Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Mudi Versus Pug: Introduction
- Mudi versus Pug: Overview
- Mudi versus Pug: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Mudi and the Pug
- The Similarities Between the Mudi and the Pug
- Size (Weight and Height) of Mudi versus Pug
- Lifespan of Mudi versus Pug
- Temperament of the Mudi Versus the Pug
- Health Problems of Mudi versus Health Problems of Pug
- Tolerates Being Alone: Mudi versus Pug
- Do Mudis shed more than Pugs?
- Which one drools more, the Mudi or the Pug
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Mudi or the Pug?
- Does the Mudi Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Pug?
- Do Mudis Bark and Howl? What about Pugs?
- Can Mudis Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Pugs Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Mudi vs. Pug
- Can Mudis Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Pugs Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Mudi or the Pug?
- Are Mudis good family dogs? What about Pugs?
- How Kid-friendly are Mudis and Pugs?
- Is the Mudi Easier to Train than the Pug?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Mudi
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Pug
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Mudi versus Pug. Which One is a Better Pet?
Mudi Versus Pug: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Mudi and the Pug? 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 Mudi and the Pug 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 Mudi and the Pug.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Mudi and the Pug 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 Mudi and for the Pug. 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 Mudi and the Pug.
Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Mudi or the Pug.
Mudi versus Pug: Overview
Both the Mudi and the Pug are similar in size. The Mudi and the Pug are both small-sized dogs.
Furthermore, 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.
On the other hand, the Pug belongs to the Companion Dogs group. Companion Dogs were bred to be companions for humans. Their main goal in life is to be with people, and they will be very sad if left to themselves for long hours day after day.
Mudi versus Pug: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Mudi to the Pug 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 Mudi and the Pug
| Factor | Mudi | Pug |
|---|---|---|
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Life Span | 12 to 14 years | 12 to 15 years |
| Height | 14 to 20 inches | 10 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Weight | 18 to 29 pounds | 14 to 18 pounds |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Easygoing | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| General Health | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Train | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 13.0 years | 13.5 years |
| Price Range | No Data | $1200 – $1875 |
| Average Price | No Data | $1620 |
| Temperament Score | 40.0 percent | 91.7 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 Mudi 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 Pug. 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 Mudi is 76 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Pug is 80 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Pug is a better pet than the Mudi. So, you should get the Pug!
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 Mudi and the Pug so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Mudi and the Pug
Below is a list of where the Mudi and the Pug are most different:
The Similarities Between the Mudi and the Pug
The Mudi and the Pug are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Mudi and the Pug are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Mudi versus Pug
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Mudi and the Pug.
Mudis weigh 18 to 29 pounds when fully grown. Mudis are 14 to 20 inches when fully grown.
On the other hand, Pugs weigh 14 to 18 pounds when fully grown. Pugs are 10 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Lifespan of Mudi versus Pug
The lifespan of Mudis is between 12 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Mudis is 13.0 years.
The lifespan of Pugs is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Pugs is 13.5 years.
Pugs live longer than Mudis.
Temperament of the Mudi Versus the Pug
The Pug has a better temperament than the Mudi.
This is because the temperament score for the Pug is 91.7 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 40.0 percent, the Mudi has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
With its temperament score of 91.7 percent, the Pug has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Mudi and the Pug by measuring the temperaments of 5 Mudis and 48 Pugs.
Health Problems of Mudi versus Health Problems of Pug
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 Mudi and the Pug 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 Pug.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Mudi than for the Pug.
10 health tests are recommended for Mudi while 7 tests are recommended for the Pug.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Mudis and in Pugs.
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.
Pug Health Problems
Pugs are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Pug 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 Pug puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Pug 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 Pugs for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Pugs here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in Mudis and Pugs
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:
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 Pug Breed is Hips problems.
This is because the Pug ranks 1 out of 198 dog breeds for Hips problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 942 Pugs, 676 of them had Hips problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Pugs, and how common these diseases are in Pugs relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
The table below lists the common health problems in Mudi and in Pug and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Mudi and the Pug:
| Disease | Mudi Rank | Pug Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Patella problems | 38 out of 145 dog breeds | 32 out of 145 dog breeds |
| Elbow problems | 99 out of 144 dog breeds | 2 out of 144 dog breeds |
| Hips problems | 145 out of 198 dog breeds | 1 out of 198 dog breeds |
| Necrotizing Meningoencephalitis problems | Not Common | 1 out of 1 dog breeds |
| Tracheal Hypoplasia problems | Not Common | 1 out of 4 dog breeds |
| Degenerative Myelopathy problems | Not Common | 14 out of 70 dog breeds |
| Legg-Calve-Perthes problems | Not Common | 14 out of 40 dog breeds |
| Eyes problems | Not Common | 60 out of 182 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: Mudi versus Pug
Mudis do not like to be left alone.
Pugs do not like to be left alone.
Do Mudis shed more than Pugs?
Mudis shed moderately.
Pugs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Which one drools more, the Mudi or the Pug
Mudis do have a very low tendency to drool.
Pugs do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Mudi or the Pug?
Mudis are very easy to groom.
Pugs are very easy to groom.
Does the Mudi Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Pug?
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.
Pugs have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.
Do Mudis Bark and Howl? What about Pugs?
Mudis are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Pugs are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Can Mudis Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Pugs Tolerate Cold Weather?
Mudis can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Pugs cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Wanderlust Potential: Mudi vs. Pug
Mudis have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Pugs do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Can Mudis Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Pugs Tolerate Hot Weather?
Mudis can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Pugs cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Mudi or the Pug?
Mudis do not get along well with other dogs.
Pugs get along very well with other dogs.
Are Mudis good family dogs? What about Pugs?
Mudis are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Pugs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are Mudis and Pugs?
Mudis do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.
Pugs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Is the Mudi Easier to Train than the Pug?
Mudis are very easy to train.
Pugs are fairly easy to train.
Is the Mudi Better for Apartment Owners than the Pug?
Mudis do not adapt well to apartment living.
Pugs adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Mudi or the Pug?
Mudis are very good for new dog owners.
Pugs are very good for new dog owners.
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 Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Pug
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Pug 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 Pug:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Mudi and how the Pug compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Mudi and of the Pug to other breeds:
Mudi Versus Other Dog Breeds
Mudi versus Coton de Tulear Mudi versus Whippet Mudi versus Portuguese Water Dog Mudi versus Xoloitzcuintli Mudi versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Mudi versus Black Mouth Cur Mudi versus Aussiedoodle Mudi versus Neapolitan Mastiff Mudi versus Airedale Terrier Mudi versus Cane Corso Mudi versus Affenpinscher Mudi versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever Mudi versus Boston Terrier Mudi versus Lagotto Romagnolo Mudi versus Chinese Crested Mudi versus Puli Mudi versus Miniature Poodle Mudi versus Pyrenean Shepherd Mudi versus Havanese Mudi versus Fila Brasileiro Mudi versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Mudi versus Canaan Dog Mudi versus King Shepherd Mudi versus Portuguese Pointer Mudi versus Lhasa Apso
Pug Versus Other Dog Breeds
Pug versus Clumber Spaniel Pug versus Mastiff Pug versus Chinese Crested Pug versus Beagle Pug versus Pekingese Pug versus Barbet Pug versus Canaan Dog Pug versus Golden Cocker Retriever Pug versus Morkie Pug versus Peek A Poo Pug versus Belgian Tervuren Pug versus English Cocker Spaniel Pug versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Pug versus Schnoodle Pug versus Basenji Pug versus Norwegian Lundehund Pug versus Fila Brasileiro Pug versus Shichon Pug versus Sheepadoodle Pug versus Bluetick Coonhound Pug versus Boston Terrier Pug versus American Water Spaniel Pug versus Entlebucher Mountain Dog Pug versus Irish Wolfhound Pug versus Sussex Spaniel
Conclusion: Mudi versus Pug. 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 Mudi and the Pug better suits you and your family.