Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Basenji Versus Mudi: Introduction
- Basenji versus Mudi: Overview
- Basenji versus Mudi: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Basenji and the Mudi
- The Similarities Between the Basenji and the Mudi
- Size Comparison of Basenji versus Mudi
- Lifespan of Basenji versus Mudi
- Temperament of the Mudi Versus the Basenji
- Health Problems of Basenji versus Health Problems of Mudi
- Tolerates Being Alone: Basenji versus Mudi
- Do Basenjis shed more than Mudis?
- Which one drools more, the Basenji or the Mudi
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Basenji or the Mudi?
- Does the Basenji Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Mudi?
- Do Basenjis Bark and Howl? What about Mudis?
- Can Basenjis Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Mudis Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Basenji vs. Mudi
- Can Basenjis Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Mudis Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Basenji or the Mudi?
- Are Basenjis good family dogs? What about Mudis?
- How Kid-friendly are Basenjis and Mudis?
- Is the Basenji Easier to Train than the Mudi?
- Conclusion: Basenji versus Mudi. Which One is a Better Pet?
Basenji Versus Mudi: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Basenji and the Mudi? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Basenji and the Mudi better suits you.
We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Basenji and the Mudi.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Basenji and the Mudi is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.
Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Basenji and for the Mudi. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Basenji and the Mudi.
Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Basenji or the Mudi.
Basenji versus Mudi: Overview
Both the Basenji and the Mudi are similar in size. The Basenji and the Mudi are both small-sized dogs.
Furthermore, the Basenji belongs to the Hound Dogs group. Hound Dogs were bred to pursue and hunt warm-blooded animals. Hounds hunt by using their good sight or their good sense of smell. Dogs that belong to the Hound Group have strong prey drives and often will stop at nothing to catch what they are pursuing.
On the other hand, the Mudi belongs to the Herding Dogs group. Herding Dogs were bred for moving livestock, including sheep, cattle, and even reindeer. Herding dogs work closely with their human shepherds, and their natural intelligence and responsiveness make them highly trainable. They have high levels of energy, which needs to be channeled properly to prevent destructive behavior. Herding breeds are protective of their people and property and make excellent watchdogs. Their intelligence, agility, and activity level make them well suited to dog sports.
Basenji versus Mudi: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Basenji to the Mudi based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.
When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets
Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.
However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.
Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Basenji and the Mudi
| Factor | Basenji | Mudi |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Train | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Life Span | 10 to 12 years | 12 to 14 years |
| Height | 16 to 17 inches tall at the shoulder | 14 to 20 inches |
| General Health | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Weight | 22 to 24 pounds | 18 to 29 pounds |
| Easygoing | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 11.0 years | 13.0 years |
| Average Price | $1560 | No Data |
| Price Range | $1450 – $1450 | No Data |
| Temperament Score | 68.9 percent | 40.0 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
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Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Basenji in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Mudi. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.
The Better-Pet score for the Basenji is 83 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Mudi is 76 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Basenji is a better pet than the Mudi. So, you should get the Basenji!
Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the Basenji and the Mudi so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Basenji and the Mudi
Below is a list of where the Basenji and the Mudi are most different:
- Basenjis are not easy to train. However, Mudis are very easy to train.
- Basenjis are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl. However, Mudis are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
- Basenjis adapt well to apartment living. However, Mudis do not adapt well to apartment living.
- Basenjis get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly. However, Mudis do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.
- Basenjis are very friendly towards strangers. However, Mudis are not very friendly towards strangers.
The Similarities Between the Basenji and the Mudi
The Basenji and the Mudi are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Basenji and the Mudi are most similar:
- Both the Basenji and the Mudi do not have the tendency to drool.
- Both the Basenji and the Mudi do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
- Both the Basenji and the Mudi are not prone to gaining weight easily.
- Both the Basenji and the Mudi are good for new dog owners.
- Both the Basenji and the Mudi can tolerate hot weather.
- Both the Basenji and the Mudi are highly intelligent.
- Both the Basenji and the Mudi are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
- Both the Basenji and the Mudi are very easy to groom.
- Both the Basenji and the Mudi have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
- Both the Basenji and the Mudi have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
- Both the Basenji and the Mudi have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
- Both the Basenji and the Mudi require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
Size Comparison of Basenji versus Mudi
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Basenji and the Mudi.
Basenjis weigh 22 to 24 pounds when fully grown. Basenjis are 16 to 17 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
On the other hand, Mudis weigh 18 to 29 pounds when fully grown. Mudis are 14 to 20 inches when fully grown.
Lifespan of Basenji versus Mudi
The lifespan of Basenjis is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Basenjis is 11.0 years.
The lifespan of Mudis is between 12 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Mudis is 13.0 years.
Mudis live longer than Basenjis.
Temperament of the Mudi Versus the Basenji
The Basenji has a better temperament than the Mudi.
This is because the temperament score for the Basenji is 68.9 percent while the temperament score for the Mudi is 40.0 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).
The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.
Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and are protective of their owners.
The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.
With its temperament score of 68.9 percent, the Basenji has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
With its temperament score of 40.0 percent, the Mudi has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Basenji and the Mudi by measuring the temperaments of 177 Basenjis and 5 Mudis.
Health Problems of Basenji versus Health Problems of Mudi
Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. There is nothing like a perfect dog breed.
Both the Basenji and the Mudi are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.
The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.
Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the Mudi is prone to more genetic health problems than the Basenji.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Mudi than for the Basenji.
6 health tests are recommended for Basenji while 10 tests are recommended for the Mudi.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Basenjis and in Mudis.
Basenji Health Problems
Basenjis are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Basenji puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a Basenji puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Basenji breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Basenjis for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Basenjis here.
Mudi Health Problems
Mudis are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Mudi puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a Mudi puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Mudi breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Mudis for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Mudis here.
Tolerates Being Alone: Basenji versus Mudi
Basenjis can be left alone for some time without problems.
Mudis do not like to be left alone.
Do Basenjis shed more than Mudis?
Basenjis do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Mudis shed moderately.
Which one drools more, the Basenji or the Mudi
Basenjis do have a very low tendency to drool.
Mudis do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Basenji or the Mudi?
Basenjis are very easy to groom.
Mudis are very easy to groom.
Does the Basenji Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Mudi?
Basenjis have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.
Mudis have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.
Do Basenjis Bark and Howl? What about Mudis?
Basenjis are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Mudis are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Can Basenjis Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Mudis Tolerate Cold Weather?
Basenjis cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Mudis can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Basenji vs. Mudi
Basenjis have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Mudis have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Can Basenjis Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Mudis Tolerate Hot Weather?
Basenjis can tolerate hot weather.
Mudis can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Basenji or the Mudi?
Basenjis get along very well with other dogs.
Mudis do not get along well with other dogs.
Are Basenjis good family dogs? What about Mudis?
Basenjis are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Mudis are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are Basenjis and Mudis?
Basenjis get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Mudis do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.
Is the Basenji Easier to Train than the Mudi?
Basenjis are not easy to train.
Mudis are very easy to train.
Is the Basenji Better for Apartment Owners than the Mudi?
Basenjis adapt very well to apartment living.
Mudis do not adapt well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Basenji or the Mudi?
Basenjis are very good for new dog owners.
Mudis are very good for new dog owners.
Conclusion: Basenji versus Mudi. Which One is a Better Pet?
In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Basenji and the Mudi better suits you and your family.