Pharaoh dog Breed 101

Pharaoh dog sounds like pyramids, ancient Egyptians and hieroglyphs. In reality, however, experts have long doubted the Middle East and Egypt as regions of origin for this breed of dog. The Pharaoh dog, also known as the Pharaoh Hound or Kelb tal-Fenek, caught the attention of the English when they visited Malta in 1960. Only since 1977 has the designation been used exclusively for this breed, which is listed by the FCI in Section 6, Group 5 under standard number 248.

Pharao Dog Appearance

Weight

When fully grown, the pharaoh dog weighs between 18 and 25 kilograms.

Size

Males of this breed grow to be between 56 and 63.5 centimeters tall, bitches reach a withers height of 53 and 61 centimeters.

Colour

Pharaoh dogs are rust brown and can wear lighter or darker fur. These dogs lack black pigmentation, which is why the nose and eyelids are bright. By default, white spots are allowed on the tip of the tail, chest and toes. A fine, white blaze between the eyes is also possible.

Anatomy

The pharaoh dog has the slim and elegant body of a greyhound. Its muscles are clearly visible thanks to the short fur. His head is elongated and has large, upright bat ears. The pharaoh dog either carries its slender tail hanging or upright.

Special properties

Beings

The nature of the pharaoh dog resembles that of other greyhound breeds in many respects. It has a certain liveliness and is considered very sensitive. In addition, the pharaoh dog is very vigilant and can indicate visits to the apartment. The pharaoh dog also reserves the right to "have a say" in its upbringing. He maintains a certain independence even in a well-socialized state, which is why a little patience is required in the upbringing. Under no circumstances should dogs of this breed be led with a hard hand. It is much more important to gain his trust and to meet him with a lot of empathy. Then he gladly decides to follow his person.

The pharaoh dog is a very intelligent four-legged friend, who acts extremely friendly towards people and free of any aggression. Compatibility with females is usually easy for bitches, while some males can be more temperamental towards sex mates. Pharaoh dogs willingly join their humans and prove to be loyal and playful. The distinctive hunting instinct of this breed often makes it impossible to leash in the wild.

Possible areas of application

In his homeland, the pharaoh dog is still used to hunt rabbits. Here he shows off small game with his special barking, known as the currier, and asks his fellow species to support him. Pharaoh dogs can be used for coursing, because they are very eager to run and let off steam accordingly.

Care and maintenance of the pharaoh dog

A pharaoh dog does not necessarily need a large apartment, even if he certainly appreciates the advantages of a garden. At the side of his people, he is rather calm and balanced in the apartment, which is why he is often kept as a family dog. However, this only applies if humans do justice to the strong urge to move of this breed. Long walks are an absolute must. It is also good if the pharaoh dog can regularly move freely on fenced lots with other members of the species. Life in the big city is not for the pharaoh dog, since the possibilities for utilization in nature are often not sufficient here. During the cooler seasons, the pharaoh dog should wear a coat, as it tends to freeze due to the lack of undercoat.

The belliness of the pharaoh dog can also play a role in keeping. The vigilance of this breed causes some dogs to make sounds regularly. This urge can usually not be completely contained, which is why keepers have to expect and live with the communicativity of their dog. Apart from this fact, life with a busy Pharaoh dog is very pleasant and grooming is also kept to a minimum. Occasional brushing is more than enough.

Health

Although the Pharaoh dog looks a bit fragile, apart from its sensitivity to cold, it is surprisingly robust. Breed-typical diseases are not known. A little caution is needed when it comes to nutrition, as pharaoh dogs like to eat a lot. To avoid obesity, a species-appropriate menu should be followed. In this way, the pharaoh dog reaches an age of eleven to fourteen years, whereby its agility is somewhat reduced in the senior years. Visit Mrs Doggie Website for more dog breeds