Mudi Directions: Breaking the Mudi Mold

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 This blueprint should be universal, even if some of the items are outdated, incorrect, or poorly translated, and every country around the world should follow the same breed standard, which is the standard created by the country of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.

MCA Standard Proposed Size Change (MCA hereafter)

FCI Current Standard (FCI hereafter)

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).

Males:

41 – 47 cm; Ideal height 43 – 45 cm

Females:

38 – 44 cm; Ideal height 40 – 42 cm.

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

MCA	FCI
The almond shaped eyes, as dark as possible, are set slightly obliquely.	Almond shaped and set slightly oblique.

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

MCA	FCI
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.	The eyes should be as dark as possible. For merle colours partially or solid, blue eye colour is not a fault.

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

MCA

FCI

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.

Rims of lids are tight, close-fitting to the eyeball and evenly pigmented.

(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

MCA

FCI

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.

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

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

MCA

FCI

and only slightly taller than the width at the base.

Ears are approximately 10 to 15 % longer than their width at the base.

Length of ears/length of head: 45/100

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

MCA	FCI
totally left this out	Barely pronounced.

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

MCA

FCI

The muzzle is strong with the bridge of the nose straight and tapering to a blunt end at the nose.

Moderately strong. Bridge of nose straight.

Nose (under Facial Region): Narrow, rounded at front with moderately wide nostrils.

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

MCA	FCI
Whiskers shall be present and may be curly	no mention of whiskers on the muzzle

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

MCA

FCI

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.

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)

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

MCA

FCI

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.

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

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

MCA	FCI
totally left this out	Lips: Tight-fitting to the teeth. Corner of mouth slightly jagged. The lip pigment corresponds with the pigment of the nose leather.

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

MCA	FCI
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.	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.

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

MCA

FCI

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.

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.

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

MCA

FCI

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.

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.

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

MCA

FCI

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

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.

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

MCA	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.