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Pharaoh Hound Puppies for Sale
Pharaoh Hound
(Kelb Tal-Fenek)
My special baby T Dog/Trinity
Photo Courtesy of Cassi
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Pronunciation |
FAIR-o
Hound |
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Description |
The Pharaoh Hound is a graceful,
athletic sighthound. The muscles are lithe, never heavy. The head is wedge-shaped and
chiseled. The flat skull and muzzle are long and slim. The small eyes are amber or light
brown. The ears are very large and stand erect. The nose is tan and speckled with pink.
The teeth should meet in a scissors bite. The jaw is powerful. The neck is fairly long and
slightly arched. The brisket is deep and the abdomen moderately tucked up. The whip-like
tail is carried down, thick at the root, tapering to a point. The front legs are straight.
Removal of the dewclaws is optional. The coat is short and glossy in red or tan, often
with white markings. A white tip on the tail is preferred. A white star on the chest,
white on toes and/or a thin white line down the center of the face are permitted. Any
white on the back of the dog is a disqualification. |
Temperament |
The Pharaoh Hound is reasonably
independent and a most pleasant companion dog. It is peaceful in the house, loves to play,
is calm, loyal, brave and loving. Quiet, naturally well-behaved and intelligent. This
breed loves children, but treats strangers with reserve. When the dog is excited, it
blushes, with his nose and ears turning a glowing deep rose. The Pharaoh Hound should not
be too difficult to train. The handler needs to be understanding of the dog's character
and to be consistent in approach. It can do well in competitive obedience. Socialize the
Pharaoh well at an early age to avoid timidity. Generally good with other dogs, but can be
rather dominant toward other male dogs. This breed is very fast and likes to chase things.
A fast hunter, it should not be trusted with rabbits, cats and other small non-canine
pets. Don't let this dog off the leash except in a safely contained area.
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Height, Weight
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Height: Dogs 23-25 inches (59-63 cm.) Bitches 21-24 inches (53-61 cm.)
Weight: 45-55 pounds (20-25 kg.) |
Health
Problems |
This is a very healthy and hardy
breed, but beware, the Pharaoh can be highly sensitive to insecticides and medicines. |
Living
Conditions |
The Pharaoh Hound will be okay in an
apartment if sufficiently exercised. It is relatively inactive indoors and will do best
with at least a large yard. It needs soft bedding and warmth and generally should not be
expected to sleep outside except in warm climates... but it would still prefer to sleep
with its family. This breed likes to chase things and should not be let off the leash
unless it is in a safe area. They can go far away from you if they spy or scent wild game
because they never loose their instinct to hunt alone. To prevent this you will need a
secure, high fence around your yard. They can jump very high to get out of a space.
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Exercise |
The Pharaoh Hound relishes the
opportunity to stretch its legs in a safe area - with frequent long runs. Try to set aside
an hour each day to bicycle while the dog runs alongside you on a leash, although it can
manage with a long daily walk on the leash and occasional sprints.
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Life
Expectancy |
About 11-14 years. |
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Grooming |
The Pharaoh Hound needs little
grooming. It is only necessary to remove dead and loose hair with a rubber brush. Bathe or
dry shampoo only when necessary. The Pharaoh Hound is a clean dog with no doggy odor. This
breed is an average shedder. |
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Origin |
The Pharaoh Hound is one of the oldest domesticated dog breeds in the world (estimated to have originated around 4000 to 3000 B.C.) The breed's exact origin has been lost in the sands of
time, but one belief is it began in Ancient Egypt, where a lithe, red, prick-eared sighthound, undeniably the close and direct ancestor of today's Pharaoh Hound, was used to hunt and chase down small game using its keen eyesight, sense of
smell, and acute hearing. Through numerous Egyptian artifacts and writings, we have learned that this unique dog was treasured not only as an adept and able hunter, but also as a loyal and intelligent companion to the royal pharaohs of
Ancient Egypt. For the past 2000 years, however, the Mediterranean island of Malta has been exclusively responsible for preserving and developing the breed into the Pharaoh Hound we know today. Since it has been living exclusively
in the islands of Malta since time immemorial, the breed's origin is
internationally recognized as Malta. The Maltese Islands are situated in the center of the
Mediterranean about 50 miles south of Sicily. In Malta the hound is known as the Kelb
Tal-Fenek which literally translated means "Dog of the rabbit." The main task of
the Kelb Tal-Fenek is to hunt wild rabbits. Ancient Maltese farmers and hunters highly
appreciated the Kelb Tal-Fenek as an outstanding rabbit hunter, and still today, many
farmers and hunters in Malta take immense pride in owning the Kelb Tal-Fenek. The Kelb
Tal-Fenek is both a sight hound as well as a scent hound. His way of hunting its prey is
unique, together with its Mediterranean cousins- the Ibizan Hound, the Cirneco Dell Etna,
the Portuguese Podengo, and the Podenco Canario. The Kelb Tal-Fenek uses its sense of
smell to a marked degree (scent hound) when searching for its prey. When the prey bolts,
its sight hound instincts come into play and the hound is in full flight in strong pursuit
of its prey. The versatility of the breed does not, however, end here. The Kelb Tal-Fenek
is a good guard dog, and also accompanies goats and sheep on their way to the pasture. The
Kelb Tal-Fenek occasionally is also used as a gundog to flush and retrieve quail and
woodcock. In honor of its importance and heritage, the dog was officially declared Malta's
national hound in 1974. Maltese Lira coins were minted in 1977 depicting the Kelb
Tal-Fenek on the reverse. During the 1960's Kelb Tal-Feneks were imported to England and
to the United States. The breed was recognized by the AKC in 1983.
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Group |
Southern, AKC Hound |
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Recognition |
CKC, FCI, AKC, UKC, KCGB, CKC, ANKC,
NKC, NZKC, APRI, ACR |
CKC = Continental Kennel Club
FCI = Fédération
Cynologique Internationale
AKC = American Kennel
Club
UKC = United Kennel Club
KCGB = Kennel Club
of Great Britain
CKC = Canadian
Kennel Club
ANKC = Australian National
Kennel Club
NKC = National
Kennel Club
NZKC = New Zealand Kennel Club
APRI = American Pet Registry
Inc.
ACR = American Canine Registry |
Cadi Bug/ Cadie
Photo Courtesy of Cassi
Scarlet
Photo Courtesy of Cassi
Pharaoh Hound Pictures Page
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