Breed Comparison: Kishu Ken Versus Mudi

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Kishu Ken Versus Mudi: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Kishu Ken 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 Kishu Ken 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 Kishu Ken 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 Kishu Ken or the Mudi.

Kishu Ken versus Mudi: Overview

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

Furthermore, the Kishu Ken 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.

Kishu Ken versus Mudi: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Kishu Ken 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 Kishu Ken and the Mudi

Factor Kishu Ken Mudi
Does NOT Bark or Howl 5/5 2/5
Height 17 to 22 inches 14 to 20 inches
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 2/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 2/5
Does NOT Drool 4/5 5/5
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 2/5 4/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 3/5 2/5
Easygoing 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 3/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 3/5 2/5
Easy To Groom 3/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 3/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 4/5
Weight 30 to 60 pounds 18 to 29 pounds
Does NOT Shed 2/5 3/5
General Health 4/5 4/5
Easy To Train 4/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 5/5 3/5
Intelligence 5/5 4/5
Life Span 9 to 13 years 12 to 14 years
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 13.0 years
Price Range No Data No Data
Average Price No Data No Data
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • 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 Kishu Ken 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 Kishu Ken is 79 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Mudi is 76 out of 125.

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

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

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Kishu Ken and the Mudi

    Below is a list of where the Kishu Ken and the Mudi are most different:

  • Kishu Kens 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.
  • The Similarities Between the Kishu Ken and the Mudi

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

  • Both the Kishu Ken and the Mudi do not get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Kishu Ken and the Mudi are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Kishu Ken and the Mudi do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Kishu Ken and the Mudi are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Kishu Ken and the Mudi shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Kishu Ken and the Mudi are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Kishu Ken and the Mudi are very easy to train.
  • Both the Kishu Ken and the Mudi have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Kishu Ken and the Mudi require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Kishu Ken and the Mudi are highly intelligent.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Kishu Ken versus Mudi

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Kishu Ken and the Mudi.

    Kishu Kens weigh 30 to 60 pounds when fully grown. Kishu Kens are 17 to 22 inches 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 Kishu Ken versus Mudi

    The lifespan of Kishu Kens is between 9 to 13 years. The average lifespan of Kishu Kens 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 Kishu Kens.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Kishu Ken versus Mudi

    Kishu Kens can be left alone only for a short time.

    Mudis do not like to be left alone.

    Do Kishu Kens shed more than Mudis?

    Kishu Kens shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Mudis shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Kishu Ken or the Mudi

    Kishu Kens do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Mudis do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Kishu Ken or the Mudi?

    Kishu Kens are moderately easy to groom.

    Mudis are very easy to groom.

    Does the Kishu Ken Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Mudi?

    Kishu Kens have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.

    Mudis have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.

    Do Kishu Kens Bark and Howl? What about Mudis?

    Kishu Kens are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

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

    Can Kishu Kens Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Mudis Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Kishu Kens can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Mudis can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Kishu Ken vs. Mudi

    Kishu Kens 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 Kishu Kens Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Mudis Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Kishu Kens can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

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

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Kishu Ken or the Mudi?

    Kishu Kens do not get along well with other dogs.

    Mudis do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Kishu Kens good family dogs? What about Mudis?

    Kishu Kens are good family dogs. They are affectionate with family.

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

    How Kid-friendly are Kishu Kens and Mudis?

    Kishu Kens 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 Kishu Ken Easier to Train than the Mudi?

    Kishu Kens are very easy to train.

    Mudis are very easy to train.

    Is the Kishu Ken Better for Apartment Owners than the Mudi?

    Kishu Kens adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Mudis do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Kishu Ken or the Mudi?

    Kishu Kens 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 Kishu Ken

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Kishu Ken 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 Kishu Ken:

  • Alaskan Klee Kai (76 percent match with Kishu Ken). Here is our comparison of the Mudi vs Alaskan Klee Kai.
  • Dutch Shepherd (78 percent match with Kishu Ken). Here is our comparison of the Mudi vs Dutch Shepherd.
  • Kai Ken (79 percent match with Kishu Ken). Here is our comparison of the Mudi vs Kai Ken.
  • 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 Kishu Ken vs Alaskan Klee Kai.
  • Australian Kelpie (78 percent match with Mudi). Here is our comparison of the Kishu Ken vs Australian Kelpie.
  • German Pinscher (79 percent match with Mudi). Here is our comparison of the Kishu Ken vs German Pinscher.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Kishu Ken Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Kishu Ken versus Jack Russell Terrier     Kishu Ken versus German Longhaired Pointer     Kishu Ken versus Catahoula Leopard Dog     Kishu Ken versus Goldador     Kishu Ken versus French Bulldog     Kishu Ken versus Siberian Husky     Kishu Ken versus Barbet     Kishu Ken versus Berger Picard     Kishu Ken versus Shiranian     Kishu Ken versus Mal Shi     Kishu Ken versus Whoodle     Kishu Ken versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever     Kishu Ken versus Black Russian Terrier     Kishu Ken versus Korean Jindo Dog     Kishu Ken versus Chow Chow     Kishu Ken versus Cesky Terrier     Kishu Ken versus Peek A Poo     Kishu Ken versus Japanese Spitz     Kishu Ken versus Rottweiler     Kishu Ken versus Australian Shepherd     Kishu Ken versus Border Terrier     Kishu Ken versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi     Kishu Ken versus Spanish Mastiff     Kishu Ken versus Havanese     Kishu Ken versus Border Terrier     

    Mudi Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Mudi versus Dogo Argentino     Mudi versus Bracco Italiano     Mudi versus Catahoula Leopard Dog     Mudi versus Norwegian Lundehund     Mudi versus Belgian Sheepdog     Mudi versus Welsh Springer Spaniel     Mudi versus Bergamasco Sheepdog     Mudi versus Boxer     Mudi versus Border Collie     Mudi versus Clumber Spaniel     Mudi versus German Pinscher     Mudi versus Kerry Blue Terrier     Mudi versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog     Mudi versus Bulldog     Mudi versus Norwegian Lundehund     Mudi versus Whoodle     Mudi versus Morkie     Mudi versus Morkie     Mudi versus Labradoodle     Mudi versus Leonberger     Mudi versus Lakeland Terrier     Mudi versus Bichon Frise     Mudi versus Clumber Spaniel     Mudi versus Akita Chow     

    Conclusion: Kishu Ken 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 Kishu Ken and the Mudi better suits you and your family.