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Rescue a
Pharaoh Hound
Pharaoh Hound Puppies for Sale
Pharaoh Hound
(Kelb Tal-Fenek)
My special baby T Dog/Trinity - Photo Courtesy of Cassi.
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Pharaoh Hound
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Pronunciation |
FAIR-o
Hound |
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Description |
The Pharaoh Hound is a tall, slender, athletic sighthound. The length of the body is slightly longer than it is tall. The neck is long and lean, slightly arched. The head is wedge-shaped and
chiseled. The muzzle is slightly longer than the flat skull and has a slight stop. The nose is almost the same color as the coat. The teeth meet in a scissors bite. The small, oval eyes are moderately deep set, and amber in color. The large ears stand are medium-high-set, erect and are broad at the base. The long, whip-like tail is medium set, thicker at the base tapering. The front legs are straight.
Dewclaws are sometimes removed. The short, glossy, fine to close coat comes in red or tan, often
with white markings. Show ring judges prefer white on the tip of the tail. |
Temperament |
The Pharaoh Hound is reasonably
independent and a most pleasant companion dog. It is peaceful in the house and loves to play outdoors. They will be calm provided they receive enough exercise. Loyal, brave and loving, this quiet dog is naturally well-behaved and intelligent. They love children, but are reserved with strangers. A truly unique trait of this breed is, when they are excited they "blush", turning a glowing deep rose on their 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 they are 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 them off the leash unless you are in a safely contained area, because if they spot a rabbit they 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. |
Height, Weight
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Height: Dogs 23-25 inches (59-63 cm.) Bitches 21-24 inches (53-61 cm.)
Weight: 45-55 pounds (20-25 kg.) |
Health
Problems |
This is a very healthy and hardy
breed, but beware, the Pharaoh can be highly sensitive to insecticides and medicines. |
Living
Conditions |
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. They can go far away from you if they spy or scent wild game
because they never loose their instinct to hunt alone. To prevent this you will need a
secure, high fence around your yard. They can jump very high to get out of a space.
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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. |
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Life
Expectancy |
About 11-14 years. |
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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. |
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Origin |
The Pharaoh Hound is one of the oldest domesticated dog breeds in the world. The breed is estimated to have originated around 4000 to 3000 BC. The breed's exact origin is unknown, but one belief is it began in Ancient Egypt. Numerous Egyptian artifacts and writings show a dog that is undeniably a direct ancestor of the Pharaoh Hound. The dogs were used to chase and hunt small game and were also a loyal companion of the royal pharaohs of Ancient Egypt. It is believed that the Phoenicians brought the dogs from Egypt to the Mediterranean islands of Malta and Gozo. The dogs are now the national dog of Malta, declared in 1974. For 2000 years the people of Malta were exclusively responsible for developing and preserving the breed into the Pharaoh Hound we know today. In Malta the hound is known as the Kelb
Tal-Fenek, which literally translated means "Dog of the rabbit", which was the dogs main task. Just like his Mediterranean cousins, the Ibizan Hound, the Cirneco Dell Etna,
the Portuguese Podengo, and the Podenco Canario, the Pharaoh Hound is both a sight hound as well as a scent hound, using its sense of
smell to a marked degree when searching for its prey. When the prey bolts,
its sight hound instincts come into play and the hound is in full flight in strong pursuit. The breed is also a good guard dog. It has been used to accompany goats and sheep on their way to the pasture and as a gundog to flush and retrieve quail and
woodcock. Maltese Lira coins were minted in 1977 depicting the Pharaoh Hound on the back side. During the 1960's Pharaoh Hounds were imported to England and
to the United States. The breed was recognized by the AKC in 1983.
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Group |
Southern, AKC Hound |
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Recognition |
CKC, FCI, AKC, UKC, KCGB, CKC, ANKC,
NKC, NZKC, APRI, ACR, DRA, NAPR |
CKC = Continental Kennel Club
FCI = Fédération
Cynologique Internationale
AKC = American Kennel
Club
UKC = United Kennel Club
KCGB = Kennel Club
of Great Britain
CKC = Canadian
Kennel Club
ANKC = Australian National
Kennel Club
NKC = National
Kennel Club
NZKC = New Zealand Kennel Club
APRI = American Pet Registry
Inc.
ACR = American Canine Registry
DRA = Dog Registry of America, Inc.
NAPR = North American Purebred Registry, Inc. |
Cadi Bug/ Cadie - Photo Courtesy of Cassi.
Scarlet - Photo Courtesy of Cassi.
Pharaoh Hound Pictures 1
Understanding Dog Behavior
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