Malta · Pharaoh Hound, series: Native Species

The Pharaoh Hound is regarded as Malta’s national dog. Its appearance, with large, erect ears, a narrow head, short reddish-brown coat and amber-coloured eyes, corresponds to the type of original Mediterranean hunting dogs. A striking physical reaction is the visible reddening of the nose and ears when excited, as these areas are only lightly pigmented.

The English breed name arose because of the similarity to depictions of slender, erect-eared dogs from ancient Egypt. This temporarily led to the assumption of a direct descent from Egyptian dogs. However, an unbroken historical connection over several millennia has not been documented. What can be reliably established above all is the development of an independent dog population on the Maltese islands. In the 20th century, the breed was also bred outside Malta and recognised by international kennel organisations; Malta is listed as its country of origin.

These dogs’ working method is adapted to the dry, rocky landscape of the archipelago. They use sight, smell and hearing to locate prey and pursue it in open terrain or terrain divided by stone walls. Functionally, they therefore belong to the Mediterranean hunting dogs that do not work exclusively by sight. For a long time, their breeding was focused less on a uniform appearance than on endurance, agility, attentiveness and suitability for hunting.

In Malta, the breed therefore represents not only animal breeding but also older forms of rural life. Its inclusion in a coin series devoted to native species can be understood in this context as a reference to a specifically Maltese cultural heritage. Although a dog breed is biologically not a separate species, it represents a locally developed domestic animal population. The coin motif thus combines natural environment, traditional use and national symbolism without referring to a building or a political anniversary.