Do Pharaoh Hounds Shed?

The Pharaoh Hound is a medium-sized dog with a short, glossy coat that is often described as elegant, friendly, and smart. They are said to have originated from Malta, where they were used as rabbit hunters before being named the national dog of Malta in the late 1970s.

Today, they are crowned as being one of the oldest dogs in existence, and while they make excellent companions, remain very rare (and expensive).

Do they shed?

Yes, Pharaoh Hounds do shed hair (and they are not hypoallergenic). But thankfully, they don’t shed very much, and they are very easy to groom, given their short low-maintenance coats.

In this post, I’ll show you all you need to know about the shedding and grooming characteristics of the Pharaoh Hound to help you decide if this breed is right for you.

Pharaoh Hound Shedding (What to Expect)

Pharaoh Hounds have short, glossy coats, which you might think means they don’t shed, but the truth is that short-haired dogs do shed. In fact, depending on the breed, short-haired dogs can actually shed more than long-haired dogs!

Nevertheless, Pharaoh Hounds are considered a low-shedding breed.

What this means is that you will notice some hair on your floors and furniture if you adopt a Pharaoh Hound. But nothing like you would with a heavy shedder like the Labrador, Boxer, or Dalmatian, for example (all of which high shedding dogs with short coats).

Another great thing about the Pharaoh Hound is that the little amount of hair they do shed is shed year-round. This is because Pharaoh Hounds are single-coated, which means they have a single layer of hair rather than a top coat and undercoat (like the Malamute, for example).

As a result, they don’t shed seasonally (i.e., “blow coat“) once or twice a year. They simply drop their old hair at a low, consistent rate throughout the year.

Can You Stop Your Pharaoh Hound from Shedding?

Shedding is perfectly natural and something almost all dogs with hair do, so it’s not something you can stop completely (nor is it a good idea to try).

However, there are a variety of ways to reduce shedding, which mostly come down to ensuring your dog’s diet is optimal and establishing a proper grooming routine.

On the first point, it’s best to speak to your vet about the best diet for your dog. But generally speaking, the key is to look for high-quality kibble that contains healthy omega-3 fatty acids (ideally, marine-sourced omega-3) and the other nutrients your dog needs to thrive.

When it comes to grooming, a quick brush once or twice a week with a bristle brush or rubber hound glove should be more than enough to keep the loose hairs at bay.

I’ll go into more detail on grooming shortly, but first, let’s discuss another topic that many people who are considering adopting a Pharaoh Hound ask – are they hypoallergenic.

Are Pharaoh Hounds Hypoallergenic?

Unfortunately, Pharaoh Hounds are not hypoallergenic. But the truth is that no dog is 100% hypoallergenic anyway – even completely hairless breeds!

Why is this the case? Because the main thing that tends to trigger dog-related allergy symptoms is not the hair itself, it’s the dog’s dander. In other words, their dead skin flakes.

That being said, dogs that shed heavily tend to spread dander (and other allergens found in a dog’s dried saliva, urine, and sweat) around the home at a higher rate. So it is common for low-shedding dogs to be considered “hypoallergenic,” as the dander is less likely to become airborne.

In any case, the Pharaoh Hound is not as likely to trigger a reaction as a heavy-shedding, thick-coated dog like the Husky, but there are better alternatives if you are concerned about this.

Like the Bichon Frise or Poodle, for example. These breeds are both considered hypoallergenic by the American Kennel Club (AKC), as are numerous others.

Grooming Your Pharaoh Hound

Grooming a Pharaoh Hound is very straightforward because they have a short and glossy coat. All you need to do is brush them once or twice a week with a bristle brush or hound brush (rubber brush or glove), and that should be enough to keep your home relatively hair free.

And to top it off, both of these brushes are very affordable and easy to use!

Not only does regular brushing remove the old hair from your dog’s coat before it falls onto your floors and furniture, but it massages his coat and helps spread the natural coat oils, which in turn can lead to your dog having a healthier, more beautiful-looking coat.

Aside from brushing, you can also bathe your Pharaoh Hound once a month or so, as this can help reduce the likelihood of excessive shedding even further.

Just be sure to only use a good quality dog shampoo and to avoid over-bathing, as both of these things have the potential to strip a dog’s coat of their natural oils and therefore cause dryness and irritation (which can increase shedding).

Other than that, there’s not a lot you need to be concerned with outside of the basics, like dental and nail care. Pharaoh Hounds are rugged dogs with very low-maintenance coats!

Conclusion

Pharaoh Hounds are elegant dogs that make great companions, and to top it off, they shed very little hair and are easy to groom. There’s a lot to like about this dog!

That said, Pharaoh Hounds are high-energy dogs that love to run. This is what they were bred to do thousands of years ago. So if you are going to adopt one of these beauties, be sure to give them at least 30 minutes of daily exercise (along with lots of love and attention!).

Let us know in the comments if you’ve adopted a Pharaoh Hound. We would love to hear about your experience in welcoming this ancient breed into your home.

Thanks for reading!