HungaryPurpose & Origin
The Hungarian Greyhound (Magyar Agár) was originally a hunting dog and is still used for that purpose in the breed’s home country.
The Hungarian Greyhound is not only fast, but also has enormous stamina. The breed is the fastest greyhound in the world over long distances, which means that compared to so-called sprinters such as the English Greyhound and the Whippet, this dog can maintain a high speed over a longer distance.
Like other greyhounds, the Hungarian Greyhound is a sight hound that will catch and kill prey on its own.
Today, the Hungarian Greyhound is a versatile hobby dog, with track racing and coursing being the most common sports.
Hungarian Greyhounds are also used for agility, obedience trials, blood tracking and buddy dog activities, making the breed suitable for a wide range of activities due to its greater willingness to cooperate and please than other greyhound breeds. However, it is not a service dog by any means.
Temperament & Behaviour
The Hungarian Greyhound has a lively, energetic and balanced temperament.
It is a guarding greyhound breed and can defend its owner and property by barking vigorously.
It is very loyal to its family and pack and has a strong attachment to its owner and other family members – a characteristic of the breed is its love of children. It also gets on very well with other dogs in the pack, and it is therefore recommended that the Hungarian Greyhound should have dog friends in the home, preferably other greyhounds.
At home, the Hungarian Greyhound is calm and comfortable, but will become agitated instantly at the sight of game. However, socialising with smaller dogs and other pets such as cats is possible.
Health
The Hungarian Greyhound is a structurally healthy breed.
However, as a large and very fast dog, it is prone to various accidents, cuts and bruises, which can easily occur when the dog is running free.
It is therefore a good idea to train the dog from puppyhood to move on uneven and variable terrain so that it learns to regulate its pace to suit the terrain and develops good co-ordination and agility.
Some autoimmune diseases have occurred in the breed. Epilepsy and eye diseases have also occurred in individual dogs.
Grooming
The coat of the Hungarian Greyhound is very easy to care for and does not require regular grooming. It has a short, coarse and dense coat, and in winter it can also grow an undercoat.
What Type Of Person Is Hungarian Greyhound Suitable For?
It is very important for greyhounds to be able to run free on a regular basis, and this also applies to the Hungarian Greyhound.
Running in small dog parks in city centres may not be enough to satisfy the Hungarian’s exercise needs. Finding safe running environments can therefore be a challenge, something to consider before getting a large greyhound, as the dog can go very far in a very short time.
Otherwise, living conditions are not so important, and Hungarian Greyhounds can live in flats and terraced houses without any problems.
The need for exercise also depends on what you intend to do with your dog. If you want a dog that competes in running sports, the best way to build up good basic fitness and coordination is to let your dog run on as varied a terrain as possible several times a week.
This breed is therefore easy that it can cope with the occasional illness, busyness or other exhaustion of its owner, as the runs do not necessarily have to last for hours at a time. When let loose in a secure area, the Hungarian Greyhound can run itself happy in half an hour.
However, you should always warm up and cool down the dog before and after a run to prevent problems with muscles.
The Hungarian Greyhound is reasonably easy to train, but does not have the same desire to please as a herding or working dog.
The Hungarian Greyhound’s prey drive is usually very strong, which is useful for hobbies, but can present challenges in everyday life.
For those looking for a versatile hobby greyhound, the Hungarian Greyhound is an excellent choice as the breed is not divided into separate show and running lines. The same dog can therefore do well in both shows and races.
