Pharaoh hounds in Malta

Photo with permission
Pharaoh hound on the ledge is Queena S-Sabiha, dam to QAXXURI Kekina L-Ghawdxija & Q Bija Iben T`Ghawdex, now living in USA

For almost 2000 years, the original dogs bred true on the island of Malta, without the introduction of any other type. 
Today the Pharaoh is the national dog of Malta and a piece of living history, showing us what dogs looked like thousands of years ago

In 1974 the Pharaoh hound, or Kelb-Tal-Fenek, became the National dog of Malta

In 1977 the Central Bank of Malta has minted a gold coin, honouring the importance of the Kelb tal-Fenek in Malta's history and culture.   


The dog which has served as a model for the coin was Ra of Attard (phtot above) owned by Leigh Tose, Malta

Ra was also in a movie The DETOUR from 1978 - at the moment I cannot find any info, but am looking

In 1978 the first Pharaoh hound Festival was held on the island of Malta and all participants were given a coin shown above. 
I still have my coin and will treasure it forever


On 20 October 2001, the Maltese Post has issued this stamp, showing the Kelb tal-Fenek, Malta's National Hound. The 
dog on this stamp is  Ram Ahmar Tal-Wardija, owned by Peter Gatt, Malta

Several pharoah hounds were aquired in Malta and  went home with Servicemen during and after WW II, as this short story says about a pharaoh hound that came to Italy in 1944 - read more here 


Highlights for pharaoh hounds in Malta

Breeders
BIRLING kennels owned by Lional Hamilton-Renwick - litters bred 3 x 1968
ELONA'S kennels owned by Veronique Borg - litter bred 2010
OF ATTARD kennels owned by - litters bred 1976
OF KIRKOP kennels owned by - litter bred 1969
OF MOSTA kennels owned by - litters bred 1976
OF NADUR kennels owned by  - litter bred 1967
OF SAFI kennels owned by - litters bred 1967, 1969
Ta'Fazolu Censu kennels owned by Jason Lanzon, Naxxar - litters bred 2011
TA' SKONJU  kennels owned by  Paul Gauci - litters bred 2010
TAL-QALA kennels owned by Joe Muscat - litters bred 2008
TAL-WARDIJA kennels owned by Peter and Lucienne Gatt - litters bred 1995, 1996, 2 x 1999, 2001
TAL KACCATUR kennels owned by E Ellul - litters bred 2 x 1977
TAR RABAT kennels owned by - litters bred 1977
TAL-QARA kennels owned by - litter bred 1966
QAXXURI kennels owned by Lino Muscat, Gozo - litters born 2008, 2009, 2010


No kennel name
 Emmanuel Bonello - litter bred 2008, 2009
George Egejer - litter bred 2009


New pharaoh hound litters 2008 & 2009 and so on ...

Puppies will be registered with both Local Clubs. 
The Malta Kennel Club (Msida) and The Malta Canine Society (Hamrun).