The Pharaoh Hound

The Pharaoh Hound is almost as ancient as history itself. The first recorded history of this dog dates back to 3000 B.C. In Egypt. He was favored by the rulers of that country and was later trained as a rabbit hunter. Though not one of the most well known dogs, he is very family oriented and would make an exceptional pet for an active family. 

Description

The Pharaoh Hound is a medium large dog standing between 21 and 25 inches high and weighing between 40-60 pounds. They have a short sleek coat that ranges in color from tan to chestnut to red with white markings. The coat is extremely glossy in healthy dogs of this breed. His ears are large and erect. Slim and elegant looking, with long legs these dogs are agile and fast. 

Their most unique feature is their ability to blush. When excited the Pharaoh hounds nose and ears will turn a bright rosy red. 

Temperament

The Pharaoh hound is affectionate and loves to interact with his family members. He gets along well with children and loves to run and play. He is polite but cautious with strangers and makes an excellent guard dog. 

Due to his intelligence and a stubborn steak he can be challenging to train and house break. For this reason he should have an owner who has had previous dog experience and would benefit from professional obedience training and use of dog treats. He also tends to bark a lot so may not be suited for people with close neighbors or who enjoy a quite lifestyle. This dog requires a good amount of exercise to remain healthy and happy. 

While the Pharaoh dog gets along well with most other animals, smaller animals may be at risk as this dog will chase anything that runs. Due to this trait this dog should never be let outside unless he is in a contained yard. 

Grooming

The Pharaoh hound is very low maintenance when it comes to grooming. All he needs besides regular vet check ups, nail trims and teeth care is the occasional brushing and his coat wiped down with a damp cloth to remove dust and keep it glossy. 

Health

Pharaoh dogs have a life expectancy of 12 to 15 years and are incredibly healthy dogs. They can suffer from optic nerve problems and are highly sensitive to chemicals and drugs. 

Best Living Conditions

Due to the basic nature of these dogs and their need for exercise the ideal living situation for them would be somewhere in the country where they have a large enclosed area in which to run and where their tendency to bark would not create problems with neighbors.  When walking them, make sure you have them on cool dog leashes to keep them with you.

People who enjoy rabbit hunting would find these dogs ideal hunting companions but would need the patience to properly train them for this activity. In addition, a home with active adults or older children would offer them the attention, affection, and playmates they need to stay active and entertained. Obedience training for these dogs is a must.