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About Pharaoh Hounds
What you need to know about Pharaoh Hounds Pharaoh Hounds are as unique in temperament as they are in appearance and history. They are playful and loving, yet dignified and self-contained. They are extremely intelligent and learn at an incredible rate. To their people, they are lovingly devoted, but in a different way than most breeds--they are very catlike in their affection, in that they are affectionate, and they do love you, but they have their own agenda to keep in mind as well. With strangers they tend to be somewhat standoffish and aloof at first the females more so than the males, preferring to have nothing to do with them, which may offend some of your friends who claim to have a way with dogs! All Pharaohs tend to do very well with children and other pets if introduced at a young age.
They are true entertainers by nature. They love to make their owners laugh at their hilarious antics. Pharaohs also seem to "play" their way through life--everything is a potential game (much to your chagrin at times I can tell you). If they are bored, they will create their own fun! This fun loving breed reacts adversely to traditional training methods and can prove quite stubborn at times.
Do not be misled. The Pharaoh hound is definitely not for everyone. You must remember that they were selectively bred for thousands of years for hunting ability alone, and that hunting instinct is still very strong, as it should be. A securely fenced yard is an absolute necessity, no ifs, ands, or buts. They are also extremely alert and active dogs that require regular exercise, and they can easily become destructive or disruptive without an acceptable outlet for all their energy.
Living with a Pharaoh
This is an active breed. By active I do not mean hyper, just that they have a lot of energy and they need to exercise and play hard to stay physically and mentally fit. They are extremely playful--everything is a potential game to them. They are also true entertainers by nature and very interactive both with each other and with their people. If they are bored they will create their own fun which be warned may not always be your idea of fun!! Digging in water bowls to catch the water, eating the windscreen wipers on your car, a bit of unwanted bonsai pruning perhaps? Rani's favourite game is pinch the TV remote or something else that looks valuable and lets play catch-me-if-you-can to get it back!! Rani even throws tennis balls for herself! And of course, when they get together to play, it's quite a show. They are usually very laid-back in the house. Pharaohs are the ultimate couch potatoes most of the time.
As housedogs they are clean and tidy. They don't smell (even when wet) and they don't shed (at least not to where it is noticeable), making them welcomed house pets. They do like their comforts however. Pharaohs love to sleep in the beds under the covers--try convincing them that they deserve any less! They should live indoors primarily and must feel like they are part of the family to thrive.
Pharaohs are a very vocal breed by nature and they love to utilize their vocal chords. They have a very wide and interesting array of sounds that they make. When they play, they play vocally, and they have a tendency to bark a warning at almost anything that they deem slightly out of the ordinary.
Care of your Pharaoh
Pharaoh Hounds are generally a very healthy breed as a rule. At this point in time (and for 5000 years!) they have been free from the genetic problems which plague many breeds (i.e. hip dysplasia, entropy, etc.,) as a result of the conscious efforts made by responsible breeders to keep it that way. Pharaohs also seem to hold up better than many breeds on the lure coursing field.
There are however a few care concerns that bare knowing about: Many Pharaohs (as well as other sight hound breeds) exhibit some sort of reaction to many modern day injections. This is because sight hounds lack the protective layer of fat under the skin that most breeds have. Just make sure that you and your veterinarian are aware of this fact. Also some Pharaoh’s can react quite strongly to sedation and anaesthetic so once again ensure your vet is made aware of this.
Many regular dog shampoos and human shampoos will cause reactions in a Pharaoh's sensitive skin. For this reason it is advised that when you bathe your Pharaoh you use a mild shampoo (I use Johnson’s no more tears Baby Shampoo). Also because of their sensitive skin flea and tick control products that are applied to the coat (such as Frontline) are not acceptable and will cause serious irritation to the skin. The reason for the irritation is because the Pharaoh Hound does not produce enough oil in their coat, which is what these liquid products use to travel over the skin of the dog. Natural products such as those that are Pyrethrin based are a safe alternative.
As far as general grooming goes, Pharaoh hound owners have it easy. A quick slicking down with a rubber or sisal mitt or a damp cloth, as well as a thorough ear cleaning, tooth scaling, and nail clipping/filing before a show (or about once a week, if you don't show) is all that is necessary. Any harsh brush's should be avoided when grooming this breed. It is also extremely important to provide a Pharaoh with enough exercise and mental stimulation to ensure health and happiness.
History of the Pharaoh Hound The Pharaoh hound is one of the oldest domesticated dog breeds in the world (estimated to have originated around 4000 to 3000 B.C.) As the name implies, the origin of the Pharaoh hound began in Ancient Egypt. They were used to hunt and
Pharaoh hounds were first imported to Europe in the 1930's. They arrived in the U.S in 1967. They were accepted into the AKC's Miscellaneous Class in 1973 and into the Hound Group in 1984. Australia's first Pharaoh Hounds arrived in the 70's first imported by Barbara Marsh of Victoria. The breed is still considered to be one of the best-kept secrets of the dog world; they are slowly but surely gaining popularity. The Pharaoh hound is almost unchanged from their ancient beginnings, and it is the goal of modern breeders to keep it that way. Their striking colour and noble appearance sets them apart from many other breeds, a very intelligent, caring and gentle breed, they are happy to be a part of the family and are very gentle with the smallest of children, known as the clown of hounds, this breed will keep you amused with their self made games for hours on end.
Conformation wise, the Pharaoh Hound is a moderate breed in almost every way - moderate size, moderate and balanced angulations, and moderate boned. At first glance, the breed should exude a look of elegance, speed, and power all at the same time, although not be fine and over refined, they are after all a hunting dog, and in their native country of Malta need substance and stamina to assist them in the rough terrain. The breed should have an intelligent and alert expression, and carry itself with an air of grace. The Pharaoh's coat is short, tight, and sleek, which makes it a minimal shedder. Pharaohs come in various shades of red, ranging from a very light reddened-tan to a rich, deep chestnut, although most fall somewhere in between these two extremes. The eyes, nose, lips, pads, toenails, and whiskers should all match the colour of the coat. Most Pharaohs have at least a few white markings on them. The following white markings are allowed by the standard: a "star" on the chest, a bit on the toes, a small white snip on the centerline of the face, and on the tip of the tail, although these markings are "allowed" they are definitely not essential, many judges tend to look for a white tail tip and star on the chest, the tail tip is desired according to some standards, but the overall picture when examining the pharaoh should be taken into account, not the lack of any white, the balance and type must be maintained, so the old phrase "Less Is Best" comes into play regarding white markings. When trotting naturally, they should appear to "float" along, covering a lot of ground quickly yet effortlessly. Some other distinguishing characteristics of the breed are, of course, the large upright ears, the long whip-like tail, the powerful and well-arched neck, and the strong jaws filled with a set of large teeth. Additionally, the breed smiles and "blushes" one of the only breeds that has this attribute of emotion. When they are excited, embarrassed, happy or sometimes even when they're dreaming, the nose leather, eye rims, and inside of the ears turns a deep rosy colour, a truly remarkable breed, Elegant-Athletic-Aesthetically Appealing.
Jenny Trezise Perth, WA, Australia Email : jtrezise@gio.com.au |
chase down small game using their keen eyesight, sense of smell, and acute hearing. Through numerous Egyptian artifacts and writings, we have 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. Additionally, one of the Ancient Egyptians' main gods, Anubis, God of the Dead and Embalming, was believed to have been a Pharaoh hound.
It is believed that Phoenician traders carried this sacred hound to the Mediterranean islands of Malta and Gozo. Once on the islands, the breed was isolated from the rest of the world for nearly 2000 years. During this time, the Maltese worked hard to develop the breed into the keen hunter he is today while preserving a true breed type. Not surprisingly, the breed was declared the national dog of Malta, where it was, and still is known as the "Kelb tal-Fenek," which means 'rabbit dog'. The breed to this day is used extensively in Malta for hunting rabbits and working closely with shepherds tending their flocks. Had it not been for the devoted efforts of the Maltese, the breed probably would not have survived in the pure, unchanged form in which it is seen today.
