Hungaricum Unleashed! Hungary's Wonder Dog, The Mudi.

Blue Merle Mudi, photo by Taru T Torpström via Wikipedia Commons

Excuse the temporary departure from the world of film, but occasionally we like to fill out these pages with posts that show the uniqueness of the city of Budapest and Hungarian culture in general. Cultural artefacts like Tokaj wine, Zsolnay porcelain, and ground paprika from Szeged that are considered uniquely Hungarian, are known as ‘Hungaricum’. Domestic animals and livestock like the Mangalica pig and many Hungarian herding dogs made the list as well, including today’s topic: The Hungarian Mudi.

The Hungarian dog breed Puli became world famous for it Rasta-like dreadlock coat, and the Hungarian Vizsla has also risen to the top of the litter as a highly collectable purebred, beloved by upscale discerning dog enthusiasts. But lately, the breed that has been getting attention is a small hound called the Mudi (pronounced Moody). This diminutive farm dog - originally a herding animal - is increasingly seen on Hungarian city streets, and with good reason.

Like many things Hungarian, there is some intrigue around the Mudi’s origin. While some claim they are a mix of German Spitz dogs and Hungarian wonder breed Puli, there is no definitive answer to when and where in Hungary the Mudi originated. World War Two almost saw the extinction of the breed, but discerning breeding of the few left ensured their survival in the region and beyond.

Because of their size and intelligence, the Mudi has since been taken off the farm, and given jobs such as search and rescue; and watchdog. Lately they have become a favorite pet, and are seen trotting down across the urban landscapes of Budaepest.

In Hungary, the Hungarian Mudi Association holds herding competitions and other shows to honour the breed. But it’s been a long road for international recognition as a purebred dog: only in this year - 2022 - did the American Kennel Club recognize the breed, thereby increasing interest in the Mudi outside of Hungary. Indeed, the Mudi is becoming popular in Finland, with small populations across Europe in in North America.

It’s only a matter of time before the rest of the world sees the value in these shaggy bundles. Until then, the Mudi remains distinctly Hungarian: Hungaricum with a bite.

photo by Lily15 at Hungarian Wikipedia / Wiki Commons

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