Pharaoh Hounds NSW Australia

What you need to know about Pharaoh Hounds.

Pharaoh Hounds are as unique in temperament as they are in appearance and history. They are playful and loving, yet dignified and self-contained. They are extremely intelligent and learn at an incredible rate. To their people, they are lovingly devoted, but in a different way than most breeds--they are very catlike in their affection, in that they are affectionate, and they do love you, but they have their own agenda to keep in mind as well. With strangers they tend to be somewhat standoffish and aloof at first, the females more so than the males. All Pharaohs tend to do very well with children and other pets if introduced at a young age.

They are true entertainers by nature. They love to make their owners laugh at their hilarious antics. Pharaohs also seem to "play" their way through life--everything is a potential game. If they are bored, they will create their own fun! This fun loving breed reacts adversely to traditional training methods and can prove quite stubborn at times.

Do not be misled. The Pharaoh hound is definitely not for everyone. You must remember that they were selectively bred for thousands of years for hunting ability alone, and that hunting instinct is still very strong, as it should be. A securely fenced yard is an absolute necessity, no ifs, ands, or buts. They are also extremely alert and active dogs that require regular exercise, and they can easily become destructive without an acceptable outlet for all their energy.

Living with a pharaoh.

This is an active breed. By active, I do not mean hyper, just that they have a lot of energy and they need to exercise and play hard to stay physically and mentally fit. They are extremely playful--everything is a potential game to them. They are also true entertainers by nature, and very interactive, both with each other and with their people. If they are bored, they will create their own fun. Calibur is the king of inventing games. He will dig at the water in his bowl or in mud pools and turn around to snap at the splashes he's created. He also loves to chase bubbles and will even throw the tennis ball for himself! They are a riot! And, of course, when they get together to play, it's quite a show. They are usually very laid-back in the house. Pharaohs are the ultimate couch potatoes most of the time.

As housedogs, they are clean and tidy. They don't smell (even when wet) and they don't shed (at least not to where it is noticeable), making them welcomed house pets. They do like their comforts, however. Pharaohs love to sleep in the beds under the covers--try convincing them that they deserve any less! They should live indoors primarily, and must feel like they are part of the family to thrive.

Pharaohs are a very vocal breed by nature, and they love to utilize their vocal chords. They have a very wide and interesting array of sounds that they make. When they play, they play vocally, and they have a tendency to bark a warning at almost anything that they deem slightly out of the ordinary:

Pharaohs are very loyal to their people, without being doting. They are very catlike in their affection. They are affectionate, and they do love you, but they have their own agenda to keep in mind as well. Most Pharaohs (especially bitches) are quite aloof with strangers, preferring to have nothing to do with them, which may offend some of your friends who claim to have a way with dogs!

Something else that many people are disappointed to hear is the fact that this breed MUST be either safely contained in a fenced yard or on a leash at all times. Because of their strong hunt/chase instincts, they can never be trusted to run free. The only time it is safe to have a Pharaoh off-lead is during their run at a lure course, in the agility or obedience rings, or in a securely fenced area (fenced playing fields tennis courts etc and dog parks, for example). They make excellent jogging, hiking, and biking partners while safely leashed.

Care of your Pharaoh.

Pharaoh Hounds are generally a very healthy breed as a rule. At this point in time (and for 5000 years!) they have been free from the genetic problems which plague many breeds (i.e. hip dysplasia, entropy, etc.,) as a result of the conscious efforts made by responsible breeders to keep it that way. Pharaohs also seem to hold up better than many breeds on the lure coursing field.

There are, however, a few care concerns that bare knowing about: Many Pharaohs (as well as other sight hound breeds) exhibit some sort of reaction to many modern day injections. This is because sight hounds lack the protective layer of fat under the skin that most breeds have. Just make sure that you and your veterinarian are aware of this fact. Also, many regular dog shampoos and human shampoos will cause reactions in a Pharaoh's sensitive skin. For this reason, it is advised that when you bathe your Pharaoh you use a mild shampoo.

As far as general grooming goes, Pharaoh hound owners have it easy. A quick slicking down with a rubber or sisal mitt, or a damp cloth, as well as a thorough ear cleaning, tooth scaling, and nail clipping/filing before a show (or about once a week, if you don't show) is all that is necessary. Any harsh brush's should be avoided when grooming this breed. It is also extremely important to provide a Pharaoh with enough exercise and mental stimulation to ensure health and happiness.

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