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Archive-name: dogs-faq/breeds/pharaohs
Posting-frequency: 30 days URL: http://www.rtis.com/nat/user/kaydurr Last-modified: 05 Jun 1996 See reader questions & answers on this topic! - Help others by sharing your knowledge ======= There are nearly 100 FAQ's available for this group. For a complete listing of these, get the "Complete List of RPD FAQs". This article is posted bimonthly in rec.pets.dogs, and is available via anonymous ftp to rtfm.mit.edu under pub/usenet/news.answers/dogs-faq/faq-list, via the Web at http://www.zmall.com/pet_talk/dog-faqs/lists/faq-list.html, or via email by sending your message to mail-server@rtfm.mit.edu with send usenet/news.answers/dogs-faq/faq-list in the body of the message. This article is Copyright 1996 by the Author(s) listed below. It may be freely distributed on the Internet in its entirety without alteration provided that this copyright notice is not removed. It may NOT reside at another website (use links, please) other than the URL listed above without the permission of the Author(s). This article may not be sold for profit nor incorporated in other documents without he Author(s)'s permission and is provided "as is" without express or implied warranty. ========== PHARAOH HOUND, THE COMPANION OF KINGS AUTHOR: Kay Durr, K'Azar Pharaoh Hounds (kaydurr@bihs.net) Copyright 1995-1996 by Kay Durr. Last edited: March, 1996 _________________________________________________________________ TABLE OF CONTENTS History Present Day History Appearance Care Personality Training Activities Available to Pharaoh Hounds Faults Requirements for Buyers Additional Information Available About Us Thank You _________________________________________________________________ HISTORY: The Pharaoh Hound is the oldest domesticated dog in recorded history. Two hounds are depicted hunting Gazelle on a circular disc which is thought to have been part of a game. The date, around 4000 B.C., was certainly before the first dynasty. The origin of this hound in prehistoric times has been the subject of research by many Egyptologists. They conclude that if this race of dogs could have resulted from a mixture of many kinds of wild canidae, it is quite natural that from time to time, one of these elegant individuals would crop up with the elegant silhouette of Canis Doerdelini, the beautiful limbs of the Canis Lupaster, & the long nose, erect ears & gentle nature of the Pariah or Wandering Dog of Egypt. They were seen as representatives of the Ancient Gods by the original Egyptians. The dogs were favored as the hunters and faithful, loyal companions in the daily life of the kings and nobles of all periods in Ancient Egypt & were frequently depicted in carvings. In 1935, a burial tomb of a dog was found in the great cemetery west of the Pyramid of Cheops at Giza with the following inscription recording the ritual burial ceremony, "The dog which was the guard of His Majesty, Abuwtiyuw is his name." This was a "Pharaoh Hound" type dog. His Majesty did this for him in order that he (the dog) might be honored before the great God Anubis. It is thought that the Phoenicians took these hounds with them when they settled on Malta and Gozo (islands off the coast of Italy), & the preservation of the these hounds who have changed so little in 5,000 years can be credited to the islands inhabitants. They are now the National Dog of Malta, where they are bred for rabbit hunting, guardians of the homesteads, & known as "Kelb-tal-Fenek" (Rabbit Dog). The Pharaoh Hound was first imported into England in the early 1930's, then again in 1963 from Malta and Gozo. They were first introduced into the U.S. about 1967 by Mrs. Harper & the Pharaoh Hound Club of America (PHCA) was founded in 1970. Pharaohs received American Kennel Club (AKC) recognition in 1984 & were added to the Hound Group. This glorious breed can now be found in most countries in the world. _________________________________________________________________ PRESENT DAY HISTORY: The AKC records for the Pharaoh from the time they were recognized through the end of 1994, show, there have been a total of 233 litters with 1,211 dogs individually registered with the AKC. 465 of these dogs have attained their AKC Championship with an additional 53 titles having been awarded in Obedience. AKC Lure Coursing Titles have been given to 9 Field Champions. There are about 1,200 to 1,500 Pharaoh Hounds alive and well in the U.S. today. These figures are based on the fact that not all new owners of this wonderful breed choose to register their hounds, & therefore the figure of 1,211 registered may be misleading. Since Pharaoh Hounds have a long life span of 12+ years or more, most of those originally registered in 1984 are still with us. _________________________________________________________________ APPEARANCE: The Pharaoh Hound is a medium sized hound, (dogs may be up to 25" at the withers and bitches up to 24" with weight varying from 40 to 60 pounds), elegant and of great beauty, showing grace, power & intelligence. Elegance should not be translated into fine bone. The coat is short and fine in varying shades of tan, ONLY, from quite dark to a medium blonde shade. White markings on the dog are allowed on the chest (called a star, but may be any shape), on the toes (but should not to extend beyond the toes) and on the tip of the tail (this is highly desirable, but not required and it should be a tip and not a flag). A small white snip is allowable on the forehead between and just above the eyes (sometimes called the "kiss of Allah"). This white snip should not extend down the face of the dog. White is permitted on the throat but not encouraged. White is NOT allowed on sides or back of the neck and body.. This is the ONLY disqualification the breed standard for the Pharaoh Hound carries. The head is fine and sculptured with natural prick ears that are medium high set. The neck is long and muscular & flows into the well laid back shoulders. The nose and eye rims are flesh colored, along with the insides of the erect ears. These flesh colored areas will turn pink or red when the Pharaoh is blushing, which they are quite capable of. The eyes are always amber colored and oval shaped. The gait is smooth and flowing with powerful strides. The top line is almost level with a slight slope of the croup to the tail which is long, reaching to the hock, and carried up & curved when moving. The tail generally hangs between the legs when the dog is inactive. The rear legs should be moderately bent at the stifle with well let down (short) hocks. The tuck-up on a Pharaoh Hound is not as great as that seen on a Greyhound or Whippet, but more moderate. The dog should be slightly longer than he is high. This is all left to each persons own interpretation of the words moderate or slightly. _________________________________________________________________ CARE: They are essentially a "wash & wear" dog, requiring only a minimum of care to the nails, teeth & good brushing of the coat & baths as needed. They will shed, but it is minimal. A 25' x 30', 6' fenced in yard will suffice for exercise, but they do appreciate a good long romp in larger enclosed areas when available. Jogging or running with their owner is a favorite pastime. _________________________________________________________________ PERSONALITY: General Characteristics can be described as: Aloof; Curious but Cautious; Independent, Extremely Intelligent and Strong willed. If there is just one thing that holds true for Pharaohs Hounds, it would be that there are no two alike. Their one goal in life is to enjoy it to the fullest. The Pharaoh Hound has an outstanding personality & is easy going & gentle. He stands with the "Aura" of greatness and importance & he holds himself aloof & above the average. They are quite fun loving and affectionate with their owners, & when quite pleased with themselves and/or their actions, will blush as described above. This is also occurs when they are smiling. Some owners have trained their Pharaohs to smile on command, thus producing the blush. They glow with excitement or happiness & can exhibit a great sense of humor, in the nature of a first class clown. They don't like the feeling of being entrapped. Pharaohs have a great tolerance of children and think God created these little creatures just for them to entertain. 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. They have an innate sense of their owners 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. They love to be loved, but only when they want it. With strangers, they can be aloof until properly introduced. They will judge each new person on what they feel are their merits and decided if they are worthy of their attention. Thus they are very discriminating. Given enough time most will warm up to any situation or environment. They are not generally social butterflies. Allow them their own time to make these decisions and never force yourself or others on them. The key is proper Socialization. With other dogs, they tend of avoid fights, but if challenged they will stand their ground & defend themselves. Remember not all dogs are the same and these traits may vary from one dog to another. _________________________________________________________________ TRAINING: Pharaohs are hounds through and through. Thus they can be quite stubborn & will try to outsmart you.. They can NOT be forced to do anything they deem improper. They feel they have a right to a say so about every decision concerning them. With plenty of patience and a good sense of humor, they can be trained to do just about anything. A lesson once learned if 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. But they are very adaptable. Specially if they are led to believe it was their idea to do what you are trying to teach them. Mental happiness is also important. House training is usually a snap. They are very clean and therefore, great house dogs, never having a "doggy odor", they will clean themselves much as a cat does. They are quick and eager to learn, though a bit strong minded. With their independent nature, they prefer to think for themselves with a very high degree of intelligence. Being natural hunters, the "come" command is vital for their welfare. When in pursuit of the "game", they can become selectively deaf, and being so intent, they will keep going for the thrill of the chase. They pay no attention to where they are going & can become lost. They hunt by scent & sight and are aided by their tremendous speed & agility. The best rule here is never have them off lead except in a controlled situation, like totally fenced in areas that are escape proof. The Pharaoh demands an Alpha leader, and if he feels you are not up to the job, he will try to take over command and train you to his way of life. Be Consistent, Fair and Gentle at the same time and you will have a wonderful companion. And always keep the training Fun & Exciting for both of you. They consider training just another new game, keep it that way. They do no handle repetition well. _________________________________________________________________ ACTIVITIES AVAILABLE TO PHARAOH HOUNDS Lure coursing - AKC & ASFA Field Trials open to all breeds of Sighthounds (11 of them) whereby the hounds attain titles by doing what they were originally bred for. At these trials, the sighthounds chase "white plastic bags," which to them would resemble a "bunny." No live game is involved. Open Field Coursing - The National Open Field Coursing Association (NOFCA) is an organization of sighthound fanciers dedicated to the common goal of preserving and further developing the natural beauty, grace, speed, desire and coursing skills inherent in the sighthound. To further this endeavor, NOFCA has established a system to offer competitive hunts which allow the sighthounds to demonstrate that they can perform the functions for which they were originally bred. Obedience Trials - AKC shows where your hound performs his trained obedience exercises and attains titles for doing so. AKC Dog Shows - Where your Pharaoh would be judged to attain his Championship. Canine Good Citizens Program - An AKC test to demonstrate that the dog as a companion of man, can be a respected member of the community. Agility - A competitive sport in which a handler directs his dog over a timed obstacle course. Dogs race against the clock, are scored on their performance and ultimately receives titles. Tracking - A field trial whereby your dog shows his instinct for tracking a scented trail. AKC titles are given for different levels of competition. Additional Tracking Information Therapy Dogs - These dogs visit various institutions or hospitals to cheer up the confined patients or elderly. The dogs usually need to be certified to become a Therapy Dog. More detailed information can be obtained from the AKC. They have pamphlets available free for the asking on most of the activities, or contact your local All Breed Kennel Club. _________________________________________________________________ FAULTS: The Pharaoh Hound is not a dog for everyone. With his extreme intelligence, special understanding and care is required. They look at each situation presented to them as a challenge & they are always thinking up new ways to get the best of you. To date there are not really any certified health problems in common through out the breed. To keep this in check, conscientious breeders will have all their breeding stock checked for problems, such as hip dysplasia. Other than those already mentioned above, here are a few others: Barking - This is called "giving tongue" when they are hunting. At other times it can be called a nuisance. Generally Pharaohs only bark to alert their owners of intruders or such. But, those that are bored and/or alone for extended periods of time , like while you are at work, may become troublesome, and give vent to their voices. A pet for your dog may solve this problem. Proper "when to bark/not to bark" training is also required. Keep your Pharaoh busy and they won't have time to bark or be destructive. Coprophagia - A trait that still rears its ugly head. This is stool eating. It is NOT because your dog needs something in their diet. This breed has not been domesticated for that long a period of time, and in the wilds, the dogs had to hide their trails to protect their young. As such, they would eat their droppings so that they could not be tracked. The only cure is to clean up after your dog immediately after it does its business, thus avoiding this becoming a habit. Once it is there, it is very difficult to break. Allergies - This is a common problem in almost all breeds. Just be alert to any problems your dog may encounter. Be sure to check with your breeder for any predisposition to allergies. Sensitivity - anesthesia being the worst. It is recommended that only isoflorane be used when required for surgery. Flea control is best handled with products containing pyrethins or d-Limonene. _________________________________________________________________ REQUIREMENTS FOR BUYERS: Since there are so few of the breed, and hopefully only the very best is being bred to the very best, puppies are usually in demand. Even so, a good breeder will not produce a litter unless they have deposits on secured homes for quite a few of the puppies in advance. So if it is your intention to become the proud owner of one of these wonderful dogs, you may have to have a deposit made on a pup for up to a year before it finally arrives. But it is well worth it. If you are looking for a Pet/Companion, be prepared to accept one on AKC Limited Registration only, along with a contract stating you understand the animal is not to be bred and that it should be spayed or neutered, as it is in the best interests of the health of the animal. _________________________________________________________________ ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AVAILABLE: "The Pharaoh Hound" by P.Block & R.Sacks from Denlinger's Publishers "The Ancient Pharaoh Hound" by J.Martin & R.Bullard from Touchstone Press. The "Pharaoh Hound - Breed Video" is available from the AKC. For additional information I can be contacted at any time at : kaydurr@bihs.net. _________________________________________________________________ ABOUT US We have been breeding and exhibiting our Pharaoh Hounds for the past 10 years. We have been the top producing breeders in the breed several times during this period. Our foundation bitch Am.Can.Mex.& Intl. Ch.Beltara's Twyla of K'Azar is the top producing dam of all time with 23 champions to date. She is the dam of our own home bred Ch. K'Azar Dbl Khanfederate "Rebel", the #1 Pharaoh in the AKC history of the breed. He has 4 Best in Shows to date, 100+ group placements and is a potent sire of champions. He started his career with a Best in Sweeps at our National Speciality in California in 1991 and in 1994 Best of Breed at Westminster. We have also imported some of our dogs from England and have attended Crufts Dog Show in England. We have produced a multi Best in Field AKC Dual & ASFA Field Champion and many other field titled dogs. We offer stud service by champions. Puppies or young adults as available. We welcome all enquiries about our wonderful breed. Our Kennel name is K'Azar, and it is pronounced "Kay Azar." Breeder referrals on request. My work and writings have been published in the Sighthound Review, 2 of the Pharaoh Hound publications in the U.S and in the Pharaoh Hound Newsletter in England and Australia. I keep up to date statistics on all the Pharaohs receiving breed wins and group placements. I also maintain an up to date pedigree data base on all Pharaoh Hounds from the AKC Stud Books and the AKC Awards Book. My statistics are pubished bi-monthly in the PHAST Times in Texas and my year end reports of stats on ALL sighthounds is published yearly in the Sighthound Review. I was previously the editor of PHAST Times in Texas, our local Pharaoh Hound Breed Club, for the first two years of its existence. _________________________________________________________________ THANK YOU For taking the time to read through this material. I sincerely hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I did in preparing it for you. Please research any breed you might be interested in obtaining, to its fullest, and make a wise decision. "An unhappy owner only produces an unhappy dog." _________________________________________________________________ Pharaoh Hound FAQ Kay Durr, kaydurr@bihs.net User Contributions:
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