We know you want to say, “aa-GAR.” Don’t do it. In Hungarian, the emphasis is on a word’s first syllable, so if you’re going to read the rest of this, know that in your head, you need to be pronouncing the breed’s name as, “AA-gar.”

This is a breed that seems to slip through a lot of cracks. Websites that otherwise do a good job of referencing a country’s breeds seem to forget the Magyar Agár, and if they do mention it, it’s as the Hungarian Greyhound. Not so! The Agar has a longer body, thicker skin, and heavier bones than do Greyhounds. This distinct breed would more properly be referred to as the Hungarian gazehound or sighthound, and it has a history equal to its Puli and Komondor “cousins” since it, too, dates back to the time when Magyarok invaded Hungary and the Great Alföld.

The Agar is a long distance racing hound, and then some. Horseback hunters expected these dogs to accompany them for at least 20 miles, and maybe over 30 miles in a day’s hunt.  Through most of Hungarian history the Magyar Agár was not solely owned by the nobility. Every Hungarian, if he so wished, could own and hunt with an Magyar Agár, though admittedly, nobles’ dogs were larger (read: better fed) than the Farm Agárs owned by peasants.

The Magyar Agár is considered a rare breed, but we predict that it won’t be long before this well kept gem of the canine world is discovered. The breed is acknowledged by the United Kennel Club, FCI, American Rare Breed Association, and International All Breed Canine Association conformation events. The Magyar Agár is also eligible to compete in LGRA and NOTRA amateur racing events and ASFA lure coursing events. To learn more about the breed, visit here, but be aware that this association strongly opposes recognition of the breed by the AKC.