Pharaoh Hound

The Pharaoh Hound is a medium sighthound from the island of Malta, where it has long been used to hunt rabbits over rocky ground. The Maltese name, Kelb tal-Fenek, translates as "dog of the rabbit". It hunts by a combination of sight, scent and sound, which sets it apart from many other sighthounds that rely mainly on vision.

The breed has a tan to chestnut coat, large upright ears and an athletic build that suits fast pursuit across uneven terrain. Adults usually stand around 21 to 25 inches at the shoulder and weigh roughly 45 to 55 pounds. One trait owners mention often is the "blush": when the dog is happy or excited, its nose and the area around its ears flush a deeper rose colour.

Indoors the Pharaoh Hound tends to be calm and affectionate. It bonds closely with its household and is generally friendly with people it knows. The independent streak common to hunting hounds means it does not always do exactly as asked, though it responds well to patient, reward-based handling.

Who it suits

This breed fits active households that can provide daily exercise and a securely fenced area to run. It is well matched to owners who enjoy a clean, low-grooming dog and who do not mind a strong chase instinct around small animals. People who want instant, military-style obedience may find the independent temperament frustrating. Homes with cats or small pets should introduce them carefully, since the hunting drive is strong.

The Pharaoh Hound is the national hound of Malta, where it has been kept for centuries as a hunting dog under the local name Kelb tal-Fenek. On Malta and the neighbouring island of Gozo, hunters used it to find and flush rabbits among stone walls and rough ground, often working with ferrets and at night.

The modern breed name and an older popular theory linked the dog to ancient Egypt, drawing on its resemblance to dogs depicted in Egyptian tomb art. Later genetic studies did not support a direct unbroken line from ancient Egyptian dogs, and the breed is best understood as a long-established Maltese type rather than a literal survivor of the pharaohs.

The breed was brought to Britain around the 1920s and 1930s, and breeding programmes there were established more firmly from the 1960s onwards. British and American kennel clubs recognised the Pharaoh Hound in the late twentieth century, which helped standardise its appearance and spread it to new countries.

Despite international recognition, the Pharaoh Hound remains relatively uncommon outside Malta. It is still associated strongly with its home island, where the working rabbit-hunting tradition has continued alongside its life as a companion dog.

The Pharaoh Hound has the lean, graceful outline typical of sighthounds. The body is slightly longer than it is tall, with a deep chest, tucked-up belly and long clean legs built for speed. The head is long and chiselled, the muzzle tapers, and the large ears stand erect and turn forward when the dog is alert.

Coat and colours

The coat is short, fine and lies flat against the skin, with no undercoat. The accepted colour range runs from a light tan through richer chestnut and red-gold shades. White markings are permitted in defined places: a white tip on the tail (sometimes called the "flag"), white on the chest, white toes and a slim white blaze on the centre of the face. Heavy white spotting or flecking on the back of the neck, shoulders or body is considered a fault under most standards. The thin coat does little to insulate the dog, so it feels the cold and is best protected in chilly weather.

At home the Pharaoh Hound is affectionate, playful and often closely attached to its people. Many enjoy human company so much that they like to lean against or curl up next to family members. The breed tends to be good with children it has grown up with, though its energy and speed mean play with very young children should be supervised.

With strangers, reactions vary from openly friendly to politely reserved. Early socialisation helps the dog stay relaxed around new people and situations. The breed is alert and will often bark to announce visitors, but it is not built for guard work and rarely shows aggression.

The strong prey drive shapes much of its behaviour outdoors. A Pharaoh Hound may bolt after a rabbit, squirrel or cat, so a secure fence and lead discipline matter. Around other dogs it is usually sociable. With cats and small pets, success depends on careful introductions and supervision, and some individuals never become safe companions for small animals.

Grooming

• Brush the short coat about once a week with a soft brush or grooming mitt to remove loose hair.
• Bathe only when needed; the coat stays clean easily and has little doggy odour.
• Trim nails every few weeks and check that they do not click on hard floors.
• Clean the large erect ears regularly and watch for wax build-up or redness.
• Brush the teeth several times a week to support dental health.

Exercise

• Provide at least 45 to 60 minutes of activity each day, including a chance to run.
• Use a securely fenced area for off-lead sprinting; the chase instinct makes recall unreliable near small animals.
• Keep this breed on the lead in open or unfenced spaces.
• Offer mental work such as scent games or training sessions, since the breed is intelligent and bores easily.

Environment

The Pharaoh Hound suits a home with access to a safe, fenced garden, though it can live in smaller spaces if exercised well. The thin coat and lack of undercoat mean it dislikes cold and damp conditions. A warm, soft bed indoors is important, and a coat or jumper helps on cold walks. This is an indoor dog that should not be kept outside in low temperatures.

The Pharaoh Hound does well on a complete, balanced dog food appropriate to its life stage and activity level. As a lean, athletic breed it should be fed to keep the ribs easily felt but not seen and a visible waist when viewed from above. Exact amounts depend on the food, the dog's weight, age and how much it exercises, so use the product guidelines as a starting point and adjust based on body condition. Fresh water should always be available.

Treats and supplements

Keep treats to no more than about 10 per cent of daily calories so the dog stays lean. Small pieces of plain cooked meat or commercial low-calorie treats work well as training rewards. Most Pharaoh Hounds on a complete diet need no extra supplements; discuss any joint or skin supplements with a vet before adding them, since unneeded supplements can do harm.

The Pharaoh Hound is considered a relatively healthy and hardy breed, with a typical lifespan of 12 to 14 years. It has fewer inherited disorders than many breeds, partly because of its long history as a working hunting dog. As with all sighthounds, its low body fat affects how it handles certain medications and anaesthesia, so the veterinary team should be aware of the breed before any procedure.

Preventive care

• Keep vaccinations and parasite control up to date.
• Schedule yearly veterinary exams, moving to twice yearly for seniors.
• Maintain a lean body weight to protect joints.
• Brush teeth regularly and arrange professional dental care as advised.
• Inform any vet of the breed's drug and anaesthesia sensitivity before procedures.

The Pharaoh Hound is intelligent and capable of learning a wide range of commands, but its hound independence means it weighs whether a request is worth obeying. It is also sensitive and does not respond well to harsh corrections, which tend to make it shut down or avoid the handler. Short, upbeat sessions with food and play rewards work best. Recall is the hardest skill to make reliable, because a moving rabbit or cat can override training, so most owners keep the dog on the lead or in a fenced area when off-lead is risky.

Basics

1. Start socialisation early, exposing the puppy to people, places, sounds and other dogs.
2. Teach name recognition and a marker word or clicker to mark correct behaviour.
3. Build core cues one at a time: sit, down and stay, in short sessions.
4. Train recall intensively from puppyhood, always rewarding the dog for coming, and practise in safe enclosed areas first.
5. Add lead manners and gradually introduce distractions as the dog improves.

Responsible breeding of Pharaoh Hounds focuses on health, sound temperament and adherence to the breed standard rather than on volume. Although dogs can reproduce earlier, breeders generally wait until full maturity, around 18 to 24 months, before a first litter so that the dog is physically and mentally developed and health screening is complete. Mating is timed to the female's heat cycle, and pregnancy lasts roughly 63 days from conception.

Litters typically number six to eight puppies, though smaller and larger litters occur. Newborns are helpless and depend on the mother for warmth and milk, which makes a clean, warm whelping area important. Puppies open their eyes at around two weeks and begin weaning between four and six weeks. Early handling and gentle exposure to household sights and sounds during the first weeks help produce confident, well-adjusted adults.

Puppies usually go to new homes from about eight weeks of age, after first vaccinations and veterinary checks. Because the breed is uncommon, prospective owners often join a waiting list with a reputable breeder.

Registering a Pharaoh Hound in the United Kingdom

When a dog warden or rescue centre picks up a stray Pharaoh Hound, the chip scan is the first move, and the record behind it decides how the story ends. Keep yours pointing home with a free United Pet Club profile. Register your dog once, and the record stands for life without a renewal letter ever landing on the mat.

The implant happens at the vet surgery; the record is your half of the bargain, and the 2016 regulations expect it kept up to date. Register the microchip free on the lifetime plan: any brand a British vet implants is accepted, amendments after moving house cost nothing, and the record stays searchable through the lookups rescue centres and wardens turn to first. Create your free account and square it away this evening.