Since I've had this website up (the original went up in 1998...time flies), I've received many e-mails from new Pharaoh Hound admirers asking for more information on the breed. There are several Frequently Asked Questions which I get often in emails that I'd like to address here on this page. Hopefully this page will be of some help. If, after reading over these FAQs and answers, your question is still unanswered, or you'd like clarification on any of the answers provided below, please contact us!
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I know that Pharaoh Hounds must have a fenced yard, but how big is big enough? |
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I am interested in an adult or a rescue Pharaoh Hound - any pointers? |
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Can Pharaoh Hounds live with cats?
It's not surprising that so many cat lovers also adore Pharaoh
Hounds--they are very "catlike," in both their personality and
elegant grace, after all. My short answer to this most frequently asked
question is "Yes, BUT..."
YES, Pharaohs and a housecats can live in harmony together, BUT
caution must be taken at all times. There are countless owners who
own both Pharaohs and cats and have never had a problem. It is important
the Pharaoh and kitty be raised together. It is your job to teach the
Pharaoh to respect, and ideally, to ignore cats. Although I have heard of
several Pharaohs who were introduced to cats for the first time as adults and
did fine, I would be very hesitant in doing this. Likewise, I wouldn't
introduce a new kitten to an adult Pharaoh who has had no prior experience
living with cats. This breed has a VERY strong hunting instinct, and their
natural instincts tell them that cats are prey, and prey must be hunted, chased,
and killed. If the Pharaoh is raised with cats and the owner is vigilant
and careful (always separating the two when they leave home, and never
letting the Pharaoh get away with any sort of "chase" games with the cat) there
shouldn't be problems. However, it is important to remember that instinct
is still very much alive in even the most cat-friendly Pharaoh. Just be
careful! BACK TO TOP
Do Pharaoh Hounds get along with other dogs?
Yes, the breed gets along very well with other dogs as
a rule. They are not aggressive by any means. They can be
snobs, however, preferring only to interact with their own breed or
other sighthounds if given the choice. They play differently from
the average dog, with lots of teeth, snapping, snarling, etc., which can
be quite scary for other breeds at times, so care must be taken in
seeing that the subject of the Pharaoh's rough play is not getting too
overwhelmed, but other than that, there are rarely problems. Of
course, intact males of any breed must always be watched with caution
when together, and Pharaohs are no exception to this rule. Another
interesting note is that in a multi-breed households, the Pharaoh will
usually become the top dog of the pack, especially Pharaoh bitches.
How are Pharaoh Hounds with children?
Pharaoh Hounds (well-bred Pharaohs with good temperaments - but
that should go without saying), on the whole, are super with kids of all ages.
It helps if they are introduced to kids when they are puppies, but I have seen
many adult Pharaohs with no prior experience living with kids get integrated
into a household with kids quite seamlessly. They are
extremely playful, and tireless when it comes to games they enjoy, so they get
along well with active younger kids. They are also very patient, and not at all
aggressive, making them great for young toddlers and infants who might do a bit
of poking and prodding...not that Pharaohs enjoy being poked and prodded at, but
they will deal with the situation by moving away matter-of-factly rather than
snapping, growling, or otherwise acting defensively or aggressively. The
breed is also very gentle with infants and babies as a rule. They seem to
have a natural intuition about a baby's fragility. One thing
that they will not tolerate is when the kids get more attention than they do!
A Pharaoh will push his way into the attention for sure, and must feel as though
they are just as important a part to the household as the kid(s). BACK
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How do Pharaoh Hounds do in cold weather?
Pharaohs do not have the greatest tolerance for cold
weather. They are so short haired and
have so little body fat on
them that they cannot be out in the cold for very long. In colder
climates, a warm and protective coat or jacket is a must when they're
outside, and they shouldn't be made to stay out any longer than
necessary. Also, their ear tips can easily freeze in sub-zero
temperatures and need to be protected with a coating of Vaseline and/or
a "snood" (a fitting neck and ear warmer). I have had a
few Pharaohs who just love to play in the snow, and seem to not even notice
that they're freezing, but most of mine would rather hold it all day that
go outside in the cold to relieve themselves. They should be
housedogs primarily, but especially so in cold weather. BACK
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What about the Pharaoh Hound's health?
We are blessed with one of the healthiest and hardiest breeds that there is! Pharaohs are free from all the genetic diseases that plague so many other breeds, and it is the goal of today's breeders to keep it that way. For this reason, a reputable breeder will screen their dogs for several inheritable conditions, even though they are not yet a problem in the breed. Most breeders have their Pharaohs' x-rayed and officially certified through the OFA (Orthepedic Foundation for Animals) for hip dysplasia, patella (knee) luxation, and sometimes elbow dysplasia. The eyes are also tested for a variety of conditions (including juvenile cataracts and retinal abnormalities). The eye certification is through CERF (Canine Eye Registration Foundation). There have been isolated reports of the disorders above, but they are just that - isolated reports and not breed trends.
Many breeders will also have blood work done to detect thyroid levels, among other things. It seems that most Pharaohs have a thyroid level that is on the "low normal" level, and this is not anything to be worried about. However, sometimes a Pharaoh will have a thyroid level that is too low, even for a Pharaoh Hound. This is not a common problem, though, nor is it serious or hard to treat, and oftentimes it goes away all on it's own.
Like many other sighhound breeds, some Pharaohs have minor to moderate reactions to injections, injection carrying agents, and topical skin treatments (including shampoos). It is important that your vet be aware of the sighthounds' sensitivity to these things and closely monitor each individual dog's reactions in case of problems. There have been sporadic reports of food and contact allergies in the breed, but again, these are the minority, and there have not been enough reports to begin to draw any sort of conclusion.
More information can be found on our "Health and Care" page. BACK TO TOP
I
know that Pharaoh Hounds must have a fenced yard, but how big is big enough?
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Honestly, size is not nearly as big of an issue as security of fencing. A Pharaoh can easily jump anything less than a four-foot fence. A motivated Pharaoh "on the hunt" can jump a five foot fence in a single bound. They have also been known to dig under un-buried fences and open easy-to-figure-out gates (they're very smart about that). Now, assuming you have a secure yard (say, 5-6 feet, buried, with a dog-proof gate), it really doesn't matter what size your yard is if you're willing to take the Pharaoh out to expend it's energy either on walks, bike rides, or to a fenced field or dog park to run. Some Pharaoh owners have several acres fenced off, and obviously, those owners won't have to schedule as many "exercise outings" as those who have an urban 25' x 30' backyard. BACK TO TOP |
What do breeders require in order to get a puppy from them?
Each breeder has his or her own set of specific requirements in order to obtain one of their puppies, but you can generally expect to be asked for letters of recommendation (from dog-savvy friends, veterinarians, co-workers, neighbors, etc.), to fill out an application of sorts, and to talk to the breeder as much as possible if not meet them in person and visit as we like to get to know our puppies' new owners personally. After all, they'll soon be part of the "Pharaoh Phamily."
Because Pharaoh Hound litters are relatively few and far between, you should expect a waiting period ranging from a month or two to the better part of a year. Most breeders also require a cash deposit to reserve a puppy for you from an upcoming litter (usually between 10-20% of the purchase price). This is standard procedure also.
Please do not be offended when a breeder asks you for letters of recommendation, or asks you somewhat personal questions. Reputable breeders love their breed, and take a vested interest in the puppies that they produce. They work very hard to find them great homes, and make sure that you get the individual puppy that fits your needs and expectations the best. Everything you will be asked will directly relate to the Pharaoh pup you are buying so that both you and the pup will be as happy as possible.
To see what we at Nefer-Temu Kennels require to reserve a puppy, please visit our Reservations FAQs on our kennel website. BACK TO TOP
This varies a great deal depending on a lot of different factors, including bloodline and pedigree, pet vs. show quality, age, sex, co-ownership vs. outright ownership, and more. Obviously, show quality pups from any bloodline are going to be more expensive than pet quality pups. Also, sometimes show bitches are more expensive than dogs from the same litter (although oftentimes breeders will not part with their best bitch puppies at all). Some pedigrees sport Best in Specialty winners and Group Winners in every generation, as well as working/field titles on each branch of the family tree--this will figure prominently into the cost of a pup, too. Many Pharaoh breeders (me included) sell their puppies only on co-ownership. Some breeders offer the buyer the choice, but outright ownership will cost significantly more, sometimes double the price. Sometimes, a breeder will be looking to place an older puppy, or even an adult dog--here too, the price will vary.
Having said all that, I will give you some wide-range BALLPARK
figures to go on:
Pet Quality Puppy - $650-$1000 +/-
Show Quality Puppy $850-$2000 +/-
As you can see, there are literally tons of variables and the range is very
broad, so there is no substitute for talking to your individual breeder. I
must also point out that reputable breeders are lucky to make any profit off of
a litter. If you break even as a breeder, you are lucky, but more often
than not, you wind up still in the hole after the last puppy is sold. For
more information on this topic, please also visit our Reservations
FAQs on our Nefer-Temu Kennels website. BACK
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I am interested in an adult or a rescue Pharaoh Hound - any pointers?
There is a national breed rescue program run by the PHCA (Pharaoh Hound Club of America). Fortunately, we see very few Pharaohs come through the program annually. This is mostly due to the careful selection of homes done by breeders. Also, reputable breeders will readily take back Pharaohs of their breeding if they do not work out in the homes they were placed in. In fact, many have this written into their puppy contracts. However, despite it all, occasionally one will slip through the cracks, or irreputable breeders will produce litter(s) without care to placement and contracts, and Pharaohs will turn up in need of rescuing. Most rescue cases tend to be older dogs, but sometimes young adults and puppies turn up. It goes without saying that there is usually a waiting list for a rescue Pharaoh. Here is a link to the PHCA's Rescue page, which has contact information for the club's current rescue chair people.
Alternatively, sometimes breeders will have older dogs available for re-homing. Sometimes these dogs are retired show dogs whom the breeder has decided not to breed from, or they could be dogs who have been returned to the breeder, as stipulated in the contract, if the original owner is no longer able to provide an appropriate home. It would be good idea to ask a breeder if they have, or anticipate having, adult dogs available if that is what you are interested in. BACK TO TOP
Do Pharaoh Hounds really blush? ? ?
Yes, they do. But, like they say, a picture is worth a
thousand words:
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So, what are Pharaoh Hounds like to live with, anyway?
This is an active breed. By active, I do not mean hyper,
just that they have a lot of energy and they need to exercise and play
hard to stay physically and mentally fit. They are extremely
playful--everything is a potential game to them. They are also true
entertainers by nature, and very interactive, both with eachother and with their
people. If they 
are
bored, they will create their own fun. I had one (Noble) who was the king of inventing
games. He would dig at the water in his bowl or in kiddie pools and turn
around to snap at the splashes he's created. He also loved to chase
bubbles and would even throw the tennis ball for himself! Actually, I've
had several bubble snappers, hose chasers, and ball throwers over the
years. They are a riot! And, of course, when they get
together to play, it's quite a show. We have three and four-way tug-o-wars
regularly here, as well as a thundering pack of Pharaohs running amuck all over
the house, and three-way wrestling matches galore. Sounds like non-stop
action, but actually, they are usually very laid-back in the house.
Pharaohs are the ultimate couch potatoes most of the time. They love to
"veg out" on the sofa and sleep under the covers at night. We've
had 5 and 6 dog "piles" all over our sofas and recliners at
times. It is not an uncommon sight.
As housedogs, they are clean and tidy. They don't smell (even when wet) and they don't shed (at least not to where it is noticeable), making them welcomed house pets. They do like their comforts, however. As mentioned about, our Pharaohs sleep in the beds under the covers with us--try convincing them that they deserve any less! They should live indoors primarily, and must feel like they are part of the family to thrive.
Pharaohs are a very vocal breed by nature, and they love to utilize
their vocal chords. They have a very wide and interesting array of
sounds that they make. When they play, they play vocally, and they have a
tendency to bark a warning at almost anything that they deem slightly out of the
ordinary (making them superb watch dogs...terrible guard dogs, though):
"Bark, bark bark" (I heard a funny sound
outside!)
"Bark, bark bark" (There's a man walking down
the street!)
"Bark, bark bark" (She took the toy I was
playing with!)
"Bark, bark bark" (I can't find my tennis ball!)
"Bark, bark bark" (My tennis ball is under the
sofa, and I can't reach it!)
"Bark, bark bark" (I don't know what I'm barking
at, but she barked, so there must be SOMEthing worth barking at!)
Pharaohs are very loyal to their people, without being doting. They are very catlike in their affection. They are affectionate, and they do love you, but they have their own agenda to keep in mind as well. Most Pharaohs (especially bitches) can be aloof with strangers, preferring to have nothing to do with them, which may offend some of your friends who claim to have a way with dogs!
Something else that many people are disappointed to
hear is the fact that this breed MUST
be either safely contained in a
fenced yard or on a leash at all times. Because of their strong
hunt/chase instincts, they can never be trusted to run free. The
only time it is safe to have a Pharaoh off-lead is during their run at a
lure course, in the agility or obedience rings, or in a securely fenced
area (fenced baseball fields and dog parks, for example). They
make excellent jogging, hiking, and biking partners while safely
leashed. BACK TO TOP
