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The Pharaoh Hound is an ancient breed of dog with a rarity factor. Within Germany, the offspring can often be counted on one hand. Nevertheless, it is worth taking a closer look. The pharaoh hound is a very special animal that can infect us with its joie de vivre.
History of the Pharaoh Hound
How exactly and where the story of the pharaoh hound originated, we can no longer really understand today. However, it is believed that the dog breed has existed for thousands of years. However, it is not known to which primal dog we can trace the pharaoh hound back. In principle, the development is only documented from the 20th century.
In the 1960s, the British began systematic breeding, in 1977 the Pharaoh Hound was recognized by the FCI under a collective standard, and in 1991 as a separate breed. In this country, the German Greyhound Breeding and Racing Association has adopted the pharaoh hounds.
Essence and Character
The Pharaoh Hound is a bright little fellow with a great passion for things to do. It is important to him that he gets his money’s worth physically. Therefore, it is optimal if he has a sporty and energetic owner who is involved in his everyday life. The pharaoh hound is very open and social toward people, so it makes sense to combine people’s thirst for adventure with their dog’s love of games and sports.
Acquisition of a Pharaoh Hound
Pharaoh hounds are a real rarity in this country. It can happen that not a single puppy is available for sale during the year. Anyone who is still interested in pharaoh hounds should contact the German Sighthound Breeding and Racing Association and the German Dog Association or look in neighboring countries.
In rare cases, there is also the possibility of purchasing a pharaoh hound from animal welfare. If that’s not the case, you might find a dog there that looks and has a similar personality (example: the Podenco).
What do I need to pay attention to when purchasing?
If you have identified a seller, you should ensure the following aspects:
- It is bred with proof of pedigree to minimize the rate of inbreeding.
- The parents are healthy.
- The puppies receive medical care.
- The housing conditions are right.
- You can get to know the puppies before they are handed over.
- The handover does not take place before the 12th week of life.
If you do not buy the dog from a breeder, but choose a placement dog from the animal welfare, you should find out about the reasons for the sale. Some dog owners cannot cope with the requirements of the dog breed. Be prepared for educational deficiencies that you will have to correct with a lot of patience.
Puppy development and training
The pharaoh hound is used for hunting in its homeland. The dog’s senses are alert and sharpened to locate prey. On the one hand, this has the advantage that the pharaoh hound is alert and can concentrate well. On the other hand, the interest in hunting is often a hindrance in training and in everyday life because the pharaoh hound does not hear. Retrievability is a tedious task with this breed of dog, which does not work reliably even with expert training.
He is also a strong-willed dog who can acquire many skills as part of a clear upbringing, but who never obeys 100%.
Nevertheless, the pharaoh hound also has many characteristics (affectionateness, friendly disposition, intelligence) that humans can use strategically. The bottom line is that he is a dog that belongs in experienced hands.
How Do I Keep a Pharaoh Hound?
In its homeland, the pharaoh hound is valued above all for its hunting successes. In our region, however, he is not a hunter, but a playful family animal. The ideal dog owner should be very sporty himself. In this way, the demands of the pharaoh hound can best be combined with your own lifestyle.
If he is sufficiently busy, he can temper his mind better in the apartment. Since the pharaoh hound has no undercoat, permanent outdoor keeping is not recommended anyway. When the temperature is mild and the weather is bad, he has to be inside.
Nevertheless, it would be nice if the new home had an escape-proof garden. Because the pharaoh hound barks a lot, it is not always tolerated in apartment buildings and urban living locations. So make sure that you live alone or discuss the purchase with your neighbors.
Due to his passion for hunting, there should be no small animals in the household. He usually gets along well with other dogs. However, there is occasionally friction among male dogs.
The pharaoh hound is reserved when dealing with strangers. In general, he likes to be with children.