Physical Characteristics

Breed Group:

Hound

Weight:

The Pharaoh Hound’s weight ranges from 18-27 kg (or 40-60 lbs).

Height:

Typically, they stand from 50-60 cm (or 21-25 inches).

Color(s):

They are always red in colour although they can be varying shades of red.

Coat:

They have a smooth, short coat with a silky or hard texture.

Overview

Character:

They are active, intelligent and playful. Usually, they are highly trainable. It socializes well with people and other dogs but may be anxious of strangers. As goes with more intelligent dogs, they have an independent side which elicits a certain amount of stubbornness. It has a strong hunting instinct, like most hounds, and might be aggressive with small pets like cats, birds, and rodents.

Country of Origin:

Malta

History:

The first appearance of the Pharaoh Hound in Britain was in the early 1920s but breeding did not follow. In the 1960s, the Pharaoh Hound was again brought to Britain, but this time bred. This breed was first recognized by the British Kennel Club in the mind 1970s.

Named because of their resemblance to paintings of dogs on Egyptian pyramids and ruins, they were thought to be among the oldest breeds still in existence. However, DNA comparisons show that the Pharaoh Hound did not actually originate in Egypt but is descendant of European hunting dogs.

Name:

Because they have a strong resemblance to the dogs carved or painted on Egyptian ruins, they were named the Pharaoh Hound.

Temperament:

Although active, they are usually well mannered dogs. They are intelligent and easily trained but may not be as obedient without training. They have a very strong hunting drive so should not be let off a leash unless they are in a secure area. It is very difficult to train them not to follow their hunting instincts. They tend to be sensitive and quietly affectionate. In addition, they are usually a very vocal breed making them a good watchdog. They are rarely aggressive with people.

Care

Training:

Training for Pharaoh Hounds needs to be gentle and positively focused. They do not respond well to punishment. In addition, as they are quite intelligent they tire of repetitive training so whatever regime is undertaken, it must maintain the interest of the dog.

Activity:

As they are one of the more active breeds, they need a lot of exercise. One daily walk will not be sufficient. They are excellent jumpers so fences meant to contain them must be at least 2 meters high. They are well suited to agility competitions as well as lure coursing.

Ownership:

Although not overtly affectionate, they make good pets. They are not well suited to cold climates as they have little body fat and short hair. In addition, they have sensitive skin so care must be taken when selecting shampoo; some breeders recommend a gentle dog shampoo or even baby shampoo. They are clean and shed very little.

Breeders

List of dog breeds