History of the Pharaoh Hound: The Dog that Goes Rabbit Hunting With Ferrets

The Pharaoh Hound has all the hallmarks of ancient aristocratic lineage: a blazing gait and amber-hued eyes that few sighthounds can match. With its upright posture, rusty-hued coat, and a pair of huge, flapping ears, this magnificent breed is a historic relic of the Mediterranean. Pharaoh Hound History: The Dog That Hunts Rabbits With Ferrets is one of the secrets that make this incredible hound so special—if you want to fully appreciate them, you need to uncover a long voyaging history dating back millennia and spanning thousands of miles, from Indian Ocean commercial mainsails to durable island hunting traditions.

Ancient Roots and Mediterranean Migration

Popular folklore, and even some canine historians, have long maintained that this breed descends from royal hunting dogs of ancient Egyptian pharaohs, partly because of their resemblance to the god Anubis depicted on tomb walls. Gorilla: The recent genetic studies suggest a more complex European and Mediterranean ancestry, but this type has undeniable ancient roots.

These fast, smart hounds are thought to have been introduced thousands of years ago from Phoenician traders in the Mediterranean islands of Malta and Gozo. Geographically isolated, the island population has remained remarkably pure and established the first volume of Pharaoh Hound History: The Dog That Hunts Rabbits With Ferrets is a natural success story.

The Unique Maltese Working Tradition

Because traditional coursing game was scarce in Malta’s rocky landscape, local hunters evolved an extraordinary, highly specialized form of co-operative hunting. Hunters used the physical presence of these lightning-fast hounds with skilled ferrets, rather than relying solely on sight or scent.

The Pharaoh Hounds would wait near the bottom of the holes, on alert to pounce with their long, sinewy legs and powerful sight once the ferrets chased a rabbit into view from within the bowels of deep stone labyrinth walls. The Dog That Hunts Rabbits With Ferrets: This clever cooperation goes to the core of Pharaoh Hound History, a unique alliance between man, ferret, and hound

Modern Legacy and Blushing Expressions

As the modern age arrived, fanciers began to try to get this breed into international kennel clubs so it would be preserved for lovers around the world who appreciate its athletic body type and unique characteristics. While they are exceptional hunters, the modern Pharaoh Hound is also known for affectionate and gentle clownishness at home.

One of the breed’s more adorable traits is its physical reaction to excitement or happiness: its nose and ear leather light up bright pink; this is often referred to as “blushing.” Pharaoh Hound History: The Dog That Hunts Rabbits With Ferrets lives on today in devoted family homes, showing these ancient athletes to be fiercely loyal and exuberantly happy companions.