Pharaoh Hound: An Elegant Mix of Grace, Power, and Speed

Meet the Pharaoh Hound, the Ancient “Blushing Dog” of Malta

Pharaoh Hounds are thought to be one of the oldest domesticated dog breeds in existence. In fact, images of dogs that look strikingly similar to Pharaoh Hounds appear on the walls of ancient Egyptian tombs and temples, some dating back to 4400 BC!

This breed has a sleek appearance, a noble bearing, and a friendly, affectionate personality. They make gentle family pets and energetic companions for active owners. Pharaoh Hounds love to run, but they also love a good snooze on a cozy bed. When these dogs are excited, they are said to “blush,” with the tan-colored skin on their nose and ears glowing red—hence their nickname of “blushing dog.”

History and Origins of the Breed

It’s likely that Egyptian hounds—including the ancestors of the Pharaoh Hound—were spread across the Mediterranean by Phoenician traders, with some dogs ending up on the island nation of Malta. Here, the breed became extremely popular for its skill in rabbit hunting, and it was carefully bred for thousands of years. Because these dogs were bred in isolation, today’s Pharaoh Hounds are thought to be practically unchanged from their ancient ancestors.

The breed was originally known as the Maltese Rabbit Dog before it was renamed to reflect its Egyptian origins in the 1960s. On Malta, the dog is still known as the Kelb-tal Fenek, which translates to “dog of the rabbit” or “rabbit hound.” This breed is still rare in the United States, but it’s the beloved national hound of Malta.

Appearance and Physical Characteristics of the Pharaoh Hound

These dogs are sighthounds, which are hunting dogs that track prey with their keen eyesight. They are built for speed, especially over rough, rocky terrain. Compared to other sighthounds like Greyhounds, Pharaoh Hounds have less angular features and higher stamina. They have slender legs, a fairly deep chest, a tucked waist, and a long tail.

Pharaoh Hounds have a gorgeous reddish coat, amber eyes, big ears that are naturally upright, and tan skin on their noses and around their eyes. They lack the black skin pigment that many other breeds have, allowing them to glow with their characteristic blush!

Size and Weight

Pharaoh Hounds are lean and narrow but relatively tall. As with most dog breeds, females are a bit shorter and lighter than males, on average.

• Male Height: 23–25 inches (58–64 centimeters)
• Male Weight: 50–55 pounds (23–25 kilograms)

• Female Height: 21–24 inches (53–61 centimeters)
• Female Weight: 45–50 pounds (20–23 kilograms)

Coat and Colors

Pharaoh Hounds have a smooth, short coat that’s soft to the touch. The American Kennel Club, which has recognized the Pharaoh Hound since 1983, lists the following standard colors for the breed.

• Chestnut
• Red Golden
• Rich Tan
• Tan

The only standard markings for Pharaoh Hounds are white markings, which are small patches of white that may appear on the dog’s forehead, chest, toes, or tail tip.

Temperament and Personality Traits

The Pharaoh Hound is a smart, gentle, friendly breed. These dogs will be lovey-dovey with their family, although they prefer to snuggle next to their people rather than on their laps. They tend to be aloof and cautious with strangers, but they’ll get along well with new people after an introduction.

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Pharaoh Hounds bark more than other sighthounds (which are notoriously quiet dogs), but they’re still not as barky as some breeds. However, they’re not good guard dogs—they’ll bark, but they won’t really protect the house.

This is a high-energy breed that’s fairly playful, and because they’re intelligent, they need mental stimulation. Bored Pharaoh Hounds will try to entertain themselves, probably by doing something they’re not supposed to!

The Pharaoh Hound is independent but loyal. Unlike other sighthounds, they’re eager to please their people—to a degree. Still, their level of independent thought can make them seem stubborn, especially during training.

Do Pharaoh Hounds Get Along With Other Pets?

The Pharaoh Hound is good with other dogs, both large and small. This is a sociable breed that enjoys the company of other canines and will do fine with another dog in the house or when meeting new dogs while out on walks.

However, as a rabbit-hunting sighthound, this dog has a high prey drive for creatures like cats, squirrels, rabbits (obviously), other small, furry animals, and even birds. If a Pharaoh Hound is raised with a cat, they’ll likely get along fine, but other small pets are not recommended. Owners should make sure their dog never tries to play with their cat by chasing it—this is likely to trigger the dog’s prey drive, and it could hurt or even kill the cat.

Also, even if the dog is socialized around cats, unfamiliar cats encountered outside will still look like prey to them. In fact, if your Pharaoh Hound spots any kind of prey outdoors, especially if the prey is running, the dog will be gone in a flash. It’s crucial to always keep this dog on a leash.

Are They Good With Kids?

Yes, Pharaoh Hounds are considered to be good with children because they’re gentle, patient dogs. However, these dogs can be sensitive, and they may get stressed around noisy toddlers, so they’re not the best fit for families with very young kids. With older children, they do great!

Keep in mind that Pharaoh Hound puppies can be a bit rowdy, and even a mature, well-trained dog is large enough to accidentally knock over a child, so adult supervision is always recommended.

Caring for a Pharaoh Hound

This breed doesn’t need a lot of indoor space, so they can live happily in a house or an apartment. However, they will bark if they see something out the window or hear a suspicious sound, which can be problematic for apartment living.

Whatever type of home you have, a dog bed is a must—these are creatures of comfort, and they love sleeping in warm, cozy spots. Your Pharaoh Hound will be happy to snooze on your bed or your couch, too, especially with a soft blanket to snuggle in.

Outdoor space is another matter entirely! Pharaoh Hounds need a lot of exercise, preferably running. They cannot be allowed off-leash unless they’re in a securely enclosed area because of their high prey drive.

So, owners should be prepared to walk or run with their dog on a leash or provide a large, fully fenced yard where their dog can run around safely (under supervision). According to the AKC, the yard should be at least 50 feet by 50 feet, with a six-foot fence surrounding it. Pharaoh Hounds are jumpers, and they can easily clear lower fences!

Nutrition and Feeding

Like all breeds, Pharaoh Hounds need to eat high-quality dog food and have constant access to fresh water. Owners can consult with their veterinarians for food recommendations based on the dog’s age and general health.

Because Pharaoh Hounds have a narrow and fairly deep chest, they have a higher than average risk of bloat, which is a sudden and life-threatening condition where the dog’s stomach fills with gas and may twist. One way to help prevent bloat is to feed the dog several small meals (3–4) each day instead of one large meal. Owners should also avoid feeding their dog right before or after strenuous exercise.

Exercise Needs

As mentioned before, this breed loves to run and romp around. They need at least 40 minutes of exercise every day, such as two 20-minute walks, but this is the bare minimum; more exercise is recommended. The AKC notes that some Pharaoh Hounds are “self runners” that will happily run around on their own in a securely fenced yard for 15–20 minutes at a time.

Always remember that the Pharaoh Hound’s prey drive is extremely high—even the best-trained dog will not be able to resist sprinting away after a squirrel. Only allow your dog to run loose if the area is fully enclosed with a six-foot fence. Sadly, this breed has a reputation for running away and getting lost or injured on a roadway as they attempt to chase their prey.

Since this is an Egyptian dog with a short coat, it doesn’t do well in cold or rainy weather. Owners may want to buy their dogs fleece jackets and raincoats to wear on their walks during the colder, wetter seasons. (The Pharaoh Hound Club of America notes that some owners even buy their dogs pajamas to keep them warm at night!)

Training a Pharaoh Hound

As independent thinkers, Pharaoh Hounds are not the easiest dogs to train, but they’re far from the hardest. These dogs are bright and enjoy learning new things, but owners will need to be patient and consistent with their training. Positive reinforcement is essential; Pharaoh Hounds respond well to verbal praise and treats when they perform correctly during training.

Never scold your dog if it fails to follow a command. Pharaoh Hounds are sensitive, and they will shut down if they’re corrected harshly. This will impede the dog’s ability to learn and affect your relationship with your pet. Keep things positive and fun, and your Pharaoh Hound will be eager to learn new commands and tricks with you.

Recommended Training

• Socialization: Early socialization will help mitigate the Pharaoh Hound’s natural aloofness and ensure the dog is friendly around people rather than shy. Early exposure to cats can also help the dog live more harmoniously with a feline friend.
• Recall: Pharaoh Hounds are infamous for never learning the command “come.” Even a dog with otherwise perfect obedience training will run away to chase after prey, no matter how many times you call them to come back. It’s wise to work on this training anyway, but never rely on it—keep your Pharaoh Hound on a leash.
• Obedience: Obedience training is a bit of a misnomer for Pharaoh Hounds, since they’re so independent and self-willed. Still, with consistent training, these dogs can be convinced to follow lots of different commands (except for “come” if they’re chasing prey, as mentioned above).
• Canine Sports: Since this breed likes having something to do, Pharaoh Hounds tend to excel in canine sports. Consider training your dog for agility trials, obedience competitions, canicross (where the dog runs cross-country with its owner), and especially lure coursing. In lure coursing, dogs chase a fake rabbit across a course—a perfect way for the Pharaoh Hound to practice its natural sprinting and chasing skills in a safe manner! Watch the video below to see some Pharaoh Hounds competing in a lure coursing championship.

Health Issues

All purebred dog breeds are predisposed to certain health issues, but Pharaoh Hounds are generally healthy dogs. Fortunately, they don’t have any serious congenital disorders, and their life expectancy is 12–14 years. Still, there are some common health problems that owners should be aware of.

Bloat or Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus (GDV)

Any breed of dog can suffer from bloat, but large breeds with deep chests are most prone to it. Pharaoh Hounds have a higher than average risk of bloat. With this disorder, the dog’s stomach fills with gas, which is known as gastric dilatation or bloat, and may twist (called a volvulus).

This can be fatal, and Pharaoh Hound owners should familiarize themselves with the symptoms of bloat, like an enlarged abdomen (especially on the left side), retching, labored breathing, and signs of abdominal pain. Dogs suffering from bloat need immediate veterinary care.

Hip and Elbow Dysplasia

These are joint disorders that are common in many larger breeds, and they can cause stiffness, arthritis, and joint pain. This is an inherited disease, and most responsible breeders screen their dogs for dysplasia. Veterinarians can prescribe treatment to help minimize the dog’s discomfort.

Patella Luxation

This is another joint issue where the dog’s kneecap slips out of place. Dogs may often fix the slip themselves by kicking out their leg to realign the kneecap! Depending on the severity of this condition—such as how frequently it happens and how many of the dog’s legs it affects—your dog may simply need arthritis medication, or it may require surgery.

Eye Disorders

Eyes issues that commonly affect Pharaoh Hounds include cataracts, distichiasis (hairs growing inside the eyelid that rub against the eye), progressive retinal atrophy or PRA (a predisposition to going blind), and persistent pupillary membrane (extra tissue bits that remain attached to the eye instead of disappearing after birth). Most of these issues are treatable. PRA has no cure, but it’s an inherited disease that breeders can screen for.