The Pharaoh Dog, or Pharaoh Hound, is a watchful and attentive dog that chooses how it is treated. He loves his master, his family and the people he knows, and is friendly and affectionate with them, but he is reticent or even touchy with strangers.
But he is never overly aggressive or even aggressive.
He is a reliable watchdog who is not afraid of anything or anyone.
He is friendly to children.
He is a dominant breed though, he is very friendly with familiar dogs, tolerant of strangers, but may react defensively to the dominant/offensive behavior of a stranger.
The Pharaoh puppy will get along well with other dogs and cats in the household, but direct cohabitation with rodents and other small domestic and farm animals is not recommended.
Caring for this playful and athletic dog is not difficult. He is not picky, his coat is short and his only concern is cleanliness and comfort.
It is not a dog for everyone, its nature is a bit mysterious, this is part of the heritage of its ancient origin.
The Pharaoh Greyhound belongs to people who are sensitive, empathetic and sporty.
PHARAOH HOUND
ORIGIN : Malta
PATRONAGE : Great Britain.
DATE OF PUBLICATION OF THE ORIGINAL VALID STANDARD : 24.06.1987
UTILIZATION : An alert keen hunter, hunting by scent and sight, using his ears to a marked degree when working close.
CLASSIFICATION F.C.I. : Group 5 Spitz and primitive types.
Section 6 Primitive type.
Without working trial.
GENERAL APPEARANCE : Medium sized, of noble bearing with clean-cut lines. Graceful yet powerful. Very fast with free easy movement and alert expression.
BEHAVIOUR /TEMPERAMENT : Alert, intelligent, friendly, affectionate and playful.
HEAD : Foreface slightly longer than skull. Top of skull parallel with foreface, whole head representing a blunt wedge when viewed in profile and from above.
CRANIAL REGION :
Skull : Long, lean and well-chiselled.
Stop : Only slight.
FACIAL REGION :
Nose : Flesh coloured only, blending with coat.
Jaws/Teeth : Powerful jaws with strong teeth. Scissor bite, i.e. the upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set square to the jaws.
Eyes : Amber coloured, blending with coat ; oval, moderately deep- set, with keen, intelligent expression.
Ears : Medium high set ; carried erect when alert, but very mobile ; broad at base, fine and large.
NECK : Long, lean, muscular and slightly arched. Clean throat line.
BODY : Lithe with almost straight topline. Length of body from breast to haunch bone slightly longer than height at withers.
Croup : Slight slope down from croup to root of tail.
Chest : Deep, extending down to point of elbow. Ribs well sprung.
Belly : Moderate cut up.
TAIL : Medium set, fairly thick at base and tapering (whip-like), reaching just below point of hock in repose. Carried high and curved when dog is in action. Tail should not be tucked between legs. A screw tail undesirable.
LIMBS
FOREQUARTERS : Forelegs straight and parallel.
Shoulder : Strong, long and well laid back.
Elbow : Well tucked in.
Pastern : Strong
HINDQUARTERS : Strong and muscular. Limbs parallel when viewed from behind.
Stifle : Moderate bend of stifle.
Second thigh : Well developed.
FEET : Strong, well knuckled and firm, turning neither in nor out. Paws well padded. Dewclaws may be removed.
GAIT/MOVEMENT : Free and flowing ; head held fairly high and dog should cover ground well without any apparent effort. Legs and feet should move in line with body ; any tendency to throw feet sideways, or high stepping « hackney » action highly undesirable.
COAT
HAIR : Short and glossy, ranging from fine and close to slightly harsh ; no feathering.
COLOUR : Tan or rich tan with white markings allowed as follows :
White tip on tail strongly desired. White on chest (called « the star »). White on toes. Slim white blaze on center line of face permissible. Flecking or white other than above undesirable.
HEIGHT : Dogs : ideally 56 cm (22-25 ins = 56-63,5 cm),
bitches : ideally 53 cm (21-24 ins = 53-61 cm).
FAULTS : Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.
Any dog clearly showing physical or behavioural abnormalities shall be disqualified.
N.B. : Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.