At a glance the quick version
Coat and looks how to spot one
short, dense, smooth, with winter undercoat
A strongly built, elegant sighthound with sturdier bone and muscle than a Greyhound and a body a little longer than it is tall. The short, close, rather coarse coat grows a thicker undercoat in the cold months.12
Personality what they are like
Calm and affectionate with its family, a little reserved with strangers, and quick to learn. It has a stronger watchdog streak than most sighthounds, yet it is protective without being aggressive, and it usually gets along with children and other dogs when well socialised.12
Daily activity how busy a day looks
A true endurance runner that needs daily walks plus regular chances to gallop in a safely fenced area; lure coursing and long-distance racing suit it well.12
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Low-maintenance, wash-and-wear coat; a weekly rub with a grooming mitt is usually enough, with a little more attention when the winter undercoat sheds.2
Home where they are happiest
Best in a home with access to secure open space for running; the thicker winter coat makes it more comfortable in cool climates than many short-coated sighthounds.2
Food basics what goes in the bowl
A quality complete diet suited to a large, lean, athletic dog, portioned to keep it in fit running condition.1
Company who they like around
Bonds closely with its household and enjoys company, including other dogs when introduced early.2
The story where it all began
The agár is thought to have travelled with the Magyar tribes into the Carpathian Basin around the 10th century, and archaeological finds support its long presence in Hungary. For centuries it ran beside mounted hunters after hare and deer, and in the 19th century some breeders added Greyhound blood to increase speed.12
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
Hunters expected these dogs to keep pace with riders for roughly 30 to 50 km in a single day.2
- 2
It is not as quick as a Greyhound over a short sprint, but it has more staying power over long distances.2
- 3
Calling it the 'Hungarian Greyhound' is technically a misnomer; 'Hungarian sighthound' is the more accurate English name.2
- 4
A smaller type kept by farmers, known as the Farm Agár or hare catcher, has since disappeared.2
Recognised by the official bits
- FCI
- Standard no. 240, Group 10 Sighthounds, Section 3 Short-haired Sighthounds. Definitive acceptance 29.03.1963; current standard dated 06.04.2000; no working trial.3
- UKC / ARBA
- Eligible to compete with the United Kennel Club and the American Rare Breed Association, and at North American coursing events.2
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Magyar Agár. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- Brushingevery week
- Bathevery 8 weeks
- Nail trimSooner if you hear clicking on the floorevery month
- Ear checkFloppy ears trap moisture, so check and dry themevery week
- Teeth brushingDaily brushing is idealevery 2 days
- ExerciseDaily walks and playevery day
- Flea, tick and worm protectionSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
- Vet check-upSenior years usually start around age 7every year
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.
- FCI Standard No. 240 Magyar Agár fci.beused for origin, classification, size, coat, colours, temperament, history
- Wikipedia: Magyar agár en.wikipedia.orgused for other names, weight, lifespan, history, fun facts
- FCI nomenclature: Magyar Agar (240) fci.beused for recognition dates
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.