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"Human beings exercise responsibilities within a social setting and a framework of obligations which transcend the principle of intelligence."
Michael Polanyi, Hungarian Scientist and Philosopher, 1891-1976
Illustrated and Interpreted
Mudi Breed Standard
FCI#238/22.11.2004/GB

PAGE 3
NECK : The slightly high set neck forms an angle of 50 to 55 degrees to the horizontal. It is of medium length, barely arched and well muscled. Without dewlap or pronounced neck ruff. In male dogs there can be a barely developed mane ; this must, however, never be noticeable.

In peak fur stage, both sexes can have moderate manes.
BODY
Topline : Clearly sloping towards croup.
Withers : Pronounced, long and muscular.
Back : Straight, short.
Loin : Of medium lenth. Firmly coupled.
Croup : Short, very slightly sloping, of medium breadth, muscular.
Chest : Forechest slightly curved. Ribs somewhat broad and rather flat.
Underline : Sligthly tucked-up.

We should emphasize the importance of the deep chest. A shallow chest is often accompanied with the outward turning elbows, which are undesirable. The back should be strong when pushed by hand, the loose, sinking back is a fault. The sloping of the back should not be pronounced, when in fully developed fur the backline is often horizontal optically. The strongly sloping back can be the sign of incorrect stacking of the dog, as when the hindlegs are positioned too far back. The long fur on the back side of the thighs can optically lengthen the body, therefore it is important to detect manually the exact end of the body, right under the tail.  

  
TAIL : Set on at medium height. In repose, hanging, with lower third raised almost to horizontal. When alert and during active movement, the tail is carried in sickel shape, higher than the topline. Docking of tail is undesirable but is not regarded as a fault. If the tail is docked, two or three of the tail vertebrae must be visibly left.
Dogs born without or with a natural stump tail are rare; this is not regarded as a fault. The tail is abundantly coated ; the hair on the underside can even be 10 to 12 cm long.

Docking of the tail is undesirable not only because of more common regulations by law, but more importantly because the tail is a good indicator of temperament and also it is a natural aid for the fast moving dog during quick turns. Genetic short tailedness is a dominant feature, so at least one short tailed parent is needed for short tailed puppies to be born. The Mudis’ tail length is hard to judge, as genetically ‘short tailed’ Mudis can have quarter, half and three quarter long tails. All the natural tail lengths should be equally judged, none of them is preferred over the others.

The most common problems with the tail are (1) too tight tail, which lays on the back; (2) the ‘lifeless’ hanging tail. Some people misinterpret the standard, and force the tail down in standing position, the truth is that lively, alert Mudis should hold their tails up.

  
LIMBS
In general, both the fore and hind legs should be parallel with each other when standing with the paws pointing forward., in a four-square, slightly rectangular pattern.
FOREQUARTERS
Shoulders : The shoulder blade is moderately sloping and well muscled. The forechest is curved, the point of the sternum only slightly protruding.
Upper Arm : Of medium length.  At 45° with the horizontal.
Elbows : Close-fitting to the body.
Carpal joint : Firm, dry.
Pastern : Steep.
Forefeet : Round with well knit toes. Little hair between and under the toes. Pads springy. Nails slate grey and hard.

Faults of the front legs are caused mostly by weak constitution. Among these we can mention the loose, outward turning elbows, the weak, sunken pasterns, and lose feet (splay foot). Front paws, which turn outside are faulty anatomically as well as aesthetically. Dew claws should not be removed from the front legs.

  
HINDQUARTERS : The hind legs are a little overstretched beyond the rear.
Upper thigh : Long, well muscled.
Metatarsus : Short and steep.
Hind feet : Like front feet. Dewclaws not desirable.

The most common problem with the hindlegs is weak angulation/straight peg legs. Mudis with correct rear angulation stack themselves naturally, when they stop moving. If the hind legs have to be pulled backwards when standing, it can be the sign of incorrect angulation. A common fault occurs when exhibitors pull the hindlegs too far back, causing the backline to slope steeply. Another fault of the hind legs is the paws turning outwards.

  
GAIT/MOVEMENT : The Mudi’s characteristic movement are mincing steps.

Mostly the younger, lively temperamented Mudis can show prancing steps with their forelimbs. Lateral movement can also be seen occasionally. These are not typical for the breed, therefore we do not prefer them, however they are not serious faults either. In faster movement both the fore and hindlegs converge to a V-shape, which is correct in this breed, and should not be confused with narrow width structure. Mudis in movement should give a smooth, rolling impression, the tight, stiff movement (as well as long reach and drive) is a fault.

  
(A short movie showing the gaits of both short
and long tail Mudis will be added here soon.)
Key Definitions

Carpal Joint: Wrist joint on front legs
Croup: Also known as rump; Part of the back from the front of the pelvis to root of the tail
Dewlap: Loose hanging skin under the throat
Dry: The skin is smooth; neither loose nor wrinkled
Loin: Region of the body on either side of vertebral column between the last ribs and hindquarters
Mane: Long, profuse hair on top and sides of neck and chest
Metatarsus: The region of the back leg between the hock (ankle) joint and the toes (phalanges), which encompasses the metatarsal bone
Mincing: To walk or move with short, affectedly dainty steps; To walk with very short steps or with exaggerated primness (this is a rather bad translation of the Hungarian standard phrase)
Neck ruff: Dense, harsh hair around neck which frames face
Pastern: The part of the front leg between the wrist (carpal joint) and the foot
Sickle: Carried out and up in a semicircle over the back; cup handle shape; loosely carried over the back
Tucked up: Also called tuck up or underline; Upward curve of underline of body under loins
Incorrect Stack or Incorrect Rear Angulation