Overview
The Pharaoh Hound is Malta's rabbit dog and one of the most joyful of the sighthounds: an elegant, athletic hunter that works with all its senses and then comes home to grin, blush, and perform for its family. It carries itself like living sculpture but has a comedian's streak that surprises people who expect aloofness from a sighthound.
Temperament & personality
Friendly, playful, and more biddable than many sighthounds, though still an independent hunter at heart. Pharaohs are sensitive dogs that wilt under harsh handling and thrive on positive training. They bond closely with family, are usually polite with strangers, and have a mischievous sense of fun — many owners describe a genuine sense of humour.
Appearance
Elegant and athletic, with a fine, short tan-to-chestnut coat, a long wedge-shaped head, prick ears, and large amber eyes. The breed's famous party trick is 'blushing': the nose and inner ears flush a deep pink when the dog is excited or happy. White markings are permitted, and the skin of the nose and ears is notably fine and thin.
Care & daily life
Pharaoh Hounds are sprinters who need a daily chance to run flat-out in a secure area, plus a total of one to one and a half hours of activity. They are sensitive to cold and appreciate a coat in winter. The fine single coat needs little more than a weekly wipe-down, but the breed is sensitive to some chemicals and anaesthetics — worth discussing with your vet.
Health & lifespan
The Pharaoh Hound is generally known for the following health watch-points:
- Generally a very healthy, hardy breed with few hereditary problems
- Hip dysplasia occurs occasionally
- Patellar luxation and eye conditions such as progressive retinal atrophy are reported at low rates
- Sensitivity to certain anaesthetics and insecticides is noted in the breed — mention it to your vet
- Allergies and autoimmune thyroiditis appear in some lines
Living with a Pharaoh Hound
Suits active homes that can offer secure running space and a warm house — Pharaohs feel the cold and love soft furniture. They are gentle with children, clean and nearly odourless indoors, and famously clownish at home despite their noble bearing. Prey drive makes small-pet homes a careful decision.
History
Malta's national dog, the Kelb tal-Fenek ('rabbit dog'), was developed on the island as a keen-scented, keen-sighted rabbit hunter that works by scent, sight, and hearing together. Its resemblance to the hounds of ancient Egyptian art led to romantic origin stories, but genetic evidence shows a European breed shaped in Malta over recent centuries. It reached Britain and the US in the 1960s–70s and was recognised by the AKC in 1983.