![black anubis pharaoh hound black anubis pharaoh hound](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/714c3J6XI9L._AC_SL1500_.jpg)
Ancient Maltese farmers and hunters highly appreciated the Pharaoh Hound as an outstanding rabbit hunter, and still today, many farmers and hunters in Malta take immense pride in owning them. In Malta the Hound is known as the Kelb Tal Fenek which literally translated means "Dog of the rabbit." The main task of the Kelb Tal Fenek is to hunt wild rabbits. The Maltese Islands are situated in the centre of the Mediterranean about 50 miles south of Sicily. Since it has been living exclusively in the islands of Malta, the breed's origin is internationally recognised as Malta.
![black anubis pharaoh hound black anubis pharaoh hound](https://i.imgur.com/H9WwWLDl.png)
For the past 2000 years, however, the Mediterranean island of Malta has been exclusively responsible for preserving and developing the breed into the Pharaoh Hound seen today. Through numerous Egyptian artifacts and writings, it has been learned that this unique dog was treasured not only as an adept and able hunter, but also as a loyal and intelligent companion to the royal pharaohs of Ancient Egypt. The Pharaoh Hound is one of the oldest domesticated dog breeds in the world (estimated to have originated around 4000 to 3000 B.C.) The breed's exact origin has been lost, but one belief is it began in Ancient Egypt, where a lithe, red, prick-eared sight Hound, undeniably the close and direct ancestor of today's Pharaoh Hound, was used to hunt and chase down small game using its keen eyesight, sense of smell, and acute hearing.