Magyar Agár
Temperament:
This breed, which is quite easy to train for a sighthound, is suitable for families as well as for single owners who are keen on sports. The Magyar Agár likes to live out his hunting instinct. He is very social with other members of his breed as well as with other dogs. Therefore, he is well suited to be kept together with other dogs.
Characteristics
The Magyar Agár has short, dense fur that is close fitting. A noticeable feature of his hair is that it is somewhat rougher than that of other sighthounds. He has a medium sized, rather thick rose ear, which touches his neck.
For a greyhound, the Magyar Agár is strongly built with a broad head and muzzle. The stop is clearly pronounced. His paws are large and strong and his back straight. The eyes appear lively and intelligent.
This intelligent and lively breed is rather quiet at home. On walks, however, he can get revved up and also likes to run longer distances. The Magyar Agár is very fond of children and gets along very well with other dogs, which makes him a great family dog. However, he would also like to be physically exercised, which would make an athletically active owner an advantage.
As a hunting dog, he is used to making independent decisions. Therefore, it is important that a consistent education takes place. It is noticeable with the Magyar Agár that females are somewhat easier to train than males. However, both have in common that they bond closely to their owner.
Thanks to his strong physique, he is not only a fast runner, but also enduring and tough. With its large paws, it finds good footing even in more difficult terrain.
Coat care:
Shedding:
Energy level:
Trainability:
Children suitable:
The right food
The coat of the Hungarian Greyhound does not need much care. Simple brushing is quite sufficient. However, since the animals have a very dense winter coat, you should reach for the brush more often during the coat change, so that the thick undercoat comes off more easily.
As with all dogs, the eyes and ears of the Magyar Agár should be checked regularly. This breed is prone to an eye disease in which the retina gradually dies, eventually leading to blindness. Progressive retinal atrophy is the name of this disease and it is not curable. Cataracts are also common in Hungarian Greyhounds.
You should also pay attention to sufficient dental care. In addition to a dog toothbrush and special toothpaste from the vet, chewing bones also help to prevent tartar and other dental problems caused by impurities.
An occasional look at the animal's paws and claws is also helpful. With active runners, a claw can tear or cuts can occur on the pads.
Magyar Agár care
Depending on how the Magyar Agár is managed, whether as a hunting dog, dog for dog racing or as a companion dog with normal physical stress, he must be fed differently. No matter whether you work with him a lot or he only romps on a meadow, you should always pay attention to the high quality of the food. A lot of meat and little grain is best. Whether you feed wet or dry food is up to you.
Suitable accessories
For owners who do not want to hunt with the Magyar Agár or send him on races, it is possible to lead him on the bicycle. This way, the animal can be sufficiently exercised. Of course, a tear-proof leash and a secure harness should not be missing. The independent hunter could otherwise run away from you when he sees a hare or other hunting prey. It is best to challenge this breed physically in some way, be it with cycling, hunting, racing or other dog sports such as agility.
To let the Magyar Agár run free, fenced meadows are suitable, so that he does not run the risk of falling into his hunting instinct. You can also meet with other dog owners to play together. The social animals will thank you.
Origin & History
The history of the Magyar Agár begins in the 9th century. It is believed that they were brought to the Carpathian Basin by the Magyars. Thus, the breed originated in Hungary. The Magyars were a nomadic equestrian people. Therefore, the Magyar Agár was used a lot as a riding companion or for hunting on horseback. Even today he is used as a hunting dog for driving hunts. It is suitable not only for hunting hares and foxes, but also roe deer and stags. He can also be seen at dog races, but the Magyar Agár is also popular as a simple companion dog.
In 1966, the breed was recognized by the FCI. Before that, other breeds were crossed again and again, mainly to increase its speed.
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