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General Info
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General Info ...
About Pharaohs
General Characteristics:
The Pharaoh Hound is a medium
sized dog. Females range from 21” to 24” and males from 23” to 25”.
Their body construction is lean and lithe. Females usually weigh
between 35 and 50 pounds, males 45 to 65 pounds. Their coat is short,
sparse and sheds very little. They have no odor, even when wet,
since they lack coat oil. Everything about their physical make up is
adapted to a warm climate. Their blood vessels are near the surface
of their skin, with no fat covering to insulate them. They give off
heat very quickly through their coat and in those large ‘cooling
fin’ ears. Ear tips can freeze in colder climates if the dog is
outside for an extended period of time. Pharaoh Hounds love a romp
in the snow, but should wear coats if they are going to be outside
for any length of time. They love the summers of course!
Pharaohs can be aloof; curious but cautious; independent,
extremely intelligent, and strong willed. But no two are alike.
Several generations of breeding, since the first Pharaohs to the US
in the 1967, have produced many more Pharaohs that are more of a
‘social butterfly’ with a higher will to please.
The Pharaoh Hound is easy going and gentle. He is regal and
holds himself above the average. They are fun loving and
affectionate with their owners, and when quite pleased with
themselves and/or their actions, will blush. Some Pharaohs also
smile big toothy grins. They glow with excitement or happiness and
can exhibit a great sense of humor, in the nature of a first class
clown.
Kal-el’s classic smile
Pharaoh Hounds raised with
children enjoy playing with and being their best friend.
When raised with other small animals, they can be quite tolerant of
those also. But be aware, they can also consider other small animals
as "game" as they are first and foremost hunters instinctively.
Pharaoh Hounds have an innate
sense of their owner's feelings and moods. They know when to dive
for cover or be on their best behavior. They are generally not high
strung, but are active and do enjoy running and playing. They will
entertain themselves for hours on end, and if they can entertain
those they own at the same time, they are twice as happy.
They can be quite "cat-like" in their personalities and habits.
Some will decide when they want to cuddle. Others will throw
themselves at you! Personality is an inherited trait, so a puppy
will likely be similar to their parents in personality and looks.
With strangers, they can be aloof until properly introduced. They
will judge each new person and decide if they are worthy of their
attention. Given time, most will warm up to any situation or
environment. Proper socialization is essential.
With other dogs, they tend to avoid fights, but if challenged
they will stand their ground and defend themselves. Remember not all
dogs are the same and these traits may vary from one dog to another.
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General care and exercise:
Pharaoh Hounds are a "wash &
wear" dog, requiring a minimum of grooming. Nails should be ground
with a dremel type tool or clipped regularly. Once per week is ideal.
Teeth usually stay very clean. You can brush them or use the new
liquid drops from your vet. To remove any plaque build up, use a
dental scaler. The coat should be brushed with a hound glove
occasionally. Bath as needed with a gentle baby shampoo. Pharaohs do
not have coat oil and should not be bathed with a regular dog
shampoo as they are very strong and can cause their skin to dry out
and flake.
A small fenced in yard will suffice for exercise, but they do
appreciate a good long romp in larger enclosed areas when available.
Some Pharaohs are good jumpers, and you may need a 6’ fence to
contain them. 4’ to 5’ will work for many, but not all. Jogging or
running with their owner is a favorite pastime.
TRAINING:
Pharaohs are hounds through
and through. They can be stubborn and will try to outsmart you. They
must be trained with positive motivation and rewarded for all proper
behavior. Their motto is often ‘What’s in in for me?” A lesson
learned is never forgotten. This applies to bad habits also. Just
because that puppy is so cute doing something, if it is something
that you will not be able to live with later in his life, correct it
immediately. Untraining those bad habits is much harder than
enforcing the good habits, no matter the age. Be consistent, firm
and fair. Help the dog learn and praise all good behaviors.
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