Pharaoh Hounds are intelligent, quiet, active, and usually friendly dogs. As with other sight hounds, their speed means the pet Pharaoh Hound needs physical and mental stimulation, which can provided via dog sports such as lure coursing, racing, Frisbee, agility, and rally obedience. Jogging can also help to fulfill these needs while taking advantage of the Pharaoh Hound's ability to run. Pharaoh Hounds can also bond with people as animal-assisted therapy dogs. Hunting tendencies that can impair a Pharaoh Hound's bond to the family include chasing and potentially harming cats or wildlife. Because Pharaoh Hounds are excellent jumpers, fences need to be a minimum of 5-6 feet high to contain them.
The Pharaoh Hound was long believed to be an ancient breed originating in Egypt and evidence supporting this theory was found in ancient Egyptian artworks that were purported to depict the breed. However, recent DNA studies have determined that the breed was relatively recently , bred to look like the dogs of ancient Egypt. There are several breeds of such dogs among the islands of the Mediterranean, including the Ibizan Hound. The Ibizan differs from the Pharoah primarily in coat color. The Pharaoh Hound was introduced to Britain in the 1930's and to the United States in 1967. The American Kennel Club recognized the breed in 1983.