As the name suggests, the Pharaoh Hound was an adored companion of ancient Egyptian rulers. Considered representatives of the gods, the Pharaoh Hound is a humble dog that blushes when excited.

History

The Pharaoh Hound is one of the oldest recorded domestic canines. Ancient Egyptian stone carvings, dated before 4000 B.C., have been discovered with images of hounds that look like the Pharaoh. Historians believe that the ancient Egyptian god, Anubis, was modeled after the Pharaoh Hound. Many primitive drawings found in Egyptian tombs depicted Pharaoh Hounds. Pharaohs were regarded as representatives of the gods. They were companions for nobility and royalty. Before 1 A.D., the Pharaoh found his way to Malta, an island just south of Europe. Probably brought there by Phoenician merchant traders, the Pharaoh remained isolated and unchanged for thousands of years. Like many sighthounds, they were bred to hunt small game such as rabbits. They are also known as Kelb-tal, the rabbit dog. The Pharaoh Hound is the national dog of Malta. In the 1930s, the first Pharaoh Hound showed up in Great Britain. From there, the Pharaoh gained popularity as a companion pet, and eventually made it to the United States.

Appearance and Size

Pharaohs have short, shiny, somewhat coarse hair coats. They are generally some variation of reddish tan, with white markings. Their flesh-colored noses can be sensitive to sunburn. They have lean, strong, muscular bodies. A sculpted head, an arched neck, and large, erect ears are defining characteristics of the Pharaoh. When alert, their foreheads wrinkle, giving them an intense expression. One charming aspect of these hounds is that they smile and blush. When they are excited, they curl their lips up in a grin, and their cheeks and ears turn a deep red color as if blushing. These are medium sized hounds, standing between 21 and 25 inches at the shoulder. They generally weigh between 45 and 55 pounds.

Personality

Living with humans for thousands of years, Pharaohs are natural companions. They exhibit affection and loyalty. The breed loves cuddling, and tends to be attached to the couch when indoors. Pharaohs are especially affectionate with children. They make excellent watchdogs because they are leery of strangers. These dogs are exceedingly athletic; they need a mountain of attention and stimulation. They bark at strangers, but don't generally show aggression.

Wikipedia and GNU

The content of this entry is from the Wikipedia article "Pharaoh Hound" licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License.