Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Flat-Coated Retriever Versus Mudi: Introduction
- Flat-Coated Retriever versus Mudi: Overview
- Flat-Coated Retriever versus Mudi: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Mudi
- The Similarities Between the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Mudi
- Size (Weight and Height) of Flat-Coated Retriever versus Mudi
- Lifespan of Flat-Coated Retriever versus Mudi
- Temperament of the Flat-Coated Retriever Versus the Mudi
- Health Problems of Flat-Coated Retriever versus Health Problems of Mudi
- Tolerates Being Alone: Flat-Coated Retriever versus Mudi
- Do Flat-Coated Retrievers shed more than Mudis?
- Which one drools more, the Flat-Coated Retriever or the Mudi
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Flat-Coated Retriever or the Mudi?
- Does the Flat-Coated Retriever Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Mudi?
- Do Flat-Coated Retrievers Bark and Howl? What about Mudis?
- Can Flat-Coated Retrievers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Mudis Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Flat-Coated Retriever vs. Mudi
- Can Flat-Coated Retrievers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Mudis Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Flat-Coated Retriever or the Mudi?
- Are Flat-Coated Retrievers good family dogs? What about Mudis?
- How Kid-friendly are Flat-Coated Retrievers and Mudis?
- Is the Flat-Coated Retriever Easier to Train than the Mudi?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Flat-Coated Retriever
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Mudi
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Flat-Coated Retriever versus Mudi. Which One is a Better Pet?
Flat-Coated Retriever Versus Mudi: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Flat-Coated 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 Flat-Coated 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 Flat-Coated Retriever and the Mudi.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Flat-Coated 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 Flat-Coated 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 Flat-Coated 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 Flat-Coated Retriever or the Mudi.
Flat-Coated Retriever versus Mudi: Overview
A very important difference between the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Mudi is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Flat-Coated Retriever is a medium-sized dog while the Mudi is a small-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Flat-Coated 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.
Flat-Coated Retriever versus Mudi: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Flat-Coated 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 Flat-Coated Retriever and the Mudi
| Factor | Flat-Coated Retriever | Mudi |
|---|---|---|
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Height | 1 foot, 10 inches to 2 feet tall at the shoulder | 14 to 20 inches |
| Life Span | 10 to 12 years | 12 to 14 years |
| Good For Novice Owners | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| General Health | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Train | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Intelligence | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Weight | 55 to 70 pounds | 18 to 29 pounds |
| Average Lifespan | 11.0 years | 13.0 years |
| Average Price | $1350 | No Data |
| Price Range | $1150 – $1800 | No Data |
| Temperament Score | 92.0 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 Flat-Coated 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 Flat-Coated Retriever is 78 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Mudi is 76 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Flat-Coated Retriever is a better pet than the Mudi. So, you should get the Flat-Coated Retriever!
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 Flat-Coated 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 Flat-Coated Retriever and the Mudi
Below is a list of where the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Mudi are most different:
The Similarities Between the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Mudi
The Flat-Coated Retriever and the Mudi are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Mudi are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Flat-Coated Retriever versus Mudi
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Mudi.
Flat-Coated Retrievers weigh 55 to 70 pounds when fully grown. Flat-Coated Retrievers are 1 foot, 10 inches to 2 feet 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 Flat-Coated Retriever versus Mudi
The lifespan of Flat-Coated Retrievers is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Flat-Coated 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 Flat-Coated Retrievers.
Temperament of the Flat-Coated Retriever Versus the Mudi
The Flat-Coated Retriever has a better temperament than the Mudi.
This is because the temperament score for the Flat-Coated Retriever is 92.0 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 92.0 percent, the Flat-Coated 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 Flat-Coated Retriever and the Mudi by measuring the temperaments of 87 Flat-Coated Retrievers and 5 Mudis.
Health Problems of Flat-Coated 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 Flat-Coated 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 Flat-Coated Retriever.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Mudi than for the Flat-Coated Retriever.
3 health tests are recommended for Flat-Coated Retriever while 10 tests are recommended for the Mudi.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Flat-Coated Retrievers and in Mudis.
Flat-Coated Retriever Health Problems
Flat-Coated Retrievers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Flat-Coated 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 Flat-Coated Retriever puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Flat-Coated 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 Flat-Coated Retrievers for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Flat-Coated 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:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Mudis here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in Flat-Coated 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 Flat-Coated Retriever Breed is Thyroid problems.
This is because the Flat-Coated Retriever ranks 28 out of 115 dog breeds for Thyroid problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 241 Flat-Coated Retrievers, 14 of them had Thyroid problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Flat-Coated Retrievers, and how common these diseases are in Flat-Coated Retrievers relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
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:
The table below lists the common health problems in Flat-Coated Retriever and in Mudi and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Mudi:
| Disease | Flat-Coated Retriever Rank | Mudi Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Thyroid problems | 28 out of 115 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Patella problems | 85 out of 145 dog breeds | 38 out of 145 dog breeds |
| Elbow problems | 129 out of 144 dog breeds | 99 out of 144 dog breeds |
| Eyes problems | 129 out of 182 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Hips problems | 172 out of 198 dog breeds | 145 out of 198 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: Flat-Coated Retriever versus Mudi
Flat-Coated Retrievers do not like to be left alone.
Mudis do not like to be left alone.
Do Flat-Coated Retrievers shed more than Mudis?
Flat-Coated Retrievers shed moderately.
Mudis shed moderately.
Which one drools more, the Flat-Coated Retriever or the Mudi
Flat-Coated Retrievers do have a very low tendency to drool.
Mudis do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Flat-Coated Retriever or the Mudi?
Flat-Coated Retrievers are very easy to groom.
Mudis are very easy to groom.
Does the Flat-Coated Retriever Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Mudi?
Flat-Coated 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 Flat-Coated Retrievers Bark and Howl? What about Mudis?
Flat-Coated Retrievers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Mudis are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Can Flat-Coated Retrievers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Mudis Tolerate Cold Weather?
Flat-Coated Retrievers can very well tolerate cold weather.
Mudis can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Flat-Coated Retriever vs. Mudi
Flat-Coated 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 Flat-Coated Retrievers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Mudis Tolerate Hot Weather?
Flat-Coated 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 Flat-Coated Retriever or the Mudi?
Flat-Coated Retrievers get along very well with other dogs.
Mudis do not get along well with other dogs.
Are Flat-Coated Retrievers good family dogs? What about Mudis?
Flat-Coated 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 Flat-Coated Retrievers and Mudis?
Flat-Coated Retrievers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Mudis do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.
Is the Flat-Coated Retriever Easier to Train than the Mudi?
Flat-Coated Retrievers are very easy to train.
Mudis are very easy to train.
Is the Flat-Coated Retriever Better for Apartment Owners than the Mudi?
Flat-Coated Retrievers do not adapt well to apartment living.
Mudis do not adapt well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Flat-Coated Retriever or the Mudi?
Flat-Coated 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 Flat-Coated Retriever
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Flat-Coated 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 Flat-Coated Retriever:
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:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Flat-Coated Retriever and how the Mudi compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Flat-Coated Retriever and of the Mudi to other breeds:
Flat-Coated Retriever Versus Other Dog Breeds
Flat-Coated Retriever versus Mountain Cur Flat-Coated Retriever versus German Shorthaired Pointer Flat-Coated Retriever versus Fila Brasileiro Flat-Coated Retriever versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle Flat-Coated Retriever versus Boston Terrier Flat-Coated Retriever versus Australian Kelpie Flat-Coated Retriever versus Havanese Flat-Coated Retriever versus Boxerdoodle Flat-Coated Retriever versus Sussex Spaniel Flat-Coated Retriever versus Norwegian Buhund Flat-Coated Retriever versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle Flat-Coated Retriever versus Japanese Spitz Flat-Coated Retriever versus French Bulldog Flat-Coated Retriever versus Pyrenean Shepherd Flat-Coated Retriever versus Cockapoo Flat-Coated Retriever versus Giant Schnauzer Flat-Coated Retriever versus Bernedoodle Flat-Coated Retriever versus Akita Flat-Coated Retriever versus Cocker Spaniel Flat-Coated Retriever versus Saint Bernard Flat-Coated Retriever versus Komondor Flat-Coated Retriever versus Labradoodle Flat-Coated Retriever versus Irish Water Spaniel Flat-Coated Retriever versus Rottweiler Flat-Coated Retriever versus Briard
Mudi Versus Other Dog Breeds
Mudi versus French Bulldog Mudi versus Basenji Mudi versus Papillon Mudi versus Sealyham Terrier Mudi versus Pekingese Mudi versus Lagotto Romagnolo Mudi versus Goldador Mudi versus Black and Tan Coonhound Mudi versus Australian Terrier Mudi versus Yorkipoo Mudi versus Pekingese Mudi versus Afador Mudi versus Black and Tan Coonhound Mudi versus Italian Greyhound Mudi versus Schipperke Mudi versus Finnish Lapphund Mudi versus Toy Fox Terrier Mudi versus Belgian Tervuren Mudi versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne Mudi versus Chinese Crested Mudi versus Akita Chow Mudi versus West Highland White Terrier Mudi versus Lowchen Mudi versus Silky Terrier Mudi versus Chorkie
Conclusion: Flat-Coated 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 Flat-Coated Retriever and the Mudi better suits you and your family.