The Amazing Hungarian Greyhound – A Complete Breed Guide

The Hungarian Greyhound is a gentle, fast, and sweet-natured sighthound originating in Hungary. These large pups are excellent hunters and also make great companions for loving owners.

Although they may be a little reserved around new faces, Hungarian Greyhounds also form strong bonds with their humans and make excellent watchdogs.

These pups are elegant, dignified, intelligent, and easy to train. Whilst they certainly reassemble other Greyhounds, such as the English Greyhound, there are a couple of key differences that potential owners should be aware of.

So, looking to adopt a Hungarian Greyhound into your pack? In this blog, you’ll find out absolutely everything you need to know about these pooches – from exercise needs and appearance to temperament and diet.

Enjoy learning about this excellent coursing dog!

History of The Hungarian Greyhound

The Hungarian Greyhound, also known as the Magyar Agar, is an ancient dog breed dating back thousands of years. Bones of dogs very similar to these have been found along the Carpathian Mountain Range, indicating that these pups accompanied the Magyars when they conquered Hungary.

As is the case with most sighthounds, such as the Greyhound and Whippet, the Hungarian Greyhound’s ancestors likely date back to Egyptian times.

Images of slim, Greyhound-type pups have been found on tombs and temples from this period.

Of course, because they’re such an ancient breed, there’s not exactly a paper trail we can follow to find out their exact origins.

This breed is yet to be recognized by the American Kennel Club, but it was recognized by The United Kennel Club in 2006.

Temperament of the Hungarian Greyhound

These doggos are docile, affectionate, kind, and a little reserved around strangers. They shouldn’t be overly skittish, but it may take them a while to warm up to people they don’t know.

Hungarian Greyhounds form very strong bonds with their family members and are 100% dependable.

Unlike some other Greyhounds, the Hungarian breed is very alert and watchful and makes an excellent guard dog too. They’re not overly aggressive but won’t mind standing their ground is they perceive a threat.

These pups are generally good-natured and like to play with kids and other dogs. As you might imagine from a sighthound breed, they’re excellent racers and excel on the track.

Because they are sighthounds, it’s best to walk them on a leash or let them run around in a fenced-in area (a retractable dog leash can also be a good idea).

They have excellent sight and will easily be distracted by (which means run after) something they think is exciting far away. A GPS collar for dogs is also a good precautionary option for a sighthound.

Do Hungarian Greyhounds Get On Well With Children?

Hungarian Greyhounds are very affectionate dogs and get on well with kids. Like other sighthound breeds, they can be a bit timid and reserved. Early socialization is important and helps them to become confident around new people and loud sounds.

It’s also essential to teach kids how to interact with dogs correctly. They need to understand the difference between play and rough play and where a dog’s boundaries lie.

Does The Magyar Agar Get On Well With Other Animals?

A well-socialized and trained Magyar Agar should get on well with other animals – especially ones they’ve grown up with. They’ll enjoy running around with other dogs and should even ‘tolerate’ cats they’ve spent enough time with.

It’s not, however, recommended that these dogs share a home with smaller animals that they would consider prey. If you’ve got guinea pigs, rodents, or rabbits, it’s best to adopt a different breed.

Can The Hungarian Greyhound Live in an Apartment?

These dogs are very versatile and adapt well to living in an apartment. Although they’re not as bouncy as some breeds, they still need regular exercise and time outdoors.

For pups living in apartments, it’s ever more important that they’re mentally stimulated too. Fun puzzle toys can be an excellent way to challenge their brains and keep them entertained.

Do Hungarian Greyhounds Bark?

These pups are not big barkers. In fact, if you’re after a quiet breed, they’re an ideal choice. They do tend to guard, though, so may use their voice if they think there’s a threat or you need to be made aware of something.

Appearance of the Hungarian Greyhound

The Magyar Agar is a stunning, elegant, and muscular dog that has all the common traits of a sighthound. Their bodies are thin and made for speed – but their legs are also very muscular. They have small, slick heads and long, strong necks.

Their eyes are medium in size and dark in color. They have large ears that should have thick rather than thin leather and which may be raised when the dog is alert.

Coat Color of the Magyar Agar

These wonderful dogs have thick skin that’s covered in a dense, short, and coarse coat that’s also very smooth. If you live in a cold climate, your dog might develop a dense undercoat to keep them warm, which they’ll then shed during the warmer months.

These dogs can be any color except:

• Blue
• Blue and white
• Brown
• Wolf Grey
• Black and tan
• Tri-color

Height and Weight of a Hungarian Greyhound

This breed usually grows between 25-27 inches. They can weigh between 49 and 69 pounds with not much difference between males and females.

Grooming a Hungarian Greyhound

These hardy dogs are easy to groom and won’t take up much of your time. You’ll need to brush them once a week to remove loose hair and to keep their coats looking sleek.

This also helps to spread important oils which can help skin and coat health. A hound mitt or slicker brush can be a good option.

They only need to be bathed when necessary (when they start to smell or if they’ve rolled in something icky). Wiping them down with a wet brush is usually good enough and you could also try one of the best dog dry shampoos.

Like all dogs, it’s also important to keep their nails trimmed (if they don’t wear down naturally) and clean and dry their ears.

Exercising a Magyar Agar

This breed requires at least an hour of exercise every day to keep them mentally and physically healthy. They’ll love long walks, runs, and time in the dog park playing with their canine friends. They also benefit from having a fenced-in yard to play in.

Not only do these dogs need physical exercise to keep them a healthy weight and their muscles strong, but they need mental stimulation too. Soccer balls and other dog toys can be a great source of entertainment and keep them active.

Training a Hungarian Greyhound

These pups are smart and devoted to their owners which means that training is easy too. They respond best to positive reinforcement and won’t react well if scolded.

They need lots of rewards, love, and healthy treats (such as zucchini, shrimp, or cantaloupe) if they’re going to learn quickly.

Thanks to their coursing heritage, they’ll also perform well in course training and it’s a great way to keep them active too!

Health of The Hungarian Greyhound

This breed is usually healthy – especially if they get enough exercise, love, and a healthy diet. Like all pups, however, they can be predisposed to a couple of diseases, so taking your dog to the vet for regular checkups is very important.

These include:

• Entropion
• Hip Dysplasia
• Ectropion
• Epilepsy
• Bloat
• Hypothyroidism

Life Expectancy of a Hungarian Greyhound

These pups usually live between 12-14 years. You must adopt your pooch from a reputable breeder to ensure they’re as healthy as possible.

Diet and Nutrition

Hungarian Greyhounds require 2.5 cups of good-quality, canine-specific food every day. This should always be accompanied by enough exercise and mental stimulation too.

Try to reduce the amount of shop-bought treats you give them, as many can contain added calories and preservatives that your pup doesn’t need.

Fresh dog food could be an excellent option if you want to get more veggies and real meat into their diet. Many of the brands also pre-measure the portions to ensure you’re giving your dog exactly what they need.

Adopting a Hungarian Greyhound Puppy

Hungarian Greyhounds are wonderful house pets and loyal canine friends, but it’s essential you research a breeder well. These dogs are rare outside of Hungary and Europe and you might have to wait a while to find a breeder in America.

When you do, make sure they can provide you with all the necessary health checks and that they’re a credited breeder. Starting with kennel clubs can be a good way of finding a responsible Hungarian Greyhound breeder.

Conclusion – Should You Get a Hungarian Greyhound?

These dogs are sweet, affectionate, mellow, and excellent hunters. They’re also loyal and devoted family pets that don’t bark or shed much.

They need around an hour of exercise per day, plus plenty of toys to keep them stimulated. They’re not a high-energy breed, but they do need outdoor stimulation and to socialize with other people and pups too.

If you adopt a Hungarian Greyhound, you’ll be getting an amazing dog that kids love and that will love you back with its entire heart.