HISTORY OF PHARAOH HOUND

The Pharaoh Hound is the oldest domesticated dog in recorded history. Two hounds aredepicted hunting Gazelle on a circular disc which is thought to have been part of a game. The date, around 4000B.C.,was certainly before the first dynasty. The origin of this hound in prehistoric times has been the subject of research by many Egyptologists.

They conclude that if this race of dogs could have resulted from a mixture of many kinds of wild canidae, it is quite natural that from time to time, one of these elegant individuals would crop up with the elegant silhouette of Canis Doerdelini, the beautiful limbs of the Canis Lupaster

Canis Lupaster

& the long nose, erect ears & gentle nature of the Pariah or Wandering Dog of Egypt. They were seen as representatives of the Ancient Gods by the original Egyptians. The dogs were favored as the hunters and faithful, loyal companions in the daily life of the kings and nobles of all periods in Ancient Egypt & were frequently depicted in carvings. In 1935, a burial tomb of a dog was found in the great cemetery west of the Pyramid of Cheops at Giza with the following inscription recording the ritual burial ceremony, "The dog which was the guard of His Majesty, Abuwtiyuw is his name."

Head of God Anubis

This was a "Pharaoh Hound" type dog. His Majesty did this for him in order that he (the dog) might be honored before the great God Anubis. It is thought that the Phoenicians took these hounds with them when they settled on Malta and Gozo (islands off the coast of Italy), & the preservation of the these hounds who have changed so little in 5,000 years can be credited to the islands inhabitants. They are now the National Dog of Malta, where they are bred for rabbit hunting, guardians of the homesteads and known as "Kelb-tal-Fenek" (Rabbit Dog). The Pharaoh Hound was first imported into England in the early 1930's, then again in 1963 from Malta and Gozo. They were first introduced into the U.S. about 1967 by Mrs. Harper & the Pharaoh Hound Club of America (PHCA) was founded in 1970. Pharaohs received American Kennel Club (AKC) recognition in 1984 & were added to the Hound Group. This glorious breed can now be found in most countries in the world.

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Standart

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.

Head and Skull
Skull long, lean, and chiseled. Foreface slightly longer than the skull. Only slight stop. Top of the skull parallel with the foreface representing a blunt wedge.

Nose
Flesh colored, blending with the coat. No other color.

Mouth
Powerful jaws with strong teeth. Scissor bite.

Eyes
Amber colored blending with coat; oval, moderately deep set with keen intelligent expression.

Ears
Medium high set, carried erect when alert, but very mobile, broad at the base, fine and large.

Neck
Long, lean, and muscular with a slight arch to carry the head on high. Clean throat line.

Body
Lithe with almost straight top-line. Slight slope from croup to root of tail. Deep brisket almost down to point of elbow. Ribs well sprung. Moderate tuck up. Length of body from breast to haunch bone slightly longer than height of withers to ground.

Tail
Medium set - fairly thick at the base and tapering whip-like, reaching below the point of hock in repose. Well carried and curved when in action. The tail should not be tucked between the legs. A screw tail is a fault.

Forequarters
Shoulders long and sloping and well laid back. Strong without being loaded. Forelegs straight and parallel. Elbows well tucked in. Pasterns strong.

Hindquarters
Strong and muscular. Moderate sweep of stifle. Well developed second thigh. Limbs parallel.

Feet
Neither cat nor hare but strong, well knuckled and firm, turning neither in nor out. Paws well padded. Dewclaws removed.

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

Color
Ranging from tan/rich, tan/chestnut with white markings allowed as follows: White tip on tail strongly desired. White on chest (called “the Star”). White on toes and slim white snip on center line of face permissible. Flecking or other white undesirable except for any solid white spot on the back of the neck, shoulder, or any part of the back or sides of the dog, which is a disqualification.

Gait
Free and flowing; the head should be held fairly high and the dog should cover the ground well without any apparent effort. The legs and feet should move in line with the body; any tendency to throw the feet sideways, or a high stepping “hackney” action is a definite fault.

Height
Dogs 23 inches to 25 inches. Bitches 21 inches to 24 inches. All over balance must be maintained.

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

Disqualification
Any solid white spot on the back of neck, shoulder, or any part of the back or sides of the dog.