Despite the name, the Pharaoh Hound doesn’t actually come from Egypt, but that’s still part of its story. The breed’s look and heritage trace back to ancient Egyptian hunting dogs seen in tomb art, but the modern version was developed in Malta, where it was used to hunt rabbits and was later named the national hound in 1979.
What you get is a lean, fast sighthound with a clear split personality. Indoors, they’re calm and relaxed. Outside, if something moves, they’re gone. The prey drive is strong, and their speed and jumping ability mean off-lead time only works in properly secure areas.
They’re affectionate with their family, reserved with strangers, and generally gentle with older children. Training is workable but not straightforward. They’re intelligent, just independent enough to question your authority. Positive, consistent training works. Force doesn’t.
Exercise isn’t optional. They need proper running, not just walks. Get that right and they’re easy to live with. Get it wrong and they quietly become difficult.
They also come with a couple of odd traits. When excited or locked onto something interesting, they “blush”, with their ears and nose turning a very visible pink. Some will also pull back their lips into a strange, human-like grin that looks either charming or like they’ve seen something you haven’t. It’s part of the package.
For the right owner, someone with space, secure fencing, and a sense of humour about independence, they’re an elegant, capable, slightly eccentric companion that doesn’t feel like every other dog at the park.
For the right owner, they’re an elegant, capable, and slightly eccentric companion.