People usually look up the Pharaoh Hound when they’re weighing up a rare sighthound for family life, trying to confirm the breed’s true origins, or checking whether its exercise and training needs will fit around work and weekends. This is the sort of dog that can look calm and sculptural on the sofa, then vanish in a heartbeat if something small and fast moves across the paddock fence.
Below is a clear, practical picture of the breed as it’s recognised today: what a Pharaoh Hound is meant to look like, where it really comes from, what daily life tends to require, and the health and care basics that matter most.
At a glance
- Size: Medium
- Height: Dogs ideally 56–63.5 cm; bitches ideally 53.5–61 cm1
- Coat: Short, glossy; no feathering
- Colour: Tan or rich tan with limited white markings (for example a white tail tip is strongly desired)1, 2
- Temperament (typical): Alert, intelligent, friendly, affectionate, playful1, 3
- Lifespan: Commonly around 12–14 years (individuals vary)6
What a Pharaoh Hound is (and isn’t)
The Pharaoh Hound (also known by the Maltese name Kelb tal-Fenek, “rabbit dog”) is a lean, athletic hunting dog traditionally used for rabbit hunting in Malta’s rocky countryside. In modern homes, that background shows up as speed, sharp senses, and a strong pull towards movement—especially anything that looks like prey.4
One common misconception is that the breed is directly descended from the dogs painted on ancient Egyptian tomb walls. The look is similar, and the story persists, but the internationally recognised breed is tied to Malta as its country of origin in official kennel records, rather than proven ancient Egyptian ancestry.3, 4
Origins and cultural significance
Malta’s rabbit-hunting hound
In Malta, the breed’s traditional name—Kelb tal-Fenek—describes its working role plainly. These dogs were used to hunt rabbits in rugged terrain, relying on both sight and scent, and using their ears to a marked degree when working close.5, 4
How kennel organisations record the breed
Internationally, the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) lists the Pharaoh Hound’s country of origin as Malta and places it in Group 5 (Spitz and primitive types), “Primitive type”.3 In Australia, state canine councils publish the breed standard used locally, describing the ideal dog and the traits breeders aim to preserve.1
Physical characteristics
Overall build
A Pharaoh Hound is medium sized, clean-lined and fast, with free, easy movement and an alert expression. The head is long and lean with only a slight stop, and the eyes are amber-coloured, blending with the coat.1
Coat and colour
The coat is short and glossy, ranging from fine and close to slightly harsh. Colour is tan or rich tan, with specific white markings permitted (such as a white chest “star” and a white tail tip; other white is undesirable).1, 2
The “blushing” trait
The breed is widely known as a “blushing” hound: when aroused or excited, the ears and nose can flush pink. It’s a normal, well-noted feature in breed descriptions, not a sign of illness on its own.6
Temperament and behaviour in everyday life
Pharaoh Hounds are typically friendly and affectionate with their people, playful, and quick to notice what’s changing around them. They’re also independent-minded—less interested in repetition for its own sake than in what the moment offers.1
The defining behavioural feature for many households is prey drive. Many Pharaoh Hounds will chase if a small animal bolts, even if the dog is otherwise gentle at home. That doesn’t make them “aggressive”; it’s a hunting pattern switched on by movement, and it needs management rather than moral judgement.
Children and other animals
With children, the breed tends to do best with calm handling, predictable routines, and enough space to retreat when things get loud. With other pets, early and ongoing socialisation matters. Even then, caution is sensible around smaller animals because chasing can be instinctive and very fast.
Training and exercise needs
Training that fits the breed
Short, upbeat training sessions usually land better than long drills. Reward-based methods help maintain focus, and real-life practice (doors, gates, greetings, recall on a long line) matters more than perfect obedience in the lounge room.
Exercise: what “enough” often looks like
Pharaoh Hounds are built for speed and need daily movement, plus regular chances to run safely. A brisk lead walk helps, but many dogs also need a secure area for a proper sprint, or structured dog sports such as lure coursing where available.
- Essential safety note: Because of prey drive, off-lead time is usually safest in a fully enclosed space with reliable fencing and gates.
Health and lifespan
Pharaoh Hounds are generally considered a healthy breed, with a commonly cited lifespan of around 12–14 years. Like all breeds, individuals vary, and good outcomes are shaped by genetics, diet, exercise, dental care, and timely veterinary checks.6
Rather than assuming any one condition is “common”, it’s worth asking breeders what health screening they do and what they see in their lines. Your local vet can also guide you on sensible monitoring for joints, skin, ears, teeth, and weight across life stages.
Grooming and maintenance
The short coat is low maintenance. A weekly brush or rub-down usually removes loose hair and keeps the coat glossy. Add routine nail trimming, ear checks (especially after dusty runs), and regular dental care.
Diet and nutrition
Feed a complete and balanced diet appropriate to your dog’s life stage and activity level. The most practical way to judge whether you’re feeding the right amount is to track body condition over time—too much weight quietly loads the joints and makes heat and exercise harder to tolerate.7
- If you’re unsure, ask your vet to score your dog’s body condition and help set a target weight range.
- Adjust portions when activity changes (season, injury, moving house), not just when the bowl looks empty.
Final thoughts
The Pharaoh Hound is a quiet study in movement: stillness, then sudden precision. In the right home—one that enjoys daily activity, trains kindly and consistently, and manages prey drive with good fencing and habits—this is a companion with rare elegance and a very practical, working-dog brain.
References
- Dogs NSW (ANKC affiliate) – Pharaoh Hound breed standard
- The Kennel Club (UK) – Pharaoh Hound breed standard
- Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) – Pharaoh Hound (No. 248) breed listing
- Pharaoh Hound – overview of the Kelb tal-Fenek and traditional rabbit hunting use (Wikipedia)
- FCI Standard No. 248 (republished) – Pharaoh Hound utilisation and temperament summary
- The Spruce Pets – Pharaoh Hound breed characteristics (including “blushing” trait and typical lifespan)
- WSAVA – Global Nutrition Guidelines (including body condition scoring resources)
Veterinary Advisor, Veterinarian London Area, United Kingdom