Country of OriginMalta
Nicknames and Other NamesMalta
Scientific NameCanis lupus familiaris
Breed TypePurebred
GroupHound Group
Bred ForHunting rabbits
SizeMedium
Recognized ByAKC, CKC, ANKC, UKC, FCI, NZKC, KC
Life Span12-14 years
Ideal Weight45-55 pounds (male and female)
Ideal HeightMale: 23-25 inches
Female: 21-24 inches
Fur TypeShort
Common ColorsRich Tan, Red Golden, Tan, Chestnut
MarkingsWhite markings
AvailabilityModerately available
AchievementsNational Dog of Malta
Suitable for ApartmentsModerately suitable
Used in World WarNo
Most Similar ToPortuguese Podengo

The Parah Hound is a medium-sized dog breed originating from Malti. National dog of Malti, the Pharaoh Hound’s traditional use is to hunt rabbit in the Maltese Islands.

The Pharaoh Hound is an affectionate and intelligent breed. It is popular as Kelb tal-Fenek in Maltese which means “rabbit dog”. Here is everything you need to know regarding this breed.

Origin & History

The Pharaoh Hound is one of the oldest dog breeds originating from Egypt in 3,000 B.C.E. Modern genetics shows that this breed originated in the 17th century. Its use was to hunt rabbits on the island of Malta. This breed became the national dog of Malta in 1979.

A Pharaoh Hound dog. Image Source: Instagram@kongoadventures

Pharaoh Hounds were firstly imported to the United States in 1967. They got recognition by the AKC in 1983 and ranks currently 156th among the breeds registered.

Behavior, Temperament & Personality

The Pharaoh Hound has an aloof, playful and intense temperament. These dogs are loving and affectionate with their family but have terms of their own. They will feel better with their people at home. However, they will develop a habit of barking if left untrained. Lovely and friendly, the Pharaoh Hounds behave very friendly and lively with their family.

When it comes to personality, the Pharaoh Hounds are independent, smart and intelligent. They are people-oriented dogs that act stubborn in times depending upon the situation.

Are they child-friendly?

Yes, they are very child-friendly dogs. In fact, they are incredibly friendly with kids. They love the attention and affection from the kids and love playing along all day with them. Their intelligent nature makes them a quite wonderful companion for the kids.

A kid with a Pharaoh Hound. Image Source: Instagram@simbazinga

Trainability

The training ability of the Pharaoh Hound is very high. As an intelligent breed, it has the ability to learn and pick up things at a very high pace. However, their stubborn and independent nature comes into play. They like to take things on their own which makes training a bit difficult. Overall, this breed has the capability to become an excellent family dog if trained and socialized properly.

Training a Pharaoh Hound.

Facts about the Pharaoh Hound

Here are some facts about the Pharaoh Hound are as follows:

  • The Pharaoh Hound is the national dog of Malta.
  • It is one of the expensive dog breeds.
  • It is an ancient Egyptian breed originated in the 3,000 B.C.E.
  • It is an athletic breed.

Common Health Issues of the Pharaoh Hound

General HealthHealthy
Common Health IssuesBloat, Hip Dysplasia, Cataracts,
Patellar Luxation, Lens Luxation
HypoallergenicNo
Vaccination RequiredRabies, Canine Parvovirus, Leptospirosis,
Canine Parainfluenza, Canine Distemper,
Kennel Cough, Canine Coronavirus
SheddingNone to Minimal
DroolingLow Drooler
GroomingMinimal Grooming Required
Weight Gain PotentialAverage
Separation AnxietyHigh Chance
AllergiesNone
Diets and SupplementsProtein: 27%
Fat: 10%
Glucosamine
Lysine
Probiotics

The Pharaoh Hound live a life of 11 to 14 years during which they suffer from various diseases. Some of them are:

Patellar Luxation

It is a condition when the dog’s knee cap gets dislocated from its normal position.

Undescended Testicles

It is a condition when the testicles do not move into its proper position in the skin bag hanging below the penis of the dog.

Reaction to Injections and Insecticides

The Pharaoh Hounds can be allergic to the modern-day injections. They display sensitivity to insecticides used for the control of parasites in their body.

Color Patterns

The Pharaoh Hound are found in 4 different colors which are as follows:

  • Chestnut
  • Rich Tan
  • Tan
  • Red Golden

Size

The height of a female Pharaoh Hound is about 53–61 cm with a weight of 18-27 kg. Whereas, the height of a male Pharaoh Hound is 55–63 cm with a weight of 18–27 kg.

Price of Pharaoh Hound puppy

A mother Pharaoh Hound gives birth to 6-8 puppies at a time. As it is an expensive breed, you’ll need to pay $5000 to $8000 for a well bred Pharaoh Hound puppy.

A mother Pharaoh Hound with her puppies feeding milk.
Image Source: Petzlover

Which dog breeds are they similar to?

Here are some dog breeds that are similar to the Pharaoh Hound:

  • Portuguese Podengo
  • Greyhound
  • Ibizan Hound
  • Saluki
  • Azawakh

Visit Doglime for more dog breeds’ information.

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