The Pharaoh Hound is a very healthy breed as a rule. At this point in time (and for 5000 years!) they have been virtually free from the genetic problems which plague many breeds (i.e. hip dysplasia, patella luxation, eye disorders, etc.,) as a result of the conscious efforts made by responsible breeders to keep it that way. There have been isolated reports of the disorders above, but they are the extreme minority in this breed. This is another reason that modern breeders hope and pray that the breed never becomes popular, thus opening the door to irreputable breeders to their foot in and breed irresponsibly and ignorantly.
Pharaohs are also very tough, physically. They rarely injure
themselves, even when playing wildly and fast-paced. They seem to hold up
better than many breeds on the lure coursing field
,
too (for info. on lure coursing, see Activities).
There are, however, a few care concerns that bear knowing about. Many Pharaohs (as well as other sighthound breeds) exhibit a reaction (ranging from mild to moderate, but rarely severe) to some modern day injections, or to the carrying agents in some injections. Just make sure that you and your veterinarian are aware of this fact, and monitor your Pharaoh closely for any sign of reaction after each injection.
Also, many regular dog shampoos and human shampoos will cause reactions (usually rashes or dry skin) in a Pharaoh's sensitive skin. For this reason, it is advised that when you bathe your Pharaoh you use a mild puppy or cat shampoo. Along the same lines, Pharaohs can get dry, flaky skin in the dryer and/or colder months. Sometimes this is evident on their ear tips. Extra care must always be taken to keep Pharaohs warm and keep their extremities safe in cold weather.
Some Pharaohs (again, the minority) have food allergies to certain ingredients found in some kibble. There doesn't seem to be a pattern or commonality as to which ingredients trigger and allergic response, however. The reported cases of food allergies are few and far between, so there is not enough information to draw a conclusion. So long as Pharaohs are fed a high-grade natural kibble, or a well-balanced raw diet, there are rarely issues.
As far as general grooming goes, Pharaoh Hound owners have it easy. Baths should be given sparingly. We only bathe ours when they get into something icky - they do not need to be bathed regularly due to their unique coat, natural cleanliness, and general lack of odor. A quick slicking down with a rubber or sisal mitt, or a damp cloth, as well as a thorough ear cleaning, tooth scaling, and nail clipping/filing before a show (or about once ever 1-2 weeks if you don't show) is all that is necessary. A metal or wire brush should be avoided when grooming this breed - it is unnecessary and too strong for their skin.
It is also extremely important to provide a Pharaoh with enough exercise and mental stimulation to ensure health and happiness. As mentioned before, this is an intelligent and active breed. Many behavioral "problems" that pop up can be easily solved with adequate exercise. Boredom and frustration are the roots of most of the behaviors that owners complain about (digging, inappropriate chewing, inappropriate barking, obsessive behavior patterns, etc.). This goes for all breeds - not just Pharaohs.
