Pharaoh Hound vs English Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison

Pharaoh Hound is originated from Malta but English Water Spaniel is originated from United Kingdom. Pharaoh Hound may grow 12 cm / 5 inches higher than English Water Spaniel. Pharaoh Hound may weigh 7 kg / 16 pounds more than English Water Spaniel. Both Pharaoh Hound and English Water Spaniel has same life span. Both Pharaoh Hound and English Water Spaniel has same litter size. Both Pharaoh Hound and English Water Spaniel requires Low maintenance.

History

pharaoh hound - historyThe Pharaoh Hound hails from Malta and is the national dog there. These dogs are rare and are looked upon as endangered. Because they are a primitive type dog, they enjoy good health.

It has always been used as a hunting dog for rabbits. The dog has been recreated from mixing a combination of other breeds. It certainly seems to be an ancient dog breed, having existed for more than 2 000 years.

It is thought that the dog was imported to Malta by Phoenician traders. The dog has been classified as a member of the sighthound group, and arrived in England in the 1930s and to the USA in 1967. The breed was also officially recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1984.

The English Water Spaniel breed is extinct and has been since the early 1900’s. It was last seen in the 1930s. The breed was a hunting breed, diving for duck and hunting other waterfowl. Legend has it that Shakespeare was referring to this breed of dog in Macbeth when he refers to the “water rug”. Again, in Two Gentlemen of Verona one of the character states about another that “She hath more qualities than a water-spaniel.’

The English Water Spaniel came along before the Irish Water Spaniel and had a part in the development the Curly Coated Retriever, the American Water Spaniel and the Field Spaniel. The English Water Spaniel looks somewhat like a Poodle/Springer Spaniel cross or a Collie. It is not known whether the English Water Spaniel was part of the development of the Irish Water Spaniel.

When the English Water Spaniel was first developed the UKC had a “Water Spaniels other than Irish” and the English Water Spaniel had no standard written and accepted for it yet. But by 1967 the breed was extinct. Still the American Water Spaniel and the Flat Coated Retriever are believed to be descendants of the English Water Spaniel.

Description

pharaoh hound puppy - descriptionThe Pharoah Hound is an elegant looking dog standing at roughly between 53 and 63cm and weighing 18 to 27kg.

They are sleek dogs without any bulkiness about them and the coat is tight fitting with short smooth hair. The coat is a tan or red color, the eyes bright and the color of amber. The ears are fairly large and erect and the long tail slim with sometimes a white tip. The skin can be thin so the dog can be sensitive to the cold.

The neck of the dog is long and lean, as are the legs. An interesting aspect with this dog is that when the dog becomes excited its ears and nose become bright pink.

Temperament:

Pharoah Hounds are calm dogs and they can live in the city or in the countryside. They love kids and will be a wonderful playmate for them. Once he has had a lot of exercise and play, he is the kind of dog that will settle down happily with his human family for some quiet time.

Just as with any other dog, he will require training and socialization to make him obedient and better behaved.

Resembling the Springer Spaniel, poodle, collie and setter the English Water Spaniel has very little in common with the Irish Water Spaniel in respect to looks. The English has a narrow and somewhat longer head their than other spaniels and they have long furry ears. Their body is stout, and they are shaped like a barrel – more like a Clumber. With long legs and large feet, it is ready to take to the hunt. There coat was waterproof, and their toes were webbed.

Characteristics

pharaoh hound dog - characteristicsThe Pharaoh Hound is quite interesting in a number of ways and he is independent, strong-willed and able to entertain and amuse himself.

He loves to join in with the children and be part of their games. He’s intelligent and easily trained and he is also low maintenance.

While he’s not the most attractive dog to many people, others look at him as a true beauty. Whatever your opinion is, he will still make you a good family friend.

The English Water Spaniel was aloof with strangers but loyal with his hunter. He was a little stubborn and an excellent water dog. They loved being in the water and could enter it without making any noise so as not to frighten his prey. He was highly intelligent and trainable. He also was very affectionate with his people.

Health Problems

pharaoh hound puppies - health problemsPharaoh Hounds are uncommon outside of the Maltese Islands and with very little irresponsible breeding, these dogs are virtually free of genetic diseases. A common dog illness to look out for includes -

Patellar Luxation:

Your Pharaoh Hound can suffer from patella luxation, and in more severe cases it can be painful and even be disabling for a dog. This ailment comes about when the kneecap is dislocated from its normal position. You’ll find your dog lifting his hind leg quite a bit. Unfortunately this problem can lead to arthritis developing.

Other illnesses to look out for are bloat, cancer, skin allergies and ear infections.

The English Water Spaniel is a fairly healthy breed given to some fairly common disorders such as:

Hip Dysplasia

Can lead to lameness and arthritis

Cardiac abnormalities

Arterial fib and flutter and other problems that could lead to death.

Degenerative Myelopathy

This is a disease seem in several “Dwarf” breeds such as Corgis, as well as in many spaniels. This is the canine version of Lou Gehrig’s Disease or ALS and it is fatal.

Caring The Pet

Grooming:

pharaoh hound dogs - caringThe Pharaoh Hound’s short coat is easy to groom and it will require a brushing at least twice a week just to get rid of loose hairs.

At the same time trim his nails, check inside his ears for infection and look inside his mouth for any rotting teeth.

Exercise:

Your Pharaoh Hound is an active, energetic dog and he will need a good dose of exercise every day. Take him with you on your walks or allow him to join you with your hikes, jogging or cycling. At home involve him in some ball games.

Diet:

How much any adult dog eats will depend on a number of factors such as size of dog, age and his activity levels.

You get some excellent dog kibble these days on the market but the idea is to choose one of the high quality ones which have minerals and vitamins in them. Home-made food is also good for your pet and this should be kept simple, consistent and nutritious.

Every now and then you can add in some boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta and sweet potato, carrots and spinach to the kibble. Some raw meat added in can also be of benefit to your dog’s health.

Stay away from spicy, exotic foods and keep your dog's food easy like suggested so as to avoid digestive problems

Feeding

The English Water Spaniel is not an overly energetic dog and has a tendency to over eat. Feed him 1 to 1.5 cups of high quality dry dog food over two meals each day.

Health issues

In addition to the health issues mentioned earlier, the English Water Spaniel is also prone to:

Baldness

Pattern baldness – is genetic and occurs on the neck and back of the hind legs.

Cataracts

English Water Spaniels can have these in old age like most other breeds.

Retinal Dysplasia

Clumps form in the retinal tissue and can lead to blindness

Exercise and games

The English Water Spaniel was a worker and an outdoor athlete at a time before organized canine games and activities such as agility and flyball. They loved to swim, and they loved to hunt. Without a job to do they could become barky and destructive.

Basic Information

Group:
Hound dog
Sporting dog
Origin:
Malta
United Kingdom
Height Male:
53 - 63 cm
20 - 25 inches
49 - 51 cm
19 - 21 inches
Height Female:
53 - 63 cm
20 - 25 inches
45 - 47 cm
17 - 19 inches
Weight Male:
18 - 27 kg
39 - 60 pounds
16 - 20 kg
35 - 45 pounds
Weight Female:
18 - 27 kg
39 - 60 pounds
14 - 18 kg
30 - 40 pounds
Life Span:
11 - 14 Years
10 - 14 Years
Litter Size:
6 - 8
4 - 8
Size:
Medium dog
Medium dog
Other Names:
Kelb tal Fennec 
Water Dog, Water Rug
Colors Available:
Tan or red
liver and white
Coat:
Short and smooth
dense, waterproof, doublecoated
Shedding:
Minimal
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Affectionate, Independent, Intelligent, Loving, Loyal, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
Low maintenance
Low maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Pharaoh Hound vs Basset Hound - Breed Comparison
  2. Pharaoh Hound vs Basenji - Breed Comparison
  3. Pharaoh Hound vs Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla - Breed Comparison
  4. Pharaoh Hound vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  5. Pharaoh Hound vs Hungarian Vizsla - Breed Comparison
  6. Pharaoh Hound vs Bluetick Coonhound - Breed Comparison
  7. Pharaoh Hound vs Norwegian Elkhound - Breed Comparison
  8. Pharaoh Hound vs Coonhound - Breed Comparison
  9. Pharaoh Hound vs Bavarian Mountain Hound - Breed Comparison
  10. Pharaoh Hound vs Basset Fauve de Bretagne - Breed Comparison
  11. Pharaoh Hound vs Beagle-Harrier - Breed Comparison
  12. Pharaoh Hound vs English Coonhound - Breed Comparison
  13. Pharaoh Hound vs Anglo-Francais de Petite Venerie - Breed Comparison
  14. Pharaoh Hound vs Alpine Dachsbracke - Breed Comparison
  15. Pharaoh Hound vs Basset Bleu de Gascogne - Breed Comparison
  16. Pharaoh Hound vs Dunker - Breed Comparison
  17. Pharaoh Hound vs Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen - Breed Comparison
  18. Pharaoh Hound vs Chippiparai - Breed Comparison
  19. Pharaoh Hound vs English Foxhound - Breed Comparison
  20. Pharaoh Hound vs Estonian Hound - Breed Comparison
  21. Pharaoh Hound vs Grand Griffon Vendeen - Breed Comparison
  22. Pharaoh Hound vs Hamiltonstovare - Breed Comparison
  23. Pharaoh Hound vs Beago - Breed Comparison
  24. Pharaoh Hound vs Kanni - Breed Comparison
  25. Pharaoh Hound vs Lithuanian Hound - Breed Comparison
  26. French Spaniel vs English Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  27. Flat-Coated Retriever vs English Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  28. Finnish Spitz vs English Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  29. Nova Scotia Duck-Tolling Retriever vs English Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  30. English Water Spaniel vs East Siberian Laika - Breed Comparison
  31. English Water Spaniel vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  32. English Water Spaniel vs Ariegeois - Breed Comparison
  33. English Water Spaniel vs Beagador - Breed Comparison
  34. English Water Spaniel vs Artois Hound - Breed Comparison
  35. English Water Spaniel vs Curly Coated Retriever - Breed Comparison
  36. English Water Spaniel vs Braque Francais - Breed Comparison
  37. English Water Spaniel vs Braque Francais (Pyrenean Type) - Breed Comparison
  38. English Water Spaniel vs Braque Saint-Germain - Breed Comparison
  39. Field Spaniel vs English Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  40. Lagotto Romagnolo vs English Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  41. Formosan Mountain Dog vs English Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  42. Shikoku vs English Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  43. Slovakian Hound vs English Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  44. Small Munsterlander vs English Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  45. Sussex Spaniel vs English Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  46. Kooikerhondje vs English Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  47. Welsh Springer Spaniel vs English Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  48. West Siberian Laika vs English Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  49. Wetterhoun vs English Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  50. Wirehaired Pointing Griffon vs English Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds