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AUTHOR: Kay Durr, K'Azar Pharaoh Hounds (kaydurr@bihs.net)
© 8/1995 Last edited: January 12, 2005
Note: If photos do not completely load, simply click the 'reload/refresh button on your web browser. When clicking on to some links, you can only return to this site by using the "back" option on your web browser software. Some links have a link back to this site. Click on dogs names above for pedigree. These pedigrees are viewable in MS Internet Explorer ONLY (a quirk of the pedigree program I am afraid).| History of the Breed ! Great Reading | Faults ! ! ! Why Not for Everyone! ! ! Litters Planned - CLICK ON UNDERLINED ITEMS TO RIGHT FOR MORE INFORMATION! | **UPDATED** Litters
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The Pharaoh Hound is the oldest domesticated dog in recorded history. Two hounds
are
depicted hunting Gazelle on a circular disc which is thought to have been part of a
game. The date, around 4000
B.C.,
was certainly before the first dynasty. The origin of this hound in prehistoric times has been the subject of research by many Egyptologists. They conclude that if this race of dogs could have resulted from a mixture of many kinds of wild canidae, it is quite natural that from time to time, one of these elegant individuals would crop up with the elegant silhouette of Canis Doerdelini, the beautiful limbs of the Canis Lupaster, & the long nose, erect ears & gentle nature of the Pariah or Wandering Dog of Egypt. They were seen as representatives of the Ancient Gods by the original Egyptians. The dogs were favored as the hunters and faithful, loyal companions in the daily life of the kings and nobles of all periods in Ancient Egypt & were frequently depicted in carvings.
In 1935, a burial tomb of a dog was found in the great cemetery west of the Pyramid of Cheops at Giza with the following inscription recording the ritual burial ceremony, "The dog which was the guard of His Majesty, Abuwtiyuw is his name." This was a "Pharaoh Hound" type dog. His Majesty did this for him in order that he (the dog) might be honored before the great God Anubis.
It is thought that the Phoenicians took these hounds with them when they settled on Malta and Gozo (islands off the coast of Italy), & the preservation of the these hounds who have changed so little in 5,000 years can be credited to the islands inhabitants. They are now the National Dog of Malta, where they are bred for rabbit hunting, guardians of the homesteads, & known as "Kelb-tal-Fenek" (Rabbit Dog). Further information about the Malta history is available thru our Links page.
The Pharaoh Hound was first imported into England in the early 1930's, then again in 1963 from Malta and Gozo. They were first introduced into the U.S. about 1967 by Mrs. Harper & the Pharaoh Hound Club of America (PHCA) was founded in 1970. Pharaohs received American Kennel Club (AKC) recognition in 1984 & were added to the Hound Group. This glorious breed can now be found in most countries in the world.
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PRESENT DAY HISTORY: (Pictured at right - "Butterfly"
The AKC records for the Pharaoh from the time they were recognized through the end of 1994, show, there have been a total of 233 litters with 1,211 dogs individually registered with the AKC. 465 of these dogs have attained their AKC Championship with an additional 53 titles having been award in Obedience. AKC Lure Coursing Titles have been given to many Field Champions.
There are about 1,200 to 1,500 Pharaoh Hounds alive and well in the U.S. today. These figures are based on the fact that not all new owners of this wonderful breed choose to register their hounds, & therefore the figure of 1,211 registered may be misleading. Since Pharaoh Hounds have a long life span of 12+ years or more, most of those originally registered in 1984 are still with us. There are approximately 100-120 individual Pharaoh Hounds registered yearly in the US.
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(pictured "Rebel") (photo by Mike Ross)The Pharaoh Hound is a medium sized hound, (dogs may be up to 25" at the withers and bitches up to 24" with weight varying from 40 to 60 pounds), elegant and of great beauty, showing grace, power & intelligence. Elegance should not be translated into fine bone. The coat is short and fine in varying shades of tan, ONLY, from quite dark to a medium blonde shade. White markings on the dog are allowed on the chest (called a star, but may be any shape), on the toes (but should not to extend beyond the toes) and on the tip of the tail (this is highly desirable, but not required and it should be a tip and not a flag). A small white snip is allowable on the forehead between and just above the eyes (sometimes called the "kiss of Allah"). This white snip should not extend down the face of the dog. White is permitted on the throat but not encouraged. White is NOT allowed on sides or back of the neck and body.. This is the ONLY disqualification the breed standard for the Pharaoh Hound carries. This photo at the right is a mismarked bitch. She has a white spot on the back of her neck (not shown), but the excessive white on the face and chest, can lead to this problem.
The head is fine and sculptured with natural prick ears that are medium high set. The neck is
long and muscular & flows into the well laid back shoulders. The nose and eye rims are flesh
colored, along with the insides of the erect ears. These flesh colored areas will turn pink or red
when the Pharaoh is blushing, which they are quite capable of. The eyes are always amber
colored and oval shaped. The gait is smooth and flowing with powerful strides. The top line is almost level with a
slight slope of the croup to the tail which is long, reaching to the hock, and carried up & curved when moving. The
tail generally hangs between the legs when the dog is inactive. The rear legs should be moderately bent at the stifle
with well let down (short) hocks. The tuck-up on a Pharaoh Hound is not as great as that seen on a Greyhound or
Whippet, but more moderate. The dog should be slightly longer than he is high. This is all left to each persons own
interpretation of the words moderate or slightly.
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(Pictured at right - "Ch. Dillinger and his son Ch. Gunner and his son Ch. Capone")
They are essentially a "wash & wear" dog, requiring only a minimum of care to the nails, teeth & good brushing of the coat & baths as needed. They will shed, but it is minimal. A 25' x 30', 6' fenced in yard will suffice for exercise, but they do appreciate a good long romp in larger enclosed areas when available. Jogging or running with their owner is a favorite pastime.
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General Characteristics can be described as: Aloof; Curious but Cautious; Independent, Extremely Intelligent and Strong willed. If there is just one thing that holds true for Pharaohs Hounds, it would be that there are no two alike. Their one goal in life is to enjoy it to the fullest. The Pharaoh Hound has an outstanding personality & is easy going & gentle. He stands with the "Aura" of greatness and importance & he holds himself aloof & above the average. They are quite fun loving and affectionate with their owners, & when quite pleased with themselves and/or their actions, will blush as described above. This is also occurs when they are smiling. Some owners have trained their Pharaohs to smile on command, thus producing the blush. They glow with excitement or happiness & can exhibit a great sense of humor, in the nature of a first class clown. They don't like the feeling of being entrapped.
Pharaohs have a great tolerance of children and think God created these little creatures just
for them to entertain. When raised with other small animals, they can be quite tolerant of
those also. But be aware, they can also consider other small animals as "game" as they are
first and foremost hunters instinctively. They have an innate sense of their owners feelings
and moods. They know when to dive for cover or be on their best behavior. They are
generally not high strung, but are active and do enjoy running and playing. They will
entertain themselves for hours on end, and if they can entertain those they own at the same
time, they are twice as happy.
They can be quite "cat-like" in their personalities and habits. They love to be loved, but only when they want it. With strangers, they can be aloof until properly introduced. They will judge each new person on what they feel are their merits and decided if they are worthy of their attention. Thus they are very discriminating. Given enough time most will warm up to any situation or environment. They are not generally social butterflies. Allow them their own time to make these decisions and never force yourself or others on them. The key is proper Socialization.
With other dogs, they tend of avoid fights, but if challenged they will stand their ground & defend themselves. Remember not all dogs are the same and these traits may vary from one dog to another.
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Pharaohs are hounds through and through. Thus they can be quite stubborn & will try to
outsmart you.. They can NOT be forced to do anything they deem improper. They feel they
have a right to a say so about every decision concerning them. With plenty of patience and a
good sense of humor, they can be trained to do just about anything. A lesson once learned if
never forgotten. This applies to bad habits also. Just because that puppy is so cute doing
something, if it is something that you will not be able to live with later in his life, correct it
immediately. Untraining those bad habits is much harder than enforcing the good habits, no
matter the age. But they are very adaptable. Specially if they are led to believe it was their idea
to do what you are trying to teach them. Mental happiness is also important.
House training is usually a snap. They are very clean and therefore, great house dogs, never having a "doggy odor", they will clean themselves much as a cat does. They are quick and eager to learn, though a bit strong minded. With their independent nature, they prefer to think for themselves with a very high degree of intelligence.
Being natural hunters, the "come" command is vital for their welfare. When in pursuit of the "game", they can become selectively deaf, and being so intent, they will keep going for the thrill of the chase. They pay no attention to where they are going & can become lost. They hunt by scent & sight and are aided by their tremendous speed & agility. The best rule here is never have them off lead except in a controlled situation, like totally fenced in areas that are escape proof.
The Pharaoh demands an Alpha leader, and if he feels you are not up to the job, he will try to take over command and train you to his way of life. Be Consistent, Fair and Gentle at the same time and you will have a wonderful companion. And always keep the training Fun & Exciting for both of you. They consider training just another new game, keep it that way. They do not handle repetition well.
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The Pharaoh Hound is not a dog for everyone. With his extreme intelligence, special understanding and care is required. They look at each situation presented to them as a challenge & they are always thinking up new ways to get the best of you. To date there are not really any certified health problems in common through out the breed. To keep this in check, conscientious breeders will have all their breeding stock checked for problems, such as hip dysplasia. Other than those already mentioned above, here are a few others:
Barking - This is called "giving tongue" when they are hunting. At other times it can be called
a nuisance. Generally Pharaohs only bark to alert their owners of intruders or such. But,
those that are bored and/or alone for extended periods of time , like while you are at work,
may become troublesome, and give vent to their voices. A pet for your dog may solve this
problem. Proper "when to bark/not to bark" training is also required. Keep your Pharaoh
busy and they won't have time to bark or be destructive.
Coprophagia - A trait that still rears its ugly head. This is stool eating. It is NOT because your dog needs something in their diet. This breed has not been domesticated for that long a period of time, and in the wilds, the dogs had to hide their trails to protect their young. As such, they would eat their droppings so that they could not be tracked. The only cure is to clean up after your dog immediately after it does its business, thus avoiding this becoming a habit. Once it is there, it is very difficult to break.
Allergies - This is a common problem in almost all breeds. Just be alert to any problems your dog may encounter. Be sure to check with your breeder for any predisposition to allergies.
Sensitivity - anesthesia being the worst. It is recommended that only isoflorane be used when required for surgery. Flea control is best handled with products containing pyrethins or d-Limonene.
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AVAILABLE:
"Ancient Egyptian Names for Dogs" by Kay Durr from Alpine Publications - 1-800-777-7257
For additional information I can be contacted at any time at : kaydurr@bihs.net.
For taking the time to read through this material. I sincerely hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I did in preparing it for you. Please research any breed you might be interested in obtaining, to its fullest, and make a wise decision.
"An unhappy owner only produces an unhappy dog." 
K'AZAR PHARAOH HOUNDS
Please feel to contact us at this address with any comments you might have regarding this web site or our Pharaoh Hounds. If you find errors please let us know.
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