Breed Comparison: Mudi Versus Siberian Husky

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Mudi Versus Siberian Husky: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Mudi and the Siberian Husky 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 Siberian Husky. 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 Siberian Husky.

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 Siberian Husky.

Mudi versus Siberian Husky: Overview

A very important difference between the Mudi and the Siberian Husky is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Mudi is a small-sized dog while the Siberian Husky is a medium-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 Siberian Husky 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 Siberian Husky: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Mudi to the Siberian Husky 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 Siberian Husky

Factor Mudi Siberian Husky
Does NOT Drool 5/5 3/5
Life Span 12 to 14 years 12 to 15 years
Height 14 to 20 inches 20 to 23 inches tall at the shoulder
Weight 18 to 29 pounds 35 to 60 pounds
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 2/5 2/5
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 1/5
Kid-Friendly 2/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 2/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 4/5 4/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 5/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 3/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 2/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 2/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 1/5
Easygoing 2/5 2/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 2/5
General Health 4/5 4/5
Intelligence 4/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 1/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 1/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 1/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 5/5
Easy To Train 5/5 2/5
Average Lifespan 13.0 years 13.5 years
Price Range No Data $700 – $1250
Average Price No Data $1080
Temperament Score 40.0 percent 86.8 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
  • Eye Examination- min age 12 months
  • 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 Siberian Husky. 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 Siberian Husky is 71 out of 125.

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

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

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Mudi and the Siberian Husky

    Below is a list of where the Mudi and the Siberian Husky are most different:

  • Mudis do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly. However, Siberian Huskys get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Mudis do not get along well with other dogs. However, Siberian Huskys get along well with other dogs.
  • Mudis are not very friendly towards strangers. However, Siberian Huskys are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Mudis are good for new dog owners. However, Siberian Huskys are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Mudis are very easy to train. However, Siberian Huskys are not easy to train.
  • The Similarities Between the Mudi and the Siberian Husky

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

  • Both the Mudi and the Siberian Husky do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Mudi and the Siberian Husky do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Mudi and the Siberian Husky are not prone to gaining weight easily.
  • Both the Mudi and the Siberian Husky do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
  • Both the Mudi and the Siberian Husky 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 Siberian Husky are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Mudi and the Siberian Husky are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Mudi and the Siberian Husky are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Mudi and the Siberian Husky have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Mudi and the Siberian Husky are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Mudi and the Siberian Husky have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the Mudi and the Siberian Husky have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Mudi and the Siberian Husky require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Mudi and the Siberian Husky are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Mudi versus Siberian Husky

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Mudi and the Siberian Husky.

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

    On the other hand, Siberian Huskys weigh 35 to 60 pounds when fully grown. Siberian Huskys are 20 to 23 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Mudi versus Siberian Husky

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

    The lifespan of Siberian Huskys is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Siberian Huskys is 13.5 years.

    Siberian Huskys live longer than Mudis.

    Temperament of the Mudi Versus the Siberian Husky

    The Siberian Husky has a better temperament than the Mudi.

    This is because the temperament score for the Siberian Husky is 86.8 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 86.8 percent, the Siberian Husky has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Mudi and the Siberian Husky by measuring the temperaments of 5 Mudis and 310 Siberian Huskys.

    Health Problems of Mudi versus Health Problems of Siberian Husky

    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 Siberian Husky 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 Siberian Husky.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Mudi than for the Siberian Husky.

    10 health tests are recommended for Mudi while 2 tests are recommended for the Siberian Husky.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Mudis and in Siberian Huskys.

    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.

    Siberian Husky Health Problems

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

  • Eye Examination- min age 12 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Siberian Huskys here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Mudis and Siberian Huskys

    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 Siberian Husky Breed is Dentition Database problems.

    This is because the Siberian Husky ranks 46 out of 49 dog breeds for Dentition Database problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 131 Siberian Huskys, 1 of them had Dentition Database problems.

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

  • Dentition Database problems: Rank 46 out of 49 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 62 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 98 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 120 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 135 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 188 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in Mudi and in Siberian Husky and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Mudi and the Siberian Husky:

    Disease Mudi Rank Siberian Husky Rank
    Patella problems 38 out of 145 dog breeds 120 out of 145 dog breeds
    Elbow problems 99 out of 144 dog breeds 135 out of 144 dog breeds
    Hips problems 145 out of 198 dog breeds 188 out of 198 dog breeds
    Dentition Database problems Not Common 46 out of 49 dog breeds
    Eyes problems Not Common 62 out of 182 dog breeds
    Thyroid problems Not Common 98 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 Siberian Husky

    Mudis do not like to be left alone.

    Siberian Huskys do not like to be left alone.

    Do Mudis shed more than Siberian Huskys?

    Mudis shed moderately.

    Siberian Huskys shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Mudi or the Siberian Husky

    Mudis do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Siberian Huskys drool moderately.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Mudi or the Siberian Husky?

    Mudis are very easy to groom.

    Siberian Huskys require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Does the Mudi Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Siberian Husky?

    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.

    Siberian Huskys have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Do Mudis Bark and Howl? What about Siberian Huskys?

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

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

    Can Mudis Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Siberian Huskys Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Mudis can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Siberian Huskys can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Mudi vs. Siberian Husky

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

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

    Can Mudis Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Siberian Huskys Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Siberian Huskys can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Mudi or the Siberian Husky?

    Mudis do not get along well with other dogs.

    Siberian Huskys get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Mudis good family dogs? What about Siberian Huskys?

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

    Siberian Huskys are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Mudis and Siberian Huskys?

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

    Siberian Huskys get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Mudi Easier to Train than the Siberian Husky?

    Mudis are very easy to train.

    Siberian Huskys are not easy to train.

    Is the Mudi Better for Apartment Owners than the Siberian Husky?

    Mudis do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Siberian Huskys do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Mudi or the Siberian Husky?

    Mudis are very good for new dog owners.

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

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Siberian Husky 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 Siberian Husky:

  • Samoyed (75 percent match with Siberian Husky). Here is our comparison of the Mudi vs Samoyed.
  • Bloodhound (75 percent match with Siberian Husky). Here is our comparison of the Mudi vs Bloodhound.
  • Finnish Spitz (78 percent match with Siberian Husky). Here is our comparison of the Mudi vs Finnish Spitz.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Mudi Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Mudi versus Puli     Mudi versus Pug     Mudi versus Standard Schnauzer     Mudi versus Brittany     Mudi versus Border Terrier     Mudi versus Papillon     Mudi versus Puggle     Mudi versus Norwich Terrier     Mudi versus Akbash     Mudi versus Shiloh Shepherd     Mudi versus Chi-Poo     Mudi versus Scottish Terrier     Mudi versus Pekingese     Mudi versus Brussels Griffon     Mudi versus Whoodle     Mudi versus American Staffordshire Terrier     Mudi versus American Foxhound     Mudi versus Kooikerhondje     Mudi versus Mal Shi     Mudi versus Border Terrier     Mudi versus Bedlington Terrier     Mudi versus Giant Schnauzer     Mudi versus Stabyhoun     Mudi versus Akita Chow     Mudi versus English Toy Spaniel     

    Siberian Husky Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Siberian Husky versus Portuguese Pointer     Siberian Husky versus Sealyham Terrier     Siberian Husky versus Fila Brasileiro     Siberian Husky versus Japanese Chin     Siberian Husky versus Havanese     Siberian Husky versus Havanese     Siberian Husky versus Sloughi     Siberian Husky versus English Cocker Spaniel     Siberian Husky versus Catahoula Bulldog     Siberian Husky versus Mudi     Siberian Husky versus Portuguese Water Dog     Siberian Husky versus Akbash     Siberian Husky versus Pomapoo     Siberian Husky versus Tibetan Terrier     Siberian Husky versus Bordoodle     Siberian Husky versus Welsh Terrier     Siberian Husky versus Beaglier     Siberian Husky versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi     Siberian Husky versus Swedish Vallhund     Siberian Husky versus American Bulldog     Siberian Husky versus Tibetan Terrier     Siberian Husky versus Bouvier des Flandres     Siberian Husky versus American Staffordshire Terrier     Siberian Husky versus Chi-Poo     Siberian Husky versus Bernedoodle     

    Conclusion: Mudi versus Siberian Husky. 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 Siberian Husky better suits you and your family.