Pharaoh Hound
- Group 5: Spitz and primitive types
- Section 6: Primitive type
- Without working trial
Malta
United Kingdom
Pharaoh Hound, Kelb tal- Fenek
Male: 56-63.5 cm, ideal 56 cm Female: 53-61 cm, ideal 53 cm
Not specified
The Pharaoh Hound, or even Pharaoh Hound is one of the FCI (No. 248, Gr. 5, 6 sec ) recognized breed from Malta. The Maltese name is Kelb tal- Fenek. Standard Imaging country is United Kingdom.
Origin and History
The name Pharaoh Hound was originally wind -like dog as a collective term for all, prick eared hunting dogs of the type of hounds used. Since 1977, however, this name is assigned by the FCI only the Kelb tal- Fenek, a race which was founded in 1960 "discovered" by the British in Malta. The Maltese name Kelb tal- Fenek (about: dog rabbit ) playing on its use for rabbit hunting at.
On the history of the breed, which is also the Cirneco dell ' Etna similar to that of the neighboring island of Sicily, there are different theories:
A shared by many lovers and breeders outside Malta opinion is that the Pharaoh Hound 've had a long history before he landed on the island of Malta. Pictures of wind dog dogs similar to the type of Tesem and god of the dead Anubis represented with a dog or jackal head occupy in Egyptian grave chambers, but also 5000 year old skeletal remains that there were dogs of this type even during the ancient times in Egypt and the Middle East. Phoenician traders and the Romans were said to be responsible for the dissemination of these dogs in the whole Mediterranean area and they have finally brought to the islands of Malta and Gozo.
One objection to this theory is that the first evidence for the existence of a hound used for hunting rabbits in Malta only come from the time of the Order of Malta. It is also pointed out that the race to the relatively small islands of Malta and Gozo could not have survived if it had not come regularly for crossing other breeds and thus to supply the new genetic material. A scientific proof of the direct descent of about 2,500 years earlier extinct Kelb tal- Fenek of the Tesem so hard to lead.
These doubts are reinforced by the results of a study of the genome of the domestic dog, by the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center ( FHCRC ) in Seattle was released in May 2004. This study indicated that the Pharaoh Hound and the Ibizan Hound should be developed only in recent times out of different races.
In recent years, demands have been raised, particularly in Malta, the dog in the kennel international organizations such as the FCI to call Kelb tal- Fenek. In fact, the breed was known in Malta until their "discovery" by English dog breeders exclusively under this name, and also the legend of the Egyptian origin has only emerged in the course of their international distribution.
To avoid confusion with the hounds also designated as a Pharaoh Hound until 1977, the English breed name Pharaoh Hound is often also used in German-speaking countries.
Description
Characteristic in appearance are the conspicuously large erect ears that can be found on the type of hounds in the other Mediterranean hounds. The height at withers in males between 56 63,5 cm, bitches 53 to 61 cm. The rust-brown to dark reddish brown coat is short and glossy, ranging from fine and close to slightly harsh. The dog has no black pigment, that is, Nose, eyelids and ears insides are flesh-colored. There are only a few white markings permitted: A white tip of tail is highly desirable. Often a white spot on the chest (in the breed standard called "star", but in practice rarely really evenly distributed ) and white on the toes. A narrow white blaze on the center line of the face is tolerated. The muzzle is slightly longer than the skull. The upper boundary line of the skull parallel to that of the catch. The head represents both from above and from the side considered a blunt wedge represents the ears are set medium high. Carried erect when alert, but very mobile. Broad at base, they are large and fine. The tail is set on medium- high, thick at the base, to the tip ( whip-like ) tapering, at rest, just below the hock.
Nature
In essence it is very similar to the greyhounds: He is very lively and sensitive and needs lots of exercise. Since it is used in Malta as a guard dog, but he tends to bark at unfamiliar noises. A good way to satisfy his need for exercise, is the participation in greyhound racing, especially at lure coursing.
Use
In Malta and Gozo it is usually used in pairs or in small groups for nocturnal hunting rabbits. The dogs Find the hidden crevices in stone walls or rabbits with their sense of smell and her fine ear and show this to the hunters by barking and scratching. The hunters cover the hiding place of the Rabbit then with a power off and put a ferret that drives the rabbit to the surface and thus in the network. If a Kelb tal- Fenek hunting down a rabbit outdoors, he followed it with a characteristic high-pitched barking, which is called by the Maltese Kurriera. Thus he signaled the other dogs to participate in the hunt. This behavior can be observed, where the breed is one of the few dogs that bark during the race even at greyhound racing and coursing. The Pharaoh Hound is one of the dogs, the " soft mouth" hunt, that is, that he can bring the prey alive to his master.