Pharaoh Hound vs Bantam Bulldog - Breed Comparison

The origin of the Bantam Bulldog goes back to the 1800s, and in fact there is evidence of miniature bull dogs in 1899, In 1902 the smaller bulldog breed was facing extinction, so that it became necessary to import French bulldogs to England to help restore the bantam bulldog breed.

It was only in 2002 that the United Canine Association recognized the English bantam bulldog.

They’re the same as the ordinary bulldog except they are lighter and shorter, although there are slightly larger ones which are as tall as a regular bulldog.

The Bantam bulldogge is related to the English and French bulldogs so that the standards for the bantam breed has similarities to both types.

The Pharaoh Hound hails from Malta and is the national dog there. These dogs are rare and are looked upon as endangered. Because they are a primitive type dog, they enjoy good health.

It has always been used as a hunting dog for rabbits. The dog has been recreated from mixing a combination of other breeds. It certainly seems to be an ancient dog breed, having existed for more than 2 000 years.

It is thought that the dog was imported to Malta by Phoenician traders. The dog has been classified as a member of the sighthound group, and arrived in England in the 1930s and to the USA in 1967. The breed was also officially recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1984.

Short, Stout and Compact Build

The breed has its origins with the English bulldog, but it was in 2011 that the ‘English’ was abandoned and the name of the dog changed to Bantam Bulldogge. Short to medium in height, and with his large, square head and broad, short muzzle, the dog is short, strong, stout and compact. He had wide apart eyes, short, half-pricked, half-floppy ears and the front legs are also strong and set wide apart.

Forms Strong Bonds with his Family

He is fit and active with a playful, jovial personality. The Bantam Bulldog is completely at ease with his human family and welcomes visitors to the home. He forms strong bonds with everyone in the family and loves the presence of children in the home too. As with most other dog breeds, he does well with training and socialization – it just makes him a better dog all round. He doesn’t have a problem with accepting other pets in the home.

Coat

The coat of the Bantam is short, dense and straight with the skin being tight to the body but looser around the head and neck. Both head and face have moderate wrinkles. The coat is available in all colors and is low maintenance. A good brush twice a week won’t only remove loose hairs and keep his short coat glossy, the mere act of brushing him strengthens the bond between you as well.

The Pharoah Hound is an elegant looking dog standing at roughly between 53 and 63cm and weighing 18 to 27kg.

They are sleek dogs without any bulkiness about them and the coat is tight fitting with short smooth hair. The coat is a tan or red color, the eyes bright and the color of amber. The ears are fairly large and erect and the long tail slim with sometimes a white tip. The skin can be thin so the dog can be sensitive to the cold.

The neck of the dog is long and lean, as are the legs. An interesting aspect with this dog is that when the dog becomes excited its ears and nose become bright pink.

Temperament:

Pharoah Hounds are calm dogs and they can live in the city or in the countryside. They love kids and will be a wonderful playmate for them. Once he has had a lot of exercise and play, he is the kind of dog that will settle down happily with his human family for some quiet time.

Just as with any other dog, he will require training and socialization to make him obedient and better behaved.

The Bantam Bulldog is full of personality and is active, friendly and social. He is an adaptable pet and will happily live with his human family in an apartment or in a home with a garden. Patient and tolerant, he responds well to the voice of his owner and simple commands are no problem with him as he is quick to learn and to please.

He is never going to be much of a guard dog for you, but he will be a happy, contented, loyal and devoted companion who just wants to be as close to you as he can.

The Pharaoh Hound is quite interesting in a number of ways and he is independent, strong-willed and able to entertain and amuse himself.

He loves to join in with the children and be part of their games. He’s intelligent and easily trained and he is also low maintenance.

While he’s not the most attractive dog to many people, others look at him as a true beauty. Whatever your opinion is, he will still make you a good family friend.

A happy dog is a healthy dog, but the happy Bantam Bulldog will be prone to certain ailments that are common to his breed

Hip Dysplasia

This breed of dog is prone to have hip dysplasia. Because of their genetic make-up, the soft tissues surrounding the joint develop abnormally and the disease can affect one- or both hips.

Digestion Problems

Bulldogs can also be prone to digestion issues which amounts to flatulence. This problem however, can be reduced significantly by giving your pet the best diet. Speak to your vet about appropriate foods for dogs with a sensitive stomach. With a sensitive stomach, you want to avoid dog foods with toxic colorants, artificial preservatives and artificial flavors.

Breathing Problems

Be aware of breathing problems with your bantam bulldog because flat-faced dog breeds such as this can battle with upper airway problems. Symptoms of an obstructed upper airway can include noisy breathing, panting, snoring, rapid breathing and coughing.

Pharaoh Hounds are uncommon outside of the Maltese Islands and with very little irresponsible breeding, these dogs are virtually free of genetic diseases. A common dog illness to look out for includes -

Patellar Luxation:

Your Pharaoh Hound can suffer from patella luxation, and in more severe cases it can be painful and even be disabling for a dog. This ailment comes about when the kneecap is dislocated from its normal position. You’ll find your dog lifting his hind leg quite a bit. Unfortunately this problem can lead to arthritis developing.

Other illnesses to look out for are bloat, cancer, skin allergies and ear infections.

Feeding

Your Bantam Bulldog needs a lot of protein in his diet. In fact, the Association of American Feed Control Officials have suggested that the dog needs at least 22% of maintenance protein for puppies and 18% of protein for adult dogs. Speak to your vet about wet- and dry dog foods and which foods will suit this particular pet of yours. Always ensure cool, fresh water is within your pet’s reach.

Exercise

The exercise needs of the Bantam Bulldog are minimal. He is never going to turn down a game of ball with the kids but you don’t have to take him on long walks or runs. He is a social pet, so even though you don’t have to be putting him through an exercise program every day, he doesn’t want to be left alone hour after hour, day after day.

Grooming:

The Pharaoh Hound’s short coat is easy to groom and it will require a brushing at least twice a week just to get rid of loose hairs.

At the same time trim his nails, check inside his ears for infection and look inside his mouth for any rotting teeth.

Exercise:

Your Pharaoh Hound is an active, energetic dog and he will need a good dose of exercise every day. Take him with you on your walks or allow him to join you with your hikes, jogging or cycling. At home involve him in some ball games.

Diet:

How much any adult dog eats will depend on a number of factors such as size of dog, age and his activity levels.

You get some excellent dog kibble these days on the market but the idea is to choose one of the high quality ones which have minerals and vitamins in them. Home-made food is also good for your pet and this should be kept simple, consistent and nutritious.

Every now and then you can add in some boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta and sweet potato, carrots and spinach to the kibble. Some raw meat added in can also be of benefit to your dog’s health.

Stay away from spicy, exotic foods and keep your dog's food easy like suggested so as to avoid digestive problems