Ibizan Hound
Hound Group
Height: 22-28 inches   Weight: 40-55 pounds  Color: Red/White, White/Tan, Solid Red, Solid White, Multicolored

The Ibizan’s clean-cut lines, large prick ears and light pigment give it a unique appearance. A hunting dog whose quarry is primarily rabbits, this ancient hound was bred for thousands of years with function being of prime importance. Lithe and racy, the Ibizan possesses a deer like elegance combined with the power of a hunter. Strong, without appearing heavily muscled, the Ibizan is a hound of moderation. With the exception of the ears, he should not appear extreme or exaggerated. The Ibizan Hound has been depicted in many Ancient Egyptian art forms, and dogs painted on hieroglyphs and sculptures from over 5,000 years ago closely resemble the hound. The dog is thought to have been brought to the Western world from Egyptian and Spanish traders around 700-900 BC. It is a common dog found on the island of Ibiza and nearby islands. The Ibizan Hound was registered with the AKC in 1978. General Appearance The Ibizan Hound, also called Podenco Ibicenco, is an agile, deer-like, elegant and athletic hound that has a long, arched neck, long wedge-shaped head, amber eyes and very large, triangular ears which stand up when the dog is alert. The teeth are exceptionally healthy. The rose or flesh-colored nose has a slightly convex shape called "Roman nose." The body is fine-boned, but not as slender as in many other sighthounds. The Ibizan Hound has flat, sleek muscles without any heaviness. The front legs are perfectly straight all the way from the elbows to the ground. Dewclaws may be removed or left natural. The tail is long and slender, hanging low when the dog is relaxed and carried a bit higher when the dog is alert. The Ibizan Hound is "hare-footed," with long toes. There are three varieties of Ibizan: smooth-haired, long-haired, and wire-haired. The most common is the smooth-haired and the long-haired is very rare. The wire-haired has a longer coat of rough hair that is softer textured than the other two varieties. Colors are white & red, white & tan, or solid white or red. Temperament An even tempered, loyal, and alert dog, the Ibizan Hound is an elegant creature that is quiet, laid back, and gentle. These dogs are quick learners and are very intelligent, but they can be willful and independent, and are best suited to experienced dog owners that can exercise confidence and assertiveness yet remain positive. These dogs are energetic, and love to jump and leap, although they are more boisterous as puppies and tend to calm as they grow older. This breed can be protective, and this makes the Ibizan Hound an effective watchdog. Watchful and observant, the Ibizan Hound is known to be an eager and keen dog, and they are usually relatively easy to housebreak. The Ibizan Hound gets along well with children, but should be socialized early on with other smaller animals such as cats. With strangers the Ibizan Hound tends to be reserved yet polite. The Ibizan Hound can be sensitive and therefore the right training methods using positive and verbal correction should be used. Nicknamed Beezers, this breed is intelligent, friendly, and loyal. A willful breed, they bore easily and require consistent training. Grooming This average shedding breed is relatively low maintenance when it comes to grooming. A wipe down with a damp washcloth for the smooth haired should be sufficient. It is recommended for the rare longhaired to be occasionally brushed and clipped to prevent matting. Wirehaired does not need hand plucking, but would respond well to an occasional brushing. Health Problems and Life Expectancy The life expectancy of the Ibizan Hound is around 11-14 years, and there are a number of health problems and disorders that have been linked to this breed. The Ibizan Hound is hardy and strong, but can have allergic reactions to drugs, including insecticides and flea powders. Some lines seem to be prone to seizures. The Ibizan Hound has a genetic propensity for Axonal Dystrophy, nerve and muscle disease. Activity Level This breed requires a great deal of exercise. It should have at least two to three long walks a day in order to satisfy their migration instinct. While out on the walk make sure the dog heels beside or behind the person holding the lead, never in front, as instinct tells a dog the leader leads the way, and that leader needs to be the human. This breed should get a chance to stretch its legs with a nice run once a day. They will highly enjoy retrieving for you and will also enjoy running alongside your bicycle. Recommended for a large sized yard, this breed requires good exercise. Privacy fence also recommended as this dog can easily jump a fence. This breed would do well in a somewhat active household as they have a lot of stamina. This breed should be protected from cold weather. Custom Search