Hungarian Greyhound
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| Other names | Hungarian greyhound, Hungarian agar |
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| Origin |
Hungary; Transylvania (part of Romania) |
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| Domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Traits | |||
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| Height | Male | 65–70 cm | |
| Female | 62–67 cm. | ||
| Coat | smooth, dense | ||
| Color | Any, except for black and tan, blue and tricolor | ||
| Litter size | 6–10 pups | ||
| Life span | 12–14 years | ||
| Classification / standards | |||
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| FCI | Group 10, Section 3 Short-haired Sighthounds #240 | standard | |
| UKC | Sighthound & Pariah | standard | |
The Magyar agár (MA) is a dog breed. It is a type of sighthound originating in Hungary and lands that previously belonged to Austro - Hungarian Empire (such as Transylvania). It is used for hunting and coursing, and is also kept as a companion.
Although the Magyar agár is also called the 'Hungarian greyhound' this is a misnomer. The Magyar Agár is a distinct breed with its own breed designation and unique characteristics. A more proper alternative name would be Hungarian gazehound or Hungarian sighthound.
The Magyar agár is a sighthound of elegant yet rugged stature. While they bear some resemblance to Greyhounds, there are a number of significant differences in conformation between the two breeds. Magyar agárs are longer in body than they are tall, and have a heavier bone structure than Greyhounds. Their heads are more wedge-shaped, with substantial jaw muscles and shorter snouts, giving them a less refined appearance than most Greyhounds. They also have much thicker skin with a short, dense and smooth coat that is slightly longer during winter months. As such, they are very hardy dogs and can tolerate lower temperatures better than some of the other short-coated sighthounds. They have rose-shaped ears that are raised about half way and oval-shaped eyes with a bright and gentle looking expression. They weigh between 49 pounds (22 kg) and 68 pounds (31 kg) with a height between 25 inches (64 cm) and 27 inches (69 cm) at the shoulders. They come in a variety of colors. The amount of "greyhoundness" in the MA is the point of controversy among European breeders and enthusiasts. This issue revolves around the fact that greyhounds were bred with MAs in the 19th century and early 20th century. Some prefer an "old fashioned" variation of the MA with its robust frame and musculature, while some prefer a more "greyhound-like" dog with a lighter frame and more speed.
The sturdy frame of the Magyar agár makes it ideal for coursing game over a rugged terrain. Given their conformation, Magyar agár are not as fast as Greyhounds on short sprints, but possess greater endurance and stamina, making them much more suited to running longer distances for longer periods of time. In the old days, these dogs would have been expected to trail alongside their masters on horseback.
The Magyar agár has an average life span of 12–14 years.
This breed is affectionate and docile. They are unlikely to bite or be snippy with people, although they have a much stronger guarding instinct than some other sighthound breeds. They are usually well behaved around children and also with other dogs. They are somewhat reserved but should not be overly shy. They are intelligent, easy to train and faithful. As with all dogs, early socialization is a must.
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Wikipedia