Is the Doberman Pinscher Better than the Mudi as a Pet? Answer…

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Doberman Pinscher Versus Mudi: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Doberman Pinscher and the Mudi? Well, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will provide you a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Doberman Pinscher 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 Doberman Pinscher and the Mudi.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Doberman Pinscher 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 Doberman Pinscher 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 more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Doberman Pinscher 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 Doberman Pinscher or the Mudi

Doberman Pinscher versus Mudi: Overview

A very important difference between the Doberman Pinscher and the Mudi is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Doberman Pinscher is a large-sized dog while the Mudi is a small-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Doberman Pinscher 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.

Doberman Pinscher versus Mudi: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Doberman Pinscher 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.

Factor Doberman Pinscher Mudi
Tolerates Cold Weather 1/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 1/5 2/5
General Health 1/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 5/5 2/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 5/5 2/5
Life Span 10 to 13 years 12 to 14 years
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 2/5
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 2/5
Height 24 to 28 inches tall at the shoulder 14 to 20 inches
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 3/5 2/5
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 3/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 2/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 3/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 4/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 3/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 2/5 5/5
Easygoing 1/5 2/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 4/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 4/5
Easy To Train 5/5 5/5
Intelligence 5/5 4/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 4/5
Weight 60 to 80 pounds 18 to 29 pounds
Average Lifespan 11.5 years 13.0 years
Average Price $1910 No Data
Price Range $1100 – $2500 No Data
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • von Willebrand`s Disease
  • Working Aptitude
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Clear By Parentage
  • DNA Repository
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Multiple Drug Sensitivity
  • Patellar Luxation
  • WSU VCPL
  • *Data from dogtime.com, OFA.org (The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), petcalculator.com, wikipedia.org, ATTS.org (the American Temperament Test Society)

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Doberman Pinscher 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 a Doberman Pinscher is 81 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Mudi is 76 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Doberman Pinscher is a better pet than the Mudi. So, you should get the Doberman Pinscher!

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

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Doberman Pinscher and the Mudi

    Below is a list of where the Doberman Pinscher and the Mudi are most different:

  • Doberman Pinschers 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
  • Doberman Pinschers have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets. However, Mudis have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Doberman Pinschers 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.
  • Doberman Pinschers have a very high tendency to drool. However, Mudis do not have the tendency to drool.
  • The Similarities Between the Doberman Pinscher and the Mudi

    The Doberman Pinscher and the Mudi are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Doberman Pinscher and the Mudi are most similar:

  • Both the Doberman Pinscher and the Mudi do not get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Doberman Pinscher and the Mudi do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Doberman Pinscher and the Mudi are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Doberman Pinscher and the Mudi can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Doberman Pinscher and the Mudi shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Doberman Pinscher and the Mudi are easily disturbed by noise in their environments. They are sensitive to human tone. They will understand the tone of your voice when you try to correct their behaviors with a firm tone.
  • Both the Doberman Pinscher and the Mudi are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Doberman Pinscher and the Mudi are very easy to groom.
  • Both the Doberman Pinscher and the Mudi are very easy to train.
  • Both the Doberman Pinscher and the Mudi are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Doberman Pinscher and the Mudi are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Doberman Pinscher versus Mudi

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Doberman Pinscher and the Mudi.

    Doberman Pinschers weigh 60 to 80 pounds when fully grown. Doberman Pinschers are 24 to 28 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.

    Health Problems of Doberman Pinscher versus Health Problems of Mudi

    Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. Therefore, there is nothing like a perfect puppy.

    Both the Doberman Pinscher 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 Doberman Pinscher.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Mudi than for the Doberman Pinscher.

    6 health tests are recommended for Doberman Pinscher while 10 tests are recommended for the Mudi.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Doberman Pinschers and in Mudis.

    Doberman Pinscher Health Problems

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

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • von Willebrand`s Disease
  • Working Aptitude
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Doberman Pinschers 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 Doberman Pinschers 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 Doberman Pinscher Breed is Dilated Cardiomyopathy problems.

    This is because the Doberman Pinscher ranks 1 out of 3 dog breeds for Dilated Cardiomyopathy problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 562 Doberman Pinschers, 37 of them had Dilated Cardiomyopathy problems.

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

  • Dilated Cardiomyopathy problems: Rank 1 out of 3 Dog Breeds
  • Von Willebrands problems: Rank 1 out of 15 Dog Breeds
  • Advanced Cardiac problems: Rank 26 out of 71 Dog Breeds
  • Congenital Cardiac problems: Rank 26 out of 159 Dog Breeds
  • Dentition Database problems: Rank 40 out of 49 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 45 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Degenerative Myelopathy problems: Rank 53 out of 70 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 75 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 133 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 147 out of 198 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 Doberman Pinscher and in Mudi and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Doberman Pinscher and the Mudi:

    Disease Doberman Pinscher Rank Mudi Rank
    Dilated Cardiomyopathy problems 1 out of 3 dog breeds Not Common
    Von Willebrands problems 1 out of 15 dog breeds Not Common
    Advanced Cardiac problems 26 out of 71 dog breeds Not Common
    Congenital Cardiac problems 26 out of 159 dog breeds Not Common
    Dentition Database problems 40 out of 49 dog breeds Not Common
    Thyroid problems 45 out of 115 dog breeds Not Common
    Degenerative Myelopathy problems 53 out of 70 dog breeds Not Common
    Eyes problems 75 out of 182 dog breeds Not Common
    Elbow problems 133 out of 144 dog breeds 99 out of 144 dog breeds
    Hips problems 147 out of 198 dog breeds 145 out of 198 dog breeds
    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.

    Can Doberman Pinschers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Mudis Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Doberman Pinschers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Mudis can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Doberman Pinscher or the Mudi?

    Doberman Pinschers do not get along well with other dogs.

    Mudis do not get along well with other dogs.

    Does the Doberman Pinscher Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Mudi?

    Doberman Pinschers 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 Doberman Pinschers Bark and Howl? What about Mudis?

    Doberman Pinschers are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

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

    Tolerates Being Alone: Doberman Pinscher versus Mudi

    Doberman Pinschers do not like to be left alone.

    Mudis do not like to be left alone.

    Wanderlust Potential: Doberman Pinscher vs. Mudi

    Doberman Pinschers 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.

    Is the Doberman Pinscher Better for Apartment Owners than the Mudi?

    Doberman Pinschers adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Mudis do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Doberman Pinscher or the Mudi?

    Doberman Pinschers are OK for new dog owners.

    Mudis are very good for new dog owners.

    How Kid-friendly are Doberman Pinschers and Mudis?

    Doberman Pinschers get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

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

    Can Doberman Pinschers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Mudis Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Doberman Pinschers can tolerate hot weather.

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

    Do Doberman Pinschers shed more than Mudis?

    Doberman Pinschers shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Mudis shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Doberman Pinscher or the Mudi

    Doberman Pinschers have a very high tendency to drool.

    Mudis do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Are Doberman Pinschers good family dogs? What about Mudis?

    Doberman Pinschers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

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

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Doberman Pinscher or the Mudi?

    Doberman Pinschers are very easy to groom.

    Mudis are very easy to groom.

    Is the Doberman Pinscher Easier to Train than the Mudi?

    Doberman Pinschers are very easy to train.

    Mudis are very easy to train.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Doberman Pinscher

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Doberman Pinscher 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 Doberman Pinscher:

  • Rottweiler (68 percent match with Doberman Pinscher). Here is our comparison of the Mudi vs Rottweiler.
  • Schnoodle (67 percent match with Doberman Pinscher). Here is our comparison of the Mudi vs Schnoodle.
  • Neapolitan Mastiff (67 percent match with Doberman Pinscher). Here is our comparison of the Mudi vs Neapolitan Mastiff.
  • 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 Doberman Pinscher vs Alaskan Klee Kai.
  • Australian Kelpie (78 percent match with Mudi). Here is our comparison of the Doberman Pinscher vs Australian Kelpie.
  • German Pinscher (79 percent match with Mudi). Here is our comparison of the Doberman Pinscher vs German Pinscher.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Doberman Pinscher Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Doberman Pinscher versus Belgian Sheepdog     Doberman Pinscher versus Komondor     Doberman Pinscher versus Yorkshire Terrier     Doberman Pinscher versus Lancashire Heeler     Doberman Pinscher versus Borzoi     Doberman Pinscher versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier     Doberman Pinscher versus Vizsla     Doberman Pinscher versus Boerboel     Doberman Pinscher versus Border Collie     Doberman Pinscher versus Pyredoodle     

    Mudi Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Mudi versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel     Mudi versus Cocker Spaniel     Mudi versus Azawakh     Mudi versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier     Mudi versus Irish Setter     Mudi versus Dalmatian     Mudi versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier     Mudi versus Glen of Imaal Terrier     Mudi versus Irish Wolfhound     Mudi versus American Foxhound     

    Conclusion: Doberman Pinscher 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 Doberman Pinscher and the Mudi better suits you and your family.