Egyptian Dog Breeds: Unearthing Ancient Companions

Nov 06, 2025 0

Egypt is home to some of the world’s oldest dog breeds. The ancient Egyptians were one of the first civilizations to domesticate dogs. A tomb dating as far back as 3500 B.C. confirms this.

Anubis, the Egyptian god of the dead, often depicted with the head of a dog.

Ancient Egyptian Dog Breeds

Looking at the Egyptian dog breeds mentioned above, it’s clear that they all have nearly the same characteristics, though the Egyptian Sheepdog stands apart. They tend to have lean physiques and pricked ears, and some breeds may even be confused with others because they tend to look a bit similar. Like their ancestors, these dogs were bred to do hard work and, as such, have high-energy drives. They need a lot of physical and mental stimulation.

There aren’t many Egyptian breeds, but the dogs that do exist have roots that date back to ancient Egyptians.

1. Saluki

The Saluki is one of the oldest breeds of dogs in the world and the one that is most recognized as an Egyptian dog. If you translate Saluki, you’ll find that it’s the Arabic word for “noble,” and noble these dogs are. This sighthound was once used by nomadic tribes to run down game animals.

Read also: Unveiling Egypt's Name

The Greyhound is the fastest dog over short distances, but the Saluki is thought to be faster over long distances. They can reach a speed up to 42.8 mph and sustain it. Typical prey for these animals included hare, fox, gazelle, and jackal. The Saluki still acts much like a hunting dog today. They are reserved around strangers, though they aren’t aggressive by any means.

They can be independent, which makes training difficult. They also get bored quickly, so they aren’t the best for staying alone for long periods. These dogs need a bit of exercise, but they don’t like rough play or games like fetch. If you adopt a Saluki, don’t expect it to be cuddly, but you’ll get its complete devotion.

2. Basenji

The Basenji is a type of ancient hunting dog. It has a lean stature and a temperament that more resembles a cat than a dog. One very interesting fact about the Basenji is that it’s called the barkless dog. They are best known for their unusual yodeling sound, similar to the “bark” of a Siberian Husky but higher-pitched. The Basenji is nicknamed the “barkless” dog, but they are not silent by any means.

These dogs also have other strange traits. For instance, they only go into heat once a year, which is something that they share with dingoes. They also have practically no odor, unlike most canines. These dogs are incredibly alert and curious. They’re reserved with strangers and tend to attach themselves closely to one person and not socialize with others. They don’t get along well with non-canine pets, like cats, as they have a strong prey drive.

They are extremely intelligent but usually use it for their gain, like for getting food.

3. Baladi Street Dog

This dog isn’t technically a breed at all. However, the Baladi is one of the most common dogs in Egypt. The Baladi Street Dog is the country’s version of local street dogs and is also known as the Thebes land dog. In fact, the Baladi Street Dog isn’t really a breed, though it’s speculated that they are a mix of Saluki, Pharaoh Hound, and Canaan Dog.

They are known as Egypt’s street dogs, so they aren’t bred by any breeders but randomly breed among themselves as strays. Many of these dogs have a similar appearance to each other, as most have been on the streets for generations. They are light-skinned and skinny, with long legs and huge ears.

While the adoption of these dogs is not widespread in Egypt, they have become popular in the United States. They typically love people and adapt quickly to life in a home. They are well-mannered and can quickly learn commands. They talk with a growly voice instead of barking. At first, this can be a bit off-putting, as many people think that the dog is being aggressive. However, it also means the dog is quieter than most.

4. Armant

This is a rare breed that has an unusual backstory. Named after the Egyptian town of Armant, this pup has been around since the early 1900s. Today, Armants are found mostly in Egypt, which is where they developed into the breed that we know today. However, they were likely originally European dogs that somehow found their way to Egypt and then formed their breed. They are named after a specific town in Egypt called Armant, which is evidentially where the breed was first developed.

It’s a working dog and not very well known outside of the transcontinental country, though it is recognized by the Egyptian Kennel Foundation. This breed is quite rare, especially outside of Egypt. Inside Egypt, they are used as both herding and guard dogs. The ancient breed is also known for becoming one of the family members.

Read also: Egyptian Adventure

5. Ibizan Hound

Don’t let the name fool you; the Ibizan Hound has its origins in Egypt. It often sought and caught prey for its Mediterranean pet owners during times of famine. The Ibizan Hound is another regal-looking pup with a lean stature attributed to Egyptian breeds.

Over 5,000 years ago, Phoenician traders from Egypt brought their hounds to the Balearic Islands off of Spain to use them as rabbit hunters. Historic tales say that the breed spread to Spain via Phoenician traders. These hunters carried their speed and hunting ability to the breed we currently know, slim canines with elongated faces. The Ibizan Hound comes in red, red & white, white, or white & red colors.

6. Pharaoh Hound

The Pharaoh Hound is another dog whose ancestors can be traced back to the Phoenician traders. Want a pup that stands tall and regal but has a playful nature? Enter the Pharaoh Hound. This time, the traders landed in what we know today as Lebanon, along with their hounds.

In modern times, the Pharoah Hound is also popular on Malta, a Mediterranean island, where it’s known as kelb tal-fenek, or “rabbit dog,” because of its penchant for hunting rabbits. Much like the Ibizan Hound, the Pharaoh Hound was thought to have hunted rabbits to provide sustenance for their masters in Malta. The Pharaoh Hound is physically similar to the Ibizan Hound, but they only sport a reddish-brown coat color. Pharaoh Hounds are very energetic dogs and suited for active families.

The Pharaoh Hound or Kelb tal-Fenek is a Maltese breed of hunting dog. It is traditionally used for rabbit-hunting in the rocky terrain of the islands; the Maltese name means "rabbit dog". It is classified by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale in its "Spitz and primitive" group, and shows similarities to other Mediterranean breeds in that group such as the Cirneco dell'Etna, the Podenco Andaluz, the Podenco Canario, the Podenco Ibicenco and the Portuguese Podengo.

The Kelb tal-Fenek is usually taken out to hunt at night when there are fewer distractions. Generally, the hunters take their dogs into the countryside and release pairs of a male and a female dog in each compass direction. The dogs then search out their prey using scent. When a rabbit is found the hounds give chase, the small and more agile female in the lead with the male keeping the rabbit from darting too far to the sides. At this point the dogs giving chase emit a high pitched bark, attracting the other dogs and the hunters, all of whom come running.

By the time the hunters and other dogs arrive the rabbit has almost always gone to ground. The hunters then gather and leash all but one dog, then place nets over all of the likely escape holes of the rabbit. Finally the hunter takes a ferret (with a small bell attached) from a round wicker basket, and places it into the last entrance to the rabbit's burrow. The Kelb tal-Fenek can hear the little bell up to 3 metres down under the rocky terrain.

Table of Egyptian Dog Breeds

Breed	Origin	Primary Use	Key Characteristics
Saluki	Ancient Egypt	Hunting	Fast, independent, reserved
Basenji	Ancient Egypt	Hunting	Barkless, curious, intelligent
Baladi Street Dog	Egypt	Companion	Adaptable, well-mannered, vocal
Armant	Egypt	Herding, guarding	Rare, family-oriented
Ibizan Hound	Egypt (via Phoenician traders)	Hunting	Fast, agile, deer-like
Pharaoh Hound	Egypt (via Phoenician traders)	Hunting	Energetic, playful, regal

One thing that I will say is that because these pups are high-energy, they really need to go to an active home.

Egypt’s history with dogs showcases how these ancient breeds have evolved alongside human civilization for thousands of years. From the noble Saluki to the adaptable Baladi street dog, each breed carries unique traits shaped by Egypt’s climate, culture, and traditions. While some, like the Pharaoh Hound and Ibizan Hound, have found homes outside of Egypt, their origins remain tied to this historic country.