PHOTOS: Most beloved Hungarian dog breeds
Hungary is home to several kinds of dogs. From small to large, energetic to lazy, short-haired to fluffy, the palette is very colourful. While many of them differ in characteristics, they are all still adorable and lovable regardless. Here at Daily News Hungary, we have made a list of the most well-known domestic dog breeds, and what’s important to know about them.
Komondor
The komondor is a large, powerful and dignified breed of dog known for its unique corded coat. It is one of the oldest and most renowned Hungarian dog breeds.
Komondors are known for their loyalty, independence and protective nature. They are calm, confident,and highly devoted to their families. Due to their strong guarding instincts, they are excellent watchdogs and make formidable protectors
Komondors require regular exercise and mental stimulation. Daily walks, play sessions and opportunities to run in a secure area are essential to keep them physically and mentally satisfied.
The Komondor is generally a healthy breed with a lifespan of about 10 to 12 years.
Hungarian vizsla
The Hungarian vizsla is a versatile and athletic dog breed known for its hunting prowess, gentle nature and striking appearance.
They are affectionate, gentle and highly devoted to their families. They thrive on human companionship and have a friendly and outgoing nature.
Vizslas have a long history as hunting dogs in Hungary. They were originally bred to be versatile hunting companions capable of pointing, retrieving and tracking game. They have a keen sense of smell, excellent stamina and a natural instinct for locating and flushing out game birds.
Furthermore, they are highly intelligent and eager to please, making them relatively easy to train. They have a lot of energy to burn and thrive in homes where they have ample opportunities for physical activities such as jogging, running or playing fetch.
Vizslas are a healthy breed with a lifespan of around 10 to 14 years.
Hungarian Hound
The Hungarian Hound, also known as the Magyar Agár or Hungarian Greyhound, is a sighthound breed that originated in Hungary. They have exceptional speed, agility and keen hunting abilities.
Hungarian Hounds are known for their independent, intelligent, and determined nature. Furthermore, they are highly driven hunters with a strong prey drive. Providing them with ample opportunities for physical activities, such as regular off-leash running in a secure area or participating in dog sports like lure coursing or agility, is important to keep them physically and mentally satisfied.
Hungarian Hounds can form strong bonds with their families and are often loyal and affectionate. While they are primarily hunting dogs, they can adapt to family life and enjoy being part of the household.
They are generally a healthy breed with no known breed-specific major health issues.
Mudi
The Mudi is a versatile herding breed originating from Hungary. It is a medium-sized dog characterised by its intelligence, agility, and devotion to its family.
Mudis are known for their versatility and strong work ethic. They are alert, active and highly trainable. They form close bonds with their family and are devoted and protective. You can read more about the breed here.
Mudis were developed as herding dogs, primarily used for livestock management. They are not only skillful herders but also excel in various dog sports and activities, making them successful competitors in sports like agility, obedience and flyball.
While Mudis have a strong herding background, they can adapt well to family life when given appropriate mental and physical outlets. They are loyal and affectionate with their families and can get along well with children and other pets.
They benefit from activities that challenge their intelligence and physical abilities. Long walks, jogging, interactive play sessions and training exercises will help keep them physically fit and mentally engaged.
Mudis are generally a healthy breed without any breed-specific major health issues.
Puli
The Puli is a distinctive and ancient herding breed known for its unique corded coat and lively personality.
Pulis are intelligent, energetic and highly adaptable dogs. They have a lively and playful nature. Despite their small size, they have a strong herding drive and may try to herd children, other pets or even their owners.
Pulis were originally bred for herding and protecting livestock, particularly sheep. Their corded coat not only provides insulation but also protects them from bites during herding. They have excellent agility, speed and problem-solving abilities.
Pulis can make great family pets and form strong bonds with their owners. They are typically good with children and can get along well with other pets.
The corded coat of a Puli requires regular maintenance to keep it clean and healthy. The cords need to be separated regularly to prevent matting, and bathing and drying can be time-consuming due to the dense coat.
Pulis are generally a healthy breed with a lifespan of around 10 to 15 years.
Do you know any other popular Hungarian dog breeds that we should have mentioned? What is your favourite? Let us know in the comments!
All cute… but have to admit that Hungarian Vizsla is the most adorable. Taking care of the fur of some of those other breeds would a major task to keep it as nice as in the pics.
One thing that I worry about is that all these breeds need a lot of activity and exercise. In the town I live, I can see these dog breeds living in gated yards in almost every house guarding the house, but very rarely I see them walking/running with their owners outside their yards. I know this since I take our dog to walks regularly but hardly ever encounter other dogs with their owners on the streets and parks.
Don´t forget to take your guardian dogs for outside walk too even if they have big yard to run about. These dogs love to discover the surroundings and to go about walking and running with their owners.
I’m really missing the pumi, the Hungarian kopó and the sinka as well…
Yes, really, they’re all beautiful, and my fave is also the Vizsla, and one of those in the pic must surely be yours @Erika (I mean your partner’s).
Kuvasz, drótszőrű magyar vizsla, sinka, mudi, erdélyi kopó 🙂
We love them all 🙂
As a long time Kuvasz owner, (more than one at the same time) I am very surprised that the Kuvasz is not mentioned in this article.
It is one of the oldest dog breeds in Hungary. Sadly, it has a bad name by many Hungarians because of horror stories from the past. The Kuvasz is a special, very intelligent breed who will protect its owner and family no matter what. The Kuvasz became rare, especially pure-breds.