Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Border Terrier Versus Mudi: Introduction
- Border Terrier versus Mudi: Overview
- Border Terrier versus Mudi: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Border Terrier and the Mudi
- The Similarities Between the Border Terrier and the Mudi
- Size Comparison of Border Terrier versus Mudi
- Lifespan of Border Terrier versus Mudi
- Temperament of the Mudi Versus the Border Terrier
- Health Problems of Border Terrier versus Health Problems of Mudi
- Tolerates Being Alone: Border Terrier versus Mudi
- Do Border Terriers shed more than Mudis?
- Which one drools more, the Border Terrier or the Mudi
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Border Terrier or the Mudi?
- Does the Border Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Mudi?
- Do Border Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Mudis?
- Can Border Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Mudis Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Border Terrier vs. Mudi
- Can Border Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Mudis Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Border Terrier or the Mudi?
- Are Border Terriers good family dogs? What about Mudis?
- How Kid-friendly are Border Terriers and Mudis?
- Is the Border Terrier Easier to Train than the Mudi?
- Conclusion: Border Terrier versus Mudi. Which One is a Better Pet?
Border Terrier Versus Mudi: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Border Terrier 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 Border Terrier 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 Border Terrier and the Mudi.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Border Terrier 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 Border Terrier 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 Border Terrier 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 Border Terrier or the Mudi.
Border Terrier versus Mudi: Overview
Both the Border Terrier and the Mudi are similar in size. The Border Terrier and the Mudi are both small-sized dogs.
Furthermore, the Border Terrier belongs to the Terrier Dogs group. Terrier Dogs were originally bred to go underground to hunt rodents and other small wild animals (vermin). Terriers come in a wide range of sizes and shapes, but all terriers are energetic, highly intelligent, and territorial. Terries also have the tendency to escape. They require a securely fenced yard.
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.
Border Terrier versus Mudi: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Border Terrier 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 Border Terrier and the Mudi
| Factor | Border Terrier | Mudi |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Height | 10 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder | 14 to 20 inches |
| Weight | 11 to 15 pounds | 18 to 29 pounds |
| Life Span | 12 to 15 years | 12 to 14 years |
| Dog Friendly | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Easygoing | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Train | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| General Health | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Intelligence | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 13.5 years | 13.0 years |
| Average Price | $1160 | No Data |
| Price Range | $800 – $1400 | No Data |
| Temperament Score | 91.6 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 Border Terrier 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 Border Terrier is 76 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Mudi is 76 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Mudi is not better or worse than the Border Terrier. So, you can get the Mudi or the Border Terrier!
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 Border Terrier and the Mudi so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Border Terrier and the Mudi
Below is a list of where the Border Terrier and the Mudi are most different:
- Border Terriers 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.
- Border Terriers are very friendly towards strangers. However, Mudis are not very friendly towards strangers.
- Border Terriers gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them. However, Mudis are not prone to gaining weight easily.
The Similarities Between the Border Terrier and the Mudi
The Border Terrier and the Mudi are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Border Terrier and the Mudi are most similar:
- Both the Border Terrier and the Mudi do not like to be left alone.
- Both the Border Terrier and the Mudi do not have the tendency to drool.
- Both the Border Terrier and the Mudi do not get along well with other dogs.
- Both the Border Terrier and the Mudi can tolerate cold weather.
- Both the Border Terrier and the Mudi are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
- Both the Border Terrier and the Mudi have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
- Both the Border Terrier and the Mudi have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
- Both the Border Terrier and the Mudi are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
- Both the Border Terrier and the Mudi are highly intelligent.
- Both the Border Terrier and the Mudi have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
- Both the Border Terrier and the Mudi require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
- Both the Border Terrier and the Mudi are very playful.
Size Comparison of Border Terrier versus Mudi
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Border Terrier and the Mudi.
Border Terriers weigh 11 to 15 pounds when fully grown. Border Terriers are 10 to 11 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 Border Terrier versus Mudi
The lifespan of Border Terriers is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Border Terriers is 13.5 years.
The lifespan of Mudis is between 12 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Mudis is 13.0 years.
Border Terriers live longer than Mudis.
Temperament of the Mudi Versus the Border Terrier
The Border Terrier has a better temperament than the Mudi.
This is because the temperament score for the Border Terrier is 91.6 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 91.6 percent, the Border Terrier has an above-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 Border Terrier and the Mudi by measuring the temperaments of 143 Border Terriers and 5 Mudis.
Health Problems of Border Terrier 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 Border Terrier 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 Border Terrier.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Mudi than for the Border Terrier.
5 health tests are recommended for Border Terrier while 10 tests are recommended for the Mudi.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Border Terriers and in Mudis.
Border Terrier Health Problems
Border Terriers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Border Terrier 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 Border Terrier puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Border Terrier 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 Border Terriers for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Border Terriers 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: Border Terrier versus Mudi
Border Terriers do not like to be left alone.
Mudis do not like to be left alone.
Do Border Terriers shed more than Mudis?
Border Terriers shed moderately.
Mudis shed moderately.
Which one drools more, the Border Terrier or the Mudi
Border Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.
Mudis do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Border Terrier or the Mudi?
Border Terriers require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Mudis are very easy to groom.
Does the Border Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Mudi?
Border Terriers 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 Border Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Mudis?
Border Terriers 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 Border Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Mudis Tolerate Cold Weather?
Border Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.
Mudis can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Border Terrier vs. Mudi
Border Terriers 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 Border Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Mudis Tolerate Hot Weather?
Border Terriers can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Mudis can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Border Terrier or the Mudi?
Border Terriers do not get along well with other dogs.
Mudis do not get along well with other dogs.
Are Border Terriers good family dogs? What about Mudis?
Border Terriers 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 Border Terriers and Mudis?
Border Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Mudis do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.
Is the Border Terrier Easier to Train than the Mudi?
Border Terriers are fairly easy to train.
Mudis are very easy to train.
Is the Border Terrier Better for Apartment Owners than the Mudi?
Border Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.
Mudis do not adapt well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Border Terrier or the Mudi?
Border Terriers are OK for new dog owners.
Mudis are very good for new dog owners.
Conclusion: Border Terrier 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 Border Terrier and the Mudi better suits you and your family.