Pharaoh Hound

The Pharaoh Hound is known as a breed with one of the oldest reputations worldwide. While the breed originated in Ancient Egypt in 3000 B.C., recent genetic testing has revealed that the Pharaoh Hound was actually developed as recently as the 17th century in Malta. In Ancient Egypt, this breed was documented and preserved through hieroglyphics. It is believed that Phoenician traders imported the Pharaoh Hound into Malta, retaining its purity throughout the years. The breed was also described in a letter dating back to the 19th Dynasty in which its signature blush was highlighted. The Pharaoh Hound glows and blushes when it becomes excited. It was originally named the Kelb tal-Fenek, meaning “dog of the rabbit”. The name was a reference to the breed's ability to successfully hunt small game. In the 1930s, the Pharaoh Hound was imported into England but documentation was scarce and inconsistent for the breed. In 1963, Pauline Brock arrived back home with a Pharaoh Hound by the name of Bahri of Twinley. Bahri of Twinley turned out to be the first Pharaoh Hound to be shown in England. In 1967, the first Pharaoh Hound dogs were imported to the United States. In 1979, the Pharaoh Hound was accepted into the Miscellaneous Class in the AKC. In 1983, the breed was officially recognized by the AKC. While the Pharaoh Hound does not rank high on the breeds registered by the AKC, it is still considered a delightful breed with a profound sense of humor that is sure to entertain his family.