Pharaoh Hound

The Pharaoh Hound is a lean sportswoman with a good-natured character and otherworldly charm of an amber look. Possessing aristocratic habits and a remarkable mind, this eared intellectual easily gets in touch and gains trust, while not condescending to frank subservience. Usually, a Maltese greyhound is recommended for those who are in dire need of a four-legged girlfriend who will gladly share the master's love for dog racing, but at the same time will not destroy the house because she suddenly became bored and wanted to hunt. In addition, the breed is very accommodating, so it is safe to acquire a pharaoh dog even if representatives of the fauna of various sizes and weight categories already live at home.

Origin

Based on the exotic name of the breed, it is logical to assume that its ancestors were from the banks of the Nile. In fact, the outward resemblance of the representatives of this family with the hero of ancient Egyptian mythology Anubis is absolutely accidental. Moreover, the birthplace of dogs is Malta. According to legend, the Phoenicians brought the animals to these parts, where they lived in relative isolation for thousands of years without the possibility of interbreeding with other breeds. At the same time, on the island, the greyhounds were called "kelb tal-fenek", which in translation meant "rabbit dog".

Pharaoh dogs entered the countries of Europe at the beginning of the 20th century, and by the 1930s, English breeders received the first individuals. It took nearly thirty years for the animals to gain the trust of Old World dog breeders. Moreover, the Briton General Blok and his wife Pauline especially contributed to the awakening of interest in the "pharaohs". The couple professionally bred rabbit greyhounds and founded their own kennel, from which 90% of the British population of "Anubis dogs" subsequently came out.

In 1977, the FCI breeding specialists became interested in the breed and even decided to bring its representatives to a single standard. True, it soon became clear that the name "Pharaoh Hound" in the stud books is occupied by another four-legged family that originated from the island of Ibiza. So that in the future there would be no interbreed confusion, the dogs from Malta were nevertheless assigned the "Pharaonic status", and the dogs from Ibiza were urgently renamed Ibizan greyhounds.

Character

Despite the somewhat pretentious name of the breed, its representatives are completely devoid of arrogance and the desire to suppress everyone and everything. The correct Pharaoh Hound is an affectionate, intelligent and understanding creature, with whom it is easy to build relationships, even without cynological experience behind him. One of the main features of the Maltese rabbit greyhounds is their phenomenal peacefulness. Hyperactive children with their constant running around, narcissistic cats walking around the apartment, crowds of guests - the “pharaoh” perceives such vicissitudes of fate with incredible calmness.

Nevertheless, it is clearly not worth considering a pet as a timid and insecure creature. If necessary, this graceful "model" will bark at a stranger, and rein in the unbridled crows on the street, and protect its own good from children's encroachments. Sociability and curiosity are qualities that every representative of the breed must possess. At the same time, obsession is absolutely alien to pharaoh dogs. After making sure that the owner does not seek to make contact, the "pharaoh" will not humiliate himself and beg for affection, but will take a break and go about his business.

Maintenance and care

Pharaoh dogs are undemanding to space if they lead an active sports life outside the home. Modern breeders claim that keeping an Anubis in an apartment is no more difficult than in a country mansion, if you set the correct daily routine for the animal. Keep in mind that the breed is sensitive to low temperatures (immigrants from hot Malta, after all), so on frosty days take the dog for a walk in insulated overalls or make him spend time actively: run a race, play with objects, jump. In general, do everything that helps to keep warm.

Pay due attention to the choice of collar. Due to the elongated neck, not all models are suitable for pharaoh dogs, but only the so-called "herring" - a design that has a wide center and narrowed edges. And please, no harnesses and chains, if you don't want to strangle a pet rushing after a stray cat. But you don’t have to look for a suitable sunbed at all - at home, rabbit greyhounds still prefer to wallow on armchairs and sofas, stubbornly ignoring the mattresses bought for them.

The innate aristocracy of behavior is what distinguishes the Maltese greyhounds. A real pharaoh hound builds behavior depending on the environment and does not allow himself too much. For example, developing insane speeds on dog races and chasing a mechanical hare with primitive passion, the "pharaoh" will never turn the apartment in which he lives upside down. Moreover, at home, this fit runner will prefer to play the role of a sofa minion and take a quiet nap in an armchair while the owner prepares another portion of goodies for him.

As for cohabitation with other dogs, as well as with their own relatives, here the "Maltese" are surprisingly loyal - an innate lack of conflict affects. By the way, don't expect the Pharaoh Hound to be devoted to just one person. Representatives of this breed are distinguished by an even attitude towards all family members, and if someone is singled out, they do it very delicately. Graceful "anubis" are not peculiar to such a bad habit as empty nonsense. Usually owners complain about the excessive passion of the breed for barking and howling, who do not like to walk their four-legged wards, and who also have the habit of locking the animal in an empty apartment.

Health

Of the hereditary diseases in pharaoh dogs, hip dysplasia and luxation of the patella usually make themselves felt. Pets often suffer from bloating. In this regard, it is important not to overfeed the dog, providing an extremely calm environment in the room where he eats, because in a hurry and worrying, the greyhound swallows air with food, which provokes bloating.

But the breed does not suffer from allergies at all and can freely absorb all the products allowed for dogs. The only thing that spoils the life of the "Maltese" a little is hypersensitivity to chemicals, therefore, when treating the four-legged "Anubis" with flea and tick remedies, apply the drug to the most inaccessible places for the dog's tongue.