All About
Pharaoh Hound

Like many breeds that were developed in Ancient Egypt, the Pharaoh Hound is a graceful sighthound. Light on his feet, graceful and an exceedingly fast sprinter. Pharaoh Hounds are sensitive dogs who prefer a quiet house and a gentle touch. They are quiet and clean housemates, so light on their feet that they can sneak up on you in a room with hardwood floors. They are loyal watchdogs who will alert you that someone is approaching, but Pharaohs are timid and are not guard dogs. Active empty nesters will get along well with Pharaohs, who can be too skittish to live with a lot of children, and they make good companions for first time dog owners.

The Pharaoh Hound should do well on a high-quality dog food, whether commercially manufactured or home-prepared with your veterinarian’s supervision and approval. Any diet should be appropriate to the dog’s age (puppy, adult, or senior). Some dogs are prone to getting overweight, so watch your dog’s calorie consumption and weight level. Treats can be an important aid in training, but giving too many can cause obesity. Learn about which human foods are safe for dogs, and which are not. Check with your vet if you have any concerns about your dog’s weight or diet. Clean, fresh water should be available at all times.

Pharaoh Hounds do not require a great deal of grooming. Daily light brushing or a heavier weekly brushing will do, with baths given as necessary. Particular attention should be paid to keeping the ears clean, and keeping the nails trimmed short enough that they do not make a tapping sound when the dog walks across the floor. Teeth should be cleaned at home on a regular basis but also should be checked by your veterinarian when the dog has his yearly checkup. Pharaohs do not normally have a “doggy odor,” so if an odor is present, check him to find the cause.

With their calm nature, Pharaoh Hounds can live in an apartment or condo, though his barking has the potential to annoy close neighbors.If you leave him in a yard, you'll need a fence that's too high for him to climb or jump, preferably solid so he can't see the squirrels or cats on the other side. Electronic fencing won't cut it with this breed — no shock will stop a Pharaoh Hound once he decides to chase something.Because of his thin skin, he gets cold easily and will need a dog sweater or jacket when venturing out on cold or wet days.If you want a well-behaved dog, you'll need to make sure your high-energy Pharaoh Hound gets at least 30 minutes of exercise a day. This dog can participate in lure coursing and agility, or come with you on a family jog or bike ride.Just make sure you keep him on a leash whenever you're in an unfenced area. If he sees something small and furry, his strong prey drive will overcome the best training every time.When he's not distracted by something chase-worthy, however, his intelligence and eagerness to please makes him fairly easy to train.Just make sure you keep lesson time interesting and pleasant; harsh or repetitive training methods don't work with his sensitive, fun-loving personality. Keep training sessions short and end with something he's done right so you can praise him for it.

Major concerns: none
Minor concerns: none
Occasionally seen: none
Suggested tests: none
Life span: 11-14 years

The Pharaoh Hound is an ancient breed that originated in Egypt, and many reminders of its long history can be found in art and literature.An artifact from 4000 BC depicts two Pharaoh Hound-shaped dogs hunting gazelles; a dog resembling the Pharaoh Hound was often depicted as the companion of kings and nobles in ancient Egyptian art; and a letter dating to the 19th Egyptian dynasty mentions a red long-tailed dog whose face glows like a God, a reference no doubt to the breed's habit of blushing.From Egypt, the Pharaoh Hound was imported into Malta by Phoenician traders. There they were called the "Kelb tal-Fenek," meaning "dog of the rabbit," after the prey the local hunters used the dog to catch. The breed thrived and became the official dog of Malta.The Pharaoh Hound remained largely unknown in the west until arriving in England in the 1930s. The first Pharaoh Hounds were imported into the U.S. in 1967. The Pharaoh Hound Club of America was founded in 1970, and the breed was officially recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1984. The Pharaoh Hound is still an uncommon breed, but he can be found throughout the world, wherever people appreciate his unique appearance and personality.