Which is Better between the Chesapeake Bay Retriever and the Mudi? A Very Detailed Review.

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Chesapeake Bay Retriever Versus Mudi: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Chesapeake Bay Retriever 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 Chesapeake Bay Retriever 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 Chesapeake Bay Retriever and the Mudi.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Chesapeake Bay Retriever 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 Chesapeake Bay Retriever 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 Chesapeake Bay Retriever 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 Chesapeake Bay Retriever or the Mudi.

Chesapeake Bay Retriever versus Mudi: Overview

A very important difference between the Chesapeake Bay Retriever and the Mudi is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Chesapeake Bay Retriever is a medium-sized dog while the Mudi is a small-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Chesapeake Bay Retriever belongs to the Sporting Dogs group. Sporting Dogs were bred to help hunters catch and retrieve feathered game. Some sporting dog breeds such as Retrievers, which were built for swimming, were bred to hunt waterfowl in water. Whereas sporting dog breeds like setters, spaniels, and pointing breeds were bred to hunt quail, pheasant, and other game birds nest on grasslands. Many Sporting Group breeds have thick, water-repellent coats that protect them from harsh hunting conditions.

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.

Chesapeake Bay Retriever versus Mudi: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Chesapeake Bay Retriever 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 Chesapeake Bay Retriever and the Mudi

Factor Chesapeake Bay Retriever Mudi
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 2/5
Good For Novice Owners 1/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 1/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 1/5 2/5
Height 1 foot, 9 inches to 2 feet, 2 inches tall at the s 14 to 20 inches
Life Span 10 to 12 years 12 to 14 years
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 2/5
Easygoing 3/5 2/5
Kid-Friendly 3/5 2/5
Does NOT Drool 3/5 5/5
Easy To Train 3/5 5/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 2/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 3/5
General Health 4/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 4/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 1/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 1/5 4/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 2/5
Weight 55 to 80 pounds 18 to 29 pounds
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 13.0 years
Average Price $1060 No Data
Price Range $850 – $1200 No Data
Temperament Score 87.8 percent 40.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • EIC (Exercise Induced Collapse)
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- after the age of 12 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Clear By Parentage
  • DNA Repository
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Multiple Drug Sensitivity
  • Patellar Luxation
  • WSU VCPL
  • Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Chesapeake Bay Retriever 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 Chesapeake Bay Retriever is 65 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 a better pet than the Chesapeake Bay Retriever. So, you should get the Mudi!

    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 Chesapeake Bay Retriever and the Mudi so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Chesapeake Bay Retriever and the Mudi

    Below is a list of where the Chesapeake Bay Retriever and the Mudi are most different:

  • Chesapeake Bay Retrievers are not the best dogs for new dog owners. However, Mudis are good for new dog owners.
  • Chesapeake Bay Retrievers do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful. However, Mudis do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
  • The Similarities Between the Chesapeake Bay Retriever and the Mudi

    The Chesapeake Bay Retriever and the Mudi are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Chesapeake Bay Retriever and the Mudi are most similar:

  • Both the Chesapeake Bay Retriever and the Mudi do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Chesapeake Bay Retriever and the Mudi do not get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Chesapeake Bay Retriever and the Mudi are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Chesapeake Bay Retriever and the Mudi do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Chesapeake Bay Retriever and the Mudi can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Chesapeake Bay Retriever and the Mudi can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Chesapeake Bay Retriever and the Mudi are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Chesapeake Bay Retriever and the Mudi are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Chesapeake Bay Retriever and the Mudi have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the Chesapeake Bay Retriever and the Mudi are very playful.
  • Both the Chesapeake Bay Retriever and the Mudi are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Chesapeake Bay Retriever and the Mudi are very easy to groom.
  • Both the Chesapeake Bay Retriever and the Mudi have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Chesapeake Bay Retriever and the Mudi require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Chesapeake Bay Retriever versus Mudi

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Chesapeake Bay Retriever and the Mudi.

    Chesapeake Bay Retrievers weigh 55 to 80 pounds when fully grown. Chesapeake Bay Retrievers are 1 foot, 9 inches to 2 feet, 2 inches tall at the s 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 Chesapeake Bay Retriever versus Mudi

    The lifespan of Chesapeake Bay Retrievers is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Chesapeake Bay Retrievers 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 Chesapeake Bay Retrievers.

    Temperament of the Chesapeake Bay Retriever Versus the Mudi

    The Chesapeake Bay Retriever has a better temperament than the Mudi.

    This is because the temperament score for the Chesapeake Bay Retriever is 87.8 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 87.8 percent, the Chesapeake Bay Retriever 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 Chesapeake Bay Retriever and the Mudi by measuring the temperaments of 123 Chesapeake Bay Retrievers and 5 Mudis.

    Health Problems of Chesapeake Bay Retriever 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 Chesapeake Bay Retriever 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 Chesapeake Bay Retriever.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Mudi than for the Chesapeake Bay Retriever.

    8 health tests are recommended for Chesapeake Bay Retriever while 10 tests are recommended for the Mudi.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Chesapeake Bay Retrievers and in Mudis.

    Chesapeake Bay Retriever Health Problems

    Chesapeake Bay Retrievers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Chesapeake Bay Retriever 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 Chesapeake Bay Retriever puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Chesapeake Bay Retriever 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 Chesapeake Bay Retrievers for:

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • EIC (Exercise Induced Collapse)
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- after the age of 12 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Chesapeake Bay Retrievers 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:

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Clear By Parentage
  • DNA Repository
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Multiple Drug Sensitivity
  • Patellar Luxation
  • WSU VCPL
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Mudis here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Chesapeake Bay Retrievers and Mudis

    Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Chesapeake Bay Retriever Breed is Shoulder problems.

    This is because the Chesapeake Bay Retriever ranks 6 out of 22 dog breeds for Shoulder problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 51 Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, 1 of them had Shoulder problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, and how common these diseases are in Chesapeake Bay Retrievers relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Shoulder problems: Rank 6 out of 22 Dog Breeds
  • Degenerative Myelopathy problems: Rank 20 out of 70 Dog Breeds
  • Congenital Cardiac problems: Rank 42 out of 159 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 46 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 47 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 57 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 94 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Mudi Breed is Patella problems.

    This is because the Mudi ranks 38 out of 145 dog breeds for Patella problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 87 Mudis, 4 of them had Patella problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Mudis, and how common these diseases are in Mudis relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Patella problems: Rank 38 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 99 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 145 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in Chesapeake Bay Retriever and in Mudi and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Chesapeake Bay Retriever and the Mudi:

    Disease Chesapeake Bay Retriever Rank Mudi Rank
    Shoulder problems 6 out of 22 dog breeds Not Common
    Degenerative Myelopathy problems 20 out of 70 dog breeds Not Common
    Congenital Cardiac problems 42 out of 159 dog breeds Not Common
    Thyroid problems 46 out of 115 dog breeds Not Common
    Hips problems 47 out of 198 dog breeds 145 out of 198 dog breeds
    Elbow problems 57 out of 144 dog breeds 99 out of 144 dog breeds
    Eyes problems 94 out of 182 dog breeds Not Common
    Patella problems Not Common 38 out of 145 dog breeds

    *To learn more about each of these diseases, go to OFA.org and search for the disease.

    Again, most of these health problems can be prevented through health screening. Responsible breeders screen male and female dog parents for genetic problems. These breeders will only breed dogs that are free of genetic defects. That way, there is little or no chance that their puppies will grow up to have genetic health problems. Always ask a breeder for the list of health tests the breeder screens their dogs for before buying a puppy from such a breeder.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Chesapeake Bay Retriever versus Mudi

    Chesapeake Bay Retrievers do not like to be left alone.

    Mudis do not like to be left alone.

    Do Chesapeake Bay Retrievers shed more than Mudis?

    Chesapeake Bay Retrievers shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Mudis shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Chesapeake Bay Retriever or the Mudi

    Chesapeake Bay Retrievers drool moderately.

    Mudis do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Chesapeake Bay Retriever or the Mudi?

    Chesapeake Bay Retrievers are very easy to groom.

    Mudis are very easy to groom.

    Does the Chesapeake Bay Retriever Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Mudi?

    Chesapeake Bay Retrievers have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and 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 Chesapeake Bay Retrievers Bark and Howl? What about Mudis?

    Chesapeake Bay Retrievers bark and howl, but not very much.

    Mudis are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Can Chesapeake Bay Retrievers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Mudis Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Chesapeake Bay Retrievers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Mudis can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Chesapeake Bay Retriever vs. Mudi

    Chesapeake Bay Retrievers 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 Chesapeake Bay Retrievers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Mudis Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Chesapeake Bay Retrievers 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 Chesapeake Bay Retriever or the Mudi?

    Chesapeake Bay Retrievers do not get along well with other dogs.

    Mudis do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Chesapeake Bay Retrievers good family dogs? What about Mudis?

    Chesapeake Bay Retrievers 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 Chesapeake Bay Retrievers and Mudis?

    Chesapeake Bay Retrievers get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

    Mudis do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.

    Is the Chesapeake Bay Retriever Easier to Train than the Mudi?

    Chesapeake Bay Retrievers are fairly easy to train.

    Mudis are very easy to train.

    Is the Chesapeake Bay Retriever Better for Apartment Owners than the Mudi?

    Chesapeake Bay Retrievers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Mudis do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Chesapeake Bay Retriever or the Mudi?

    Chesapeake Bay Retrievers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Mudis are very good for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Chesapeake Bay Retriever

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Chesapeake Bay Retriever that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Chesapeake Bay Retriever:

  • Hovawart (74 percent match with Chesapeake Bay Retriever). Here is our comparison of the Mudi vs Hovawart.
  • Karelian Bear Dog (73 percent match with Chesapeake Bay Retriever). Here is our comparison of the Mudi vs Karelian Bear Dog.
  • Boerboel (76 percent match with Chesapeake Bay Retriever). Here is our comparison of the Mudi vs Boerboel.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Mudi

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Mudi that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Mudi:

  • Alaskan Klee Kai (79 percent match with Mudi). Here is our comparison of the Chesapeake Bay Retriever vs Alaskan Klee Kai.
  • Australian Kelpie (78 percent match with Mudi). Here is our comparison of the Chesapeake Bay Retriever vs Australian Kelpie.
  • German Pinscher (79 percent match with Mudi). Here is our comparison of the Chesapeake Bay Retriever vs German Pinscher.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Chesapeake Bay Retriever and how the Mudi compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Chesapeake Bay Retriever and of the Mudi to other breeds:

    Chesapeake Bay Retriever Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Chesapeake Bay Retriever versus Weimaraner     Chesapeake Bay Retriever versus Portuguese Water Dog     Chesapeake Bay Retriever versus Flat-Coated Retriever     Chesapeake Bay Retriever versus Stabyhoun     Chesapeake Bay Retriever versus Yorkshire Terrier     Chesapeake Bay Retriever versus Bearded Collie     Chesapeake Bay Retriever versus Black Mouth Cur     Chesapeake Bay Retriever versus Cocker Spaniel     Chesapeake Bay Retriever versus Afghan Hound     Chesapeake Bay Retriever versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon     Chesapeake Bay Retriever versus Bracco Italiano     Chesapeake Bay Retriever versus Miniature Schnauzer     Chesapeake Bay Retriever versus Kishu Ken     Chesapeake Bay Retriever versus Toy Poodle     Chesapeake Bay Retriever versus Komondor     Chesapeake Bay Retriever versus Afghan Hound     Chesapeake Bay Retriever versus Pug     Chesapeake Bay Retriever versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog     Chesapeake Bay Retriever versus Fila Brasileiro     Chesapeake Bay Retriever versus Pomeranian     Chesapeake Bay Retriever versus Sussex Spaniel     Chesapeake Bay Retriever versus Chorkie     Chesapeake Bay Retriever versus Pomeranian     Chesapeake Bay Retriever versus Australian Cattle Dog     Chesapeake Bay Retriever versus Patterdale Terrier     

    Mudi Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Mudi versus Maltipoo     Mudi versus Cockalier     Mudi versus Curly-Coated Retriever     Mudi versus Harrier     Mudi versus Cocker Spaniel     Mudi versus Gordon Setter     Mudi versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier     Mudi versus Bluetick Coonhound     Mudi versus Barbet     Mudi versus Flat-Coated Retriever     Mudi versus Standard Poodle     Mudi versus Bernese Mountain Dog     Mudi versus Cockapoo     Mudi versus Harrier     Mudi versus Bernedoodle     Mudi versus Dachshund     Mudi versus Bedlington Terrier     Mudi versus Canaan Dog     Mudi versus Portuguese Water Dog     Mudi versus Kooikerhondje     Mudi versus Chihuahua     Mudi versus Golden Retriever     Mudi versus Estrela Mountain Dog     Mudi versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel     Mudi versus Shiranian     

    Conclusion: Chesapeake Bay Retriever 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 Chesapeake Bay Retriever and the Mudi better suits you and your family.