Pharaoh Hound Grooming Guide

The Pharaoh Hound Coat

A Low-Maintenance Coat

The Pharaoh Hound has a short, fine, glossy coat that is one of the least maintenance-intensive in the dog world. There is no undercoat, no significant shedding season, and no special tools required. The grooming routine for this breed is primarily about maintaining skin and coat health, keeping nails at a comfortable length, and establishing the ear care habit.

Grooming Tools You'll Need

• Rubber grooming mitt or chamois cloth — for weekly coat maintenance
• Soft bristle brush — optional, for finishing
• Nail clippers or grinder
• Ear cleaning solution and cotton balls
• Dog-safe shampoo for short, fine coats
• Dog coat for cold weather outdoor use

What the Coat Needs

Very little, by dog grooming standards. A weekly wipe-down with the rubber mitt removes dead hair and maintains the natural gloss. The coat does not mat. It does not require professional grooming. The primary investment in this breed's coat maintenance is time for the weekly 5-minute routine — manageable by any standard.

Regular Routine

Weekly and Monthly Grooming Routine

Weekly

• Wipe down the entire coat with a rubber grooming mitt — neck to tail, legs
• Check and wipe the ears — the upright ears have good airflow compared to pendulous ear breeds, but a weekly check establishes the habit and catches any early signs of irritation
• Check between paw pads for debris, cracking, or irritation, especially after outdoor activity on rough surfaces

Monthly

• Bathe every 4–6 weeks or when dirty. Use a mild dog shampoo appropriate for short, fine coats
• Rinse thoroughly — short coats show shampoo residue easily
• Dry with a towel — this coat dries quickly
• Trim nails — a lean, active dog wears nails down partially through activity, but regular checks and trimming are still required

Skin Care Notes

The Pharaoh Hound's thin coat and lightly pigmented skin means sunburn is a real risk in very sun-intense climates. Extended sun exposure on the nose and ear leather, particularly in summer, can cause irritation. Dog-safe sunscreen for outdoor activities in intense sun is appropriate. The skin is also more visible when healthy or when something is wrong — the blush response is a positive example; redness or irritation shows up quickly and should be addressed.

Cold Weather Management

Cold Weather and Coat Considerations

The short fine coat provides minimal insulation. Below approximately 50°F, outdoor activity requires a well-fitted dog coat. The dog coat needs to cover the core — chest, belly, back — to be effective. The Pharaoh Hound is not a breed that should spend extended time outside in cold conditions, and sleeping arrangements should be indoors.

Practical Cold Weather Tips

• Invest in a well-fitted, waterproof dog coat before cold weather arrives
• Keep outdoor exercise during cold months efficient — shorter, more purposeful outings
• Check paws after walks in icy conditions; de-icing chemicals are irritating to the thin-skinned paws of sighthounds
• Wipe paws after returning from salted surfaces
• Indoor warmth is not optional — provide a dog bed away from drafts

How to Read Your Pharaoh Hound's Coat Type

Coat type drives every grooming decision — how often to brush, which tools to use, whether to bathe weekly or monthly, and how often a professional groomer needs to be involved. The Pharaoh Hound's coat falls into one of four broad categories, each with its own routine:

• Single-coat smooth or short. One layer of hair, minimal undercoat. Sheds year-round at a steady rate but rarely "blows" coat. Easy to maintain at home with a rubber curry brush.
• Double-coat (most spitz and northern breeds). Soft dense undercoat under a longer guard-hair outer layer. Sheds heavily twice a year — spring and fall — in week-long "coat blow" events. Requires an undercoat rake or de-shedding tool during these periods.
• Wiry or broken-coat (most terriers). Coarse outer hair with a softer undercoat. The wire texture is maintained by either hand-stripping (preserves color and texture) or clipping (faster and cheaper but softens the coat over time).
• Curly or wool coat (Poodles, Bichons, doodles). Continuously growing hair that does not shed in a typical way. Requires the most frequent professional grooming — a full groom every 4–8 weeks — and daily brushing to prevent mats.

The Weekly Home Grooming Routine

Even breeds that visit a professional groomer regularly need home care between appointments. A realistic weekly routine for the Pharaoh Hound covers five tasks:

1. Brushing (1–7 times per week depending on coat type). Choose the right tool: bristle brush for short coats, slicker brush for medium and long coats, undercoat rake for double coats, pin brush for silky coats. Brush in the direction of hair growth and section the coat for thorough coverage.
2. Nail trim (every 2–4 weeks). Nails should not touch the floor when the dog is standing. Use a guillotine clipper or a Dremel-style grinder. Stop short of the quick (the pink interior of the nail) to avoid bleeding.
3. Ear check and clean (weekly for drop-ear breeds, monthly for prick-ear breeds). Use a veterinary ear cleaner, never water or alcohol. Wipe gently with cotton; never insert a swab into the ear canal.
4. Tooth brushing (3+ times per week). Use enzymatic toothpaste designed for dogs. Periodontal disease affects more than 80 percent of dogs over 3 years old; home brushing is the single most cost-effective preventive measure.
5. Paw and skin check (weekly). Look between toes for embedded grass seeds, check pad condition, look for hot spots, lumps, or fleas. The grooming session is the most efficient time to catch skin issues early.

Professional Grooming: What It Costs and How Often

Professional grooming costs vary considerably by coat type, breed size, and geographic market. For the Pharaoh Hound, typical price ranges and visit frequencies:

• Bath and blowout (short or smooth coat): $35–$65, every 4–8 weeks if used at all. Most owners with short-coat breeds do this at home.
• Standard full groom (medium-coat or double-coat): $55–$95, every 6–10 weeks. Includes bath, blow-dry, brush-out, nail trim, ear cleaning, and minor trimming.
• Breed-specific or hand-stripping (terriers, show coats): $80–$150, every 8–12 weeks. The premium reflects expertise and time required.
• Continuously-growing or curly coat full groom: $70–$130, every 4–8 weeks. Doodles, poodles, and bichons are at the high end of frequency.

What to look for in a groomer: experience with the Pharaoh Hound specifically, willingness to use a quiet drying area instead of cage dryers, certification from the National Dog Groomers Association of America (NDGAA) or similar, and a clear contract on what is and is not included in the quoted price. Avoid groomers who decline to let you tour the back of the shop.

Common Grooming Mistakes That Cause Skin Problems

• Over-bathing. Most dogs do not need a bath more than once a month. Frequent washing strips the natural oils that protect the skin barrier, causing dryness, itching, and sometimes secondary infections.
• Human shampoo on dog skin. Human skin pH is around 5.5; dog skin pH is closer to 7. Human shampoo is too acidic and disrupts the canine skin barrier. Always use a dog-specific shampoo.
• Misusing the undercoat rake or Furminator. These tools cut hair, not just remove loose hair. Over-aggressive use on a single-coat breed strips the protective topcoat. Use only on double-coated breeds and only during shedding seasons.
• Missing mats until they tighten against the skin. A small mat is easy to brush out; a mat that has tightened against the skin can only be safely removed by shaving the entire area. Severe mats are a welfare issue and can hide skin infections, hot spots, or even maggot infestations in summer.
• Skipping ear care after swims. Water trapped in the ear canal is the leading cause of ear infections in dogs that swim. Flush with an ear-drying solution after every swim or bath.

Seasonal Coat Changes

Most double-coated breeds blow their undercoat twice a year — once in spring as the heavy winter coat is shed for a lighter summer coat, and once in fall as the heavier winter coat grows in. During these 2–4 week periods, expect three to four times the normal amount of loose hair and daily brushing requirements. Single-coat breeds shed at a steady year-round rate without the dramatic seasonal events. Hot months may also produce slightly more shedding regardless of coat type as the body sheds extra insulation.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I bathe my Pharaoh Hound?

For most coat types, once every 4 to 8 weeks is appropriate. Working breeds in dirty conditions or breeds with skin allergies may need a medicated bath weekly under veterinary guidance. Healthy dogs without skin issues should not be bathed more than monthly — the natural skin oils are protective.

Is it cheaper to groom my Pharaoh Hound at home?

Yes, for the equipment-amortized cost. A starter home grooming kit (slicker brush, nail grinder, ear cleaner, dog-specific shampoo, towels) is $80–$150 and lasts years. Per-session this is far cheaper than a $70–$130 professional groom every 6–8 weeks. The time tradeoff is real: a thorough home groom of a medium-coat dog takes 60–90 minutes.

What if my Pharaoh Hound hates being groomed?

Most grooming aversion comes from one or more bad early experiences. Reintroduce grooming gradually using positive reinforcement: a few seconds of brushing followed by a high-value treat, daily, building up duration over weeks. For severe aversion, a fear-free certified groomer or a veterinary behaviorist can help.

Should I let a groomer shave my Pharaoh Hound in summer?

Almost never. A double-coated dog's coat insulates against heat as well as cold; shaving removes that insulation and exposes skin to sunburn. The undercoat may not grow back evenly. The correct hot-weather management is regular brushing to remove loose undercoat and provision of shade and water — not shaving.

How do I find a good groomer for my Pharaoh Hound?

Ask a breed-specific Facebook group or your veterinarian for a referral. NDGAA certification is a useful but not required signal. Visit the shop before booking, ask about drying methods (cage dryers can cause heat injury in brachycephalic and double-coated dogs), and request the groomer who has the most experience with your specific breed.