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AKC: Pharaoh Hound breed overview

Hound group · Malta

Pharaoh Hound

Also called Kelb tal-Fenek, Maltese Rabbit Dog

Malta's national dog, a night-hunting rabbit hound whose ears and nose flush pink when it is happy.

For generations, Maltese hunters have taken this sleek, amber-eyed hound out over stone walls and rocky terraces after rabbits. Its glowing tan coat and tall ears give it a statue-like look, yet its personality is playful, gentle and a little clownish. The chase instinct is powerful, and good fences matter more than almost anything else in its care.

Original AI-generated breed illustration

Weight

18 to 25 kg

40 to 55 lb

Height

53 to 64 cm

at the shoulder

Life expectancy

12 to 14 yrs

Activity estimate

90 to 120 min

editorial daily planning range

Adult-size estimate

18 months

approximate model input

Life with a Pharaoh Hound

The Pharaoh Hound looks as though it stepped out of an Egyptian tomb painting, and for much of the twentieth century it was promoted that way. The story goes that Phoenician traders carried hounds from Egypt to Malta thousands of years ago. It is an appealing legend, but genetic studies in the 2000s grouped the breed with more recently developed dogs rather than ancient ones, so it is more likely a Mediterranean hunting type that was later matched to that picture.

Its documented history on Malta is plainer and more interesting. For generations the Kelb tal-Fenek hunted rabbits across dry stone walls and rough terraces, often at night, alongside a ferret wearing a small bell. The dogs located rabbits by scent and sound, and the ferret was sent in to flush them from the rocks. The breed reached Britain in the 1960s, the American Kennel Club recognized it in 1983, and Malta now treats it as its national dog.

As a companion, the Pharaoh Hound is affectionate, playful and something of a comedian, with a habit of grinning at its people when they come home. It is clean and fairly quiet indoors, generally friendly with other dogs and polite with strangers. The hunting instinct, however, makes it unreliable around small animals and unsafe off the lead in unfenced places.

A great match for

active owners with securely fenced gardens
households wanting a clean, low-maintenance coat
people who enjoy lure coursing or running
families with considerate children

Think twice if

very strong prey drive toward small animals
can clear surprisingly high fences
feels the cold in northern winters
independent and bored by repetitive training
some are vocal, including howling

Personality and needs at a glance

Living together

Good with children

Good with other dogs

Open with strangers

Apartment friendly

Copes with alone time

Energy and character

Energy level

Playfulness

Easy to train

Barking

5 means very vocal

Care and climate

Grooming needs

Shedding

Drooling

Handles cold

Handles heat

How much a Pharaoh Hound eats

Illustrative calculations for neutered adults at midpoint breed weights, with food at 370 kcal per 100 g and 100 g per cup. These are not measured breed requirements. Use actual weight, the food label and veterinary body-condition advice.

Dog	Weight	Calories	Dry food
Female, relaxed lifestyle	21 kg	940 kcal	255 g (2.5 cups)
Female, typical pet	21 kg	1080 kcal	290 g (3 cups)
Male, typical pet	23 kg	1160 kcal	315 g (3.3 cups)
Male, very active	23 kg	1450 kcal	390 g (4 cups)

Full Pharaoh Hound feeding guide Calculate for my dog

Care guides for the Pharaoh Hound

FeedingPharaoh Hounds are naturally lean, and a fit one shows a slight outline of the last ribs and hip bones. 25 cups.Read more Puppy growthPharaoh Hound puppies grow quickly, all legs and oversized ears that they spend the first year growing into. Adult height usually arrives at 10 to 12 months, with the body filling out by about 18 months.Read more ExerciseAn adult needs 60 to 90 minutes a day, including a few chances each week to sprint in a secure space. Lure coursing, racing, agility and long country walks all suit the breed.Read more GroomingThe short coat needs little more than a weekly wipe with a damp cloth or a rubber mitt. Shedding is light, and the breed is known for being clean, with almost no doggy smell.Read more TrainingPharaoh Hounds are quick learners with an independent streak, and repetition bores them fast. Keep sessions short, playful and rewarding, with food or toys they really want.Read more HealthOn the whole this is a healthy breed with fewer inherited problems than many pedigrees. Hip dysplasia, kneecap problems and some eye conditions turn up occasionally.Read more

Things owners are often surprised by

1Known in Malta as Kelb tal-Fenek, meaning rabbit dog
2The nose and ears turn a deeper rose color when the dog is excited, which owners call blushing
3Recognized as the national dog of Malta
4Often credited with ancient Egyptian roots, though DNA studies suggest the modern breed developed more recently
5A white tip on the tail is highly prized by breeders
6Traditionally hunted at night, working by scent, hearing and sight

Pharaoh Hound questions

Why do Pharaoh Hounds blush?

When a Pharaoh Hound gets excited or happy, more blood flows to the nose and ears, and because the skin there is thin and lightly pigmented, those areas turn a deeper rose-pink. It is completely normal and one of the breed's best-known features. Owners tend to see it when they come home, at dinner time and during play.

Is the Pharaoh Hound really from ancient Egypt?

Probably not in the way the name suggests. The breed resembles dogs in Egyptian art, and the story of Phoenician traders bringing it to Malta is widely repeated, but DNA research suggests the modern Pharaoh Hound developed more recently from Mediterranean hunting dogs. What is certain is its long history as a rabbit hunter on Malta, where it is still the national breed.

Can a Pharaoh Hound live with cats?

Some can, especially when raised together from puppyhood. Even then, an indoor truce does not always extend to the garden or to unfamiliar cats. Adult hounds with no cat experience may never be safe with them. Judge each dog individually, supervise early introductions closely, and never leave a Pharaoh Hound alone with rabbits, guinea pigs or other small pets.

What is the difference between a Pharaoh Hound and an Ibizan Hound?

Both are Mediterranean hounds with large upright ears, but the Ibizan Hound comes from the Balearic Islands, is often taller, can have a smooth or wire coat, and is usually red and white. The Pharaoh Hound is tan to chestnut, always smooth-coated and a little more compact. Temperaments are alike: playful, independent and keen to hunt.

Do Pharaoh Hounds howl?

Some do, and many have a whole vocabulary of yodels, grumbles and short barks. They are not usually nuisance barkers, but some howl when left alone or when they hear sirens. Plenty of company, enough exercise and alone time built up gradually from puppyhood usually keep the howling to a minimum.

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