Hungarian Greyhound

Hound Group Large (50-100 lbs)
Height 25-28"
Weight 49-68 lbs
Lifespan 12-14 years
Price $800-$2,000

About the Hungarian Greyhound

The Magyar Agar is a running hound built on heavier bone than the English Greyhound, and the difference shows in how it lives. Bred to cover long distances across Hungarian plains alongside horsemen, it values stamina over a single sprint and wants real mileage rather than a quick blast. Indoors, though, most are calm, undemanding and inclined to occupy the warmest available surface for hours. Temperament runs affectionate with family, level-headed, and typically more outgoing toward strangers than many sighthounds, although a degree of reserve is normal. Prey drive is serious: cats, rabbits and small fast dogs are at risk, and free running belongs in fenced fields. Recall is honest work and never fully reliable at distance. Training suits a gentle, motivating approach, since these dogs are sensitive to shouting and will simply disengage. Grooming barely registers, needing a short coat wiped with a rubber mitt weekly plus attention to nails and teeth. Thin skin tears easily on wire and brambles, worth remembering on countryside walks. They feel the cold, need bedding with real padding for bony joints, and often appreciate a coat in winter. Barking is minimal and these are quiet housemates. Alone time is usually handled well once adult, provided exercise has happened first. Ideal owners have space, transport to safe running ground and no small pets. The distinctive trait is durability, a sighthound that trots for miles rather than only sprinting.

Temperament

Affectionate Great with Kids Dog-Friendly Playful Highly Intelligent
Affection Level
Good with Children
Good with Other Dogs
Playfulness
Protectiveness
Trainability
Energy Level
Barking Level
Intelligence
Adaptability

Physical Characteristics

Size Category Large (50-100 lbs)
Height 25-28"
Weight 49-68 lbs
Coat Type Smooth
Coat Length Short
Colors
Hypoallergenic No

Care Requirements

Exercise Needs

High (60-90 min/day)

60 minutes per day recommended

Grooming

Moderate - Weekly

Shedding:

Mental Stimulation

Moderate mental stimulation needed

Drooling

Living Conditions

Apartment Friendly
Good for First-Time Owners
Tolerates Being Alone
Cold Weather Tolerance
Hot Weather Tolerance

Cost of Ownership

Purchase Price $800-$2,000
Annual Cost $1,200/year

Costs vary based on location, breeder, and individual needs. Annual costs include food, veterinary care, grooming, and supplies.

Health Considerations

Like all breeds, Hungarian Greyhounds may be prone to certain health conditions:

Regular veterinary check-ups and proper care can help prevent or manage many health issues.

Best For

  • Families with Children
  • Active Owners

May Not Be Ideal For

  • Sedentary Lifestyles

Guides for your Hungarian Greyhound

The story behind the Hungarian Greyhound

The Magyar Agar is associated with the Carpathian Basin, where sighthounds are believed to have accompanied Magyar peoples arriving in the region around the ninth century. For centuries it coursed hare and fox across open Hungarian country, often worked alongside mounted hunters, which favoured endurance and sound feet over pure speed. Nineteenth-century enthusiasm for English Greyhounds brought crossbreeding that lightened some lines, and later Hungarian breeders worked to restore the sturdier native type. Political disruption and the decline of coursing during the twentieth century reduced numbers severely, and the population was rebuilt from rural dogs gathered by dedicated enthusiasts. The FCI recognises the breed today. It remains scarce outside Hungary and neighbouring countries, kept mainly by lure-coursing and racing enthusiasts and by a small number of pet homes.

Originally bred for: Hare coursing, Mounted hunting, Racing. You can trace how working roles shaped today’s breeds across our dog guides.

Feeding a Hungarian Greyhound

Lean sighthound bodies carry little reserve, so feed a digestible, energy-dense diet split into two meals and increase during heavy coursing seasons. Keep meals separated from hard exercise, and judge condition by a visible waist with ribs lightly covered rather than hidden.

Watch for: Nothing distinctive is documented for the breed. Sighthounds as a group often have modest appetites and dislike abrupt diet swaps or very fatty meals. Introduce new foods slowly across a week, and involve a vet if weight or stool quality shifts.

Not sure what to put in the bowl? See our picks for the best dog food for large breeds.

Mealtime extras: training treats worth keeping in your pocket, and a slow feeder bowl if your dog inhales dinner. Everything else lives in our dog nutrition and feeding hub.

Living with a Hungarian Greyhound

Day to day, the basics matter most: how much exercise your dog needs, how often to get out for a walk, and how much sleep is normal.

For play and enrichment, browse chew toys built for strong jaws and interactive toys for rainy days.

Gear that fits the breed makes life easier: a well-sized dog bed, a properly sized crate.

Raising a puppy? Work through crate training and the teething timeline — or see how old your dog is in human years with our dog age calculator.

Compare Hungarian Greyhound with Other Breeds

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