Pharaoh Hound

General Information - Pharaoh Hound

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History

The Pharaoh Hound is one of the oldest domesticated dog breeds in the world (estimated to have originated around 4000 to 3000 B.C.) The breed's exact origin has been lost, but one belief is it began in Ancient Egypt, where a lithe, red, prick-eared sight Hound, undeniably the close and direct ancestor of today's Pharaoh Hound, was used to hunt and chase down small game using its keen eyesight, sense of smell, and acute hearing. Through numerous Egyptian artifacts and writings, it has been learned that this unique dog was treasured not only as an adept and able hunter, but also as a loyal and intelligent companion to the royal pharaohs of Ancient Egypt. For the past 2000 years, however, the Mediterranean island of Malta has been exclusively responsible for preserving and developing the breed into the Pharaoh Hound seen today. Since it has been living exclusively in the islands of Malta, the breed's origin is internationally recognised as Malta. The Maltese Islands are situated in the centre of the Mediterranean about 50 miles south of Sicily. In Malta the Hound is known as the Kelb Tal Fenek which literally translated means "Dog of the rabbit." The main task of the Kelb Tal Fenek is to hunt wild rabbits. Ancient Maltese farmers and hunters highly appreciated the Pharaoh Hound as an outstanding rabbit hunter, and still today, many farmers and hunters in Malta take immense pride in owning them. The Pharaoh Hound is both a sight Hound as well as a scent Hound. Its way of hunting its prey is unique, together with its Mediterranean cousins - the Ibizan Hound, the Cirneco Dell Etna, the Portuguese Podengo, and the Podenco Canario. The Pharaoh Hound uses its sense of smell to a marked degree (scent hound) when searching for its prey. When the prey bolts, its sight Hound instincts come into play and the Pharaoh is in full flight in strong pursuit of its prey. In honour of its importance and heritage, the dog was officially declared Malta's National Hound in 1974. Maltese Lira coins were minted in 1977 depicting the Pharaoh Hound on the reverse. During the 1960s Pharaoh Hounds were introduced to the western world.

Temperament

Pharaoh Hounds are well behaved and very peaceful indoors. They are independent, loyal, and love children. They may be somewhat reserved with strangers. Pharaoh Hounds 'blush' when they get excited, their nose and ears turn a deep rose color. Pharaoh Hounds love to chase things and should not be trusted with rabbits, cats or other small non-canine creatures.

Upkeep

The Pharaoh Hound relishes the opportunity to stretch its legs in a safe area, although it can manage with long daily walks on leash and occasional sprints. It needs soft bedding and warmth and generally should not be expected to sleep outside except in warm climates — but it would still prefer to sleep with its family. Its coat is low maintenance, requiring only occasional brushing to remove dead hair.

Pharaoh Hound

A breed standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament, and appearance of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function with soundness essential. Breeders and judges should at all times be careful to avoid obvious conditions and exaggerations, as well as being mindful of features which could be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed.

Breed Standard - Pharaoh Hound

Characteristics: An intelligent, friendly, affectionate, playful and alert breed. An alert keen hunter, the Pharaoh Hound hunts by scent and sight using its large ears to a marked degree when working close.

General Appearance: The Pharaoh Hound is medium sized, of noble bearing with clean:cut lines. Graceful yet powerful. Very fast with free easy movement and alert expression.

Head and Skull: Skull long, lean and well-chiselled. Foreface slightly longer than the skull. Only slight stop. Top of skull parallel with the foreface, the whole head representing a blunt wedge when viewed in profile and from above.

Eyes: Amber coloured, blending with the coat; oval, moderately deep set, with keen, intelligent expression.

Ears: Medium high set; carried erect when alert, but very mobile; broad at the base, fine and large.

Mouth: Powerful jaws with strong teeth. Scissor bite.

Nose: Flesh coloured only, blending with the coat.

Neck: Long, lean, muscular and slightly arched. Clean throat line.

Forequarters: Shoulders: Strong, long and well-laid back. Forelegs: Straight and parallel. Elbows well-tucked in. Pasterns strong.

Body: Lithe with almost straight topline. Slight slope down from croup to root of tail. Deep brisket extending down to point of elbow. Ribs well sprung. Moderate cut up. Length of body from breast to haunch bone slightly longer than height at withers.

Hindquarters: Strong and muscular. Moderate bend of stifle. Well developed second thigh. Limbs parallel when viewed from behind.

Feet: Strong, well knuckled and firm, turning neither in nor out. Paws well padded. Dew claws may be removed.

Gait: Free and flowing; the head should be held fairly high and the dog should cover the ground well without any apparent effort. The legs and feet should move in line with the body; any tendency to throw the feet sideways, or a high stepping “hackney” action is a definite fault.

Tail: Medium set - fairly thick at the base and tapering (whip-like), reaching just below the point of hock in repose. Carried high and curved when the dog is in action. The tail should not be tucked between the legs. A screw tail is a fault.

Coat: Short and glossy, ranging from fine and close to slightly harsh; no feathering.

Colour: Tan or rich tan with white markings allowed as follows: White tip on tail strongly desired. White on chest (called “The Star”). White on toes. Slim white blaze on centre-line of face permissible. Flecking or white other than above undesirable.

Faults: Any deviation from the foregoing is a fault, hunting blemishes excepted.

Note: Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
Copyright Dogs New Zealand
01 Sep 2014

Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog and on the dog’s ability to perform its traditional work.