Although commonly known as the Hungarian Greyhound, the Magyar Agar (AH-gar) is not a direct relative of the common or garden greyhound. They look kind of alike and are both hunting ‘sight hounds,’ but the name is misleading. The Magyar Agar is a complex character of ancient stock, clever, kind, and generally obedient – but a lot depends on the training. In the wrong hands, he will soon become dissatisfied with civilian life which could lead to trouble. Other than that, he tends to be a friendly and sociable addition to the home, and requires a significant amount of exercise each day to keep him trim and happy – making him an ideal partner in crime for a cyclist or jogger.
Key facts about the Hungarian Greyhound
Life expectancy :
Between 13 and 15 years
Temperament :
Hunter
Size :
Large
Type of coat :
Short
FCI Group
FCI Group
Group 10 - Sighthounds
Section
Section 3 : Short-haired Sighthounds
Physical characteristics of the Hungarian Greyhound
Adult size
Female dog
Between 24 and 26 in
Male dog
Between 26 and 28 in
Weight
Female dog
Between 55 and 66 lb
Male dog
Between 55 and 66 lb
Coat colour
Any colour is acceptable except blue, blue-white, brown, wolf-grey, black and tan, or tricolour.
Type of coat
Dense, coarse, and smooth, with the possibility of a dense undercoat in cold seasons.
Eye colour
Dark.
Description
He looks greyhoundish. But his bones are more substantial. His head has more of a wedge shape, his skin is thicker and his fur denser, to cope with that harsh Hungarian winter. Thus he comes across as stronger, tougher than the classic greyhound. He has a biggish nose for his size, with large, sensual nostrils to keep the air circulating as he runs. Seductive eyes and large, rose ears. See him run in dots, patches, or striped like a tiger: the Magyar Agar will not be pinned down, aesthetically!
Temperament
Affectionate
This dog tends to grow fond of his human family and is widely considered to be an affectionate fellow around the home.
Playful
He is not the most gregarious pup, but will willingly agree to spend time with his humans.
Calm
He is usually calm indoors, saving his energy for the big adventure.
Intelligent
The Magyar Agar is an intelligent dog who quickly understands what is expected of him.
Hunter
This dog is a natural hunter and retains his instinct still.
Fearful / wary of strangers
The Magyar Agar is a very reserved with strangers. He very often avoids their contact and does not generally seek encounters.
Independent
He is not especially noted for his independence, and needs regular contact with his masters.
Behaviour of the Hungarian Greyhound
Tolerates solitude
Unlike other more independent greyhounds, this one does not like to be alone and does not handle the absence of his masters well, especially if he didn’t get used to periods alone from a very young age.
Easy to train / obedience
The education of greyhounds must always be delicate, gentle and positive to achieve great results. Brutality and violence absolutely do not work and make these dogs very unhappy.
Barking
The Magyar Agar is not noticeably barky.
Tendency to run away
Care should be taken that the perimeter of the family home is well-fenced so that this generally loyal creature isn’t lured away by the sight of an irresistible quarry.
Destructive
This is a no-nonsense dog, who is quiet and discreet indoors.
Greedy / Gluttony
Like many greyhounds, this one is not very greedy, so it is sometimes difficult to arouse his interest, especially during training sessions.
Guard dog
He can make a good watchdog since he’s very vigilant of people outside of his family.
First dog
The Magyar Agar can be an appropriate first dog if the family is sure it can cater to his extensive need for exercise.
Lifestyle
Hungarian Greyhound in a flat
He can make-do in an apartment as long as he gets tons of outdoor exercise. His sensitivity may also need to be taken into account in loud and busy environments.
Need for exercise / Sporty
This dog needs at least an hour of vigorous exercise each day in addition to his basic walks and garden time. He may appreciate running alongside a jogger or cyclist. He also requires one-to-one play to satisfy his eager intellect.
Travelling / easy to transport
His large size and shyness do not allow him to travel comfortably alongside his masters, especially when there is a crowd.
Compatibility
Hungarian Greyhound and cats
He will get on fine with cats if introduced to them early in his life.
Hungarian Greyhound and dogs
He appreciates the company of other dogs very well.
Hungarian Greyhound and children
He will be patient and gentle among children, as long as they don’t agitate his sensitive nature.
Hungarian Greyhound and the elderly
He is a suitable pet for elderly dog lovers, if they are able to answer to his considerable need for exercise.
Price
We do not have enough data to set an average price. Looking after a dog of this size typically costs between £50 to £100 a month, including food, medical/insurance, and incidental expenses.
Grooming
Weekly brushing and occasional baths will keep this generally hygienic dog clean.
Shedding
Light shedder.
Nutrition of the Hungarian Greyhound
Two to three cups of quality food should be given to this dog each day, divided over a couple of meals. If he is particularly active and put to work, you might consider a brand that’s formulated for active dogs.
Health of the Hungarian Greyhound
Life expectancy
A generally healthy breed, with an average life expectancy of 14 years.
Strong / robust
This is a robust and hardy outdoors model.
Withstand heat
His coat adapts with the seasons. He should avoid over-exertion during a heat wave.
Withstand cold
He’s pretty tough about handling cold weather.
Tendency to put on weight
This dog will put on weight only if under-exercised.
Being a sighthound, the Magyar Agar is among those breeds who are known to respond badly to anaesthesia.
Origins and history
The Agár probably followed the native Hungarian Magyars to the region around Transylvania and the Carpathians (in today’s Romania) in the 10th century. He remained a common hunting dog throughout the centuries. Indeed, it is suggested that in Socialist times, these dogs roamed the streets, and hunters might pick one up for a job! Over years of working around mountainous areas and travelling with nomads, the Magyar Agar has become a truly long-range, high-stamina hunter.
