Mudi owners, this one’s for you.
On occasion, we’ll ask a question on behalf of someone interested in a breed when it’s a question that has come up frequently before. We’d like the help of Mudi owners to answer this one. The questioner asks:
“I have a question for Mudi owners. I’ve been doing some reading about the breed online, and its hard to find specific information about the exercise needs and energy level of Mudik. Are they comparable to Border Collies in that regard? Do they need lots of space and running around or are some of them more sedentary?”
How about it, Mudi people?
Mudi image found on Pinterest and happily credited upon receipt of information
In my experience with owning multiple Mudis, their activity needs differ slightly but all are what I consider highly active, as are most herding breeds. They are also highly intelligent so they are happiest when they are challenged mentally as well as physically. Scent work, trick training, hiking in addition to traditional dog sports like agility, obedience and Rally are some options for meeting the physical and mental needs of your Mudi. A Mudi wants to spend as much time as possible with its family or owner so they do not make good “backyard” dogs.
Your reply is much appreciated, Mary, thank you!
More space is not necessary. What’s necessary is the time to work as a team and have fun together! They need to be doing something with you and for you! This is true for most herding dogs. I have never had a more devoted dog in my life. I feel guilty going to work! We have dabbled in agility, obedience and now flyball and she’s only a year old. They will force you to get out there and you must in order to have a happy and healthy Mudi! 🙂
Margie, we’re sure the persons who’ve asked us this question are grateful for your reply, thank you!
Absolutely love it..you are so perfectly right on. Our rescue boy Shadow, will “insist” that he needs to go out for a walk to go have fun. He actually drags us by the arm to get us moving! An incredible “dog”. (Sometimes I wonder if he’s really a dog at all) . We’ve had Border Collies before so we thought we knew what we were getting into. Mudis are an entirely different world.
Such a wonderful face, Tracy! How did you get interested in a rather rare breed?
I own a 7 year old female and my new pup also a female 11 weeks old. I also have experience with border collies. I find that they can relax and “chill out” much easier than BCs. During time of travel my female has been in a crate several days with only walks and some running in the evening and has done very well. I have lived with her in a small yard and a large. She does not have a demand for exercise but she is always up for an agility practice, swim or chasing rabbits. During rainy season she has been kept in for many days, only out to potty, and she has always been fine.
I had my Mudi in an apartment for a while and he was healthy and happy. It just required a couple long walks and a lot of mental stimulation. Learn different games to play with your Mudi to keep them stimulated and entertained. It helps wear them out and bond with you. I used a lot of scent games around the apartment and my Mudi loved it.
Great input,Dana, thanks!
I’ll take a shot at this.
I have a two year old mudi and he is a gem. His daily routine is a two-mile walk in the morning and then in the afternoon anywhere from an hour to two using the beach as nature’s agility course. We live in the northern california pacific and he is fearless. Whether out into the waves, climbing up the cliffs to find his ball, jumping over the jetties.
He is total outdoors and seems to be on high energy all the time but that is a home we have designed for him. At night this boundless ball of energy cuddles up as a lap dog on one of our chests or between us in bed.
When woof! does not have core energy exercise he will be restless and a little anxious. He needs exercise and we love giving it to him. He plays well with other high energy dogs including but not limited to border collies, mcnabs (especially) and the mixes on the beach.
We have a large fenced in yard and while he doesn;t necessarily run around by himself he loves sitting outside and being present with the wind, birds and whatever else lurks in the canyon.
His disposition and spirit are admired by all we meet and we feed that by having him ive on his energy rain, wind or whenever. Like I said, the beach is his natures agility course. He also loves herding when he can do it. He is more of a free energy dog than a regimented one.
I would not own a mudi if there was an issue with commitment to at least a couple of hours of great exercise a day.
Hope that helps.
Mine has had crazy energy up to 5 years only now setteling a bit (hel be 7 this year). First year layd down only to sleep, never sat much or rested, always on the move..mine for sure was crazyer than a border ?
Very helpful, Kärt, thank you!!
I agree. My Mudi girl is faster, and higher energy than my sport Border Collie.
This breed can be over the top with energy and intensity. Not an easy dog to work and live with in many ways. Having said that, she dotes on me and is omg loving and attentive to me… not so much anyone else.
This is definitely my experience
They are in my opinion comparable to bordercollies and other herding breeds..
My boy is now 11, and we have lived in apartments and houses. He has adjusted to different levels of exercise throughout, but we have always walked at least an hour every day, and had some form of mental stimulation a few times a week. And while he has adjusted to dips in energy, he can go a bit crazy at times if he doesn’t think my excuse is good enough, which comes with sound.
At 11 we are still dogjoring and tracking. Walks and craziness at the same level as ever.
One time a mudi you will have always a mudi
But a mudi is not very easy to handle if it is the first dog for your friend it could be difficult.
Mudies can be a little cracy
Mudies need something to work and mudies like to be with their owners and when that is okay you will be very happy with your dog
My Mudi, Brittan is 2 years old. I have had a Aussie and Border Collies. I find Brittan’s energy level to be equal to them, always busy.
She is wicked smart and learns quickly. The Mudi breed needs to be socialized from the start to all outside world stimulation,i.e. Strange people, wheelchairs, strollers extra.
They are loving and bonded to their owners, well worth the work they require.
I have two Aussies ( age 8 and 14) and two Mudies (age 2 and 8). Similar in behavior with unique qualities to each breed. One of my Aussies and one of my Mudies are rescues. My Mudies are higher energy than the Aussies, but they do have an off switch. My Mudies are more obedient than my Aussies. Aussies were bred to think for themselves and handle a large number of what ever they are herding. Mudies were bred to be the farmers all around farm dog and to do whatever task was needing to be done. Both my Mudies take “reserve with strangers” to a higher level than my Aussies, so it is something that takes extra experience to gain confidence with. Mudies are very vocal to an obnoxious point sometimes. So we work on positive training for quiet a lot. Both breeds require mental stimulation and since we compete in active sports we do lots of core strengthening workouts to keep them physically able as well. Typical work day at my house: Up at 4:00 am, Walk for 2 miles (senior Aussie rides in a stroller for most of the walk). Eat Breakfast and then do 15 minute intense individual training sessions or dogie Pilates) with each dog (never the same thing). Take a shower and I go to work. When I get home I let the dogs out to potty and run around the yard for about 15 minutes. They are good with just that for the evening, sometime we do group play sessions and some of their grooming needs get done. (Photo by Bluegrace Photography).