Pharaoh Hound
About the Pharaoh Hound
Temperament
Physical Characteristics
| Size Category | Medium (25-50 lbs) |
|---|---|
| Height | 21-25" |
| Weight | 45-55 lbs |
| Coat Type | Smooth |
| Coat Length | Short |
| Colors | |
| Hypoallergenic | No |
Care Requirements
Exercise Needs
High (60-90 min/day)
60 minutes per day recommended
Grooming
Moderate - Weekly
Mental Stimulation
★★★★★Needs plenty of mental challenges
Drooling
★★★★★Living Conditions
Cost of Ownership
| Purchase Price | $1,500-$2,500 |
|---|---|
| Annual Cost | $1,200/year |
Costs vary based on location, breeder, and individual needs. Annual costs include food, veterinary care, grooming, and supplies.
Health Considerations
Like all breeds, Pharaoh Hounds may be prone to certain health conditions:
Regular veterinary check-ups and proper care can help prevent or manage many health issues.
Best For
- Families with Children
- Apartment Living
- Active Owners
May Not Be Ideal For
- Sedentary Lifestyles
Guides for your Pharaoh Hound
The story behind the Pharaoh Hound
The breed as known today was developed from the Kelb tal-Fenek, the rabbit dog of Malta and Gozo, where lean prick-eared hounds were used for centuries to hunt rabbit over stony ground at night, working with ferrets, nets and the sound of a bell. Handlers relied on the dogs' hearing and speed in country too rough for other methods. British visitors brought examples to the United Kingdom in the twentieth century, where a standard was written and the name Pharaoh Hound was adopted; the resemblance to dogs in ancient Egyptian art influenced that choice but does not establish direct descent. Recognition in Britain and later North America followed in the second half of the century. The breed remains numerically small abroad, while traditional rabbit hunting with these dogs continues in Malta, where the type is a national symbol.
Originally bred for: Rabbit hunter, night hunting dog, sight and sound hunter. You can trace how working roles shaped today’s breeds across our dog guides.
Feeding a Pharaoh Hound
Feed a good-quality complete diet with enough fat to fuel a fast, lean-muscled athlete that carries little reserve. Many hold condition better on two meals with a gap after eating before hard exercise. Ribs should be just visible when the dog stretches.
Watch for: No breed-linked food intolerance is documented. Lean sighthound types can be sensitive to abrupt diet switches and to rich, very fatty additions, so transitions are best made gradually. Ongoing digestive upset warrants a veterinary opinion rather than repeated food swapping.
Mealtime extras: training treats worth keeping in your pocket. Everything else lives in our dog nutrition and feeding hub.
Living with a Pharaoh Hound
Day to day, the basics matter most: how much exercise your dog needs, how often to get out for a walk, and how much sleep is normal.
For play and enrichment, browse our favorite dog toys and interactive toys for rainy days.
Gear that fits the breed makes life easier: a well-sized dog bed, a properly sized crate.
Raising a puppy? Work through crate training and the teething timeline — or see how old your dog is in human years with our dog age calculator.