Alt Names: Kelb Tal-Fenek Country of Origin: Malta

History: For many years, this breed was considered one of the oldest dog breeds. Recent DNA analysis reveals, however, that this breed is actually a recent construction, bred to resemble an older form.[1] This DNA data now puts to rest the "Egyptian Myth" and proves the breed did not originate from Egypt. The Pharaoh was developed into its modern form on the islands of Malta and Gozo. It is often classified as a sight hound, but hunts both by sight and scent.

The breed was brought to Britain in the 1920s and called the Pharaoh Hound because it resembles dogs featured on the walls of ancient Egyptian tombs.

Appearance: The Pharaoh is an elegant breed. Its skull is long and chiseled with only a slight stop. Its muzzle is slightly longer than the skull and is wedge-shaped and finely built, but strong and without snipyness. Its eyes are oval, it has a keen, noble, and intelligent expression. It has a long, lean, and muscular neck that is slightly arched. Its body is slightly longer than, or the same length as, its height at the withers. It has a deep chest that extends down to the elbows and a moderate tuck up. Its shoulders are long and well laid back. Loaded shoulders are a fault. It has long, straight front legs that are strong without being bulky. Its hindquarters are, as is the breed in general, strong without being overly muscled and bulky. Its hind legs are moderately angulated, parallel to each other, and must be in balance with the forelegs. It has a "whip" tail that should reach down to a bit below the hocks, and is carried down normally but must not curl between the back legs as in the greyhound. When the dog is excited, the tail is carried level with, or loosely curled above, the back. Its dewclaws may be removed.

Two other breeds that are similar to the Pharaoh Hound and that apparently descended from the same anscestral lines have developed in other Mediterranean islands. One is the striking Ibizan Hound, which has a form much like that of the Pharaoh hound, but is colored differently. The Ibizan Hound is white, with patches of brown or tawn, whereas the Pharaoh hound is always a solid reddish-ruddy color with only small amounts of white tolerated on its chest, toes, throat, muzzle, and tail tip. The other similar breed is the Cirneco dell'Etna which looks like a miniature of the Pharaoh with a wholly different personality.

It stands between 50 and 65cm (22 to 28in.) at the withers and weighs between 18 to 32kg (40 to 70lb).

Temperament: The Pharaoh Hound is a friendly, calm, intelligent, trainable, playful and active breed. It is reserved with strangers, but affectionate with its family. It has a strong hunting instinct, and caution should be observed when it is around small pets such as cats, birds, and rodents. It is not a demonstrative breed and is quietly affectionate. They are a vocal breed without being yappy or barking just for the sake of barking. They make good watch dogs, and will let you know if someone's at the door. However, they are not well suited as guard dogs as they are rarely aggressive with people.