Pharaoh Hound
The blushing hound of Malta — amber-eyed, rose-eared, and faster than gossip.
Vital stats
| Size | Medium-large · 53–63 cm |
| Weight | 20–25 kg |
| Life expectancy | 12–14 years |
| Energy | High — 60 min/day with sprints |
| Shedding | Light |
| Coat | Short, fine coat · rich tan with white touches |
| Group | Hound · FCI №248 / AKC |
Breed traits
Friendliness
Care
Mind
Temperament
Malta's Kelb tal-Fenek hunted rabbits by moonlight using sight, scent and hearing at once — so the Pharaoh Hound is alert, quick-firing and independent outdoors, then calm, clean and affectionate at home. Reserved with strangers, silly with its family, and always keeping one eye on the horizon.
Habits & quirks
The famous blush
Praise it, feed it or bring out the lead, and the nose and ears glow pink — a built-in mood ring.
Sun worship
A thin coat and a Mediterranean soul — it claims every sunbeam and files complaints about drizzle.
Standing take-off
It can clear astonishing heights from a standstill; garden fences should assume ambition.
Chase first, think later
Anything small and fast flips an ancient switch — squirrels are not consulted.
Care
| Exercise | Daily walks plus regular flat-out runs in a securely fenced space; a tired Pharaoh is a serene one. |
| Containment | Fencing needs real height — this is an agile jumper that should never be off-lead near roads. |
| Grooming | Practically nil — a weekly rub-down with a hound glove, and a coat for cold, wet weather. |
| Health | A sound, long-lived breed; like other lean sight-hunters it appreciates soft bedding and a vet aware of sighthound sensitivities. |
Common questions
Is the Pharaoh Hound really from ancient Egypt?
The name is romance, not archaeology — genetic studies place it among Mediterranean breeds developed in Malta, where it has hunted rabbits for centuries. The pharaonic backstory made better marketing than history.
Can a Pharaoh Hound be let off the lead?
Only in securely fenced areas. Its chase instinct outruns its recall, and once locked onto quarry it is functionally deaf to you.
Do Pharaoh Hounds cope with cold weather?
Not naturally — the fine, short coat offers little insulation. A well-fitted winter coat and a warm bed indoors solve it.