Is the Pharaoh Hound Right For You?
YES, if you are…
Active individuals or families with moderate space. People with active lifestyles, runners, hikers, dog-sport enthusiasts, who can deliver daily, vigorous exercise. First-time and seasoned owners alike, provided they commit to consistent positive-reinforcement training. Families with respectful children are usually a great fit. Above all, the ideal Pharaoh Hound owner understands the breed's hound-group heritage from Malta and is prepared to honor those instincts with appropriate outlets, structure, and the kind of patient, daily commitment this breed deserves.
NO, if you are…
Owners looking for a tiny lap dog or a giant guardian. Sedentary households or owners who travel frequently without a plan for daily, vigorous exercise. Anyone who plans to skip foundational obedience entirely, even an "easy" breed needs structure to thrive. Anyone unwilling to research the specific health risks common in the Pharaoh Hound (notably patellar luxation and hypothyroidism) and budget for the preventive care that follows.
Fun Facts about the Pharaoh Hound
- Pharaoh Hounds actually blush, their noses and ears turn deep rose when excited.
- The Pharaoh Hound originated in Malta, where the breed was developed for purposes that still influence their behavior today.
- As a Hound Group breed, the Pharaoh Hound shares structural and temperamental traits with other breeds developed for the same kind of work.
- A typical Pharaoh Hound lifespan is 12-14 years, meaning families should plan for that full commitment when bringing one home.
Common Misconceptions about the Pharaoh Hound
Hounds are not stubborn or unintelligent, they're independent. Their nose or sight drives them, and traditional obedience methods built for biddable breeds simply work less well; they need motivation that competes with their hardwired instincts. A daily walk around the block is not "exercise" for a high-energy breed like the Pharaoh Hound. They need real, sustained activity that engages both body and brain. One specific point worth correcting about the Pharaoh Hound: their Malta origin and hound-group heritage shape behavior in ways the casual observer often misses, including their reaction to patellar luxation risks and the level of socialization they actually need from puppyhood onward.
Quick Facts
45-55 lbs
21-25 in
12-14 years
Short
Rich Tan, Chestnut
Low
High
Moderate
Occasional
No
Pharaoh Hound Temperament
Friendly, Smart, Noble
Exercise & Grooming
Exercise Needs
30-45 minutes daily
Grooming
Weekly brushing
Grooming Guide
Weekly brushing. Coat care is centered on weekly brushing. Short coats are forgiving but still benefit from a weekly rubber-curry session for skin health. Their short coat sheds very little, which suits owners who prefer a tidier home, though "low-shedding" never means "no maintenance." Trim nails every 3–4 weeks, check ears weekly for redness or odor, and brush teeth daily or use vet-approved dental chews.
Pharaoh Hound Health
Common Health Issues
Patellar luxation, hypothyroidism, anesthesia sensitivity
Diet & Nutrition
Feed a high-quality, AAFCO-certified diet appropriate for the Pharaoh Hound's life stage and medium size. Active Pharaoh Hounds burn meaningful calories, match portions to their actual workload, not generic feeding-chart numbers. Small breeds can be prone to hypoglycemia as puppies, multiple smaller meals per day during the first six months helps prevent it.
Health Care
The Pharaoh Hound has an average lifespan of 12-14 years, which is their long lifespan means a 12-to-16-year commitment is realistic, a meaningful chapter of any owner's life. Breed-specific concerns to discuss with your vet include: patellar luxation, hypothyroidism, anesthesia sensitivity. Reputable breeders screen breeding stock for these conditions, so always ask to see health clearances before committing to a puppy. Beyond breed-specific issues, follow the standards of good preventative care: a core vaccine schedule, year-round parasite prevention, regular dental cleaning, and an annual senior workup once your dog passes the midpoint of their expected lifespan. Watch their weight closely, even a few extra pounds shortens lifespan and worsens any joint or cardiac issues.
About the Pharaoh Hound
History
The Pharaoh Hound's lineage traces back to Malta, where the breed was developed for pursuing quarry across distance using their nose, eyes, or both. Centuries of selective work shaped the temperament, structure, and instincts you see in the breed today, and many of those original drives remain, even in dogs that will spend their lives as family companions. As a member of the Hound Group, developed to hunt by scent or sight with stamina and independent drive, the Pharaoh Hound carries hallmark traits of the group, visible in everything from how they move to how they read situations. The Pharaoh Hound is one of the rarer breeds on the AKC roster, which means finding a responsible breeder takes more patience and travel, but also that the breed has avoided much of the damage done by mass-market puppy production. An often-cited piece of breed history: Pharaoh Hounds actually blush, their noses and ears turn deep rose when excited.
Personality
Owners who live with the Pharaoh Hound consistently describe them as friendly, smart and noble, a personality shaped by generations of purposeful breeding. In daily life this shows up as strong daily energy that needs consistent, vigorous activity, paired with a temperament that is trainable with patience, consistency, and motivating rewards. With family they are generally great with children, friendly with other dogs when properly socialized, and friendly with new people when properly socialized; they bark occasionally, usually with reason. They are not well-suited to apartment life. They thrive with a securely fenced yard and ready access to outdoor space. Their medium build strikes a practical balance, sturdy enough for active families, manageable enough for most living situations. Above all, the Pharaoh Hound thrives when their physical and mental needs are taken seriously, under-stimulated, even the gentlest individuals can develop frustrating habits, while a well-exercised, mentally engaged Pharaoh Hound is genuinely one of the best companions you can ask for.
Living With a Pharaoh Hound
Plan on 60+ minutes of meaningful daily activity, broken into multiple sessions if possible. They are not well-suited to apartment life. They thrive with a securely fenced yard and ready access to outdoor space. Within the household, expect a dog who is generally great with kids and cautious around cats and benefits from careful introductions. On the noise front, they bark occasionally, usually with reason, important to factor in if you have close neighbors or work-from-home calls. Their long lifespan means a 12-to-16-year commitment is realistic, a meaningful chapter of any owner's life.
Training
Pharaoh Hounds are trainable with patience, consistency, and motivating rewards. Positive-reinforcement methods, food, play, and genuine praise, work far better than corrections; this breed in particular shuts down or grows resistant under harsh handling. Because of their high energy, training sessions are most productive after exercise, not before, a tired Pharaoh Hound learns faster than a fresh one. Early, frequent, and varied socialization between 8 and 16 weeks is critical, especially given their more reserved disposition toward strangers. Their generally measured vocalizations make impulse-control training easier than with more vocal breeds.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Pharaoh Hound
Is the Pharaoh Hound a good family dog?
Yes, the Pharaoh Hound is generally an excellent family dog. With children they are generally great with children, and they bark occasionally, usually with reason. As with any breed, success depends on early socialization, supervised interactions, and teaching children how to respect the dog's space.
How much exercise does a Pharaoh Hound need?
Plan on 60+ minutes of meaningful daily activity, broken into multiple sessions if possible. Plan for daily, structured activity rather than relying on backyard time alone, under-exercised Pharaoh Hounds commonly develop boredom-driven habits like chewing, digging, or excessive vocalization.
Are Pharaoh Hounds easy to train?
Pharaoh Hounds are trainable with patience, consistency, and motivating rewards. Positive-reinforcement methods, food, play, and genuine praise, work far better than corrections. Start training in puppyhood and keep sessions short and frequent.
How much do Pharaoh Hounds shed?
Their short coat sheds very little, which suits owners who prefer a tidier home, though "low-shedding" never means "no maintenance."
What is the lifespan of a Pharaoh Hound?
The typical Pharaoh Hound lifespan is 12-14 years. Their long lifespan means a 12-to-16-year commitment is realistic, a meaningful chapter of any owner's life. Common breed-specific health concerns to discuss with your vet include: patellar luxation, hypothyroidism, anesthesia sensitivity.
Can Pharaoh Hounds live in an apartment?
They are not well-suited to apartment life. They thrive with a securely fenced yard and ready access to outdoor space.
Is the Pharaoh Hound good with other dogs?
The Pharaoh Hound is friendly with other dogs when properly socialized. Early, ongoing socialization between 8 and 16 weeks is critical, and adult introductions should always be on neutral ground with both dogs on loose leashes.
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