History of the breed's origin, purpose, standard of appearance, character and temperament, health, advice on care, training, price when buying a puppy. The Pharaoh Hound is one of the oldest and most exotic dog breeds. It was not for nothing that it was called “Pharaonic”, because archaeologists have repeatedly found images of similar animals in the tombs of the Egyptian pharaohs. One of these images was found in an ancient Egyptian tomb, which is more than five thousand years old. It was in the image and likeness of the pharaoh dog that the Egyptians drew the god Anubis. The origin of the breed is a hot topic for study in the circles of modern Egyptologists.
Judging by the most diverse finds of Egyptologists, the Pharaoh Hound is one of the most ancient domesticated breeds. Moreover, after such a long time, its appearance has hardly changed, and this indicates that for many years, incest did not occur in this breed, and this variety has retained all its uniqueness and originality.
A strong and graceful Pharaoh's dog with fiery red hair, honey eyes and aristocratic manners is a favorite of the pharaohs, an irreplaceable hunter of rabbits, bunnies and pheasants, as well as an animal that truly possesses some kind of inexplicable magnetism. Now the favorite of the ancient Egyptians can become a pet and a full-fledged member of the family of each of you. And although this pleasure is not cheap, because the breed is one of the three most expensive breeds in the world, but still, real, for those who have a passionate desire to have such a faithful, intelligent and good-natured companion.
The story of the origin of the pharaoh dog
It is believed that the representatives of this breed originated from the crossing of ancient jackals and ancient wolves. The letter, marked by the Nineteenth Egyptian Dynasty, describes a red dog with a long tail, whose face has a divine radiance. The Egyptians considered her to be the earthly embodiment of the god Anubis, a divine creation.
There is a beautiful ancient Egyptian legend about the origin of the pharaoh dog. Many thousands of years ago, from the star Sirius in the constellation Canis Major, a fiery entity descended to Earth - it came in order to save human civilization. Over time, this essence took the guise of a fiery red dog, which began to live next to a person. For the Egyptians, this dog has long remained a sacred creature, and it is she who is considered the progenitor of modern "pharaohs".
The pharaoh dog was depicted on a wide variety of ancient Egyptian artifacts and even on the sarcophagi of the pharaohs, as their faithful companion and dexterous assistant on the hunt. In the pyramid of Cheops in Giza, in 1935, they found a burial of a dog with the inscription: "A dog named Abutiuv, who guarded his Majesty."
Archaeologists have unearthed a small disc on which the plot of the hunt of two pharaoh-shaped dogs for a gazelle was reproduced. The disc was dated back to the fourth millennium BC. Many such historical sights: figurines, bas-reliefs, manuscripts, etc. have survived to this day, and are kept in museums around the globe.
Phoenician merchants took the pharaoh dog from Egypt to the islands of Gozo and Malta, where today the breed has existed for nearly two thousand years. The Maltese called the animal Kelb-tal-Fenech, which means "rabbit dog". Such a Maltese name for the breed is fully justified, because this animal turned out to be a skillful and born hunter. In pursuit, the Phoenicians used it to catch prey, most often small game - rabbits, hares, birds, and so on. In the Mediterranean Islands, the breed became so relevant, popular and beloved by everyone that it was later made the official dog of Malta.
The first written mention of a Maltese hunting dog was made by one of the members of the Order of Malta in 1647. The "rabbit dog" was brought to Europe from Malta in 1920. Until the 1970s, this breed was known only on the islands of Malta and Gozo, but already in 1975 it received official recognition and well-deserved popularity.
Today, the Pharaoh's dog is very rare - there are about five thousand individuals in the world. And, therefore, people appreciate even more their distinctive and exotic look and docile nature.
Purpose of the breed
The graceful pharaonic dog is a born hunter, so to speak, a master of his craft. He was used when chasing small animals - rabbits, hares, pheasants, which he so skillfully caught. Nowadays, as a hunter, the Pharaoh's dog is used only in Malta, basically, now it is just a pet. Sometimes, "rabbit dogs" participate in races - agility and frisbee, from where they often come out victorious, because, like the ancestors of hounds and greyhounds, they run very fast.
Pharaoh Dog Appearance Standard
There are versions according to which the pharaoh's dog descended from two species: Canis doerdelini and Canis lupaster, or, more simply, from the most ancient jackal and wolf-like species. It is believed that from these species "Pharaoh" inherited a noble posture, long and thin legs, pointed and elongated ears, set high on the crown and some independence in behavior.
Pharaoh's dog is of medium size with an athletic build and well-developed muscles, quite tall - its height at the withers varies from 53 to 61.5 centimeters for females and from 59 to 63.5 for males. Despite the very massive appearance, the weight ranges from eighteen to twenty kilograms to twenty-seven, thirty kilograms.
- Head wedge-shaped, clearly delineated. The forehead is round, the transition from the forehead to the nose is poorly expressed. The ears are set high, rather large, erect, wide at the base with pointed tips and very mobile. The eyes are almond-shaped, medium-sized, shallow-set, widely spaced. The muzzle is graceful, long, pointed. The jaws are strong and massive.
- Neck long, graceful and muscular, slightly arched.
- Body. The physique is athletic. The body is lean and muscular, rather long. The shoulders are slightly laid back. The rib cage is wide, its lower outline is approximately level with the elbow joints. The sternum protrudes slightly forward. The ribs are prominent, convex. The upper outlines of the back and pelvis form a straight line.
- Limbs Pharaoh's dog is long, lean and slender: the front ones are even, the back ones are slightly curved, perfectly balanced with the front ones.
- Paws - strong and massive with tightly spaced toes.
- Tail - elongated, whip-shaped - wider at the base, tapering towards the tip. At the base, the tail should be slightly curved, at rest it can hang calmly, but not be bent between the hind limbs. According to the standard, the length of the tail is such that when calm it is just below the hocks. In a state of movement and arousal, the tail is raised to the level of the back or higher.
Pharaoh dog color standard
- The coat is short smooth and velvety, slightly harsh, with proper health, care and nutrition of your pet, very shiny and bright.
- The color of the coat is uniform. According to the color standard, these are shades of reddish-brown in different saturations: light peach, brick red, terracotta, ocher, coffee, milk chocolate. It is desirable that there is a white speck on the tip of the tail. A variety of white spots on the head, chest (the so-called star-spot) and on the legs are also permissible. But, it should be noted that the spot on the head should be located in the center of the forehead or on the bridge of the nose and will not spread to the entire muzzle. Stains on the sides and body are not permissible according to the standard.
At birth, all puppies of the "Pharaoh" have blue eyes, but as they grow, they change their color to honey and amber colors, to match the main color scheme, and when they reach adulthood, they darken a little. The skin of the nose is flesh-colored, reddish or light brown. The color of the rims of the eyes and the inner surface of the ears matches the color of the coat perfectly.
In a state of excitement or excitement, the ears and nose of the Pharaoh dog turn pink - this is a distinctive feature of the breed.
The character and temperament of the pharaoh dog
Despite the fearsome appearance and appearance, the “pharaohs” are very affectionate, kind and playful. These animals are very energetic and mobile, so they need regular, fairly long walks and physical activity.
The Rabbit Dog is a loyal companion who quickly becomes attached to the owner and family. This is a great friend for children. But, of course, an adult should be the owner for such a large pet. The dog gets along well and gets along with other pets, although it has a strong hunting instinct. Having seen a rodent, a bird or even a cat on a walk, the "pharaoh" can rush headlong in pursuit of potential prey and it will be extremely difficult to stop the pet.
The Pharaoh's dog is a sensitive creature that experiences all the joys and sorrows together with the owner and the family in which he lives. Prolonged stress and anxiety severely traumatize the animal, making it physically weak, lethargic and vulnerable. Pharaoh's dog is terribly suspicious and he will only trust people from a familiar environment, he treats strangers with caution.
The Pharaoh Hound is a creature with a good disposition, docile, and yet possesses a strong character and its own opinion. She will not always follow all your commands and do what you want. By subjecting the animal to competent training of situations a la "what I want, I turn it over" in most cases it will be possible to avoid it.
Rabbit dogs are very smart and quick-witted, so they are very easy to train. But they do not accept and do not perceive any physical punishment and onslaught. What, from his point of view, "Pharaoh" considers wrong, he will refuse to do it.
Another interesting trait of "rabbit dogs" is to feel pangs of conscience for the antics done and the harm done. Then they already suffer not only morally, but literally turn purple with shame - their ears and nose become pink.
The health of the pharaoh canine breed
The Pharaoh Hound is extremely healthy. Despite such an impressive size, unlike other large breeds, "Pharaoh" is a long-lived dog. The average life expectancy of representatives of this breed is 14-17 years. Many consider this a consequence of the mobility of the "rabbit dog". And even in old age, the animal retains a considerable share of its former energy and agility.
Pharaoh's dog is a kind of "slave of the stomach" who loves not only to eat hearty and tasty food, but sometimes to overeat soundly, and this is fraught with problems with the intestines, for example, bloating.
All breeds are akin to hounds and greyhounds are creepy allergy sufferers. The "rabbit dog" was no exception. First, there is the danger of a critical reaction to anesthetics (sometimes even fatal). The dose of anesthesia should be calculated based on the weight of the animal; Isoflurane is preferred for use. Secondly, any medicinal and hygienic products with a different chemical composition, your pet should be carefully selected, the best are those containing d-limonins or pyretins. Allergies in the "pharaoh" are often accompanied by ear infections.
As a primitive, "rabbit dog" is susceptible to diseases such as dislocation of the knee cap or dysplasia of the hip joint - congenital joint inferiority, a pathology caused by disturbances in the development of the fetus.
Pharaoh Dog Care Tips
Representatives of the breed, as very intelligent and quick-witted animals, are very distrustful. Their trust must be earned. But there is a nuance - excessive distrust can lead to fearfulness, timidity and unnecessary displays of aggression. From the first walks, the puppy needs to be taught to the company and to visit crowded places with him so that it becomes a habit for him and does not cause excitement and stress.
"Pharaoh" is very mobile and energetic, his jumps reach one and a half meters in height. "Rabbit dogs" need to organize the most active and mobile lifestyle: a variety of games, regular long walks or even general jogging. If you live in a private house, it is preferable that the fence is high and solid. For what? So that your pet-hunter, thanks to instincts, is not distracted by various fluffy animals behind the fence, but if suddenly something, then it would not be able to overcome the fence.
Feed the "rabbit dog" should be moderate, on average twice a day. Food should contain the maximum amount of vitamins and microelements to restore strength and replenish the energy of the mobile "pharaoh". The diet includes: high-quality premium and super-premium food, meat, cereals, cottage cheese, vegetables. The meat should be lean: rabbit, veal or beef. Sweet, smoked and spicy foods are excluded in the diet. In no case should you overfeed your pet, it must retain its natural thinness, fit and leanness.
The pharaoh's dog's coat is short, without undercoat and does not require special care. All you need to do is wipe your pet's skin with a hard damp cloth or special glove. During shedding, a brush with a hard natural bristle is used for combing out. Clipping the nails is mandatory, but the procedure must be carried out carefully so as not to injure the animal.
The procedure for cleaning the ears is simple, because the ears are erect, - with a cotton swab or sponge, sometimes with auxiliary hygiene products.
The Pharaoh Hound is not adapted to the shaky autumn and frosty winter weather. If you have brought a "pharaoh", then you must provide him with the necessary clothing - insulated water-repellent overalls.
Pharaoh dog training
The mind, ingenuity and willfulness of the pharaoh dog should be taken into account when choosing an approach to his training and the method of training. Individuals of this breed are themselves able to decide whether to carry out your command or not, they have their own opinion on everything, and if the “pharaoh” considers your command not appropriate, then he will flatly refuse to carry it out. It is necessary to teach obedience to the pharaoh dog gradually and from a very early age. The main goal of the owner is to show his pet his leadership and hold the position of the "leader" indestructible. The fact that the "rabbit dog" really loves to please its precious owner is in the hands of breeders, and this has a beneficial effect on the learning ability and obedience of the breed.
The "rabbit dog" does not like onslaught and excessive persistence, and does not tolerate both physical punishment and moral pressure. Prolonged and obsessive training exhausts the animal, reduces its susceptibility, and also causes apathy for this kind of training. In order for your dog to learn quickly and with pleasure, you need to use short, often repetitive training sessions with rewards, for example, a tasty treat for success and at the end of each training session.
Price when buying a pharaoh dog puppy
"Pharaoh" is a very rare dog, there are about five thousand of them in the world. This breed is one of the five most expensive dogs in the world. You can buy a puppy without pedigree for about 800-1000 dollars, pedigree puppies with documents cost about 1500-2000 dollars, but the most elite boys for exhibitions and breeding are sold at a price of 3500 dollars, and sometimes the cost reaches 5000 dollars.
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