Pharaoh Hound

The Pharaoh Hound is a medium-sized sighthound from the Mediterranean island of Malta, where hunters have long used it to flush rabbits out of rocky ground. Its Maltese name, Kelb tal-Fenek, means "rabbit dog." Unlike most sighthounds that hunt purely by sight, this breed tracks by sight, scent, and hearing together, which makes it unusually versatile in the field.

The coat runs from tan to chestnut, the ears stand tall and alert, and the build is made for a fast sprint over uneven ground. A grown dog stands roughly 53 to 64 centimetres at the shoulder and weighs around 20 to 25 kilograms. Owners everywhere notice the same quirk: when the dog is excited or happy, its nose and the skin around its ears turn a deeper rose shade, a trait fanciers simply call the blush.

Inside the house, the Pharaoh Hound settles into a calm, affectionate routine and forms a close bond with its family. It gets along well with people it already knows. Like most hunting hounds it has a mind of its own, so it will not always come running the first time it is called, though patient, reward-led handling gets the best out of it.

Who it suits

This breed suits an active household with room to let it run, ideally an independent house with a secure compound rather than a cramped flat with no outdoor access. It appeals to owners who want a low-grooming dog and can accept a hound's stubborn streak instead of instant obedience. Anyone expecting parade-ground discipline will find the independent temperament testing. Households that already keep cats, rabbits, or other small pets should introduce a Pharaoh Hound slowly and under supervision, since the urge to chase runs deep.

The Pharaoh Hound is Malta's national hound, kept on the island for centuries under its local name, Kelb tal-Fenek. On Malta and the neighbouring island of Gozo, hunters used it to flush rabbits from between stone walls and rough scrubland, often working alongside ferrets and hunting after dark.

The English name grew out of an old theory linking the dog to ancient Egypt, based on its likeness to hounds carved and painted in Egyptian tombs. Genetic studies conducted later found no direct unbroken line back to those ancient dogs, so the breed is better understood as a long-standing Maltese type that resembles its Egyptian counterparts rather than a literal descendant of the pharaohs' hounds.

British breeders brought the dog home from Malta around the 1920s and 1930s, and organised breeding took firmer shape from the 1960s. Kennel clubs in Britain and the United States recognised the Pharaoh Hound in the late twentieth century, and that recognition standardised the look of the breed and carried it to new countries.

The breed remains rare outside Malta, and India is no exception. There is no established breeding base here, so most Pharaoh Hounds seen at Indian shows or with private owners have been imported, usually through European breeders working within the Kennel Club of India's import rules. The rabbit-hunting tradition itself continues mainly on Malta, where the dog still earns its keep in the field alongside its role as a companion.

The Pharaoh Hound carries the lean, graceful outline typical of sighthounds. The body is slightly longer than it is tall, the chest runs deep, the belly tucks up, and the legs are long and clean, built purely for speed. The head is long and chiselled, the muzzle tapers to a fine point, and the large ears stand erect, swivelling forward the moment the dog is alert.

Coat and colours

The coat is short, fine, and lies flat against the skin with no undercoat at all. Accepted shades run from a light tan through richer chestnut and red-gold. White markings show up in set places only: a white tip on the tail, often nicknamed the flag, white on the chest, white toes, and a slim white blaze down the centre of the face. Heavy white patches or flecking across the back of the neck, shoulders, or body count as a fault under most standards. Because the coat gives so little insulation, the dog feels the cold sharply during a north Indian winter and needs a jacket or blanket once temperatures drop, even though it handles summer heat far better than thick-coated breeds.

At home the Pharaoh Hound is affectionate, playful, and often glued to its favourite person. Many dogs of this breed like nothing better than leaning against a family member or curling up on the sofa beside them. It generally gets on well with children it has grown up around, though its speed and exuberance mean playtime with toddlers needs an adult watching closely.

Around strangers, reactions range from openly friendly to quietly reserved, and early socialisation keeps the dog settled when guests, delivery staff, or the building watchman come and go. It stays alert to sounds and will bark to flag visitors, but it is not a guard dog by temperament and rarely turns aggressive.

The strong prey drive shapes much of its outdoor behaviour. A Pharaoh Hound that spots a squirrel, street dog, or stray cat can bolt without a backward glance, so a secure compound wall and disciplined leash habits matter more than usual. It is generally sociable with other dogs. Cats and smaller pets need careful, gradual introductions, and some individual dogs never become safe around them.

Grooming

• Brush the short coat once a week with a soft brush or a rubber grooming mitt to lift out loose hair.
• Bathe only when the dog is visibly dirty; the coat stays clean on its own and carries almost no doggy smell.
• Trim the nails every few weeks and check they are not clicking against tiled or marble floors.
• Clean the large upright ears regularly and watch for wax buildup or redness, which shows up faster in humid weather.
• Brush the teeth several times a week to keep dental disease at bay.

Exercise

• Give the dog at least 45 to 60 minutes of activity daily, with a proper chance to run flat out.
• Reserve off-leash sprinting for a securely fenced ground; recall near squirrels, birds, or stray animals cannot be trusted.
• Keep the dog on lead in parks, colony roads, or any space that is not fully enclosed.
• Add mental work such as scent games or short training drills, since this intelligent breed gets bored quickly.
• Shift walks to early morning or evening during peak summer, since tarmac and midday sun turn punishing by late morning.

Environment

The Pharaoh Hound suits a home with a safe, walled compound, though it manages in a smaller flat if it gets enough exercise outside. The thin coat with no undercoat means it dislikes cold and damp far more than heat, so a north Indian winter or a hill-station posting calls for extra care. A warm, padded bed indoors matters, and a well-fitted coat helps on chilly morning walks. During the monsoon, dry the dog thoroughly after every walk to avoid skin trouble from lingering damp. This is strictly an indoor dog and should never be left to sleep outside or on a terrace overnight.

The Pharaoh Hound does well on a complete, balanced dog food matched to its life stage and activity level. Being lean and athletic by nature, it should be fed so the ribs are easy to feel but not visible, with a clear waist when viewed from above. Exact quantities depend on the brand, the dog's weight, age, and exercise routine, so treat the pack instructions as a starting point and adjust from there based on body condition. Clean drinking water should be available at all times, topped up more often during the hot months.

Treats and supplements

Keep treats to no more than about 10 percent of the day's calories so the dog stays lean. Small pieces of plain boiled chicken or a low-calorie commercial treat work well for training rewards. Most Pharaoh Hounds on a complete diet need no extra supplements. Discuss any joint or skin supplement with a veterinarian first, since adding one the dog does not need can do more harm than good.

The Pharaoh Hound counts as a comparatively healthy and hardy breed, with a typical lifespan of 12 to 14 years. It carries fewer inherited disorders than many breeds, partly thanks to its long history as a working hunting dog rather than a purely show-bred one. As with all sighthounds, its low body fat changes how it handles certain medicines and anaesthesia, so any vet treating the dog, including one unfamiliar with the breed, should be told about this before a procedure.

Preventive care

• Keep vaccinations and parasite control on schedule, including tick and heartworm cover suited to the local climate.
• Book a veterinary check-up every year, moving to twice yearly once the dog is a senior.
• Keep the dog lean to protect the joints.
• Brush the teeth regularly and arrange professional dental cleaning as the vet advises.
• Tell any vet about the breed's drug and anaesthesia sensitivity before a procedure, even at a familiar clinic.

The Pharaoh Hound is intelligent and can pick up a wide range of commands, but its hound independence means it weighs up whether a request is worth following. It is also sensitive and shuts down or dodges the handler when corrections turn harsh. Short, upbeat sessions built around food and play work best. Recall is the hardest skill of all to make reliable, since a rabbit, squirrel, or stray cat on the move can override any amount of training, so most owners keep the dog on lead or inside a fenced ground whenever off-leash freedom carries risk.

Basics

1. Start socialisation early, introducing the puppy to people, places, sounds, and other dogs.
2. Teach name recognition and a marker word or clicker to flag the correct behaviour.
3. Build core commands one at a time, sit, down, and stay, in short sessions.
4. Train recall intensively from puppyhood, rewarding every return, and practise first inside a safe, enclosed ground.
5. Add lead manners and bring in distractions gradually as the dog improves.

Responsible breeding of Pharaoh Hounds puts health, sound temperament, and adherence to the breed standard ahead of volume. Although a dog can physically reproduce earlier, most breeders wait until full maturity, around 18 to 24 months, before a first litter, so the dog is fully grown and health screening is complete. Mating is timed to the female's heat cycle, and pregnancy runs roughly 63 days from conception.

Litters usually number six to eight puppies, though smaller and larger litters do occur. Newborns are entirely helpless and depend on the mother for warmth and milk, so a clean, warm whelping area matters, kept away from draughts and, during the monsoon, away from damp. Puppies open their eyes at around two weeks and start weaning between four and six weeks. Gentle handling and early exposure to ordinary household sounds and sights during these first weeks help raise confident, well-adjusted adults.

Puppies usually go to new homes from about eight weeks, once first vaccinations and a veterinary check are done. Since the breed stays uncommon in India, prospective owners typically join a waiting list with a reputable breeder abroad or coordinate through an established importer rather than finding a litter locally.

How to register a Pharaoh Hound in India

A Pharaoh Hound that slips past the gate of the housing society is identified by its record, not by its pedigree. Provide that record without spending a rupee: the free United Pet Club profile carries your telephone number, the dog's photograph, and its details for life. Register your dog and the matter is settled.

Should your Pharaoh Hound already carry a microchip, the number must still be recorded separately, since the vet performs only the implant. Registering the microchip under the free lifetime plan accepts chips from any manufacturer an Indian vet works with, keeps every update free should your household shift cities, and leaves the record searchable at any hour. Create your free account and complete both tasks in one sitting.