Vikhan Sheepdog vs Pharaoh Hound - Breed Comparison

Vikhan Sheepdog is originated from Pakistan but Pharaoh Hound is originated from Malta. Both Vikhan Sheepdog and Pharaoh Hound are having almost same height. Vikhan Sheepdog may weigh 20 kg / 45 pounds more than Pharaoh Hound. Vikhan Sheepdog may live 6 years less than Pharaoh Hound. Both Vikhan Sheepdog and Pharaoh Hound has almost same litter size. Vikhan Sheepdog requires High maintenance. But Pharaoh Hound requires Low maintenance

History

The Vikhan Dog is a rare breed that very little is known about. It is not sanctioned by any breed club or kennel club. The breed originally came from Pakistan in the North-west Frontier Province near the Indian border, in the Chitral region and the state of Himacchal Pradesh. For the most part Pakistan is credited with the development of the breed. They originally guarded livestock and hunting leopard. He is fast and fierce. The breed is bonded to the livestock when they are very young and instinctually guard them for the rest of their life. They do not herd them, they blend into the flock and watch for outsiders.

They confront strangers and predators with aggressive displays and vocal intimidation. If this does not work, it will attack and drive them off. They are even known for luring coyotes into a trap with food so that they can hunt them.

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.

Basic Information

Group:
Gun dog
Hound dog
Origin:
Pakistan
Malta
Height Male:
66 - 68 cm
25 - 27 inches
53 - 63 cm
20 - 25 inches
Height Female:
64 - 66 cm
25 - 26 inches
53 - 63 cm
20 - 25 inches
Weight Male:
45 - 47 kg
99 - 104 pounds
18 - 27 kg
39 - 60 pounds
Weight Female:
42 - 46 kg
92 - 102 pounds
18 - 27 kg
39 - 60 pounds
Life Span:
6 - 8 Years
11 - 14 Years
Litter Size:
6 - 10
6 - 8
Size:
Large dog
Medium dog
Other Names:
Vikhan Dog Vikhan Shepherd Vikhan Chitral Watchdog
Kelb tal Fennec 
Colors Available:
fawn, black , brown
Tan or red
Coat:
long and shaggy
Short and smooth
Shedding:
Moderate
Minimal
Temperament:
Aggressive, Courageous, Intelligent, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
High maintenance
Low maintenance
Trainability:
Hard
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
No
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
No
Yes

Description

The Vikhan Sheepdog is a large working breed that is lean, muscular and aggressive. He is immensely intelligent and fearless. He has a thick coat in solid brown, red, fawn or black. There are also multi-colored and spotted versions as well. They are related to the other regional Molossers and are sometimes called the giant Rough Collie. They are faster than they are strong. All Molossers are solid, large and share the same ancestor.

They typically have short, muscular necks and broad but short muzzles. They have heavy bones, wrinkles and pendant ears. With well-muscled legs and wide chests, the Molossers include the mastiffs and bully breeds and all other breeds that come from those groups. Molossers are either flock guardians or home guardians. The Vikhan Sheepdog is a flock guardian

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.

Characteristics

Characteristics

1Children friendliness No – a very aggressive protector.

2.Special talents agility and speed

3.Adaptability – needs space – not very adaptable to smaller spaces.

4.Learning ability intelligent, quick learner

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.

Health Problems

Because this is a rare breed having lived in isolation for centuries, little is known or documented about their health issues. However being a large Molosser, they face some of the same health challenges as all large dogs. These include

• Bloat – when the internal organs of the intestinal system are knotted or inverted. Without immediate attention it causes death under all circumstances. You need to get the dog to a vet as soon as possible.

• Hip Dysplasia – Can cause lameness in hind legs and/or arthritis. Can be treated.

• Elbow Dysplasia – Can cause lameness in the front legs and/or arthritis. Can be treated.

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.

Caring The Pet

1Feeding the puppy – due to the risk of bloat, don’t overfeed and don’t feed large meals before or after exercise. Also don’t feed too high protein since the puppies grow so fast and it can cause bone injuries. Feed 3-4 x day.

2.Feeding the adult - due to the risk of bloat, don’t overfeed and don’t feed large meals before or after exercise. feed 2 X day

3.Points for Good Health seems to have stamina/speed.

4. Games and Exercises Although large dogs they are surprisingly good at agility, they need a lot of exercise and long walks.

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

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. Vikhan Sheepdog vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  27. Vikhan Sheepdog vs German Shorthaired Pointer - Breed Comparison
  28. Vikhan Sheepdog vs Irish Setter - Breed Comparison
  29. Vikhan Sheepdog vs Bracco Italiano - Breed Comparison
  30. Vikhan Sheepdog vs Portuguese Pointer - Breed Comparison
  31. Vikhan Sheepdog vs Perdiguero de Burgos - Breed Comparison
  32. Vikhan Sheepdog vs Irish Red and White Setter - Breed Comparison
  33. Vikhan Sheepdog vs Pachon Navarro - Breed Comparison
  34. Vikhan Sheepdog vs Grand Gascon Saintongeois - Breed Comparison
  35. Vikhan Sheepdog vs Slovakian Rough Haired Pointer - Breed Comparison
  36. Vikhan Sheepdog vs Slovensky Hrubosrsty Stavac - Breed Comparison
  37. Vikhan Sheepdog vs Smooth Haired Weimaraner - Breed Comparison
  38. Vikhan Sheepdog vs Spanish Pointer - Breed Comparison
  39. Vikhan Sheepdog vs Spinone Italiano - Breed Comparison
  40. Vikhan Sheepdog vs Talbot - Breed Comparison
  41. Vikhan Sheepdog vs Longhaired Weimaraner - Breed Comparison
  42. Vikhan Sheepdog vs Braque Francais (Gascogne Type) - Breed Comparison
  43. Weimaraner vs Vikhan Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  44. Vikhan Sheepdog vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  45. Vikhan Sheepdog vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  46. Vikhan Sheepdog vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  47. Vikhan Sheepdog vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  48. Vikhan Sheepdog vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  49. Vikhan Sheepdog vs Akita - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds