8. Pharaoh Hound

(Image by Pleple2000 under a CC attribution licence)

The Pharaoh Hound is considered to be one of the world’s oldest dog breeds which have been domesticated. The breed has been traced back to around 4000 to 3000 BC in Ancient Egypt. Phoenicians were thought to be the ones who brought the dogs to Malta and Gozo, which are islands of the Mediterranean. In 1974, the Pharaoh Hound was recognized as the national dog of Malta where it is known as the Kelb Tal-Fenek.

The Pharaoh Hound is an excellent sight and scent hound. It is a good house companion as long as it is provided its daily exercise outdoors. The dog is good with children but display their protective instincts with strangers.

A Pharaoh Hound blushes—its nose and ears turn a deep shade of rose—when it is excited. The breed is known to be highly sensitive to certain insecticides and medications.

Today a Pharaoh Hound costs around $2,500 – $6,500.