|
| First Dog | Dog Care | Dog Training | Dog Feeding | Dog Health | Dog Breeding | Dog Showing | OutDoor Dogs | Working Dogs | Careers with Dogs | Forum | Pet Links | Site Map | Home | |
PHARAOH HOUND |
|||||||
|
Additonal Breeds Starting With Letter:
Pet Sites
 |
Artifacts created
in the Nile Valley during the Stone Age, perhaps as long ago as 4000 BC,
display the image of a general type hound, such as the Pharaoh, Ibizan
and Sicilian breeds. These dogs had the typical large, upright ears and
descended from pariah-type southern dogs selected for their speed. Depicted
widely during the Egyptian dynasties, these dogs bear a striking resemblance
to the dog-god Anubis, who guided souls to their place in the afterworld.
But long before
Egyptian times, the Phoenicians busily traded sighthounds of this kind
around the known world. In most cases, these dogs were molded and shaped
into new breeds by crossing with native dogs. But, in certain cases, the
canine cargo was left on isolated islands where they bred true for millenia.
Such is the case with the Pharaoh Hound.
Phoenicians
colonized the island of Malta about 1000 BC, probably bringing fleet hounds
with them at that time. Over the years, the people of this poor-soiled
rocky island learned to value the dogs for hunting rabbits. This is where
they acquired the name Kelb-tal Fenek, or rabbit dog. After the decline
of the Middle Eastern civilizations, Malta was left on its own for many
centuries (although legend says that the Apostle Paul was shipwrecked
near Malta in 60 AD when the inhabitants of these islands were converted
to Christianity). For almost 2,000 years, the original dogs bred true
on the island, without the introduction of any other type. Today the Pharaoh
is the national dog of Malta and a piece of living history, showing us
what dogs looked like thousands of years ago.
Although some
Pharaoh Hounds were brought to Britain in the 1930s, they attracted little
attention and soon disappeared. It wasn't until the breed was reintroduced
in the 1960s that these dogs began to stir interest. A specialty club
was organized in England as recently as 1968, with official Kennel Club
recognition soon following. Specimens were introduced to North America
in the late 1960s and gained much respect for their abilities in lure
coursing and in field trials for sighthounds. Canada recognized the breed
in 1979, with America following suit in 1983.
The Pharaoh
is an unusual sighthound who can also competently hunt by scent. His
temperament is friendly and affectionate, even playful. This, combined
with his intelligence, often makes him a competitive obedience dog,
a trait not common among the independent gaze-hounds. Despite his great
speed and agility, his nature makes him quiet and unobtrusive in the
home. The long, whiplike tail is carried high in a gentle curve when
he is in action, very much like his ancient pariah ancestors and his
cousin the Canaan Dog.
His alarm
tendencies and easy care make him a viable choice for those who are
willing to provide a workout. It has been noted by modern owners that
Pharaohs lick rain water off each other, obviously a desert instinct
to take advantage of any water. When excited, they blush a rosy pink,
highlighting their faces and the inside of their ears. It is said "his
face glows like a god."
|
