Pharaoh Hound Breed | Pharaoh Hound Dog Breed Introduction
Pharaoh Hound is a medium-sized hunting dog that originated in Egypt more than 2500 years ago. For this reason, some call them Pharaoh hound Egyptian dogs or Egyptian Pharaoh hounds. Phoenicians spread these dogs along the Mediterranean while they were sailing. The sailors first brought the dogs to Malta where they were used to hunt rabbits. Pharaoh Hounds have been the national dog of Malta since 1979.
These dogs are also known for their distinctive trait of blushing when happy or excited where the nose and the ears become bright pink. The blushing is due to lack of any black pigment in the skin of the breed. Pharaoh Hounds may have a fawn or chestnut coat with white markings on the tail tip, chest, toes, and slim white snip on center line of face.
This breed requires a fenced yard of 6 ft (1.83 m) above the ground to discourage jumping or climbing over. Electronic fencing will not stop Pharaoh Hounds from chasing something that is interesting. Parents should scoop the poop right away since Pharaoh Hounds have a repetition of stool eating (Coprophagia).
Pharaoh Hound Egypt | History | Origin
The Pharaoh Hounds were developed in Ancient Egypt. They have been depicted in an artifact dating back to 4000 BC. Dogs with similar appearance to the Pharaoh Hounds were often illustrated as the companions of nobles and kings in the ancient Egyptian Art. The 19th Egyptian dynasty mentioned a red long-tailed dog whose face glows like a god through a letter making reference to the blushing trait of the breed.
It is believed the Pharaoh Hounds were imported to Malta by Phoenician Traders 2500 years ago while they were sailing the Mediterranean. In Malta, these dogs were taught on how to hunt rabbits. They were also known as Kelb tal-Fenek meaning dog of the rabbit. The first litter of Pharaoh Hounds was born in the United Kingdom in 1963 after a British Official stationed in Malta brought the breed back with him. In the United States, the first litter of Pharaoh Hounds was whelped in 1970. The Pharaoh Hounds have been AKC recognized since 1983.
Pharaoh Hound Lifespan
The Pharaoh Hounds have a lifespan of 11 to 14 years.
Pharaoh Hound Grooming
The Pharaoh Hounds have a short and glossy coat that requires weekly brushing to remove dirt, loose hair, and keep the coat glistening. This breed lacks a typical dog odor hence need an occasional bath when they get dirty from an outdoor activity or roll in something stinky. Use a canine shampoo and conditioner to bath and moisturize the coat.
Following a bath, thoroughly rinse off the shampoo residue from the coat to prevent skin irritation. Trim the nails of Pharaoh Hounds every 2 to 4 weeks using grinders or clippers to prevent overgrowth, cracking, and splitting. The nails need clipping if they produce a clicking sound against the floor when the dog is walking.
Brush the teeth of Pharaoh Hounds at least twice a week if not daily using a dog formulated toothpaste and finger toothbrush. Schedule professional teeth cleaning once a year. Clean the ears once a week using an ear cleanser solution and cotton balls.
Pharaoh Hound Shedding
The Pharaoh Hounds shed at low to moderate levels through the year. However, weekly brushings helps to keep shedding to a minimum.
Pharaoh Hound Hypoallergenic
The Pharaoh Hounds are not hypoallergenic dogs. They have a moulting coat that sheds all-year round at low to moderate levels. Shedding allows dander and fur to spread around the house triggering allergies. Not only does dander and fur aggravate allergies but also dog’s saliva, urine, and mucus.
Pharaoh Hound Training
The Pharaoh Hounds are eager to please and quick to learn hence trainable. They should be socialized from an early age so that they are calm in new environments and situations. To socialize a Pharaoh Hound, expose it to a wide variety of people, places, animals, surfaces, experiences, situations, sight, smell, and sounds such as sirens, vacuum cleaners, lawn mowers, door bells, baby crying sounds, washing machines, and whistles.
Enrolling Pharaoh Hounds in a puppy class will also serve as a form of socialization. Keep the training sessions fun, short, and challenging for a period of 5 minutes distributed throughout the day. Use treats, interactive toys, playtime, petting, and verbal praise to encourage good habits. Harsh correction methods like yelling makes training counterproductive.
Effectively housebreak Pharaoh Hounds by creating a feeding schedule, potty training, and crate training. Teach basic commands words like come, stay, wait, etc. immediately the dog joins your home. Although, a recall command is not reliable to a Pharaoh Hound that is an open unsecured area. They will run off ignoring all the commands. Therefore, this dog should not be off-lead in unsecured area. If left alone in the yard, the fence should be 6ft tall and opaque.
Pharaoh Hound Temperament | Personality | Traits | Characteristics
- Playful.
- Affectionate.
- Friendly.
- Active.
- Alert.
- Intelligent.
- Cheerful.
- Sweet.
- Graceful.
- Eager to please.
- High-prey drive.
Pharaoh Hound Exercise Requirements
The Pharaoh Hounds are active and energetic dogs that require regular exercise schedule for physical and mental stimulation. If you pet is a self-runner, let him run for about 20 minutes twice a day in a secured yard of 6ft high. However, if your Pharaoh Hound is not a natural runner twice a 20-minute walk a day is a must. Due to the high-prey drive these dogs should go for walks while on a leash. They should never exercise off-lead in an unsecured area.
Pharaoh Hound Barking
The Pharaoh Hounds are alert dogs that will bark to notify the owner of anything or anyone they deem suspicious. Furthermore, they are prone to excessive barking if they are left alone for long hours.
Pharaoh Hound Height
Female Pharaoh Hounds have a height of 21 to 24 inches ( approx. 53 to 61 cm ) while their male counterparts have a height of 23 to 25 inches ( approx. 58 to 64 cm).
Pharaoh Hound Weight
Mature Pharaoh Hounds have a weight of 45 to 55 pounds ( approx. 20 to 25 kg ).
Pharaoh Hound Size
Pharaoh Hounds are medium-sized dogs with a height of 21 to 25 inches ( approx. 53 to 64 cm ) and a weight of 45 to 55 pounds ( approx. 20 to 25 kg ).
Pharaoh Hound Miniature
There are no size varieties for Pharaoh Hounds i.e. toy, miniature, or standard. These dogs are medium-sized hunting hounds.
Pharaoh Hound Health Issues
The breeders of Pharaoh Hounds generally screen the sire and dam for eye disorders, patella luxation, and elbow dysplasia. However, this breed may suffer from certain health issues including mammary cancer, hemangiosarcoma, anesthesia sensitivity, mast cell tumor, and allergies.
Other dog breeds include:
Pharaoh Hound Names
A Pharaoh Hound parent may find a name for the pet before the dog leaves the shelter or days after the dog joins them home to understand better the heritage of the breed. Owners may find name inspirations from the Egyptian heritage of the breed, coat color, celebrity Pharaoh Hounds, movies, food, books, nature, and historical figures.
Regardless of the name you choose, ensure it will not be a source of embarrassment to you if uttered out loud. Avoid giving your pet name that rhymes with the command words, that is too tedious, or similar to any other family member or guest who frequent your house. Some of the names that Pharaoh Hounds parents give to their dogs include:
- Winston.
- Chaos.
- Sasha.
- Missy.
- Tank.
- Hannah.
- Wookie.
- Ginger.
- Reba.
- Chunky.
- Bella.
- Leah.
Pharaoh Hound Speed
The Pharaoh Hounds run for a speed of 35 miles per hour ( approx. 56 km/hr ).
Pharaoh Hound Colors | White
The Pharaoh Hounds may have a tan/chestnut or tan/rich coat with white markings on the chest, tail tip, toes, slim white snip on center line of face permissible. However, the white markings are not allowed on any part of the back, shoulder, or back of the neck.
Pharaoh Hound Black | Black Anubis Pharaoh Hound
The Pharaoh Hounds may either have a tan or chest nut coat. There are pure bred Pharaoh Hounds with a black coat color. Although, Anubis, the Egyptian god of death is either depicted as a black dog that resemble the Pharaoh Hounds with long legs, pointed ears, and slim body.
Pharaoh Hound Ears
The Pharaoh Hounds have medium-length ears that are carried erect when the dog is alert.
Pharaoh Hound Blushing
A Pharaoh Hound is popular for its distinctive blushing trait when it is happy or excited with the nose and ears turning bright pink.
Pharaoh Hound Price | Cost
The Pharaoh Hound is one of the expensive breeds with a price range of $5000 to $7000.
Do Pharaoh Hounds Shed
Yes. Pharaoh Hounds shed all-year round at low to moderate levels.
Are Pharaoh Hounds Hypoallergenic
No. Pharaoh Hounds have a moulting coat that permits the spread of fur and dander aggravating allergies.
Pharaoh Hounds Quick Facts
- This breed has a short and glossy coat hence need extra warmth during the winter months by clothing them with a dog coat or sweater.
- The Anubis represent the Egyptian God of death and has a similar appearance to the Pharaoh hound. Therefore, people wrongly refer to Pharaoh Hounds as the Black Anubis Pharaoh Hound.
- The Pharaoh Hounds are the national dogs of Malta since 1979.