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Hound · Hungary

Magyar Agár

A walker's guide to the Magyar Agár: how much exercise they need, what to expect on and off the lead, and what to ask the owner before the first walk.

Large, 22 to 31 kgActiveHungarian greyhoundSighthoundHardyChase instinct
Exercise a day60 min plus
Energy3 of 5
Walk styleLoping, then flat out
With other dogsEasy with calm dogs

Overview

The Magyar Agár is a sighthound that came to Hungary with the Magyars a thousand years ago and has been coursing hare on the open plains ever since. It is a little heavier and more robust than a Greyhound, with a slightly thicker coat and a reputation for stamina rather than pure speed. Small numbers exist in the UK.

The breed is affectionate and quiet at home, polite with people and generally good with other dogs. The one non-negotiable is the chase. When something runs, the Agár runs after it, and the hunt is over before you have finished calling.

Exercise and walking needs

An hour and a quarter a day across two walks is comfortable for an adult, with a free gallop in a secure area as often as the owner can arrange it. They are more enduring than most sighthounds and enjoy a long, brisk walk as well as a sprint.

The coat offers a bit more protection than a Greyhound's but the dog still feels the cold. A coat in winter is sensible.

Daily minimum75 minutes
Ideal2 walks a day
Off-lead timeEnclosed fields only

On the walk

  • Chase: Hare, rabbit, deer, cat and anything else that bolts. Lead on wherever the dog could reach a road or livestock, and anticipate rather than react.
  • Recall: Fine when nothing is moving, which is the problem. Treat open-country recall as unreliable and use enclosed fields for running.
  • Other dogs: Gentle and well mannered. Good with other sighthounds and most calm breeds; careful with very small dogs that could be mistaken for prey.
  • Lead: Walks beautifully until a lunge. A sighthound harness or martingale collar is the safe option.

Tips for professional walkers

  1. Book a secure field once or twice a week so the dog can sprint properly.
  2. Keep a coat in the van for cold days and check the dog is not shivering.
  3. Walk hedgerows and field edges with a shorter lead and your attention up.
  4. Let the dog cool down and walk off after a hard run before loading it into a vehicle.
Every dog is an individual. Treat this as a starting point and go with what the owner tells you about their dog. Anything to do with health belongs with the owner and their vet.

What to ask the owner

  • Has the dog coursed or raced, and how strong is the prey drive on walks?
  • Is there a secure field you use, and how does the dog behave with other dogs there?
  • Does the dog wear a coat, and does it need one in the British winter?
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