01 Pharaoh Hound History
Description
This article is from the Pharaoh Hounds Breed FAQ, by KayDurr@BIHS.NET (Kay Durr) with numerous contributions by others.
01 Pharaoh Hound History
The Pharaoh Hound is the oldest domesticated dog in recorded history.
Two hounds are depicted hunting Gazelle on a circular disc which is
thought to have been part of a game. The date, around 4000 B.C., was
certainly before the first dynasty. The origin of this hound in
prehistoric times has been the subject of research by many
Egyptologists. They conclude that if this race of dogs could have
resulted from a mixture of many kinds of wild canidae, it is quite
natural that from time to time, one of these elegant individuals would
crop up with the elegant silhouette of Canis Doerdelini, the beautiful
limbs of the Canis Lupaster, & the long nose, erect ears & gentle
nature of the Pariah or Wandering Dog of Egypt. They were seen as
representatives of the Ancient Gods by the original Egyptians. The
dogs were favored as the hunters and faithful, loyal companions in the
daily life of the kings and nobles of all periods in Ancient Egypt &
were frequently depicted in carvings.
In 1935, a burial tomb of a dog was found in the great cemetery west
of the Pyramid of Cheops at Giza with the following inscription
recording the ritual burial ceremony, "The dog which was the guard of
His Majesty, Abuwtiyuw is his name." This was a "Pharaoh Hound" type
dog. His Majesty did this for him in order that he (the dog) might be
honored before the great God Anubis.
It is thought that the Phoenicians took these hounds with them when
they settled on Malta and Gozo (islands off the coast of Italy), & the
preservation of the these hounds who have changed so little in 5,000
years can be credited to the islands inhabitants. They are now the
National Dog of Malta, where they are bred for rabbit hunting,
guardians of the homesteads, & known as "Kelb-tal-Fenek" (Rabbit Dog).
The Pharaoh Hound was first imported into England in the early 1930's,
then again in 1963 from Malta and Gozo. They were first introduced
into the U.S. about 1967 by Mrs. Harper & the Pharaoh Hound Club of
America (PHCA) was founded in 1970. Pharaohs received American Kennel
Club (AKC) recognition in 1984 & were added to the Hound Group. This
glorious breed can now be found in most countries in the world.
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