Kelb tal-Fenek worldwide
originated in Maltese islands

PETER Gatt who supplied this information is a breeder, owner and lover of the Maltese National Hound the "Kelb tal-Fenek" or as it is more commonly known, the Pharaoh Hound. He is international secretary of the Malta Kennel Club and also an approved FCI judge. Peter has exported all his puppies abroad, and he says there is a simple reason for this. The klieb tal-Fenek abroad all originated from some six dogs that were exported from Malta into the UK. These six dogs were the forefathers of the vast majority of the present klieb tal-Fenek population worldwide.

This obviously has created stagnation in the gene pool abroad. However, in Malta the dogs number approximately 2000, therefore the gene pool is wide. Peter says his aim is to introduce new genes into the world by exporting as many klieb tal-Fenek as he possibly can. But his highest priority is "to give my babies the best possible homes".

Peter can be contacted through his website: http://www.tal-wardija.kelb-tal-fenek.com

There is nothing that the "dog of the rabbit" likes better than hunting in the boulders and along the beaches for rabbit warrens.

The kleib tal-Fenek are very active and even puppies must have companions to play with and toys to keep them interested.

Now the prey has been tracked down the ferret comes out to flush the rabbits out of their burrows.

The pups have a healthy interest in everything including the seawater pools and their contents.

Peter Gatt, breeder of klieb tal-Fenek, relaxes with two of his favourites, Ram (whose head appeared on a Maltese stamp), and Tita.

Peter says the breed is known worldwide by the misleading name Pharaoh hound, which was given to it by British fanciers in the 1960s, because of its resemblance to some ancient Egyptian depictions and statues. However, scientifically founded proof for a possible connection between the modern Kelb tal-Fenek with the hounds of ancient Egypt has never been delivered.

Peter was influential in bringing about the membership of the Malta Kennel club within the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI), a fact of which he is very proud as this association is the world's largest canine federation comprising 80 countries. When it was decided to print a Maltese stamp with the head of the national dog, Peter's own dog Ram (Ch. Ram Ahmar Tal-Wardija) was selected. Peter is an FCI-recognised International judge for groups 5, 7 and 8 breeds. His dogs are his friends, and he treats them as such. "They are not kennel dogs, but live in the house with me and the family. They have the freedom to go out into the yard whenever they please. They watch TV with me and sleep beside me. They are part of my family; my companions."

The Kelb tal-Fenek is believed to be of Maltese origin, which is already recognised by the British and FCI standards. The breed is probably a descendant of an ancient type of prick-eared Mediterranean hound that was to be found in various cultures around the Mediterranean Sea. Specific breeds then developed in their own countries accordingly - for example the Podengo Portugues from Portugal, the Podenco Ibicenco from the Balearic Islands, the Podenco Canario from the Canary Islands, the Podenco Andaluz from mainland Spain, the Cirneco dell' Etna from the Island of Sicily and the Kelb tal-Fenek from the Islands of Malta.

A few decades ago one could find this dog only in Malta, which can be attributed to the many generations of Maltese hunters who have bred the Kelb tal-Fenek true to type, recognising the potential of such an impeccable hunter, thus preserving the hound throughout the ages. In honour of its importance Malta declared the Kelb tal-Fenek the National Dog in 1974 and a one Maltese lira coin was minted in 1977, depicting the kelb tal-Fenek on the reverse.

The Kelb tal-Fenek is the epitome of endurance. Many dogs have been capable of hunting for five to eight hours over the rough Maltese terrain, often covering huge distances. At the end of the hunt they are still rearing to go.

He is somewhat longer than high with large ears, held erect when alert and lying flat to the skull (offering the least wind resistance) when giving chase.

He is a short-haired dog, adapted to the hot Maltese summers and mild winters. The coat varies in colour from 'isfar' (yellow) to the dark 'ahmar' (red). These shades of coat blend so well with the typical Maltese limestone that the dog is camouflaged by its surroundings. This is even more true at night time when the majority of the hunts take place. The hound's eyes and nose should blend with the colour of coat. The eyes are amber in colour, but blue at the puppy stage.

The Kelb tal-Fenek is a hunter by nature, capable of hunting alone or in a pack. It is neither a sighthound nor a scenthound, but rather a mixture of the two.

Malta in the Mediterranean
On 21 September 1964, Malta became an independent state as a constitutional monarchy in the Commonwealth; on 13 December 1974 the Republic of Malta was declared. In the year 1979, the last British troops and naval vessels left Malta. Malta will join the EU in May 2004.

Malta has recently approved the PETS (Pet Travel Scheme) legislation. With the introduction of this new scheme, it is now possible for travellers with their dogs to travel to and from Malta without the need for quarantine.

Having been rabies free since 1911, Malta has taken very strict precautions with this new legislation so as to prevent the introduction of rabies. Now dog owners wishing to visit Malta with their dogs have to fulfil the strict requirements of the Maltese Pet Travel Scheme. Malta is one hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).

The Kelb tal-Fenek, like other hound breeds, is one of the more demanding breeds. The hunting instincts of the Kelb tal-Fenek are very strong, so a safe area for free exercise as well as early obedience training makes life much easier.

The Kelb tal-Fenek is a very sociable breed and consequently requires a lot of companionship - be it that of humans or other dogs. It is not a breed suited to someone who has little time. They also require a fair amount of exercise, and even a large well-fenced area does not exempt owners from taking out their dog for long walks or offering him the opportunity for off-lead exercise as often as possible. On the plus side, the Kelb tal-Fenek is an affectionate companion who evokes attention, and loves his owner to death. They are not very prone to diseases and they have a good chance to grow very old.