Canine News · Rare Species · Pet Information · National Pets

Ancient and Elegant Pharaoh Hound: A Noble Canine Companion

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The Pharaoh Hound is a dog breed with a rich history and unique charm. It originated in Egypt and is a rather ancient domestic dog breed. It was highly favored by the pharaohs in ancient Egypt and was once the exclusive pet of pharaohs and nobles. In 2000 BC, Phoenician merchants introduced it to the island of Malta, where it became an excellent rabbit - hunting dog and multiplied rapidly. In 1979, the Maltese government designated the Pharaoh Hound as the national dog.

Male Pharaoh Hounds stand 58 - 63 centimeters tall at the shoulder and weigh 23 - 25 kilograms, while females are 53 - 61 centimeters tall and weigh 20 - 23 kilograms. Their bodies are flexible, with amber - colored eyes, large and delicate ears, and long, well - defined heads. The coat is short and shiny, ranging in color from bright tan to chestnut, and some dogs have white markings on the tip of the tail, chest, paws, and middle of the face.

This breed is intelligent, friendly, playful, and highly alert, being very loyal to its owner. It has excellent vision and smell, enabling it to hunt by both scent and sight. In the early days, the Pharaoh Hound was mainly used as a hunting dog for catching hares and later also served as a herding dog. Nowadays, it mainly functions as a companion dog, suitable for active families and able to get along harmoniously with older children.