The pharaoh hound looks like an animated image of Anubis. This breed can be safely classified as exotic. These dogs know how to smile, when they are embarrassed, they blush.
The pharaoh dogs have the manners of an aristocrat, dignified posture, graceful movements, but until the dog starts a game and begins to have fun, forgetting about his greatness.
Pharaoh Hound photos
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Physical characteristics
The physique of the Pharaoh hound is strong, powerful, one might say, athletic. But at the same time, the animal looks elegant, its movements are graceful. According to the standard, there should be no excessive heaviness and muscularity.
The growth of males is 56 – 64 cm, weight is about 20 – 27 kg. Females are slightly smaller at 53 -61 cm and 18 – 25 kg.
Distinctive features
- Head: The head is shaped like a blunt wedge. The skull is elongated, with a clear configuration. The muzzle is sinewy, elongated, graceful, slightly longer than the skull. The line of transition from the forehead to the muzzle is weakly represented.
- Jaws: The teeth are strong. The jaws are well developed and powerful. The bite is perfectly scissor-like.
- Ears: The ears are rather large, long, erect, fine and mobile. Set moderately high.
- Eyes: The eyes are almond-shaped and deeply set. The color of the iris is amber, the tone corresponds to the color of the coat. Look noble, understanding.
- Body: Square body. The body is elongated, muscular, gracefully slender. The neck is slightly arched, long, lean, athletic, dewlap absent. The back is straight with a slight slope towards the croup. The chest moves forward. The ribs are barrel-shaped. The belly is harmoniously rolled up.
- Limbs: The legs are straight, slender, parallel. The legs are strong with dense pads. The fingers are tightly knit. The animal moves smoothly, proudly carrying its head.
- Coat: The coat is fine and short, shiny, close to the body. The texture of the hair is harsh. The color has all shades of red or yellow-brown. Snow-white spots on the chest and muzzle are possible.
Character and behavior
The Pharaoh Hound is an affectionate, kind, open and loyal pet. He is distinguished by a developed intelligence and special sensitivity to the mood of family members.
If the owner is busy, the dog will never harass him with an offer to play. If there is a quarrel in the house, the pharaoh dog will suffer. If calm reigns, if all members of the household are in a good mood, the animal is happy.
He is suspicious of strangers, the Pharaoh dog will not be the first to approach a stranger, but he will not show aggression either. Due to his benevolence, love for people, he cannot serve as a guardian or guardian.
With the children
He gets along well with children. Pharaoh dog will never harm a child. He will be happy to play with children, to run, to jump. For such a dog, other people’s children are friends, playmates.
But you should not use the animal’s kindness to its detriment. Parents should teach their children to handle the dog properly.
With other animals
If in relation to people the pharaoh dog is kind and affectionate, then in relation to potential prey he shows anger. This is explained by an innate hunting instinct.
That is why it is not recommended to keep small rodents, decorative birds and even cats in the same house as the pharaoh dog. Representatives of the breed rarely come into conflict with their own species, they get along well.
Health
Despite its strong body, the Pharaoh dog, although rarely, is sick. This species is prone to the following health problems:
- Dislocations – often congenital.
- Joint dysplasia – characterized by severe pain, lameness. Requires treatment, otherwise the dog may lose the ability to walk.
- Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract – volvulus, bloating, diarrhea.
- Allergy – most often occurs to any chemical preparations, detergents.
- Ear infections.
- Von Willebrand disease is a bleeding disorder.
- Hypothyroidism is a malfunction of the thyroid gland.
Life expectancy
On average, Pharaoh hounds can live 15-17 years. With proper care, the lifespan can be extended to 18 and even 19 years.
Care
The Pharaoh Hound has a short, smooth coat that is easy to groom. You should brush it once a week. Be sure to keep your pet’s ears and eyes clean, trim their nails once every 10 days, and bathe your dog 1-2 times a month.
To prevent the dog from escaping, the site must be securely fenced with a fence at least 1.8-2 m high. Otherwise, the pharaoh’s walks in the yard must be controlled.
The pharaoh hound is very active, it has an inexhaustible supply of energy. Therefore, it is important to walk your pet regularly, especially if it is kept in an apartment.
Fun facts
- Pharaoh dog is very thermophilic, it is interesting that at the same time it loves to frolic in the snow, dig in the snowdrifts and catch snowballs with its mouth.
- pharaoh hounds are jokingly called “ulybaki”, all because in a fit of joy they wrinkle their nose and stretch their mouth “in a smile”.
- The Pharaoh Hound is capable of blushing in moments of intense excitement, happiness, or when it is guilty. The nose and the inner side of the ears become pale pink.
History of the breed
The homeland of the pharaoh hound is Malta. The origin of the breed dates back to 1647.
These animals belong to a primitive species, the representatives of the breed are unchanged because they have not changed at all since their inception. They did not try to improve them, change them by crossing with other breeds.
The history of the origin of the pharaoh hound has not been fully investigated. Due to its resemblance to Anubis, uninformed people are sure that the breed is of ancient Egyptian origin. In fact, DNA analysis confirmed the opposite, kelb tal-fennecs did not originate in ancient Egypt.
There is an assumption that the Phoenicians brought the pharaohs to Malta. It was on this island that these dogs lived for more than 2000 years, without changing the exterior.
It is worth voicing a beautiful legend regarding the appearance of the pharaoh hound: “In ancient times, a fiery essence descended from Sirius to the earth. Her mission was to save humanity.
The entity, finding itself among people, appeared before their eyes in the guise of a fiery dog. People began to consider the pharaoh hounds sacred. “
Until the early seventies of the twentieth century, the breed lived and was known exclusively in Malta. Kelb tal-Fenek was officially recognized in 1975. Since that time, it has spread throughout the world.