As the person responsible for entering the Mudi breed to the
AKC FSS 21 years ago in 2003, I will forever be tied to the Mudis existence in
the USA. It was a project I did not take
lightly. I was aware of many possible
consequences that might come from this task and that my responsibility to the Mudi
breed would not end with its’ acceptance into the AKC FSS, which occurred in
2004.
Part of that responsibility is watching for changes that
occur in the breed, such as those that arise with health, population, and
documentation. Not just in the USA, but wherever a Mudi lives.
One recent, and one proposed change within the USA involves
the Mudi breed standard.
At the heart of every purebred dog breed lies the breed
standard. The standard is the blueprint or recipe for the breeds
characteristics. This blueprint should
be universal, even if some of the items are outdated, incorrect, or poorly
translated, and every country around the world should follow the same breed
standard, which is the standard created by the country of origin (COO) – in the
case of the Mudi, the COO is Hungary.
Hungary is a member of the FCI which collects the standards
for each breed that is recognized, but the COO retains the right to make
changes to its breeds standards, of course implementation of all proposed changes
only follows approval from the responsible FCI committee. All FCI recognized
breeds have one standard for each breed that applies to every FCI country.
There are 23 years between the most recent FCI/MEOESz Mudi
standard change (2023) and the previous standard change (2000). The 2004
standard only corrected an error of omission
The main changes to the standard (2023) were needed to clarify the
colors/patterns and prevent toy breed trait appearance.
If countries that are not members of the FCI, such as the
USA, Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom, make their own breed standards
through their national kennel club (AKC, CKC, ANKC, KC), that differ from the COO
standard used in FCI countries, breeds will start to drift away from the characteristics
the COO has set for the breed, due to different trait selection pressure. Change in trait preference selection will lead
to a separation of the gene pool (genetic drift) in any breed, but a breed that
has a low worldwide population count, which the Mudi has, will suffer the
consequences sooner. Genetic drift is
more often negative than positive, however we have the knowledge and ability to
avoid this fate, if we remain vigilant and do the needful.
FCI/MEOESz vs AKC/MCA vs UKC/NAMA
In January 2022, the Mudi was finally given full breed recognition
by the AKC. At that time, the USA Mudi population
was the third largest in the world. In
early 2024, the USA Mudi population surpassed Finland, which maintained the
second largest Mudi population for many decades. In less than 2 years, the popularity of the
Mudi in the USA, has increased at an astounding rate, unfortunately popularity comes
with a very high price.
As of January 2, 2024, the UKC (United Kennel Club USA) made
the NAMA (North American Mudi Alliance) club’s Mudi breed standard changes
effective. Some of the more serious changes
(regarding the handling of particular non-standard color patterns) were based
upon the results of a non-representative study, that will have an unfortunate
effect on the Mudi breed in the years to come.
However, as the UKC is second to the AKC in popularity in the USA, and the
UKC is not recognized by FCI countries, these standard changes will have a slower
effect. Also, as some of these changes
are not in line with the FCI or AKC standards, their effect should also be
reduced. This, however, does not mean
the changes made were fine, they weren’t, and they should not have happened.
I will cover the UKC/NAMA standard changes in a future Mudi
Directions post because there is no chance to change them now as that ship has
already sailed. However, the Mudi standard
used by the UKC is also not set in stone and should be corrected as soon as
possible, therefore the content of this post also applies to the UKC/NAMA club.
At this time, the AKC standard changes are still pending which
provides a chance for the MCA (Mudi Club of America) to return their standard
to the correct path.
The MCA/AKC standard revision team needs to understand that
if you change a recipe, you can no longer call that item by the same name. You cannot replace pumpkin with carrot and
call it pumpkin pie (Hungarian equivalent: you cannot replace mák (poppy seed) with
chia and still call it Mákos Guba). You cannot make changes to the Mudi breed
standard created by the COO and still call the breed Mudi. And while we are discussing
names, the correct name of the breed is simply Mudi, it is not Hungarian Mudi,
or Mudik, but the breed is in danger of becoming the American Mudi in the USA if
these proposed standard changes are permitted by the AKC.
The MCA does not have the right to change anything about the
Mudi. The Mudi does not belong to the
MCA or the AKC or the USA. The Mudi
belongs to Hungary and is officially designated as a Hungarikum. The Mudi is listed
in the Hungarikums, Agriculture and Food Industry, #24: Magyar pásztor- és
vadászkutyafajták / Hungarian shepherd and hound dogs. This is the most
important reason the MCA standard revision team should not be allowed to make
changes to the Mudi breed standard created by Hungary, the COO.
Plain and simple: MCA/AKC/USA you do not own the Mudi breed,
you do not have the authority to change the Mudi breed by changing the standard
that was made for it by the COO.
Furthermore, the MCA and its members do not have the breed
knowledge required to make any standard changes, considering the Mudi has only
been a fully accepted breed for 2 years in the USA, which is not nearly enough
time to give you the expertise needed to make any change to a standard you have
no right to change in the first place.
Almost all of the Mudis in the USA have come directly from Hungary
or are only 1-2 generations away from direct imports. What is being bred in the
USA is also what is being bred in most other parts of the world. There is no unique set of Mudis in the USA. But even if the Mudis in the USA were many
generations out from recent imports, changing the standard to incorporate the
changes that have occurred due to random genetic drift or purposeful selection,
is not correct – you don’t change the recipe, you return to the original recipe
to course correct breeding selection that has taken the breed down the wrong
path. Unless of course your path is to
make a new breed… This was one of the
consequences I and others were seriously concerned about back in 2003.
MCA’s
Proposed Standard Changes
The change of the breed standard in the second largest Mudi
populated country in the world is a big deal that should concern every Mudi
person and every Mudi club throughout the world!
To see the proposed changes, use this link and go to page 118
(it will look like the photo directly above):
https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:VA6C2:0aeb58af-a0bc-4be2-9f2d-0482903a0e43?fbclid=IwY2xjawFFZ-RleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHZHsVhwktpdGbtWqc502gIhtiTB6T5pCZkSlRRXjSzUYc8OvI88ONcvpRQ_aem_mIGq9X5oOPRtaezhKAUxIA
While the AKC instructs people to send comments regarding
this issue via email, if the AKC handles these comments like they did with the
use of Mudik, which they told the MCA they would stop using years ago and still
have not as of September 1st, then what can anyone expect from writing to them
about this?
We can only hope that if enough people write to them with their
concerns, they might listen, it’s worth the effort, and it costs nothing. I will send them an email and hope the best. This is who you need to write to:
Mari-Beth O’Neill VP Sport Services
Email: mbo@akc.org
In addition to email, I also want the proposed standard
changes to be transparent on a public source, not just through private emails
that may end up in the trashcan.
Therefore, below are the proposed changes the MCA wishes to
implement that are not aligned with the COO standard, nor considered to be in
the best interest of the Mudi breed, under any circumstances.
It is important to note that AKC and FCI have different
standard formats, this does not allow exact duplication of the FCI standard for
AKC usage. Also, there are words and
phrases that differ between these organizations and countries, as well as
spelling differences. Thus, best
practice calls for adjustments where necessary, however these modifications
must not change the significance or intention of the original term or phrase.
Unfortunately, these proposed changes by the MCA require a
quick response, which does not provide me with the luxury of time needed to
make photographic examples for each of the items addressed. I may add more photo examples to this post later. I did not cover those items which were very
similar to both standards.
SIZE
First up is the planned change by the MCA to the size. I added
the corresponding (cm) measurement for comparison with the FCI, please keep in
mind that cm is more incremental than inch – meaning 1 inch is equal to 2.54
centimeters, so the conversion of inch to cm is less than perfect.
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MCA Standard Proposed Size Change (MCA hereafter)
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FCI Current Standard (FCI hereafter)
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Dogs are from 15.5 (39 cm) inches to 19 (48/49 cm)
inches,
bitches from 14.5 (37 cm) inches to 18 (46 cm)
inches.
Ideal height for dogs is 17 ½ (44/45 cm), for
bitches is 16 ½ (42 cm).
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Males:
41 – 47 cm; Ideal height 43 – 45 cm
Females:
38 – 44 cm; Ideal height 40 – 42 cm.
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Quality should never be sacrificed for size. The Mudis average size has been shrinking
over the last 10-15 years, due to breeding for the midi class size requirement
of agility enthusiasts. I showed the
statistics for this in my Mudi Breed Seminar given in Oct/Nov 2022. The professional shepherds in Hungary do not
want small Mudis, they even have a name for them ‘szoba mudi’, it means room
Mudi – which is what they see as the only purpose of these small Mudis.
I read an interview last week with a Sinka breeder in Hungary that had this to say
about the size of the Pumi and Puli, which should also apply to the Mudi:
https://www.haon.hu/helyi-gazdasag/2024/08/sinka-kutya-hortobagy-fajtasitas-kosina-peter?fbclid=IwY2xjawE-iSxleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHRTSDthr5_2YAf2ZI4LHTMfTmBNuQclTVM2GX16XPnk8uU2W9h-tlEqA3Q_aem_YjT3j9zGMUxKkF3SLhB21A
“Ahogy a pumikat, pulikat elkezdték törzskönyvezni,
fajtásítani, lassan eltűntek a pásztorok mellől. Ma már ilyen kilincs alatt
járó, apró termetű kutyákká lettek.”
“As soon as pumi and puli began to be registered and
they were turned into a breed, they slowly disappeared from the shepherds'
side. Today, they have become tiny dogs that almost cannot step over
the threshold.”
(Translation was made by a professional translator that
explained the local idioms in more common terms.)
Many times, shepherds wanted to buy our Mudis when we went to
events around Hungary as they were on the taller side of the standard, all
except one, they did not want her as she was a ‘szoba mudi’ (44 cm). Of course they were not for sale much to
their disappointment, but the stories they told about the Mudis they remembered
from their younger years, were more than just sad tales, it should not have
happened. This is what the Sinka breeder
was talking about too. This is why the professional
shepherds that use the Sinka today do not want it to become a recognized breed,
because that will be the beginning of the end of its usefulness for them.
The Sinka is now the preferred breed (yet still unrecognized
by the MEOESz-Hungarian Kennel Klub) of many shepherds in Hungary, the original
3 Hungarian herders have become room breeds – pets, not working breeds. The downsizing of the Mudi even further by
the planned American standard change is not the correct path forward for the
Mudi, it is stepping further away from its original purpose by making it
smaller than shepherds needed and wanted.
Our main job as caretakers of the Mudi breed is to preserve it in its
original state – not change it to fit what wins in the show and sport rings or is
easy to pick up.
The Mudi should not have been replaced by the Sinka, as the
Mudi was the last of the 3 original herders still commonly used by professional
shepherds in Hungary in recent times. But the downsizing of the Mudi breed left
them no other choice.
EYES
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MCA
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FCI
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The almond shaped eyes, as dark as possible, are set
slightly obliquely.
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Almond shaped and set slightly oblique.
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Wording is incorrect (italicized).
This is a super important Mudi characteristic! Currently, too many eyes are atypical – too
small, too round, not oblique.
EYE COLOR
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MCA
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FCI
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Black Dogs – Dark as possible. Merle – Brown, blue
or partially blue eyes. Brown, gray and gray-brown may have lighter brown
eyes. Yellow and white dogs may have brown, blue or partially blue eyes.
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The eyes should be as dark as possible. For merle
colours partially or solid, blue eye colour is not a fault.
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Both standards drop the ball here, dark what as
possible? Dark blue, dark yellow? Dark brown needs to be stated by both
standards. But just because it is
incorrect on the FCI does not give allowance to the AKC, as the error on the
FCI is possibly due to poor translation which has plagued every Mudi standard
since there ever was one. Also, the
sentence structure is awkward in both.
Standards should be simple and clear to avoid misinterpretation as much
as possible.
All colors should have dark brown eye color as the starting
point. Brown, ash and ashbrown colors
can have lighter brown color, but it is not preferred. It should never be close to yellow in these
colors either.
White and yellow fur colors are most often black based and
should also have dark brown eyes. If the
base color is other than black, their eye color can also be somewhat lighter,
but never yellow.
Only merles should have blue or partially (merled) eye color
in the Mudi breed. Any white or yellow
that has blue or partial blue eyes should be DNA tested and proven to be merle
before allowing them to be shown. In
Hungary they do not allow blue or partial blue eyes in yellow or white Mudis in
the conformation show ring, this would be a DQ under most, if not all judges. This is understandable as it is not the
judges responsibility to know if the Mudi is from known pedigree lineage or a
B/R Mudi with no pedigree background in which case the blue eyes can be from
crossbred parents connected to breeds that have blue eyes in non-merles such as
the Siberian Husky and Australian Shepherd – which would introduce this
characteristic to the Mudi breed which would be a grievous error.
While I understand this is somewhat less of an issue in the
USA, it is still incredibly important to have all whites and yellows tested for
the merle pattern gene as they should not be automatically given permission to
have blue/partially blue eyes without merle being verified as responsible. It is also super important for breeding
reasons.
EYE RIM
PIGMENT
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MCA
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FCI
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The rims of lids are tight, close-fitting to the
eyeball and completely pigmented.
Eye Pigment: Black Dogs – Black. Merle Dogs – Match base color. Brown and
gray-brown – Brown. Gray dogs – Gray. Disqualification – Incomplete or pink
pigmentation of the eyes and eye rims, yellow eyes in black dogs.
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Rims of lids are tight, close-fitting to the eyeball
and evenly pigmented.
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(The eye rims are discussed in two separate sections in the
MCA standard.)
It should be eye rim pigment, not eye pigment –
which has no meaning here.
“Incomplete or pink pigmentation of the eyes and eye rims,
yellow eyes in black dogs.”
“pink pigmentation of the eyes”? What? Are
you talking about albino coloration of the eye itself, which depending on the
angle and light conditions can also be pale blue, as well as pink or red? Standards need to be clear, not vague. This should be in the eye color section, not
pigment section, if you are intending this to be about albino-colored eyes.
Yellow eyes in black dogs should also be up in the eye color
section as that is not related to pigment – it is a separate item altogether. Helter skelter is not ideal for standard
outline.
EARS
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MCA
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FCI
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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 semipricked ears.
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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. DQ - Drop ears
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It is most common to spell semi-pricked with a dash
separating the words (MCA italicized).
Both standards explain this incorrectly, the Mudi does not
have the high ear set of a German Shepherd Dog or French Bulldog. Yes, the ears are high on the head, not offside
or low set on the side of the head, but the angle or degree to which they point
is critical to the characteristic appearance of the Mudi.
Ears on the Mudi are not fully high set as that brings the
ears quite close to each other, with the tips of the ears pointing straight up
towards noon on a clock face as in these examples below, Mudi left, GSD right.
Below is the correct pricked ear set – the ears should be moderately
far apart, with the tips not pointing towards noon on a clock, but towards 11
and 1 (or about 120-110/60-70 degrees). Ear
tips are pointed, never rounded. Both photos are Mudis.
How to explain this best, is what other breeds
with similar ears have used in AKC standards for other herding breeds: Ears are
pointed, pricked, or erect. It is highly recommended to be more specific by adding:
medium sized, moderately spaced and tips point outward. Ears are a very important feature of the
breed, you need to get it right.
EAR SIZE
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MCA
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FCI
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and only slightly taller than the width at the base.
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Ears are approximately 10 to 15 % longer than their
width at the base.
Length of ears/length of head: 45/100
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The size of the ears is also a very important breed feature.
Yet again moderation is the key.
Slightly taller according to the MCA is vague, whereas 10-15%
clearly indicates the size and rules out huge ears like in the GSD and also too
small ears, which many breeders are aiming for today. The size of the ears should complement the
size of the head, not look out of place.
The Mudi should look like a serious working dog, not a toy breed or
cartoon character.
SKULL –
Stop
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MCA
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FCI
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totally left this out
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Barely pronounced.
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This is super important as the stop should not be pronounced
as it is in some of the other herding breeds.
Omitting information about the stop means anything goes. There is already one Mudi being shown and
bred in the USA that has a very strong stop which is very atypical for the
breed and gives the head a very odd, uncharacteristic appearance. This is not a trait that should be allowed to
proliferate and without any mention in the MCA/AKC standard for the correct
stop, there will be nothing to prevent a stronger stop from becoming typical in
the American Mudi population.
MUZZLE
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MCA
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FCI
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The muzzle is strong with the bridge of the nose
straight and tapering to a blunt end at the nose.
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Moderately strong. Bridge of nose straight.
Nose (under Facial Region): Narrow, rounded at front
with moderately wide nostrils.
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The Mudi is a breed of moderation, in practically everything. The muzzle is not strong, nor is it weak,
moderately strong is correct. The head
should not be overdone in any way, shape, or form, because the head is one of
the most important features of Mudi appearance.
A strong muzzle gives a brutish outlook, and the Mudi is not a brute. The
‘strong’ used in the MCA version must be changed to moderately strong.
The nose is also not blunt but rounded at the end and the
nostrils must remain moderately wide and this should be written to prevent a
direction the breed should not go.
MUZZLE - Whiskers
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MCA
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FCI
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Whiskers shall be present and may be curly
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no mention of whiskers on the muzzle
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I was taught in conformation handling classes in the USA to
remove whiskers, so when I took my Mudi to my first show in Hungary, the judge
yelled at me for removing them. That was the last time I trimmed whiskers on
the muzzle. This is not a custom in
Europe and probably why it was left off the FCI standard. Since it is a custom in the USA, it is wise
to include this item as this is how they are shown in their COO. This is one of those regional differences
that a standard should consider incorporating, as it will not change the genetic
diversity of the breed to do so, this is merely a grooming custom note.
NOSE
COLOR
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MCA
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FCI
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Black Dogs – Black nose. Brown and gray-brown dogs –
Brown nose. Gray dogs – Gray noses. Yellow and white colored dogs – Black,
brown or gray noses. The nose pigmentation is solid complete.
Disqualification – Pink or spotted nose.
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Nose: Narrow, rounded at front with moderately wide
nostrils. Colour is black, except for liver (brown), ash liver and its merle
varieties the colour is brown; Ash (blue-grey) and its merle varieties nose
colour is blue; for fawn and white, black nose is favourable but blue and
brown is accepted.
Disqualification: Spotted or flesh-coloured nose
leather (except for a small amount of spotting in merle colours)
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The disqualification should not just be pink, as in albino-pink
or pink from white markings near to the nose.
The MCA must include flesh-colored noses (Dudley nose) too as these are
becoming more and more common, specifically on white and yellow coated Mudis, which
is not correct for the breed. Pale colored noses are subject to sunburn. The
Mudi is a breed which is meant to be outside most of the day, most of the year,
dark colored noses are correct for this purpose. Dudley nose is not the same thing as ‘snow or
winter nose’. Information links are
provided below as this is a genetic trait.
The photo below shows incorrect and correct nose pigment on
one albino Mudi and four black based white and yellow Mudis. The albino shows pink is not the same as
Dudley which is more flesh-colored.
BITE/TEETH
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MCA
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FCI
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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.
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Jaws/Teeth: Complete scissor bite according to the
dentition formula. Regular teeth of medium size.
Disqualification: A bite other than a scissor bite.
Absence of any other teeth besides P1 and M3
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The new 2023 Hungarian/FCI standard no longer allows level
bite, please do not diverge from this point as it is vitally important. Scissors
bite is correct for the canine species. Level
bite causes greater tooth wear than scissors bite. As Mudis live on average 14 years, that is a
long time to need good teeth, therefore scissors bite is the only correct bite
for the Mudi breed.
Quote from link provided below: “Normal occlusion is
described as a scissor bite. A scissor bite is healthier than a level bite,
because the upper and lower teeth will not cause attrition by constant contact…”
The MCA standard should be very specific about missing teeth,
there should not be any missing teeth, with only minor allowance for missing P1
and M3 – please do not diverge from this specific wording.
Missing teeth are not uncommon in the Mudi breed and there is
a pattern of inheritance seen. Veterinary research also indicates hereditary
factors are involved. We should learn
from other breeds mistakes, not to make the same ones in the Mudi.
LIP
PIGMENT/LIPS
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MCA
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FCI
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totally left this out
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Lips: Tight-fitting to the teeth. Corner of mouth
slightly jagged. The lip pigment corresponds with the pigment of the nose
leather.
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Lips need good and correct color pigment too. It is important that the lips are
tight-fitting to the teeth as well. The
Mudi is not currently a breed that slobbers on the ceiling. Please add this
back in.
NECK
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MCA
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FCI
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The slightly high set neck is of medium length barely
arched and is well-muscled. The skin at the throat is tight, dry, and without
a dewlap.
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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.
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Mudi males and females are only moderately different in
appearance. Allowing differences such as
a well-developed mane on males starts the move away from moderate. If something is not excluded on the standard,
then it is open to allowance, please don’t enable such a mistake.
TOPLINE/CHEST/BODY/UNDERLINE
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MCA
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FCI
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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 spring that extends back to a slight tuck-up. The
back is medium length, straight and taught. 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.
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Topline: Slightly sloping towards croup.
Withers: Pronounced, long and muscular.
Back: Straight, medium length.
Loin: Short. firmly coupled.
Croup: Short, very slightly sloping, of medium
breadth, muscular.
Chest: Forechest slightly curved - reaching the
elbows. Ribs somewhat broad and rather flat.
Underline and belly: Sligthly tucked-up.
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Incorrect wording of this sentence needs attention
(italicized): The chest is moderate in depth with ribs that are slightly
spring that extends back to a slight tuck-up. Perhaps slightly sprung and extend?
The Mudi has a noticeable tuck up, it is not exaggerated, but
it is not slight, again moderate is the better word for both standards. Of
course, weight of the Mudi also determines the degree of tuck up, moderate does
not allow over or underweight extremes, whereas slight would allow a heavier
core which would not be correct for the breed.
TAIL
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MCA
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FCI
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All tail lengths are acceptable, none is preferred
over any other. The 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.
Fault – A tightly curled tail or “pigs-tail” should
be faulted.
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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, above the topline. The tail is
abundantly coated; the hair on the underside can even be 10 to 15 cm long.
Dogs born with or without a natural stump tail are not regarded as a fault.
DQ: there isn’t one but there should be.
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During movement (walking/trotting/conformation ring speed) the
tail MUST! be carried over the back in a sickle or cup handle shape.
The tail carried over the back during
movement exhibits the proper temperament of a Mudi. Allowing tails to extend straight behind the Mudi
or be carried below the topline during movement is totally incorrect. (The only
exception is during a fast gallop/running when tails may be held more open or
level with the top line.) The photo below shows the correct tail carriage while
standing alert, walking, and in the show ring/trotting. All 3 are Mudis.
When the Mudi is not moving, the tail should never hang like
a limp rag (below middle photo) which is far too commonly seen today, and very
incorrect. The tail should be a ‘J’
shape when standing still (left photo).
The tail should never come between the legs pointing forward (right
photo). Tail position in the Mudi
indicates temperament, this is why correct tail position is so important. All 3 photos are Mudis.
Tails that are full length and carried straight up in the
air, level with, or below the topline, should also be a serious fault along
with the tightly curled tail carried in any position at any speed.
FOREQUARTERS
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MCA
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FCI
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The shoulders are moderately angulated (100-110
degrees), with long, well-knit shoulder blades and an upper arm matching in
length.
The elbows are tucked firmly against the brisket.
Carpal joint: not mentioned
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Shoulder: The shoulder blade is moderately sloping
and well muscled.
Upper Arm: Of medium length. Elbow: Close-fitting to
the body. Carpal joint: Firm, dry.
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The carpal joint is critical to having a straight leg and
steep pastern, it should not be left out, otherwise you get sloppy pasterns
which do not allow for straight legs.
PASTERNS
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MCA
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FCI
|
|
The pastern is very slightly sloped.
|
Steep.
|
The front legs should be fully straight, there should be no
signs of weakness in any section. Steep
is correct for the Mudi breed. Front
pasterns should match rear hocks which are steep and straight as well.
FEET
FRONT
|
MCA
|
FCI
|
|
Feet are compact, oval in shape; pads deep and
strong, toes moderately arched and close. The nails are hard and strong. Front
dewclaws are desirable.
|
Round with well knit toes. Little hair between and
under the toes. Pads springy. Nails slate grey and hard.
|
Oval feet are more correct for the Mudi, also known as a modified
hare foot. While a round foot is more
correct for the Mudi than a true hare foot.
Color of the nails is usually connected to the paw color, so
the FCI is incorrect with this item.
Luckily it is not critical and not something anyone is likely to select
for or against, so leaving nail color out is not objectionable.
The FCI has no mention of front dewclaws because removing
them in Europe is not the custom, so they must be left on, not just desirable –
as there is no reason to remove front dewclaws and this is the custom in the
COO as well.
HINDQUARTERS/HIND
FEET
|
MCA
|
FCI
|
|
The hindquarters are well-developed and muscular,
and in balance with the forequarters having moderate angulation. The hocks
are short, vertical, and parallel to each other. Hind feet same as the
forefeet. Rear dewclaws are not desirable.
|
The hind legs are only slightly overstretched beyond
the rear. Upper thigh: Long, well-muscled. Metatarsus: Short and steep.
Hind feet: Like front feet.
Dewclaws not desirable.
|
Rear dewclaws are typically wisely removed in Hungary. In some European countries, this is not
allowed.
COAT/HAIR
|
MCA
|
FCI
|
|
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 weather resistant coat is presented naturally,
never sculpted, fluffed nor blown dry. Disqualification – Short, smooth,
or straight coat on the body; long hair
on the face.
|
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, and the bottom edge of the
tail, where it forms pronounced featherings.
DQ: Short, smooth, flat coat on the whole body; long
hair on the head.
Coat tending towards matting.
Wire hair.
|
The coat should not be overly curly – that is according to
the breed founder. An overly dense coat
is also not correct, especially in summer.
The Mudi needs to effectively shed its winter coat to be able to
properly herd in summer temps. The Sinka
shepherd also mentioned heat resistance issues with the Puli and Pumi in his
interview (link to interview given above under the size section).
The FCI standard does not mention how to present the Mudi as
the pre-show grooming customs mentioned in this section are very uncommon in
Hungary and much of Europe.
COLOR
|
MCA
|
FCI
|
|
Color: No color is preferred over any other color
and there is no preference of the solid vs. merle pattern. Allowed colors
are: Black Brown – All shades Gray Gray-brown – Color is a dilute of brown
(Isabella) Yellow and White – All shades Merle – The merle pattern may be
present with any color.
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.
|
Colour: • Black • White • Fawn (from beige to red) •
Ash (blue) • Liver (brown) • Ash-brown (diluted brown/izabella) • Cifra
(Merle), i.e. pigmented patterns of the above-mentioned colours diluted by
the merle factor.
Small sized white markings are tolerated but not
desired. A white patch on the chest, less than 5 cm in diameter, and small
white stitching on the toes are tolerated but not desired.
DQ: A colour or marking other than the colours
listed in the standard
|
Colors are often difficult to translate and unify across
countries. The FCI poorly translated
yellow to fawn and brown to liver, as liver was never a Mudi color name for
brown. Yellow and brown are the best name
options. White, black, ash, ashbrown and
merle are correct.
Why the AKC can allow color names like deadgrass, sedge, wild
boar and red sesame, yet not allow ash, I still cannot understand after all
these years. Gray is not the correct color
of the Mudi ash. I should think with
technology having advanced tremendously over the last 2 decades, ash (and
ashbrown) would now be able to be added to their list of colors, especially as the
Mudi is now a fully recognized breed as well.
In any case, gray is not correct, which also leads to gray-brown
not being correct. If AKC refuses to add
ash, like they refuse to stop using Mudik, then you are stuck with it. Unless you change to blue or dilute, which at
least are more correct choices. There is
nothing right about gray.
GAIT/MOVEMENT
|
MCA
|
FCI
|
|
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.
|
The Mudi’s characteristic movement are mincing
steps, with a vigorous trot and a powerful gallop.
|
The avoidance of mincing steps is not wrong, that has always
been a poor FCI translation they refuse to correct for far too many decades.
What both standards left out is the single-track movement,
this is actually very important and descriptive of the gait mechanics required
by the Mudi breed. Single tracking is
efficient and conserves energy and can only be done if leg height and length are
correct.
The MCA version has one sentence that could be shortened: The trot covers the ground with a minimum
of effort. The first part of the sentence is unnecessary.
FAULTS
|
MCA
|
FCI
|
|
Any deviation from the foregoing should be
considered a fault, the seriousness of the fault depending upon the extent of
the deviation.
|
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.
|
These are almost the same, except the MCA version is
unfinished (the second half). For
example: Any deviation from the foregoing should be considered a fault, and
the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded, shall be in exact
proportion to its degree and effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.
Mudi health and welfare should always be the main concern
throughout every aspect of the standard.
DISQUALIFICATIONS
|
MCA
|
FCI
|
|
Over or under listed height.
Incomplete or pink pigmentation of the eyes and eye
rims, yellow eyes in black dogs. Drop or semi-pricked ears. Pink or spotted
nose. Over or undershot mouth, wry mouth.
Short, smooth, or straight coat on the 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 eyes) or any other color or markings not
listed.
|
• Aggressive or overly shy. • Any dog clearly
showing physical or behavioural abnormalities. • Spotted or flesh-coloured
nose leather (except for a small amount of spotting in merle colours) • A
bite other than a scissor bite. Absence of any other teeth besides P1 and M3
• Yellow eyes in black dogs. • Drop ears. • Short, smooth, flat coat on the
whole body; long hair on the head. Coat tending towards matting. • Wire hair.
• A colour or marking other than the colours listed in the standard. •
Deviation from the proportions and sizes recorded in the standard. • Toy
characteristics (short head, round skull, strong stop, round eyes). N.B: •
Males 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 MCA has nothing about two normal testicles in males
being required, why?
The MCA has nothing about Aggressive or overly shy
Mudis?
The MCA has nothing about Any dog clearly showing physical
or behavioural abnormalities?
The MCA has nothing about Toy (breed) characteristics
(short head, round skull, strong stop, round eyes)?
The MCA has nothing like this either: Only functionally
and clinically healthy dogs, with breed typical conformation, should be used
for breeding. AKC does not allow
important requirements such as this in a country that does not have breeding
exams?
These DQ’s are very serious concerns that should leave no
questions in any Mudi owners mind as to what is correct and not correct for the
Mudi breed. These DQ’s address many
issues that are a problem in the breed and the club should not just assume that
people are aware of them and know to avoid them.
A standard should be very clear and easy to understand to
leave little room for misinterpretation or allowance of a clearly unwanted
direction for the breed to take.
A Mudi breed standard should always incorporate health,
welfare and preservation aspects throughout the standard. To do less is a major
disservice to the breed.
Do the Right Thing
The future will be difficult enough for the Mudi, separating
it to smaller gene pools because of characteristic change preference for whatever
reason, will make its existence impossible to sustain.
Whatever your interest is in the Mudi breed, and no matter
where you live, this issue directly concerns your future with the breed, and
most of all, the future of the Mudi breed itself, will it remain one unified
breed, or be divided into separate breeds because the recipe was changed?
As the Mudi is now accepted in 3 of the 4 non-FCI countries
(UK KC recognition is in progress), and these countries have the power to make
their own Mudi breed standards dissimilar to the FCI/COO standard, this is a
very important issue that needs to be addressed swiftly.
I have faith that all Mudi club members in the USA, Canada,
Australia and the UK, will do the right thing and keep their standards for the
Mudi as identical as possible to the FCI/COO standard, so we can all continue
to participate in sharing the same gene pool together. Do it for the Mudi breed that you proclaim to
love, because there is no more important reason than that.
All photos in this post are used with
permission of the owner or photographer and are subject to copyright.
References
FCI Mudi
Breed Standard #238 English September 2023
https://www.fci.be/Nomenclature/Standards/238g01-en.pdf
AKC Mudi Breed
Standard Current Version October 2017
https://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/Mudi.pdf
AKC Mudi Breed
Standard Proposed Version September 2024
https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:VA6C2:0aeb58af-a0bc-4be2-9f2d-0482903a0e43?fbclid=IwY2xjawFFZ-RleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHZHsVhwktpdGbtWqc502gIhtiTB6T5pCZkSlRRXjSzUYc8OvI88ONcvpRQ_aem_mIGq9X5oOPRtaezhKAUxIA
UKC Mudi
Breed Standard January 2024
https://www.ukcdogs.com/mudi
Sinka
Breeder Interview August 27, 2024
https://www.haon.hu/helyi-gazdasag/2024/08/sinka-kutya-hortobagy-fajtasitas-kosina-peter?fbclid=IwY2xjawE-iSxleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHRTSDthr5_2YAf2ZI4LHTMfTmBNuQclTVM2GX16XPnk8uU2W9h-tlEqA3Q_aem_YjT3j9zGMUxKkF3SLhB21A
Mákos Guba
recipe
https://budapestcookingclass.com/hungarian-poppy-seed-bread-pudding-recipe-makos-guba/
Hungarikum
https://www.hungarikum.hu/en/content/what-hungarikum#:~:text=Hungarikum%20is%20a%20collective%20term,%2C%20uniqueness%2C%20specialty%20and%20quality.
Hungarikum
List
https://www.hungarikum.hu/sites/default/files/hungarikumok-lista_2023.10.17.pdf
https://www.hungarikum.hu/en/content/hungarian-shepherd-and-hunting-dogs
Genetic
Drift
https://www.nature.com/scitable/definition/genetic-drift-201/
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/neuroscience/genetic-drift
Bite/Teeth
https://www.vin.com/apputil/content/defaultadv1.aspx?pId=8708&id=3843691
https://www.dvm360storage.com/cvc/proceedings/dc/Dentistry/Eisner/Eisner,%20Edward_Occlusal_issues_STYLED.pdf
https://www.vin.com/apputil/content/defaultadv1.aspx?pId=8708&id=3843715&print=1
https://www.ashgi.org/home-page/genetics-info/teeth-and-jaws/missing-teeth#:~:text=Inheritance%20of%20missing%20teeth%20is,one%20or%20two%20missing%20teeth.
Ears
https://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/SwedishVallhund.pdf
https://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/Samoyed.pdf
Dudley Nose
http://www.doggenetics.co.uk/noses.html
https://www.newscientist.com/lastword/2077418-rose-nose/
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/loss-of-pigmentation-in-dogs/
Single Track
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/sports/basics-canine-conformation-anatomy/#:~:text=In%20many%20breeds%2C%20especially%20those,one%20single%20file%20of%20tracks.
https://nationalpurebreddogday.com/single-tracking/
https://www.oocities.org/willowind_dals/page4.pdf
