Origin and Purpose

The Pharaoh Hound is of great antiquity, bearing a striking resemblance to the hounds with large, erect ears depicted in the sculptured delineations in the Egyptian temples from before 4000 B.C. A keen hunter, the Pharaoh Hound hunts by scent and sight, as well as using its large ears to a marked degree when working close.

General Appearance

The Pharaoh Hound is medium sized, of noble bearing, with clean-cut lines. Graceful yet powerful. Very fast with free easy movement.

Temperament

An intelligent, friendly, affectionate, and playful breed.

Size

Males  22-25 inches   (55-63 cm).

Females            21-24 inches   (53-61 cm). Overall balance must be maintained.

Coat and Colour

Short and glossy, ranging from fine and close to slightly harsh, with no feathering. Tan, rich tan with white markings permitted as follows:

(a)       White tip on tail strongly desired.

(b)       White on chest (called the ?star?).(c)       White on toes.

(d)       Slim white blaze on centre of face.

Flecking, or white other than above undesirable.

Head

Skull: Long, lean, and well chiseled. Foreface: Slightly longer than skull; only slight stop. Top of skull parallel with foreface, the whole head representing a blunt wedge when viewed in profile and from above. Nose: Flesh-coloured only, blending with coat. Mouth: Powerful jaws with strong teeth. Scissors bite. Eyes: Amber colour, blending with the coat. Oval, moderately deep set, with keen, intelligent expression. Ears: Medium high set; carried erect when alert, but very mobile; broad at base, fine and large.

Neck

Long, lean, muscular and slightly arched. Clean throat line.

Forequarters

Shoulders strong, long, and well laid back. Forelegs straight and parallel. Elbows well tucked in. Pasterns strong. Feet strong, well knuckled and firm, turning neither in nor out. Paws well padded. Dewclaws may be removed.

Body

Length of body, from breast to haunch bone, slightly longer than height at withers. Topline lithe and almost straight. Slight slope down from croup to root of tail. Chest: deep brisket extending down to point of elbow. Ribs well sprung. Abdomen: moderate tuck up.

Hindquarters

Strong and muscular. Limbs parallel when viewed from behind. Thigh: well developed second thigh. Stifle: moderate bend. Hocks well let down.

Tail

Medium set, fairly thick at the base and tapering (whiplike), reaching just below the point of hock in repose. Carried high and curved when the dog is in action. The tail should not be tucked between the legs. A screw tail is a fault.

Gait

Free and flowing with head held fairly high, the dog should cover the ground well without any apparent effort. The legs and feet should move in line with the body. Any tendency to throw the feet sideways, or a high stepping ?hackney? action is a fault.

Faults

The foregoing description is that of the ideal Pharaoh Hound. Accident blemishes should not be considered faults. Any deviation from the above described dog must be penalized to the extent of the deviation. Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.