With all the different breeds of dogs around today, we see many varieties of colors. Most dogs can be any color, provided they are not registered in a dog club. When dogs are registered with clubs such as the American Kennel Club, there are specific colors required to keep them in compliance with their breed standards. The Pharaoh is no exception to that rule.
The Pharaoh will almost always be seen in red. Most people think of red as one color, but in the case of the Pharaoh, there are many variations of red. According to the breed standards for this dog, the variations range anywhere from tan to a dark chestnut with every shade in between being acceptable. White is accepted as an addition to the reds, but is not required. Some of the places you may see white may be markings on the chest such as a star, markings on the toes, tip of the tail, bridge of the muzzle or a small piece on the center of the forehead. Some kennel clubs, however, do appreciate the tip of the tail being white.
Although the previous mentioned whites are accepted, some whites are unacceptable by most of the breed standards for the Pharaoh. The back of the neck, the back or sides of the Pharaoh cannot have any white. Because white is not a requirement for this dog breed, it is often said the less white the better to avoid too harsh of judging on the colors.
The irises of the eyes are amber in color and expected to complement the coat color. When the Pharaoh is born, their eyes are blue and change as they get older. They go from blue to a yellow or gold color as they are growing and then darken as they grow. They continue to darken even when they are adults, until they reach the color of amber. The amber color blends very well with their adult coat, which is what the kennel clubs want in this breed. The parts of the face such as the whiskers, nose and eye-rims are the same color as the coat, as well as the paw pads and nails. When the Pharaoh blushes, a trait they are known for, their nose and ears turn rosy pink to match their blush.
The color of the Pharaoh is an important qualification if you are using this dog as a show dog. However, many owners want this wonderful dog for a companion, hunting dog or family pet. If this is the case, any color variations will be acceptable. Some of the finest family pets have resulted from a dog that was "unacceptable" for show standards due to some fault in color.
|
