Purposeful Beginnings, Lifelong Companions
At Menagerie Mudis, every litter starts with a vision—one rooted in purpose, passion, and preservation. Our puppies are not just born; they’re thoughtfully planned through careful pairing of dogs selected for their health, structure, and sound temperament. Long before a breeding takes place, we dive deep into pedigrees, assess temperaments, evaluate structure, and conduct comprehensive health testing to ensure each match supports the long-term wellbeing of the Mudi breed.
Our dams are the heart of our program. They live in our home or with trusted co-owners who share our values, and they are treasured companions first and foremost. These girls receive exceptional care—from top-tier veterinary support to daily enrichment and training—because healthy, happy moms are key to healthy, happy puppies.
When the puppies arrive, they’re welcomed into a nurturing, stimulating environment where early development is our priority. We raise each litter using the proven foundations of the Puppy Culture program, select components of Avidog, and our own customized methods to build confidence, resilience, and adaptability. The result? Puppies who are not only true to the Mudi standard, but ready to thrive as loving companions, versatile athletes, and lifelong partners.
Below are some examples of our pairings:
Birth to Two weeks
Our puppies are born in a dedicated whelping room—an intentionally designed, semi-enclosed space just off our living room, where they can grow safely while staying close to the rhythm of our home. In these earliest days, I sleep right beside the whelping box, keeping a close eye on mom and babies around the clock. For the first two to three weeks of life, someone is always available to provide support, comfort, and care whenever it’s needed. From day one, our puppies are gently handled multiple times a day, weighed daily, and begin early neurological stimulation (ENS) between days 3 and 16 to support healthy brain and nervous system development. At around two weeks, we begin introducing new textures and objects into their environment, sparking curiosity and confidence. As soon as they’re mobile, we also begin litter training—setting the foundation for clean habits and a smooth transition to their future homes. Every step is guided by intention, care, and a deep commitment to raising puppies who are healthy, confident, and ready for the world.
Three to Five Weeks
By three weeks of age, our puppies enter an exciting new phase—their eyes and ears are open, and their world begins to come alive with sights, sounds, and motion. We introduce a variety of stimulating toys, surfaces, and objects that move and make noise, encouraging curiosity and confidence as they explore. Each day brings new adventures, and the whelping box is constantly refreshed to support their growing senses. Their nails are trimmed every three days, they’re handled daily, and they continue building trust and comfort with human interaction. Around four weeks, we take our first steps outdoors and begin carefully introducing the puppies to our trusted adult dogs, cats, and our birds, expanding their social experience in a safe, structured way. As they grow, they graduate from the whelping box to a larger puppy pen filled with enriching textures and tools for learning, and litter training continues to progress. At five weeks, we begin gentle stacking practice to assess structure, and welcome visitors to interact with the puppies—this is often the first opportunity for future families to meet their new companions. Crate training is also introduced between five and six weeks, laying the groundwork for a smooth, confident transition into their forever homes.
6-10 weeks
By six weeks of age, our puppies are bursting with energy and curiosity—full-on, joyful chaos! This is when the real adventures begin. We introduce car rides and take at least one RV trip to expose them to life beyond home. Outings to local parks, friends’ homes, and nearby creeks or ponds help them explore new environments, sights, sounds, and smells. They begin learning the basics of training and engagement through treats and playful interaction. Around 8–9 weeks, our highly anticipated puppy party takes place—a fun and educational event where experienced dog sport friends help socialize and train the puppies. They practice leash walking, go through tunnels, explore wobble boards and teeters, get used to veterinary-style handling, and even learn the art of simply sitting and watching calmly. Crate training continues to progress, with puppies gradually working up to overnight crating with a mid-night potty break. Weather permitting, we also introduce herding instincts with duck or sheep evaluations. Pool time is also an important added event, with at least one formal introduction to a dock pool included. Throughout this time, the pups spend plenty of time with well-mannered adult dogs to learn appropriate canine social skills, and they begin going on solo outings to build independence and confidence apart from their littermates.
Between 8–10 weeks, puppies are thoughtfully matched to their new families based on comprehensive temperament and structural evaluations we’ve conducted throughout their development. They receive their next round of vaccinations, are started on flea, tick, and heartworm prevention, and get full veterinary health checks. When they head to their forever homes at around 10 weeks old, they bring along a personalized puppy kit packed with their favorite toys, a blanket with familiar scents, and detailed records and guides to help their new families continue the strong foundation we’ve carefully built.
