Mudi vs Mucuchies - Breed Comparison | Petzlover

Mudi vs Mucuchies - Breed ComparisonMucuchies is originated from Venezuela but Mudi is originated from Hungary. Mucuchies may grow 24 cm / 10 inches higher than Mudi. Mucuchies may weigh 47 kg / 104 pounds more than Mudi. Both Mucuchies and Mudi has almost same life span. Both Mucuchies and Mudi has almost same litter size. Mucuchies requires Low Maintenance. But Mudi requires Moderate Maintenance

Basic Information

Group:
Working dog
Herding dogs
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Venezuela
Hungary
Height Male:
56 - 71 cm
22 - 28 inches
38 - 47 cm
14 - 19 inches
Height Female:
51 - 66 cm
20 - 26 inches
34 - 43 cm
13 - 17 inches
Weight Male:
46 - 61 kg
101 - 135 pounds
8 - 14 kg
17 - 31 pounds
Weight Female:
47 - 57 kg
103 - 126 pounds
6 - 11 kg
13 - 25 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 12 Years
12 - 14 Years
Litter Size:
3 - 8
5 - 10
Size:
Large
Medium
Other Names:
Paramo's dog , Venezuelan Sheepdog Dog of Páramos ( Snowy (Nevado)
Hungarian Mudi Canis Ovilis Fenyesi
Colors Available:
all white or white with spots of other colors
marbled color, gray, , striped, black, bro spotted, stained
Coat:
short coats smooth, medium-haired double coat
curly, dense
Shedding:
Moderate
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Aggressive, Courageous, Intelligent, Loyal, Protective
Alert, Courageous, Energetic, Independent, Intelligent, Loyal, Playful, Protective, Stubborn
Grooming:
Low Maintenance
Moderate Maintenance
Trainability:
Moderate
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

mucuchiesThe Mucuchies are a breed born in the Venezuelan mountains, in the late 1700s. They are rare today but were popular in the mountains for hundreds of years. They are believed to be a cross between the dogs brought by the Spanish Conquistadors in the 14th and 15th centuries and the local dogs. However, by the 1960s this rare breed was close to extinction.

Bred primarily as herders and watchdogs, their ancestry likely included the Algerian Mastiff, the Spanish Mastiff, the Great Pyrenees, and the Atlas Shepherd, otherwise known as the Aidi. The early development of the Mucuchies is attributed to Wilender Ferrari, DVM. At the time, Simon Boliva was fighting for Venezuelan independence in the city of Mucuchies. He adopted a member of the breed and named it for the city. The name stuck as the name for the breed.

Later in this timeframe, the Mucuchies was crossbred with the Pyrenean Mastiffs that friars brought to the Andes from their monasteries. With them, they also brought the sheep for the dogs to herd and guard. During the 1920s the breed spread throughout the country, but by the beginning of the 1960s there was a major decline in the breed. This was partly due to changes in culture and lifestyle in the Andes.

In 1961 a Mucuchies club was formed for the breed preservation and the breed was formally named the National Dog of Venezuela. The club was disbanded in the mid-1960’s and this led the breed to the edge of extinction. By 2008 there was another major push to save the breed. This effort came from the government who wanted to preserve the breed. In 2008, they created the Fundacion Nevado and sent six Mucuchies to the Waraira Repano Cable Car System in the El Avila National Park so that the dogs would be in a climatic environment as similar to the Andes mountain as possible. This was successful and the program was increased by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.

As the breed continued to develop the shepherding instincts were lost and the guarding aspects were strengthened. This left today’s Mucuchies as a breed of gentle, active dogs with strong characters and a loving disposition. They are gentle with their families but protective and aggressive with strangers. They are the only native breed of Venezuela and currently, there are programs in the mountains to re-establish and strengthen them.

In addition to their name for the town of Mucuchie, the breed is also called the Paramo’s Dog or the Snowy. These programs exist because in Venezuela they are near extinction once again. This is the result of inbreeding and more cross-breeding, this time with larger dogs like St. Bernards. Thus, the continued efforts by the Nevado Foundation with the assistance of the government to restore the original Mucuchies breed to Venezuela.

mudiSometime between the 4th and 6th centuries, the Great Migration – a variety of dogs came to live in the Carpathian Mountains on the Great Hungarian Plain. This migration period brought sheepdogs and herders brought by shepherds. These dogs were of two sizes both small and large. The smaller ones were bred together – Pumi, Puli, and Mudi. Because of this, these breeds share the same history, with the Mundi being the oldest of them all.

The Mundi was finally separated from the other breeds about 1930 when Dr. Deszo Fenyesi began to breed them. It was in 1966 when the F.C.I. finally approved the standard for the breed. Still then as today, there were not many breeders developing the Mudi. They are working dogs – farm dogs – herders, guard dogs and ratters. He is also known as a tracker, with the majority of the breed living in Hungary.

As the Mudi was bred separately from the Pumi and the Puli, differences between the breeds became clear. Many Mudi are born with a stump or no tail at all. The Mudi is not a great dog for the first timer. He is stubborn, assertive and needs a lot of socialization and exercise. In 2004 breeders in the United States created the Mudi Club of America to preserve the breed and foster responsible ownership. This is a clever, active and keen breed, very loyal to his family but wary of strangers. The United Kennel Club recognized the breed in 2006.

In Hungary, these are still a breed of herding dogs capable of running 500 sheep at a time. They are versatile, courageous, intelligent and agile. They are great in obedience trials, agility, and flyball. In Finland and the United States, they also work as search and rescue dogs.

Description

mucuchies puppy - descriptionThe appearance of the Mucuchies is that of a breed of large dogs who stand two feet at the shoulder and can weight one hundred pounds. They have a deep chest, heads that are wedge-shaped and skulls shaped like domes. Their muzzles are straight, and their nostrils are large on their black nose. The Mucuchies have dark eye and eyelids along with ears that are triangular in shape and medium in size. Their lips are black but this and he has a well-developed ruff.

They are large, sturdy dogs with a grand appearance and tremendous energy. Their neck is strong, short and very muscular with wide shoulders and a straight back. The tail is much longer than their hocks and it is shaped like a fan and he raises it when he is alerted. They have a short, thick coat and most are white or white with gray, honey or black. This is a very attractive breed.

mudi puppy - descriptionThis is a medium size dog with an almost square profile. They have erect ears on wedge-shaped heads. He is not a strong boned but medium boned. That square profile is based in large part on their very square stance. Their muzzle is about half the length of their head and they have what is considered a “dare devil” expression in their dark, almond-shaped eyes. The color of the eyes is important and must match with the color of the dog or the standard is not met.

Merle fur – brown, brown speckled, blue eyes.

Brown or gray-brown fur – Brown eyes

Gray fur – gray eyes

What is not acceptable is having yellow eyes and black fur; pink eyes and white fur. The lips, eye rims, and nose must all have the same pigmentation. This should be black in all but the brown and brown-grey dogs. These dogs have brown noses, eye rims, and lips. The tail can be almost anything from full to bob. All are considered to be natural lengths for a Mudi.

Their coat is self-cleaning and won’t mat. It is on the long side. In fact, a short, flat, smooth coat is a disqualification from the standard. The color of the coat ranges from white to brown to gray, gray-brown, merle, golden, cream and white. Very little markings of any kind are usual.

Characteristics

Children friendliness

mucuchies dog - characteristicsGood with children and very good with their own families. Might be a little standoffish with others.

Special talents

They no longer have the strong herding instinct but are outstanding guard dogs.

Adaptability

Yes but need land to run in. Don’t put this giant dog in an apartment. You will both be miserable.

Learning ability

Very intelligent and their ability and willingness to learn is very good.

Children friendliness

mudi dog - characteristicsYes, they are great with children and love being a part of a large family or “pack”.

Special talents

They are extremely versatile and great at herding and guarding.

Adaptability

They are adaptable if you are. They don’t need to live in the country, but they need space to run and play.

Learning ability

They are highly intelligent but a little stubborn. Their ability to learn is high but you have to be the boss.

Health Problems

mucuchies puppies - health problemsBecause of their rarity and somewhat isolation, they do not have many genetic health concerns. They do however face at least a couple of the issues that most large dogs face.

Hip and/or Elbow Dysplasia

This can be a serious issue for such a large dog. It can cause arthritis and lameness.

Accidents

This might be the biggest threat to the Mucuchies’ health. They are big dogs and if they injury limbs it can be quite serious.

Bloat

The distension or inversion of the stomach and intestines is potentially fatal and must be treated immediately. Large dogs are prone to bloat and feeding schedules can go a long way in preventing it.

mudi puppies - health problemsThe Mudi does face several of the problems that medium to large dogs often face and some eye issues as well.

  • Hip and Elbow Dysplasia can cause arthritis and lameness.
  • Patellar Luxation (knee cap slippage) can also cause lameness.
  • Potential variety of eye issues.
  • Thyroiditis – an autoimmune deficiency.

Caring The Pet

Feeding the puppy

mucuchies dogs - caringAs mentioned in health concerns, feeding appropriately is critical to the Mucuchies’ health. Puppies need a high quality, large breed dry food 2-3 times per day at ½ cup each time. Don’t overfeed. Don’t exercise before or after eating to prevent bloat.

Feeding the adult

The adult Mucuchies should eat at least twice a day for a total of two and one-half cups. So, you might feed one and ¼ cup at each meal. Again, it is critically important that you don’t overfeed. Don’t feed before or after strenuous exercise and don’t let your Mucuchies eat too quickly in order to avoid bloat.

Points for Good Health

This is a large dog with generally very good health. His stamina and heart will impress you.

Games and Exercises

The Mucuchies is not an active inside dog, but he is a large dog that needs daily exercise. They need to be able to run or at least to trot. A large yard or dog bark is necessary. However, this big, double coated dog hates the hot weather and needs a cooler climate. Winter is fine with him. Don’t overwork them while they are growing. Walks are the best exercise for this breed.

Feeding the puppy

mudi dogs - caringThe Mudi needs a high quality, medium breed puppy dry food and should be fed 3 or 4 times a day for a total of 1 and ½ to 2 cups.

Feeding the adult

The adult should be fed at least twice a day with an adult medium breed high-quality dry dog food. Don’t overfeed as the breed can have a tendency toward obesity.

Points for Good Health

They have great stamina and agility.

Games and Exercises

This is a working dog and like most herding dogs, they need a job and a lot of activity. Long walks every day and either a large yard or visits to a dog park. Involve them in herding activities or Barn Hunt if you can. Playing is their way of working when they are not herding real animals. So, if you want this breed, be sure you have time for playing with them. They are great at agility, flyball, obedience, frisbee trials, tracking and of course herding

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Mudi vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
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  5. Mudi vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  6. Mudi vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  7. Mudi vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  8. Mudi vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. Mudi vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  10. Mudi vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  11. Mudi vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  12. Mudi vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  13. Mudi vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  14. Mudi vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  15. Mudi vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  16. Mudi vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  17. Mudi vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  18. Mudi vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  19. Mudi vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  20. Mudi vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  21. Mudi vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  22. Mudi vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  23. Mudi vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  24. Mudi vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  25. Mudi vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. Mucuchies vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. Mucuchies vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Mucuchies vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. Mucuchies vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Mucuchies vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Mucuchies vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Mucuchies vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Mucuchies vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Mucuchies vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Mucuchies vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Mucuchies vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Mucuchies vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Mucuchies vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Mucuchies vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Mucuchies vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Mucuchies vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Mucuchies vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Mucuchies vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Mucuchies vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Mucuchies vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Mucuchies vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Mucuchies vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Mucuchies vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Mucuchies vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Mucuchies vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison