Differences and Similarities between the Chinese Shar-Pei and the Mudi.

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Chinese Shar-Pei Versus Mudi: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Chinese Shar-Pei 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 Chinese Shar-Pei 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 Chinese Shar-Pei and the Mudi.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Chinese Shar-Pei 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 Chinese Shar-Pei 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 Chinese Shar-Pei 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 Chinese Shar-Pei or the Mudi.

Chinese Shar-Pei versus Mudi: Overview

A very important difference between the Chinese Shar-Pei and the Mudi is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Chinese Shar-Pei is a medium-sized dog while the Mudi is a small-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Chinese Shar-Pei belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.

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.

Chinese Shar-Pei versus Mudi: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Chinese Shar-Pei 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 Chinese Shar-Pei and the Mudi

Factor Chinese Shar-Pei Mudi
Tolerates Hot Weather 1/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 1/5 2/5
General Health 1/5 4/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 5/5 4/5
Potential For Playfulness 1/5 4/5
Height 18 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder 14 to 20 inches
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 4/5
Easygoing 4/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 2/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 2/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 2/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 2/5
Does NOT Shed 4/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 4/5 5/5
Intelligence 2/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 4/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 2/5
NOT Rambunctious 4/5 2/5
Easy To Train 3/5 5/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 3/5 2/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 4/5 2/5
Tolerates Being Alone 4/5 2/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 4/5
Weight 40 to 55 pounds 18 to 29 pounds
Easy To Groom 5/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 1/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 1/5 2/5
Life Span 8 to 12 years 12 to 14 years
Average Lifespan 10.0 years 13.0 years
Average Price $1620 No Data
Price Range $1100 – $2000 No Data
Temperament Score 71.0 percent 40.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • 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 Chinese Shar-Pei 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 Chinese Shar-Pei is 68 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 Chinese Shar-Pei. 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 Chinese Shar-Pei and the Mudi so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Chinese Shar-Pei and the Mudi

    Below is a list of where the Chinese Shar-Pei and the Mudi are most different:

  • Chinese Shar-Peis have the tendency to develop certain health problems. However, Mudis are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Chinese Shar-Peis not very playful. However, Mudis are very playful.
  • The Similarities Between the Chinese Shar-Pei and the Mudi

    The Chinese Shar-Pei and the Mudi are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Chinese Shar-Pei and the Mudi are most similar:

  • Both the Chinese Shar-Pei and the Mudi do not get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Chinese Shar-Pei and the Mudi do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
  • Both the Chinese Shar-Pei and the Mudi cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
  • Both the Chinese Shar-Pei and the Mudi do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.
  • Both the Chinese Shar-Pei and the Mudi are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Chinese Shar-Pei and the Mudi do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Chinese Shar-Pei and the Mudi do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Chinese Shar-Pei and the Mudi are very easy to groom.
  • Both the Chinese Shar-Pei and the Mudi are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Chinese Shar-Pei versus Mudi

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Chinese Shar-Pei and the Mudi.

    Chinese Shar-Peis weigh 40 to 55 pounds when fully grown. Chinese Shar-Peis are 18 to 20 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 Chinese Shar-Pei versus Mudi

    The lifespan of Chinese Shar-Peis is between 8 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Chinese Shar-Peis is 10.0 years.

    The lifespan of Mudis is between 12 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Mudis is 13.0 years.

    Mudis live longer than Chinese Shar-Peis.

    Temperament of the Mudi Versus the Chinese Shar-Pei

    The Chinese Shar-Pei has a better temperament than the Mudi.

    This is because the temperament score for the Chinese Shar-Pei is 71.0 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 71.0 percent, the Chinese Shar-Pei 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 Chinese Shar-Pei and the Mudi by measuring the temperaments of 214 Chinese Shar-Peis and 5 Mudis.

    Health Problems of Chinese Shar-Pei 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 Chinese Shar-Pei 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 Chinese Shar-Pei.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Mudi than for the Chinese Shar-Pei.

    5 health tests are recommended for Chinese Shar-Pei while 10 tests are recommended for the Mudi.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Chinese Shar-Peis and in Mudis.

    Chinese Shar-Pei Health Problems

    Chinese Shar-Peis are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Chinese Shar-Pei 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 Chinese Shar-Pei puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Chinese Shar-Pei 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 Chinese Shar-Peis for:

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Chinese Shar-Peis 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 Chinese Shar-Peis 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 Chinese Shar-Pei Breed is Eyes problems.

    This is because the Chinese Shar-Pei ranks 2 out of 182 dog breeds for Eyes problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 98 Chinese Shar-Peis, 29 of them had Eyes problems.

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

  • Eyes problems: Rank 2 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 13 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 29 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 68 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 80 out of 115 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 Chinese Shar-Pei and in Mudi and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Chinese Shar-Pei and the Mudi:

    Disease Chinese Shar-Pei Rank Mudi Rank
    Eyes problems 2 out of 182 dog breeds Not Common
    Elbow problems 13 out of 144 dog breeds 99 out of 144 dog breeds
    Patella problems 29 out of 145 dog breeds 38 out of 145 dog breeds
    Hips problems 68 out of 198 dog breeds 145 out of 198 dog breeds
    Thyroid problems 80 out of 115 dog breeds Not Common

    *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: Chinese Shar-Pei versus Mudi

    Chinese Shar-Peis can be left alone for some time without problems.

    Mudis do not like to be left alone.

    Do Chinese Shar-Peis shed more than Mudis?

    Chinese Shar-Peis do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Mudis shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Chinese Shar-Pei or the Mudi

    Chinese Shar-Peis do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Mudis do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Chinese Shar-Pei or the Mudi?

    Chinese Shar-Peis are very easy to groom.

    Mudis are very easy to groom.

    Does the Chinese Shar-Pei Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Mudi?

    Chinese Shar-Peis have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to 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 Chinese Shar-Peis Bark and Howl? What about Mudis?

    Chinese Shar-Peis are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

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

    Can Chinese Shar-Peis Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Mudis Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Chinese Shar-Peis cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Mudis can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Chinese Shar-Pei vs. Mudi

    Chinese Shar-Peis do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    Mudis have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Chinese Shar-Peis Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Mudis Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Chinese Shar-Peis cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Mudis can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Chinese Shar-Pei or the Mudi?

    Chinese Shar-Peis do not get along well with other dogs.

    Mudis do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Chinese Shar-Peis good family dogs? What about Mudis?

    Chinese Shar-Peis are not affectionate with family. They are not good family dogs.

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    Mudis are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Chinese Shar-Peis and Mudis?

    Chinese Shar-Peis do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Chinese Shar-Pei Easier to Train than the Mudi?

    Chinese Shar-Peis are fairly easy to train.

    Mudis are very easy to train.

    Is the Chinese Shar-Pei Better for Apartment Owners than the Mudi?

    Chinese Shar-Peis adapt very well to apartment living.

    Mudis do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Chinese Shar-Pei or the Mudi?

    Chinese Shar-Peis 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 Chinese Shar-Pei

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Chinese Shar-Pei 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 Chinese Shar-Pei:

  • Chow Chow (63 percent match with Chinese Shar-Pei). Here is our comparison of the Mudi vs Chow Chow.
  • Affenhuahua (62 percent match with Chinese Shar-Pei). Here is our comparison of the Mudi vs Affenhuahua.
  • 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 Chinese Shar-Pei vs Alaskan Klee Kai.
  • Australian Kelpie (78 percent match with Mudi). Here is our comparison of the Chinese Shar-Pei vs Australian Kelpie.
  • German Pinscher (79 percent match with Mudi). Here is our comparison of the Chinese Shar-Pei vs German Pinscher.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Chinese Shar-Pei and how the Mudi compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Chinese Shar-Pei and of the Mudi to other breeds:

    Chinese Shar-Pei Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Chinese Shar-Pei versus Australian Shepherd     Chinese Shar-Pei versus Shih Tzu     Chinese Shar-Pei versus Finnish Lapphund     Chinese Shar-Pei versus Hovawart     Chinese Shar-Pei versus Tibetan Spaniel     Chinese Shar-Pei versus Basset Hound     Chinese Shar-Pei versus Italian Greyhound     Chinese Shar-Pei versus Briard     Chinese Shar-Pei versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog     Chinese Shar-Pei versus Hovawart     Chinese Shar-Pei versus Bergamasco Sheepdog     Chinese Shar-Pei versus Spinone Italiano     Chinese Shar-Pei versus Irish Terrier     Chinese Shar-Pei versus Pomchi     Chinese Shar-Pei versus Boykin Spaniel     Chinese Shar-Pei versus West Highland White Terrier     Chinese Shar-Pei versus Boston Terrier     Chinese Shar-Pei versus Black Mouth Cur     Chinese Shar-Pei versus English Toy Spaniel     Chinese Shar-Pei versus Finnish Lapphund     Chinese Shar-Pei versus Silky Terrier     Chinese Shar-Pei versus Italian Greyhound     Chinese Shar-Pei versus Pomsky     Chinese Shar-Pei versus Silky Terrier     Chinese Shar-Pei versus Dachshund     

    Mudi Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Mudi versus Akita Chow     Mudi versus Papipoo     Mudi versus Bloodhound     Mudi versus Mastiff     Mudi versus Puli     Mudi versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne     Mudi versus Swedish Vallhund     Mudi versus Toy Fox Terrier     Mudi versus Canaan Dog     Mudi versus Schipperke     Mudi versus Tibetan Terrier     Mudi versus Shih Tzu     Mudi versus Bloodhound     Mudi versus Plott     Mudi versus German Longhaired Pointer     Mudi versus Estrela Mountain Dog     Mudi versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen     Mudi versus Pharaoh Hound     Mudi versus English Springer Spaniel     Mudi versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle     Mudi versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier     Mudi versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog     Mudi versus Belgian Sheepdog     Mudi versus Whippet     Mudi versus Beagle     

    Conclusion: Chinese Shar-Pei 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 Chinese Shar-Pei and the Mudi better suits you and your family.