Differences and Similarities between the Mudi and the Weimaraner.

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Mudi Versus Weimaraner: Introduction

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

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

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 Weimaraner.

Mudi versus Weimaraner: Overview

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

Mudi versus Weimaraner: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Mudi to the Weimaraner 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 Weimaraner

Factor Mudi Weimaraner
Does NOT Drool 5/5 2/5
Life Span 12 to 14 years 11 to 13 years
Height 14 to 20 inches 23 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder
Weight 18 to 29 pounds 55 to 85 pounds
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 2/5 1/5
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 1/5
Kid-Friendly 2/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 2/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 3/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 4/5 4/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 1/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 2/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 1/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 2/5
Easygoing 2/5 1/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 5/5
General Health 4/5 3/5
Intelligence 4/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 1/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 4/5
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 4/5
Average Lifespan 13.0 years 12.0 years
Price Range No Data $950 – $1250
Average Price No Data $1080
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
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • HYPERURICOSURIA
  • Hypomyelination
  • Thyroid
  • 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 Weimaraner. 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 Weimaraner is 67 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Mudi is a better pet than the Weimaraner. 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 Weimaraner so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Mudi and the Weimaraner

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

  • Mudis do not have the tendency to drool. However, Weimaraners have a very high tendency to drool.
  • Mudis do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful. However, Weimaraners do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • The Similarities Between the Mudi and the Weimaraner

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

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

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

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

    On the other hand, Weimaraners weigh 55 to 85 pounds when fully grown. Weimaraners are 23 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Mudi versus Weimaraner

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

    The lifespan of Weimaraners is between 11 to 13 years. The average lifespan of Weimaraners is 12.0 years.

    Mudis live longer than Weimaraners.

    Temperament of the Mudi Versus the Weimaraner

    The Weimaraner has a better temperament than the Mudi.

    This is because the temperament score for the Weimaraner 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 Weimaraner has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Mudi and the Weimaraner by measuring the temperaments of 5 Mudis and 224 Weimaraners.

    Health Problems of Mudi versus Health Problems of Weimaraner

    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 Weimaraner 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 Weimaraner.

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

    10 health tests are recommended for Mudi while 5 tests are recommended for the Weimaraner.

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

    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.

    Weimaraner Health Problems

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

  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • HYPERURICOSURIA
  • Hypomyelination
  • Thyroid
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Weimaraners here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Mudis and Weimaraners

    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 Weimaraner Breed is Dentition Database problems.

    This is because the Weimaraner ranks 44 out of 49 dog breeds for Dentition Database problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 62 Weimaraners, 0 of them had Dentition Database problems.

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

  • Dentition Database problems: Rank 44 out of 49 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 62 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 80 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 113 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 125 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 127 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in Mudi and in Weimaraner and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Mudi and the Weimaraner:

    Disease Mudi Rank Weimaraner Rank
    Patella problems 38 out of 145 dog breeds 80 out of 145 dog breeds
    Elbow problems 99 out of 144 dog breeds 113 out of 144 dog breeds
    Hips problems 145 out of 198 dog breeds 127 out of 198 dog breeds
    Dentition Database problems Not Common 44 out of 49 dog breeds
    Thyroid problems Not Common 62 out of 115 dog breeds
    Eyes problems Not Common 125 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 Weimaraner

    Mudis do not like to be left alone.

    Weimaraners do not like to be left alone.

    Do Mudis shed more than Weimaraners?

    Mudis shed moderately.

    Weimaraners shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Mudi or the Weimaraner

    Mudis do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Weimaraners have a very high tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Mudi or the Weimaraner?

    Mudis are very easy to groom.

    Weimaraners are very easy to groom.

    Does the Mudi Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Weimaraner?

    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.

    Weimaraners 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 Mudis Bark and Howl? What about Weimaraners?

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

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

    Can Mudis Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Weimaraners Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Mudis can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Weimaraners can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Mudi vs. Weimaraner

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

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

    Can Mudis Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Weimaraners Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Weimaraners can tolerate hot weather.

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

    Mudis do not get along well with other dogs.

    Weimaraners get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Are Mudis good family dogs? What about Weimaraners?

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

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

    How Kid-friendly are Mudis and Weimaraners?

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

    Weimaraners get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Mudi Easier to Train than the Weimaraner?

    Mudis are very easy to train.

    Weimaraners are very easy to train.

    Is the Mudi Better for Apartment Owners than the Weimaraner?

    Mudis do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Weimaraners do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

    Mudis are very good for new dog owners.

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

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

  • German Shorthaired Pointer (77 percent match with Weimaraner). Here is our comparison of the Mudi vs German Shorthaired Pointer.
  • German Wirehaired Pointer (77 percent match with Weimaraner). Here is our comparison of the Mudi vs German Wirehaired Pointer.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Mudi Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Mudi versus Fila Brasileiro     Mudi versus Toy Fox Terrier     Mudi versus Pyredoodle     Mudi versus Rhodesian Ridgeback     Mudi versus Barbet     Mudi versus Japanese Spitz     Mudi versus Westiepoo     Mudi versus Irish Water Spaniel     Mudi versus Shih Tzu     Mudi versus Standard Schnauzer     Mudi versus Pekingese     Mudi versus Boston Terrier     Mudi versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier     Mudi versus Pyrenean Mastiff     Mudi versus Peek A Poo     Mudi versus Airedale Terrier     Mudi versus Doberman Pinscher     Mudi versus German Wirehaired Pointer     Mudi versus Swedish Vallhund     Mudi versus Sheepadoodle     Mudi versus English Cocker Spaniel     Mudi versus Cavapoo     Mudi versus Leonberger     

    Weimaraner Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Weimaraner versus Beagle     Weimaraner versus Bearded Collie     Weimaraner versus Cairn Terrier     Weimaraner versus Mountain Cur     Weimaraner versus Morkie     Weimaraner versus Cockalier     Weimaraner versus Lancashire Heeler     Weimaraner versus Boxer     Weimaraner versus Irish Wolfhound     Weimaraner versus Akbash     Weimaraner versus Korean Jindo Dog     Weimaraner versus Scottish Deerhound     Weimaraner versus Skye Terrier     Weimaraner versus Swedish Vallhund     Weimaraner versus Skye Terrier     Weimaraner versus Central Asian Shepherd Dog     Weimaraner versus Bichon Frise     Weimaraner versus Belgian Malinois     Weimaraner versus Chorkie     Weimaraner versus Tibetan Terrier     Weimaraner versus Pyrenean Shepherd     Weimaraner versus Manchester Terrier     Weimaraner versus Shiloh Shepherd     Weimaraner versus Miniature Schnauzer     Weimaraner versus Standard Schnauzer     

    Conclusion: Mudi versus Weimaraner. 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 Weimaraner better suits you and your family.