Because the Pharaoh Hound's coat is short, tight and close it is quite low maintenance when it comes to keeping things tidy. All it really takes to keep the sheen on a dog's coat is a weekly wipe over with a chamois leather. These hounds have very sensitive skin and as such great care has to be taken when using any sort of product on it which includes dog shampoos.
They tend to shed their coat steadily throughout the year although more so during the Spring and then again in the Autumn when more frequent grooming is usually necessary to get rid of any loose or shed hair. It has to be noted that Pharaoh Hounds are quite sensitive to the cold and as such when the weather turns very cold, dogs need to wear a coat when out on a walk to prevent them getting a chill.
It's also important to check a dog's ears on a regular basis and to clean them when necessary. If too much wax is allowed to build up in a dog's ears, it can lead to a painful infection which can be hard to clear up. In short, prevention is often easier than cure when it comes to ear infections.
Pharaoh Hounds are extremely high-energy dogs and as such they need to be given a ton of daily mental stimulation and at least 2 hour's exercise for them to be truly happy, well-rounded and obedient dogs. Their exercise has to be vigorous and should include lots of interactive games to keep these hounds focused and on their toes. The old saying of a "tired dog is a good dog" is never truer than when describing a Pharaoh Hound. When they get home after a good walk, they are quite happy to chill out and relax with their owners.
A shorter walk in the morning would be fine, but a longer more interesting one in the afternoon is a must. These dogs also like to be able to roam around a back garden as often as possible so they can really let off steam. However, the fencing has to be extremely secure to keep these highly active dogs in because if they find a weakness in the fence, they will soon escape out and get into all sorts of trouble. As a general rule, any outdoor time in the garden should be supervised just in case.
With this said, Pharaoh Hound puppies should not be over exercised because their joints and bones are still growing and too much pressure on them could result in causing a dog a few problems later on in their lives. They should not be allowed to jump up or off furniture nor should they be allowed to run up and down the stairs because these are the sorts of things that put a lot of strain on a dog’s joints and bones.
If you get a Pharaoh Hound puppy from a breeder, they would give you a feeding schedule and it's important to stick to the same routine, feeding the same puppy food to avoid any tummy upsets. You can change a puppy's diet, but this needs to be done very gradually always making sure they don't develop any digestive upsets and if they do, it's best to put them back on their original diet and to discuss things with the vet before attempting to change it again.
Older dogs are not known to be fussy or finicky eaters, but this does not mean you can feed them a lower quality diet. It's best to feed a mature dog twice a day, once in the morning and then again in the evening, making sure it's good quality food that meets all their nutritional requirements. It's also important that dogs be given the right amount of exercise so they burn off any excess calories or they might gain too much weight which can lead to all sorts of health issues. Obesity can shorten a dog's life by several years so it's important to keep an eye on their waistline from the word go.
Because Pharaoh Hounds have been known to suffer from bloat, it is really important that they be fed twice a day instead of giving them just one larger meal a day. It's also a good idea to invest in a stand to place their feed bowl which makes it easier for these large dogs to eat comfortably without having to stretch their necks down low to reach their food. You should never exercise a dog just before or just after they have eaten either because this puts them more a risk of developing bloat.
