Description

The Pharaoh Hound has a thin coat and very little excess body fat because he originated in Egypt. He does not shed much and needs to live in a warmer climate. He will be cold if he lives somewhere cold. They have sensitive skin, but have very little dander. He is tall, sleek, and has a pointed head and pointed ears. He is a red-tan color. His tail is long and this and curves up at the end. Some individuals have a white tip on the tail. They have very good senses of hearing, but very small eyes. When the dog gets excited, his nose will turn reddish brown in color. This is his way of blushing. He will bark at noises but is very friendly so he doesn’t make a good guard dog. He is a natural runner, so he does need a large space to exercise.

Coat Description

The coat of the Pharaoh Hound is very thin and very fine. He does have shedding seasons, but there is not much hair to shed. His fur should be soft and smooth. He should also have a healthy shine to his coat.

The Pharaoh Hound is always a reddish tan color. Some individuals have white markings.

History

The dogs were companions of the Egyptian Pharaohs and have been found in the tombs of Pharaohs from as long ago as 4000 years. The Pharaoh was likely descended from the dog seen in Egyptian artworks; the dog pictured was likely a hunting dog used for small game or as a companion for royalty. In Malta, the breed is very popular. They are used for hunting rabbits and they are depicted on coins in the region. The Pharaoh Hound was brought the United States and the United Kingdom in the 1960s, though they are rare in both areas.

Temperament

The Pharaoh Hound is good around families but can chase smaller animals. They are very smart and will actually think about commands before agreeing to do them. Training needs to be done according to the dog’s intelligence and his tendency to think about commands, not blindly follow them. If they are trained properly, they have a good disposition to be used in field trials. The Pharaoh Hound will run after any animal he smells, so it is important to socialize him properly and keep him on a leash when you are out. If he is not properly socialized, the Pharaoh Hound can become aggressive when he is afraid, and he can become neurotic. A well trained Pharaoh Hound will be a good pet and will not be aggressive. Pharaoh Hounds should not live with cats, as they are prone to chasing small animals.

Health Problems

As with any purebred dog, the Pharaoh Hound is prone to some health problems. Some of the problems the breed can have are chemical sensitivity, especially of flea dips and treatments; hip and joint problems like hip dysplasia is present in some individuals but are low for the breed in general.

Grooming

The Pharaoh Hound is a short haired dog, and because he naturally has such a thin coat, he is easily groomed. Use a rough rag or cloth to rub down the dog on a weekly basis. The dog will also enjoy a rub or massage with a rubber brush. This will help his skin and will loosen dead hairs. Do this every month. Taking care of the Pharaoh Hound’s nails is a little tricky since his nails are dark colored and it is hard to tell where the quick is. Take him to a veterinarian or groomer to have this done. The Pharaoh is naturally a clean dog and really only needs a bath once in a while. Don’t use a lot of scented shampoos or anything on him because of his sensitive skin.

Exercise

The dog will bark a lot and will become badly behaved if he does not get enough exercise every day. He likes to take walks with his master, but he really needs to run a lot in order to work off his energy. He likes to run along side a master who is riding a bike, and he will also jog with a master is he is well trained. The best way to exercise the Pharaoh Hound is in a securely fenced area like your backyard. He can do well playing with other dogs at a securely fenced dog park, though.

Training

The best way to train a Pharaoh Hound is to use positive reinforcement training methods. The breed can be housebroken easily if you are able to take cues and let them out when they need to go. Socializing the Pharaoh Hound is very important. Otherwise the dog can become timid and even aggressive. Obedience training is a challenge with the Pharaoh hound. Repetitive training methods are the best way to train him. Be consistent and patient with the dog. The dog will bark a lot, and this can be difficult to break. Barking collars can help.