmentation and grey dogs have gray pigmentation. Yellow and white dogs may have black, brown or gray pigmentation. Disqualification - Yellow eyes in black dogs. Pink (albino) eyes in white dogs. Incomplete or pink pigmentation of the eye rims. Ears - The Mudi ears are high set, fully erect and covered with abundant hair reaching beyond the edges of the ear leather. The ears are triangular and only slightly taller than the width at the base. The ears are very mobile and alert, able to move independently in reaction to any stimulation. Disqualification - Drop or semi-pricked ears. Skull -The skull and forehead are slightly domed. The occiput and brows are only slightly apparent. Muzzle - The muzzle is strong with the bridge of the nose straight and tapering to a blunt end at the nose. The lips are tight and the lip pigment corresponds with the pigment of the nose and eye rims. Whiskers shall be present. Nose - The nose is rounded in front with moderately wide nostrils. The bridge is straight. The nose color is black with the following exceptions: Brown and gray-brown dogs have brown noses. Gray dogs have gray noses. Yellow and white colored dogs may have black, brown or gray noses. The nose pigmentation is solid. Fault - Discolored areas. Disqualification - Pink or spotted nose. Bite - Full dentition preferred. Scissors bite preferred., level bite acceptable. Fault - One or more missing teeth are a serious fault. Disqualification - Over or undershot mouth, wry mouth.
NECK, TOPLINE AND BODY
Neck - Neck is of medium length in proportion to the body, placed slightly high on the shoulders, slightly arched and is well-muscled. The skin at the throat is tight, dry, and without a dewlap. Topline - Withers are slightly higher with the topline slightly sloping towards the croup.
Body - The body is smooth and tight with hard, but not bulging muscles. Forechest is slightly curved, the point of the sternum only slightly protruding. The chest is moderate in depth with ribs that are slightly sprung that extends back to a slight tuck-up. The back is short, straight, and taut. The loin is short, straight, and firmly coupled. The croup is slightly sloped, and of medium breadth. The tail follows the natural line of the croup. Tail - Tails come in all natural lengths including a natural bob. When alert and during active movement all tail lengths can be carried higher than the topline. A full length tail can be carried over the back in a loose, semi-circular fashion. When relaxed all tail lengths may hang below the topline. The tail is abundantly coated; the hair on the underside can be 4 to 5 inches long. No tail length is preferred over any other length. Docking of tail is undesirable but is not regarded as a fault.
FAULT: A tightly curled tail or “pigs-tail” should be faulted.
FOREQUARTERS
The shoulders are moderately angulated, with long, well-knit shoulder blades and an upper arm matching in length. The angle formed between the shoulder blade and upper arm should be 100 to 110 degrees. The elbows are tucked firmly against the brisket. The legs are long and straight, with medium bone. The pastern is very slightly sloped. Feet are compact, oval in shape; pads deep and strong, toes moderately arched and close. The nails are strong and preferably black or slate gray. Front dewclaws are desirable.
HINDQUARTERS
The hindquarters are well-developed and muscular, and in balance with the forequarters having moderate angulation. The upper thigh is thick and strong, with a long, strong lower thigh. The hocks are short, vertical, and parallel to each other. A vertical line drawn from the point of buttocks down to the ground almost touches the front of the rear toes when viewed from the side. Hind feet same as the forefeet. Rear dewclaws are not desirable.
COAT
Face and front of legs are covered by short, straight and smooth hair. On other parts of the body, the coat is uniformly very wavy to curly, dense and about 1 inch to 3 inches long. At some spots, cow-licks and ridges are formed. The coat is longer on the back of the forearms and the upper thighs, where it forms pronounced featherings. The tail is abundantly coated; the hair on the underside may be as much as 4 inches to 5 inches long. The unique nature of the easy care, self cleaning Mudi coat is reliant on having enough texture to its coat that it does not mat. The Mudi is presented in a natural coat, never appearing sculpted, wooly, fluffed nor blown dry so as to obscure the natural curls and texture of the coat.
DISQUALIFICATION: Short, smooth, flat coat on the whole body; long hair on the face.
COLOR
Allowed colors are: Black - all over with no shading. Brown - color can range from a light brown to chocolate with lighter shades of brown on the breeches and underbelly. Gray - all over with no shading. Gray-brown - color is a dilute of brown (Isabella) with lighter shades on the breeches and underbelly. Yellow and white - color can range from white to a near-white cream to a darker shade approaching golden with lighter shades on the breeches and underbelly. The merle pattern may be present with any color. No color is preferred over any other color and there is no preference of the solid vs. merle pattern. Minimal white markings are tolerated but not desired on any color or pattern; this includes a white patch on the chest less than 2 inches in diameter and small white markings on the toes. Fault - Any white markings more extensive than the foregoing are a serious fault. Allowable light shadings are not to be confused with white markings. Disqualification - Wolf gray (agouti - alternating bands of color along each hair shaft), black and tan, albino (pure white with pale pink skin and pink eyes) or any other color or marking not listed.
GAIT
Action is true, free, supple and tireless, exhibiting facility of movement rather than hard driving action. The trot is not long striding yet covers the ground with a minimum of effort. The capability of quick and sudden movement is essential.
TEMPERAMENT
The Mudi is alert, energetic, intelligent, biddable, adaptable and always enthusiastic about any job that needs to be done. The Mudi is sensibly suspicious and therefore an excellent watchdog.
FAULTS
Any deviation from the foregoing should be considered a fault, the seriousness of the fault depending upon the extent of the deviation.
DISQUALIFICATIONS
Dogs less than 15 ½ inches and over 19 inches, and bitches less than 14 ½ inches and over 18 inches.
Yellow eyes in black dogs. Pink (albino) eyes in white dogs. Incomplete or pink pigmentation of the eye rims. Drop or semi-pricked ears. Pink or spotted nose. Over or undershot mouth, wry mouth. Short, smooth, flat coat on the whole body; long hair on the face. Wolf gray (agouti - alternating bands of color along each hair shaft), black and tan, albino (pure white with pale pink skin and pink eyes) or any other color or markings not listed.
FCI Standard
TRANSLATION: Mrs. C. Seidler and Mrs. Elke Peper.
ORIGIN: Hungary.
DATE OF PUBLICATION OF THE OFFICIAL VALID STANDARD: 09. 11. 2004.
UTILIZATION:
Herding dog.
Because of his courageous disposition he is very popular with the shepherds for the use of herding large and difficult livestock. He is even used for the battue of wild boar. Mudi are excellent guard and companion dogs. A dog used for searching out drugs. A watch and alarm alert dog. Excellent agility dog, and they lovable house pet. Because of his relatively short coat and his Excellent adaptability, it is no problem to keep him in the house.
FCI-CLASSIFICATION:
Group 1 Sheepdogs and Cattle Dogs (except Swiss Cattle Dogs) Section 1 Sheepdogs, Without working trial
BRIEF HISTORICAL SUMMARY:
The breed came into being during the 18th to the 19th century from cross breeding Hungarian herding dogs most probably with various prick eared German herding dogs.
GENERAL APPEARANCE:
Medium sized herding dog with wedge shaped head. Prick ears. Body topline is distinctly sloping towards the rear. The head and the limbs are covered by short, smooth coat. The other parts of the body have a somewhat longer, very wavy to slightly curly coat. There are different variations of colour.
3 IMPORTANT PROPORTIONS:
• The body length is approximately equal to the height at the withers.
• The depth of the brisket is slightly less than half of the height at the withers.
• The length of the muzzle is slightly less than half of the total length of the head.
BEHAVIOUR/TEMPERAMENT:
The Mudi is extremely able to learn, they are of lively temperament, courageous, watchful, keen to work, alert and adaptable.
HEAD:
The most striking part of the Mudi is undoubtedly his head. To the observer it should give the impression of an alert, always energetic, cheerful and intelligent animal without any trace of timidity or aggressiveness. The head is wedge shaped, tapering towards the nose.
CRANIAL REGION:
Skull: Skull and forehead are slightly domed. Occiput not pronounced. Superciliary ridges only slightly developed.
Stop: Barely pronounced.
FACIAL REGION:
Nose: Narrow, rounded at front with moderately wide nostrils. In the colours black, white, fawn and blue-merle, the nose is always black; in the other colours the nose harmonizes with the coat colour; ie: the nose in a brown dog is brown and blue grey in a blue grey dog. Brown (liver) coloured dogs have brown eye rims. Blue grey dogs have blue grey eye rims.
Muzzle: Moderately strong. Bridge of nose straight. Lips: Tight-fitting to the teeth. Corner of mouth slightly jagged. The lip pigment corresponds with the pigment of the noseleather. Jaws/Teeth: Complete scissor bite according to the dentition formula. Regular teeth of medium size.
Eyes: Narrow, slightly pointed at inner and outer corners, set slightly oblique, thus having a “dare devil“ expression. The eyes should be as dark as possible. Only in blue-merle dogs, wall (white or blue) eyes are not faulty. Rims of lids are tight, close-fitting to the eyeball and evenly pigmented.
Ears: High set prick ears which are of a reverse V-shape and covered with abundant hair reaching beyond the edges of the external ears. The response of the ears to stimulation is very lively. The dog can turn the ears independently of each other like a radar screen. Ears are approximately 10 to 15 % longer than their width at the base.
NECK:
The slightly high set neck forms an angle of 50 to 55 degrees to the horizontal. It is of medium length, barely arched and well muscled. Without dewlap or pronounced neck ruff. In male dogs there can be a barely developed mane; this must, however, never be noticeable.
BODY:
• Topline: Clearly sloping towards croup.
• Withers: Pronounced, long and muscular.
• Back: Straight, short.
• Loin: Of medium length. Firmly coupled.
• Croup: Short, very slightly sloping, of medium breadth, muscular.
• Chest: Fore-chest slightly curved. Ribs somewhat broad and rather flat
• TAIL: Set on at medium height. In repose, hanging, with lower third raised almost to horizontal. When alert and during active movement, the tail is carried in sickle shape, higher than the topline. Docking of tail is undesirable but is not regarded as a fault. If the tail is docked, two or three of the tail vertebrae must be visibly left. Dogs born without or with a natural stump tail are rare; this is not regarded as a fault. The tail is abundantly coated; the hair on the underside can even be 10 to 12 cm long.
LIMBS:
FOREQUARTERS:
• Shoulder: The shoulder blade is moderately sloping and well muscled. The fore-chest is curved, the point of the sternum only slightly protruding.
• Upper Arm: Of medium length. At 45° with the horizontal.
• Elbow: Close-fitting to the body.
• Carpal joint: Firm, dry.
• Pastern: Steep.
• Forefeet: Round with well knit toes. Little hair between and under the toes. Pads springy. Nails slate grey and hard.
HINDQUARTERS:
• General appearance: The hind legs are a little overstretched beyond the rear.
• Upper thigh: Long, well muscled.
• Metatarsus: Short and steep.
• Hind feet: Like front feet. Dewclaws not desirable.
GAIT/MOVEMENT:
• The Mudi’s characteristic movement are mincing steps.
SKIN:
• Tight, without wrinkles.
COAT:
• Hair: Head and front of limbs are covered by short, straight and smooth hair. On other parts of the body, the coat is uniformly very wavy or slightly curled. It is dense and always shiny, about 3 to 7 cm long. At some spots, cow-licks and ridges are formed. The coat is longest on the back of the forearms and the upper thighs, where it forms pronounced featherings.
COLOUR:
• Fawn.
• Black.
• Blue-merle, i.e. black speckled, estriped, -brindle or -spotted on lighter or darker bluish-grey primary colour.
• Ash coloured (blue grey).
• Brown.
• Only slightly extensive white markings are tolerated but not desired.
• A white patch on the chest, less than 5 cm in diameter, and small white markings on the toes are tolerated but not desired.
• White
SIZE AND WEIGHT:
• Height at withers:
• Dogs: 41 - 47 cm; Ideal height 43 - 45 cm
• Bitches: 38 - 44 cm; Ideal height 40 - 42 cm.
• Weight:
Dogs: 11 - 13 kg.
Bitches: 8 - 11 kg.
FAULTS:
Any departure from the foregoing points must be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.
DISQUALIFYING FAULTS:
• Aggressive or overly shy.
• Any dog clearly showing physical or behavioural abnormalities shall be disqualified.
• Flesh coloured, liverbrown or spotted nose in black, white, bluemerle, fawn or ash coloured dogs. Flesh coloured or spotted nose in brown dogs.
• One or more missing teeth (incisors, canines, premolars 2-4, molars 1-2). More than two missing PM1. The M3 are disregarded.
• Over- or undershot mouth, wry mouth. Gap of more than 2 mm between upper and lower incisors.
• Yellow eyes in black dogs.
• Drop ears.
• Short, smooth, flat coat on the whole body; long hair on the head. Coat tending towards matting.
• Wolf grey colour, black and tan with yellow to brown markings.
• Height at the withers below 38 or over 47 cm.
• Albinism.
• Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
• Only functionally and clinically healthy dogs, with breed typical conformation, should be used for breeding.
• The latest amendments are in bold character. In the meantime we follow the FCI standard.
GROOMING/SHOWING TIPS
When preparing the Mudi for the show ring, please remember the Mudi is to be shown in its natural state. The Mudi should be bathed to be clean, its nails should be trimmed and its teeth should be clean. There is to be NO trimming or scissoring to be done on this breed. Please make sure your Mudi is ready for the show ring by practicing with them. Your Mudi should be comfortable being in a close environment with other dogs of all breeds, being touched by a stranger and showing its bite. This is for your dog's benefit as well as the other exhibitors and the judge!
MCA STAND AGAINST CROSSBREEDING
The Mudi Club of America (MCA) is dedicated to the preservation of the purebred Mudi, particularly the breed's unique traits and strong herding ability. The MCA does not condone the crossbreeding of the Mudi with any other breed for any reason. Our club members are proving that the Mudi is successful in any venue, sport or family. The deliberate crossing to another breed is misleading; crossbreeds may be subject to the genetic faults of both breeds, there is no predictability to it's size, shape or coat characteristics and no consistent temperament type. This provides none of the advantages owning a purebred dog has to offer. All club members are expected to embrace and support this policy.