Pharaoh Hound
Malta's national hound, bred to hunt rabbit at night by ear, nose and eye. Sleek, clean and low odour, but sensitive to harsh handling and to cold.
- Weight
- 20–25 kg
- Lifespan
- 12–14 years
Weight and lifespan are reference ranges from the breed guide. They vary by sex, lineage and individual dog and do not predict your dog’s ideal weight or lifespan. Read the care descriptions alongside the individual dog’s history.
Background and characteristics
Despite the name and the persistent story about ancient Egypt, the Pharaoh Hound is Malta's dog, known there as the rabbit dog. Genetic work has not supported the Egyptian origin legend. What actually shaped the breed was Maltese terrain: hunting rabbit at night among dry stone walls, using large mobile ears to locate movement, the nose to narrow it down, and sight to finish.
The breed is also known for blushing, where the nose and inner ears flush rosy when the dog is excited or happy.
Exercise and play
Exercise runs about an hour a day, including a chance to sprint inside a secure enclosure. They climb and jump well and squeeze through gaps, so check fence height and the gap under the gate before trusting a yard. Off-leash walking in open ground is not a realistic goal given the chase drive.
Temperament and living together
The temperament is affectionate and genuinely sensitive. Raised voices and heavy-handed corrections shut this dog down fast, and a tense household shows up in the dog's behaviour. They learn quickly with short, upbeat sessions and lose interest in repetitive drilling.
Many are also noise sensitive, which is worth knowing if you live somewhere with fireworks or thunderstorms.
Coat and everyday care
Grooming is minimal. A rubber brush once a week and the occasional bath is the whole routine, and the breed carries very little odour. The tradeoff is cold tolerance: thin coat, little body fat, so a coat for winter walks and a padded bed rather than a hard floor.
As with other sighthound types, mention the breed before anaesthesia. Overall health is good, with patellar luxation and allergies among the issues reported.
Home environment and care planning
The breed is uncommon, so expect a waitlist with a serious breeder rather than a quick adoption. That wait is worth using to sort out fencing and a plan for daily running space.