Hungarian Greyhound

Throughout their journey of more than four centuries, the Asian greyhounds that accompanied the Magyars (a people of nomadic riders originating from the Caspian Sea) reproduced with descendants of Celtic Vertragi, Sloughis, and Tazis belonging to the populations they encountered. These dogs pursued and captured game encountered during the search for new pastures for herds. In the 9th century, the settlement of the Magyars on the plains of the Danube (Hungary) fixed the type and gave birth to the current Magyar Agár. In Hungary, two types of morphology are distinguished: a large one guarding herds called "Kutya" and a smaller one named "Agár" like the hunter "the hare catcher". The latter adjusts its speed to that of the coveted prey, after a long period of endurance to exhaust it, then accelerates at the end of the race to catch it. This dog was never reserved for the aristocracy and, on the contrary, was raised as "the farm dog of farmers". In the 19th century, it was crossed with different greyhounds (mainly with Greyhounds) to increase its speed. The two World Wars and the ban on hunting hares at sight, imposed in 1944, nearly caused the breed to disappear. In the 1960s, dog racing came back into fashion. The Hungarians realized that the old type of Magyar Agár was disappearing in favor of a faster type, with more powerful conformation, closer to that of the Greyhound. Not wanting to see their breed become a "Greyhound by-product", they reconstructed it from elements found in isolated farms, and selected according to their hunting and guarding qualities. In 1971, the FCI recognizes the breed, a step that marks a renewed interest in the original type, both in Hungary and elsewhere in Europe. In 1972, 320 Magyar Agárs were counted in Hungary. In 1984, Attila Piszar, a Swiss breeder of Hungarian origin, participated in a race at the Satolas dog race course (Isère) with his three Magyar Agárs. He met Christophe Carrier on this occasion who decided, in June 1986, to acquire "Vera Arpadhazi" and became the first French owner of a Magyar Agár. In 1987, Christophe Carrier created the first French breeding kennel under the affix " De l'hem de mercouar ". From then on, other people decided to undertake the adventure. In 1990, Mr. Touffut imported 3 Magyar Agárs: Lorinci Bator Liderc, Pastortuzvirag Boglar, and Bator. In 1993, the breeding kennel " Du domaine de gerfut " produced its first puppies. In 1993, Marie Morin and William Rabasse imported Videki Vadasz Bectes and, in 1997, they created the kennel " Du chemin des brûmes". In 2001, Monique Delannoy created the affix " Szovaj zapor " in honor of her dog Zapor and had her first litter with Jozan du Domaine de Gerfut and Devaj Zapor (imported in early 1997). In 2001, the kennel De l'Herm de Mercouar produced another litter.

The character of a dog is unique and adapts depending on the education that the owners provide. Thus, this paragraph describes the general character without taking into account training done personally or in a club. The Hungarian Greyhound demonstrates great devotion to its owner and remains faithful to its entourage. It shows distrust toward strangers but without aggression. Of a reserved nature without being shy, it is intelligent through its rapid learning. Brimming with energy, it remains playful even as an adult. It possesses a developed guarding instinct. In sighthound hunting, it is tireless, persevering, and enduring with long-distance runner qualities. This rustic greyhound is therefore much more enduring for running but less fast than the Greyhound. It has a particular interest in water through wading or swimming. The puppy has difficulty tolerating solitude.

The Magyar Agár is an elegant greyhound whose conformation suggests power. It possesses solid bone structure and beautiful musculature. The body length slightly exceeds the height at the withers. The length of the muzzle corresponds to approximately half the length of the head.

The Hungarian Greyhound can live very well in a house but also in an apartment if it is taken out several times a day and has a defined space for itself. Indeed, they are rather considered "couch dogs". This dog is comfortable with children but also with other animal species (cats, dogs, etc.).

Like all greyhounds, the Hungarian Greyhound has fragile food tolerance. Its weight is between 25 and 32 kg.

It is a robust and rustic greyhound that tolerates temperature changes and extreme ones, so there is no need to provide a coat for this breed. It is recommended to regularly "feel" your dog to get it used to being handled (particularly in case of veterinary visits: open the mouth, lift the gums, touch the ears, touch its body to detect possible ticks or wounds under the undercoat, lift the paw to look at the paw pads...). There are no particular health problems noted on this breed and no cases of hip dysplasia.