Pharaoh Hound

AKC Group: Hound

Club: Pharaoh Hound Club of America

Corresponding Secretary : Rita Sacks
Address: Po Box 895454, Leesburg, FL , 34789-5454
Website: www.pharaohhca.com
Club Type: Specialty

General Apperance:

General Appearance is one of grace, power and speed. The Pharaoh Hound is medium sized, of noble bearing with hard clean-cut lines-graceful, well balanced, very fast with free easy movement and alert expression.

The following description is that of the ideal Pharaoh Hound. Any deviation from the below described dog must be penalized to the extent of the deviation.

Size:

Height --Dogs 23 inches--25 inches. Bitches 21 inches--24 inches. Allover balance must be maintained. Length of body from breast to haunch bone slightly longer than height of withers to ground. Lithe.

Coat:

Short and glossy, ranging from fine and close to slightly harsh with no feathering. Accident blemishes should not be considered as faults.

Temperament:

Intelligent, friendly, affectionate and playful. Alert and active. Very fast with a marked keenness for hunting, both by sight and scent.

History:

The Pharaoh Hound, one of the oldest domesticated dogs in recorded history, traces his lineage to roughly 3000 B. C. Fortunately, the history of Egyptian civilization was well documented and preserved through paintings and hieroglyphics. From these we learn that this unique dog was treasured for his great hunting ability and his affinity for close family relationships.

The dogs are described in a translation of a letter of the Nineteenth Dynasty: "The red, long-tailed dog goes at night into the stalls of the hills, he is better than the long-faced dog. He makes no delay in hunting, his face glows like a god and he delights to do his work." This "blushing" trait has not been lost through the ages. It is beautiful to see a Pharaoh Hound glow with excitement or happiness-the nose and ears fuming a deep rose color, and the lovely amber eyes further enriched with a deep rose hue.

It seems reasonably certain that the origins of this dog lie in Egypt and they were carried by Phoenician traders to the island of Malta well before the birth of Christ. The breeders of Malta maintained a purity of breed type over a period of 2,000 years, for the dog today still closely resembles his Egyptian forebears.

The Pharaoh Hound was apparently first imported to England in the early 1930's, but the records are inconclusive. In 1963, author Pauline Block came home to England with Bahri of Twinley. This Pharaoh Hound was the first to be shown in England. In 1967, Mrs. Ruth Taft Harper brought the first Pharaoh Hound to the United States, with the first litter being whelped in 1970.

The American Kennel Club admitted the Pharaoh Hound into the Miscellaneous Class in January 1979. Then, effective August 1, 1983, the breed was recognized for registration and became eligible to compete in the Hound Group effective January 1, 1984.

The Pharaoh Hound gives a striking impression of elegance, power and grace. He is intelligent, friendly and affectionate. His high speed combined with his alertness and agility give him a marked keenness for hunting both by sight and by scent. Their willingness to please allows them to be trained swiftly which makes them excellent candidates for hunting, obedience and coursing.