Breed Comparison: Mudi Versus Shiloh Shepherd

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Mudi Versus Shiloh Shepherd: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Mudi and the Shiloh Shepherd 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 Shiloh Shepherd. 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 Shiloh Shepherd.

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 Shiloh Shepherd.

Mudi versus Shiloh Shepherd: Overview

A very important difference between the Mudi and the Shiloh Shepherd is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Mudi is a small-sized dog while the Shiloh Shepherd is a giant-sized dog.

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 Shiloh Shepherd 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.

Mudi versus Shiloh Shepherd: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Mudi to the Shiloh Shepherd 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 Shiloh Shepherd

Factor Mudi Shiloh Shepherd
Does NOT Drool 5/5 3/5
Life Span 12 to 14 years 9 to 14 years
Height 14 to 20 inches 26 to 30 inches
Weight 18 to 29 pounds 80 to 130 pounds
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 2/5 1/5
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 2/5
Kid-Friendly 2/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 2/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 4/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 5/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 2/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 2/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 2/5
Easygoing 2/5 2/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 4/5
General Health 4/5 3/5
Intelligence 4/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 5/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 5/5
Easy To Train 5/5 5/5
Average Lifespan 13.0 years 11.5 years
Price Range No Data No Data
Average Price No Data No Data
Temperament Score 40.0 percent 80.8 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Clear By Parentage
  • DNA Repository
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Multiple Drug Sensitivity
  • Patellar Luxation
  • WSU VCPL
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • 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 Shiloh Shepherd. 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 Shiloh Shepherd is 82 out of 125.

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

    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 Shiloh Shepherd so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Mudi and the Shiloh Shepherd

    Below is a list of where the Mudi and the Shiloh Shepherd are most different:

  • Mudis do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly. However, Shiloh Shepherds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Mudis are not very friendly towards strangers. However, Shiloh Shepherds are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Mudis have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets. However, Shiloh Shepherds have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
  • The Similarities Between the Mudi and the Shiloh Shepherd

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

  • Both the Mudi and the Shiloh Shepherd do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Mudi and the Shiloh Shepherd do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Mudi and the Shiloh Shepherd 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 Mudi and the Shiloh Shepherd are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Mudi and the Shiloh Shepherd are very easy to groom.
  • Both the Mudi and the Shiloh Shepherd are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Mudi and the Shiloh Shepherd are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Mudi and the Shiloh Shepherd are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Mudi and the Shiloh Shepherd have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the Mudi and the Shiloh Shepherd have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Mudi and the Shiloh Shepherd require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Mudi and the Shiloh Shepherd are very playful.
  • Both the Mudi and the Shiloh Shepherd are very easy to train.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Mudi versus Shiloh Shepherd

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Mudi and the Shiloh Shepherd.

    Mudis weigh 18 to 29 pounds when fully grown. Mudis are 14 to 20 inches when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Shiloh Shepherds weigh 80 to 130 pounds when fully grown. Shiloh Shepherds are 26 to 30 inches when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Mudi versus Shiloh Shepherd

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

    The lifespan of Shiloh Shepherds is between 9 to 14 years . The average lifespan of Shiloh Shepherds is 11.5 years.

    Mudis live longer than Shiloh Shepherds.

    Temperament of the Mudi Versus the Shiloh Shepherd

    The Shiloh Shepherd has a better temperament than the Mudi.

    This is because the temperament score for the Shiloh Shepherd is 80.8 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 80.8 percent, the Shiloh Shepherd has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Mudi and the Shiloh Shepherd by measuring the temperaments of 5 Mudis and 26 Shiloh Shepherds.

    Health Problems of Mudi versus Health Problems of Shiloh Shepherd

    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 Shiloh Shepherd 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 Shiloh Shepherd.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Mudi than for the Shiloh Shepherd.

    10 health tests are recommended for Mudi while 4 tests are recommended for the Shiloh Shepherd.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Mudis and in Shiloh Shepherds.

    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.

    Shiloh Shepherd Health Problems

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

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Shiloh Shepherds here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Mudis and Shiloh Shepherds

    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
  • 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 Shiloh Shepherd Breed is Congenital Cardiac problems.

    This is because the Shiloh Shepherd ranks 39 out of 159 dog breeds for Congenital Cardiac problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 740 Shiloh Shepherds, 3 of them had Congenital Cardiac problems.

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

  • Congenital Cardiac problems: Rank 39 out of 159 Dog Breeds
  • Degenerative Myelopathy problems: Rank 40 out of 70 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 42 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 52 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 97 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in Mudi and in Shiloh Shepherd and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Mudi and the Shiloh Shepherd:

    Disease Mudi Rank Shiloh Shepherd Rank
    Patella problems 38 out of 145 dog breeds Not Common
    Elbow problems 99 out of 144 dog breeds 52 out of 144 dog breeds
    Hips problems 145 out of 198 dog breeds 42 out of 198 dog breeds
    Congenital Cardiac problems Not Common 39 out of 159 dog breeds
    Degenerative Myelopathy problems Not Common 40 out of 70 dog breeds
    Thyroid problems Not Common 97 out of 115 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 Shiloh Shepherd

    Mudis do not like to be left alone.

    Shiloh Shepherds do not like to be left alone.

    Do Mudis shed more than Shiloh Shepherds?

    Mudis shed moderately.

    Shiloh Shepherds shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Mudi or the Shiloh Shepherd

    Mudis do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Shiloh Shepherds drool moderately.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Mudi or the Shiloh Shepherd?

    Mudis are very easy to groom.

    Shiloh Shepherds are very easy to groom.

    Does the Mudi Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Shiloh Shepherd?

    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.

    Shiloh Shepherds 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.

    Do Mudis Bark and Howl? What about Shiloh Shepherds?

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

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

    Can Mudis Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shiloh Shepherds Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Mudis can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Shiloh Shepherds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Mudi vs. Shiloh Shepherd

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

    Shiloh Shepherds have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Mudis Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shiloh Shepherds Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Shiloh Shepherds can tolerate hot weather.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Mudi or the Shiloh Shepherd?

    Mudis do not get along well with other dogs.

    Shiloh Shepherds get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Mudis good family dogs? What about Shiloh Shepherds?

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

    Shiloh Shepherds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Mudis and Shiloh Shepherds?

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

    Shiloh Shepherds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Mudi Easier to Train than the Shiloh Shepherd?

    Mudis are very easy to train.

    Shiloh Shepherds are very easy to train.

    Is the Mudi Better for Apartment Owners than the Shiloh Shepherd?

    Mudis do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Shiloh Shepherds do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Mudi or the Shiloh Shepherd?

    Mudis are very good for new dog owners.

    Shiloh Shepherds are not the best dogs 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:

  • Alaskan Klee Kai (79 percent match with Mudi). Here is our comparison of the Shiloh Shepherd vs Alaskan Klee Kai.
  • Australian Kelpie (78 percent match with Mudi). Here is our comparison of the Shiloh Shepherd vs Australian Kelpie.
  • German Pinscher (79 percent match with Mudi). Here is our comparison of the Shiloh Shepherd vs German Pinscher.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Shiloh Shepherd

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Shiloh Shepherd 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 Shiloh Shepherd:

  • Flat-Coated Retriever (78 percent match with Shiloh Shepherd). Here is our comparison of the Mudi vs Flat-Coated Retriever.
  • Labrador Retriever (79 percent match with Shiloh Shepherd). Here is our comparison of the Mudi vs Labrador Retriever.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Mudi Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Mudi versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon     Mudi versus Bullmastiff     Mudi versus Beagle     Mudi versus Dachshund     Mudi versus Dogo Argentino     Mudi versus Cavachon     Mudi versus Bullmastiff     Mudi versus Yorkipoo     Mudi versus Lhasa Apso     Mudi versus Harrier     Mudi versus Toy Fox Terrier     Mudi versus Korean Jindo Dog     Mudi versus Standard Poodle     Mudi versus Ibizan Hound     Mudi versus Skye Terrier     Mudi versus Vizsla     Mudi versus Newfoundland     Mudi versus Afghan Hound     Mudi versus Spanish Mastiff     Mudi versus Harrier     Mudi versus Bull Terrier     Mudi versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever     Mudi versus Greyhound     Mudi versus Barbet     

    Shiloh Shepherd Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Shiloh Shepherd versus Coton de Tulear     Shiloh Shepherd versus Beaglier     Shiloh Shepherd versus Puli     Shiloh Shepherd versus Flat-Coated Retriever     Shiloh Shepherd versus Yorkshire Terrier     Shiloh Shepherd versus Tibetan Spaniel     Shiloh Shepherd versus Redbone Coonhound     Shiloh Shepherd versus Kooikerhondje     Shiloh Shepherd versus Schipperke     Shiloh Shepherd versus Pyredoodle     Shiloh Shepherd versus German Wirehaired Pointer     Shiloh Shepherd versus English Springer Spaniel     Shiloh Shepherd versus Standard Schnauzer     Shiloh Shepherd versus Pekingese     Shiloh Shepherd versus Skye Terrier     Shiloh Shepherd versus Cavachon     Shiloh Shepherd versus Whoodle     Shiloh Shepherd versus Norwegian Buhund     Shiloh Shepherd versus Saint Berdoodle     Shiloh Shepherd versus Sussex Spaniel     Shiloh Shepherd versus Vizsla     Shiloh Shepherd versus Whippet     Shiloh Shepherd versus Brussels Griffon     Shiloh Shepherd versus Bloodhound     Shiloh Shepherd versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever     

    Conclusion: Mudi versus Shiloh Shepherd. 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 Shiloh Shepherd better suits you and your family.