Magyar Agár

Temperament:

Easy to lead, Faithful, Alert
Size: Large
Height: 62-70 cm
Weight: 20-30 kg
Lifespan: 12-14 years
Coat: Shorthair
Colors: Brown, White, Grey, Beige
FCI Group: Sighthounds

This breed, which is relatively easy to train for a sighthound, is suitable for families as well as for single owners who are keen on sports. The Magyar Agár - also known as the Hungarian Greyhound - likes to live out its hunting instinct. It behaves very socially towards other members of its breed as well as other dogs of the same species. It is therefore well suited to being kept with other dogs.

Magyar Agár
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Characteristics

The coat of the Magyar Agár is short, dense and close-fitting. It is noticeable that its coat is somewhat rougher than that of other sighthounds. It has a medium-sized, rather thick rose ear that touches the neck. According to the FCI, ears that are always carried erect are faulty.

For a sighthound, the Magyar Agár is strongly built, with a broad head and muzzle. The stop is clearly pronounced. The paws are large and strong, the back is straight. The eyes are lively and intelligent.

This intelligent and lively breed is rather quiet at home. However, it can become very lively on walks and enjoys covering longer distances. The Magyar Agár is very fond of children and gets on well with other dogs, making it a great family dog. However, he also likes to be kept physically active, which is why an athletic owner would be an advantage.

As a hunting dog, he is used to making decisions independently. Consistent training is therefore important. It is noticeable with the Magyar Agár that females are somewhat easier to train than males. What they all have in common, however, is their close bond with their owner.

Thanks to its strong build, it is not only a fast runner, but also enduring and tough. With its large paws, it also finds a good foothold in difficult terrain.

Coat care:

Little
Medium
Intensive

Shedding:

Little
Medium
Intensive

Energy level:

Little
Medium
High

Trainability:

Little
Medium
Good

Children suitable:

Less
With supervision
Perfect

The right food

When choosing food, make sure that it contains high-quality ingredients, is balanced and meets your dog's requirements. Age, size or weight, activity and health status play an important role. You should follow the manufacturer's recommendations for the amount of food.

Treats should only be fed in moderation and deducted from the basic diet to avoid obesity.

Puppies can be fed 4-6 times a day. The number of meals should be gradually reduced to 2 per day until the dog is fully grown. A rest period should be observed after meals.

Fresh drinking water should be available at all times.

Health & Care

The coat of the Magyar Agár does not require any special care. Simple brushing is completely sufficient. However, as the animals have a very thick winter coat, you should brush them more often during the change of coat so that the thick undercoat comes off more easily.

As with all dogs, the Magyar Agár's eyes and ears should be checked regularly. This breed is susceptible to an eye disease in which the retina gradually dies, eventually leading to blindness. The disease is called progressive retinal atrophy and cannot be cured. Cataracts also occur frequently in Hungarian Greyhounds.

Sufficient dental care should also be ensured. In addition to a dog toothbrush and special dog toothpaste, chewing bones also help to prevent tartar and other dental problems caused by impurities.

An occasional look at the paws and claws is also helpful. With active runners, it can happen that a claw tears or the pads become injured. If the claws do not wear off by themselves, they must be trimmed regularly.

Suitable accessories

For owners who do not want to hunt or run with their Magyar Agár, cycling or dog sports such as agility are ideal. This is a great way to keep the agile animal sufficiently occupied.

As these dogs have a strong hunting instinct, an impulse control course would be particularly helpful.

Your dog will need a collar or harness with a tear-proof lead, a dog basket or dog mat as a retreat, water and food bowl, tick tweezers, claw clippers, mild dog shampoo, brush and comb, toothbrush and toothpaste for dogs, transport box for transportation in the car and a first aid kit. It is best to ask your vet what belongs in the first aid kit.

Magyar Agár history

Origin & History

The history of the Magyar Agár begins in the 9th century. It is assumed that it was brought to the Carpathian Basin by the Magyars. The origin of the breed therefore lies in Hungary.

The Magyars were a nomadic equestrian people. Therefore, the Magyar Agár was often used as a riding companion or for hunting on horseback. Even today, it is still used as a hunting dog for driven hunts. It is not only suitable for hunting hares and foxes, but also deer and stags. They can also be seen at dog races, but the Magyar Agár is also popular as a simple companion dog.

The breed was recognized by the FCI in 1966. Prior to this, other breeds were repeatedly crossed in, mainly to increase speed.