| Many people believe that the Pharaoh Hound is called | | | | endurance, with a lean , deep chested appearance |
| by that name because it is exclusively found in | | | | and with long legs for bounding after prey. Since it is |
| Egyptian history, but this is not in fact the case. The | | | | from the desert, it will suffer from the cold if not |
| Pharaoh Hound was originally bred in Malta 3000 years | | | | protected in the winter. |
| before Christ and transported to Egypt by Phoenician | | | | The Pharaoh's appearance is marked by a pair of |
| tradesmen. In Malta the dog was used for hunting | | | | erect and very large ears which make it appear very |
| rabbits and only the most successful were used in the | | | | attentive and amber eyes of a liquid gold color which |
| breeding program. It is still being used for its original | | | | give this dog a unique and rather haughty expression. |
| purpose in its country of origin and in 1979 the breed | | | | The coat is always a rich tan or chestnut and may not |
| was declared to be the "National Dog of Malta". The | | | | deviate from this color. There can be a small snippet |
| Egyptians favored this breed for hunting gazelle. | | | | of white on the tail, the chest and the toes and on the |
| Because it was selectively "culled" for breeding and | | | | face. No other white is permitted. The coat is sleek, |
| only the hardiest and most successful hunters were | | | | very short and quite smooth. When the dog is in |
| used, the Pharaoh Hound is exceptionally healthy. | | | | motion at a full gallop the tail should be held out behind |
| There has not been a great deal of overbreeding | | | | it in a gentle upward curve. |
| which is also a great help in maintaining the health of | | | | The dog has a keen instinct to give chase and is quite |
| the population of any dog breed. | | | | adaptable to the sport of lure coursing, which has |
| The Pharaoh Hound may appear to be somewhat | | | | become a favorite pastime in the United States and |
| aloof because it is such an has such an elegant | | | | Great Britain for folks who own sight hounds (many of |
| appearance. However unlike most of the sight hounds, | | | | whom are termed "coursing dogs" for their habit of |
| the Pharaoh is demonstrative and affectionate and | | | | running long distances and bringing down prey on the |
| bonds closely with people, preferring to be with them in | | | | run.) |
| the household. Generally this is a quiet dog and makes | | | | Lure coursing is a sport in which a false "rabbit" of |
| a good companion for all ages of people. | | | | cloth or fur is attached to an electronic pulley |
| It is not as "biddable" as other breeds because of its | | | | arrangement so that it goes with great speed along |
| instinctive desire to hunt but this is overcome if the | | | | the ground in a course laid out in a triangular shape. |
| hound is trained early in life to walk on a leash and | | | | Lure Coursing is an event that is really great fun to |
| behave appropriately when greeting people. Like most | | | | see, as the dogs give a speedy chase and the |
| of the sight hounds, this is a dog bred for speed and | | | | exhibitors and spectators alike cheer them on. |