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A Breed Standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament and appearance of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function. Absolute soundness is essential. Breeders and judges should at all times be careful to avoid obvious conditions or exaggerations which would be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed. From time to time certain conditions or exaggerations may be considered to have the potential to affect dogs in some breeds adversely, and judges and breeders are requested to refer to the Kennel Club website for details of any such current issues. If a feature or quality is desirable it should only be present in the right measure.

To view photos of this breed please visit the Kennel Club Picture Library

General Appearance
Medium sized, of noble bearing with clean-cut lines. Graceful yet powerful. Very fast with free easy movement and alert expression.

Characteristics
An alert keen hunter, hunting by scent and sight using its ears to a marked degree when working close.

Temperament
Alert, intelligent, friendly, affectionate and playful.

Head and Skull
Skull long, lean and well-chiselled. Foreface slightly longer than skull. Only slight stop. Top of skull parallel with foreface, whole head representing a blunt wedge when viewed in profile and from above.

Eyes
Amber coloured, blending with coat; oval, moderately deep-set, with keen, intelligent expression.

Ears
Medium high set; carried erect when alert, but very mobile; broad at base, fine and large.

Mouth
Powerful jaws with strong teeth. Scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws.

Nose
Flesh-coloured only, blending with coat.

Neck
Long, lean, muscular and slightly arched. Clean throat line.

Forequarters
Shoulders strong, long and well laid back. Forelegs straight and parallel. Elbows well tucked in. Pasterns strong.

Body
Lithe with almost straight topline. Slight slope down from croup to root of tail. Deep brisket extending down to point of elbow. Ribs well sprung. Moderate cut up. Length of body from breast to haunch bone slightly longer than height at withers.

Hindquarters
Strong and muscular. Moderate bend of stifle. Well developed second thigh. Limbs parallel when viewed from behind.

Feet
Strong, well knuckled and firm, turning neither in nor out. Paws well padded.

Tail
Medium set – fairly thick at base and tapering (whip-like), reaching just below point of hock in repose. Carried high and curved when dog is in action. Tail should not be tucked between legs. A screw tail undesirable.

Gait/Movement
Free and flowing; head held fairly high and dog should cover ground well without any apparent effort. Legs and feet should move in line with body; any tendency to throw feet sideways, or high stepping ‘hackney’ action highly undesirable.

Coat
Short and glossy, ranging from fine and close to slightly harsh; no feathering.

Colour
Tan or rich tan with white markings allowed as follows: White tip on tail strongly desired. White on chest (called ‘The Star’). White on toes. Slim white blaze on centre line of face permissible. Flecking or white other than above undesirable.

Size
dogs: 56-63 cms (22-25 ins); bitches: 53-61 cms (21-24 ins).

Faults
Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.

Note
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

Last Updated - January 2009

Glossary of Canine Terms

Some links to health information and resources that may be relevant to this breed:

Veterinary screening schemes - The Kennel Club operates these with the British Veterinary Association.

DNA screening schemes - detect disease-causing mutations in a number of breeds.

Current Accredited Breeder Scheme health screening requirements and recommendations - for Kennel Club Accredited Breeders show what is required and recommended for the sire and dam of any litter of this breed bred by a Kennel Club Accredited Breeder.

Breed Watch - a tool aimed at dog show judges and exhibitors to highlight and tackle any current concerns in a breed

Health Test results Finder Tool - access results of any official KC health testing scheme for Kennel Club registered dogs

2004 Purebred Dog Health Survey Results - Individual summaries are available where the breed response rate was greater than 15%.

Recommended Reading

All the below publications are available from the Online Shop.

Kennel Club Breed Standards Kennel Club Breed Standards are available for most breeds indicating the qualities which competition judges normally take into account and the standard or model which breeders endeavour to achieve. The Breed Standards can be purchased by group.

Breed Clubs and Societies

PHARAOH HOUND CLUB. Sec. Mrs B Brooker. Tel No: 01604 414639

Date page created:

Categories:

Hound Group 

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