Canis lupus familiaris
Pharaoh Hound
Featured photopharaoh-hound.jpgThe Pharaoh Hound is a Maltese 'rabbit dog' — 2,000-year-old hunter of the Maltese terraced rabbit fields. The Pharaoh Hound (Maltese Kelb tal-Fenek, 'rabbit dog') is the national dog of Malta and was kept on the islands of Malta and Gozo for at least 2,000 years as a hunter of European rabbit through the rocky terraced fields.
Quick facts
- AKC group
- Hound
- Origin country
- Malta
- Origin period
- Pre-modern
- Coat type
- Short
- Coat colors
- Rich Tan, Chestnut, Red Golden — with white markings on the chest and toes permitted
- Average lifespan
- 11-14 years
- Recognition
- AKC 1983 · FCI 1963 · UKC 1983 · Group 5 — Spitz and Primitive Types (Section 6: Primitive type)
Origin
The Pharaoh Hound (Maltese Kelb tal-Fenek, 'rabbit dog') is the national dog of Malta and was kept on the islands of Malta and Gozo for at least 2,000 years as a hunter of European rabbit through the rocky terraced fields. The breed traditionally hunted in pairs or small packs at dawn or dusk, and is famous for the 'blushing' trait — the nose, ear tips, and skin around the eyes flush a deep rose-pink when the dog is excited. Despite the AKC name 'Pharaoh Hound' and the popular belief that the breed descends from the dogs depicted in ancient Egyptian tomb art, modern genetic studies (Parker et al., 2017) place the breed as an unrelated Mediterranean development, with no genetic link to the ancient Egyptian sighthound types. The AKC admitted the breed in 1983.
Recognition
The American Kennel Club admitted the breed in 1983, the United Kennel Club followed in 1983, and the Federation Cynologique Internationale published the international standard (FCI No. 248) in 1963. The FCI assigns the breed to Group 5 — Spitz and Primitive Types (Section 6: Primitive type).
Standard
The AKC and FCI standards describe a graceful, powerful, fast hunting dog of medium build, square in outline, with clean lines and a streamlined silhouette. The defining features are the large, erect, mobile pricked ears, the amber eyes, and the short, fine, glossy coat in rich tan / chestnut / red-golden colour. The breed shows the unique 'blushing' trait — the nose, ear tips, and skin around the eyes flush a deep rose-pink when the dog is excited or smiling. Males stand 56-64 cm at the withers, females 53-61 cm.
Sources & further reading (3)
- kennel-club-registry — accessed 2026-04-30
- encyclopedia — accessed 2026-04-30
- fci-standard — accessed 2026-04-30
Frequently asked questions
What is the Pharaoh Hound's AKC group?
The American Kennel Club places the Pharaoh Hound in the Hound Group. The Hound Group gathers breeds developed for the hunt, broadly split into scent hounds (Bloodhound, Beagle, Coonhounds) and sight hounds (Greyhound, Whippet, Borzoi). The breed's foundation working role was as a Maltese 'rabbit dog' — 2,000-year-old hunter of the Maltese terraced rabbit fields.
When was the Pharaoh Hound officially recognized?
The American Kennel Club admitted the breed in 1983; the United Kennel Club followed in 1983; the Federation Cynologique Internationale published the international standard (FCI No. 248) in 1963.
What is the average lifespan of a Pharaoh Hound?
Kennel-club longevity surveys place the Pharaoh Hound's average lifespan in the 11-14 years range. The figure here represents the spread reported by the major parent-club studies and the Kennel Club (UK) purebred-dog health surveys.
