Pharaoh Hound

Medium-sized and of noble bearing, the Pharaoh Hound should be graceful, powerful, and above all - fast. Coat color can range from tan to chestnut to red golden, with white markings on the tip of the tail, chest, toes and on the center line of the face. A unique breed characteristic is their "blush" - when happy or excited, the nose and ears turn a deep rose color. Today, their willingness to please makes them excellent candidates for hunting, obedience and lure coursing. The Pharaoh Hound, one of the oldest domesticated dogs in recorded history, traces his lineage to roughly 3000 B. C. Fortunately, the history of Egyptian civilization was well documented and preserved through paintings and hieroglyphics. From these we learn that this unique dog was treasured for his great hunting ability and his affinity for close family relationships.

Breed Profile

The history of the canine race might be very different without the Phoenicians. These seafaring traders, from what is today Lebanon, sailed the Mediterranean 2,500 years ago doing a brisk business in luxury items. It’s assumed that the Phoenicians disseminated Egyptian hounds throughout the ancient world, as far west as Britain. The prevailing theory suggests that Phoenicians introduced the Pharaoh to Malta, where they were used as rabbit hunters. In 1979, the Pharaoh was named the national hound of Malta.