Type the name of the breed you're looking for below
[wpdreams_ajaxsearchlite] Don't see the breed your're looking for? Click here and let us know!
Breed Characteristics
1 paw - breed exhibits the least amount of this characteristic
5 paws - breed exhibits most amount of this characteristic
[fbcomments]
Pharaoh Hound
| Other Names | Kelb Tal-Fenek |
| Nicknames | Pharaoh |
| Country of Origin | Malta |
| Weight | 45 - 55 lbs. (20 - 25 kg) |
| Height (at withers) | Males: 23 - 25 in. (59 - 63 cm) Females: 21 - 24 in. (53 - 61 cm) |
| Coat | The coast is very fine and thin. While the Pharaoh does shed, there simply isn't much hair to shed, and you could be covered with hair and hardly notice. The fur should be soft to the touch and very smooth. There should be a healthy sheen that makes the fur seem almost iridescent in bright sunlight. |
| Colour | The Pharaoh is always a reddish tan colour, though some what markings are acceptable. |
| Litter Size | 6 - 9 puppies with an average of 7 |
| Life Span | 11 - 14 years |
| Origin & History | It is believed the Pharaoh hound was bred from a wild dog-perhaps the jackal and another type of dog from the Middle Eastern region. Evidence of dogs in the Mid-East have been found as far back as 11,000 years and the recorded evidence of these dogs as companions of the Pharaohs can be found on tomb walls over 4,000 years old. Artworks in the tombs of Egypt depict a dog that looks very much like the Pharaoh. It seems likely this hound was bred to hunt for small game as a scent and sight hound. They were also bred to remain calm and be good companions to royalty when they were on the hunt or sitting in the throne room. The breed is very popular on the Mediterranean Island of Malta and is used for hunting rabbits among ancient ruins with the help of ferrets. Pharaoh Hounds are even featured on the national coins as a symbol. The Pharaoh was brought the United Kingdom and the United States in the 1960s and were accepted into the American Kennel Club just 20 years later. There are still very few dogs anywhere other than Malta. |
| Personality | The Pharaoh Hound is reasonably independent and a most pleasant companion dog. It is peaceful in the house and loves to play outdoors. It will be calm provided it receives enough exercise. Loyal, brave and loving, this quiet dog is naturally well-behaved and intelligent. It loves children, but is reserved with strangers. A truly unique trait of this breed is when it is excited it "blushes," turning a glowing deep rose on its nose and ears. The Pharaoh Hound should not be too difficult to train. The handler needs to be understanding of the dog's character and to be consistent in approach. It can do well in competitive obedience. Socialize the Pharaoh well at an early age and as the owner of the dog, be sure to stay mentally strong so the dog can feed from your energy to avoid timidity. Nervous humans tend to have nervous dogs because the dog can feel your emotions. Generally good with other dogs, but can be rather dominant toward other male dogs if the owners are not there to communicate to the dog that dominance is an unwanted behavior. This breed likes to chase and it is very fast. A speedy hunter, it should not be trusted with pet mice, rats, guinea pigs, rabbits, cats and other small non-canine pets. Do not take it off the leash unless you are in a safely contained area, because if it spots a rabbit it will be gone. The Pharaoh Hound needs an owner who is calm, displaying a confident, consistent, natural authority over him. The rules must be made clear in such a way that the dog can understand. |
Care Requirements
| Health | Since the breed is not very common or particularly popular, they have very few congenital Health Problems that are common for other purebred dogs. A good breeder should be able to Show you the lineage of the dogs you have and prove the parents are in good Health. Most Pharaoh Hounds have Chemical sensitivity and are very sensitive to chemicals, especially insecticides such as those used to treat fleas. Hip and joint disorders: like most large dogs, Pharaoh Hounds are capable of inheriting the degenerative disorder, hip dysplasia. The incidence of this, however, is very low. |
| Grooming | The Pharaoh Hound needs little grooming. It is only necessary to remove dead and loose hair with a rubber brush. Bathe or dry shampoo only when necessary. The Pharaoh Hound is a relatively clean dog with no doggy odor. This breed is an average shedder. |
| Exercise | The Pharaoh Hound relishes the opportunity to stretch its legs in a safe area—with frequent long runs. Try to set aside an hour each day to bicycle while the dog runs alongside you on a leash, although it can manage with a long daily walk on the leash and occasional sprints. While out on the walk the dog must be made to heel beside or behind the person holding the lead, as in a dog's mind the leader leads the way, and that leader needs to be the human. |
| Other Considerations | The Pharaoh Hound will be okay in an apartment if sufficiently exercised. It is relatively inactive indoors and will do best with at least a large yard. 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. This breed likes to chase things and should not be let off the leash unless it is in a safe area. It can go far away from you if it spies or scents wild game because it never loses its instinct to hunt alone. To prevent this you will need a secure, high fence around your yard. This breed can jump very high to get out of a space. It should be noted that the Kelb tal-Fenek is not the only breed of dog specific to the tiny islands of Malta. There is also the Kelb tal-But ("pocket dog", a toy breed), Kelb tal-Kaċċa ("hunting dog", a breed used for bird hunting), and lastly a type of Mastiff which is now extinct (Kelb tal-Ġlied, sometimes called the Maltese Bulldog or Maltese Mastiff). It is number 141 out of 154 breeds by dogs registered in 2005 by the AKC. Klieb Tal-Fenek were also used in the reconstruction and reconstitution of the Cirneco dell'Etna breed in Sicily. |
