Ibizan Hound

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Ibizan Hound Profile

The Ibizan Hound, or Podenco Ibicenco, is native to Ibiza, one of the Spanish Balearic Isles. They are directly related to the Pharaoh Hound and Sicilian Hound, and possibly of the same breed, just separated by distance. Ibizan Hounds have clean-cut lines, large pricked ears and a light pigment. Their noses are pinkish orange, and turn a lighter color when they are sick. Used primarily as a hunting dog whose quarry is rabbits, they can hunt by sound as well as sight. They have excellent hearing, with their large antennae-like ears. Ibizan Hounds are lean, quick, medium to large sized dogs. They have a thinly muscled body that was made for quick catches of small prey. One Ibizan Hound was clocked at running 40 mph, which is just as fast if not faster than the Greyhound! Ibizan Hounds can also jump straight up from the ground about 8 feet high. Ibizan Hounds can also come in two varieties: smooth-haired or wire-haired. All are of equal citizenship among the dog breeder world. The Ibizan is an even tempered breed who is not given to great bursts of affection, but are quiet, loyal, giving and enjoy human companionship. They love to run and like their space to do so in. they are alert, adaptable to different situations and well utilize their scent, sound and sight abilities. Ibizan Hounds are somewhat sensitive to strangers, and possibly a little wary. They have a kindly nature, however, and do well around other dogs and children. They rarely fight, making them easier to get along with than some breeds. They should never be shouted at, as they have very sensitive ears. They may also have a strong prey drive for smaller animals. A true hunting hound from the exotic lands of Egypt and Spain, the Ibizan Hound makes a wonderful household pet.

Other Names: Podenco Ibicenco, Ca Eibisenc, Balaeric Dog, Charnique, Ca Eivissencs (Catalonia)

Type: Sighthound and Pariah

Height: Females: 22.5 - 26 inches; Males: 23.5 - 29 inches.
Weight: Females: 42 - 45 lbs.; Males: 45 - 55 lbs.

Colors: Solid white, chestnut or lion tawny, or any combination of these. More often there is a combination of the colors with white in a pied or Irish pattern.
Coat: Ibizan Hounds come in a few varieties of coat: long and wiry or smooth and short. The short hair is dense, close and hard, with perhaps a little brush on the back of the thighs and under the tail. The wiry is hard, coarse and 1 - 3 inches long, with a possible generous moustache and longer on the back, thighs and tail. Either coat is neither preferable or undesirable.

Temperament: Ibizan Hounds are alert, adaptable and excellent watch dogs. They get along with almost everyone, rarely getting into a fight with anyone. Ibizan Hounds are sensitive sometimes to strangers, and sometimes way of them. They do enjoy their beds, but also enjoy their exercise. They are active, affectionate and loyal. They are versatile in purpose, and are easily trained as well. They have been said to be catlike in their cleanliness. The Ibizan Hound is friendly and playful with friends and family. They also mature slowly.
With Children: Yes, they are good with children.
With Pets: True to a hound nature, they need to learn to respect small animals and cats, and will probably hunt them down. With other dogs, however, they will rarely fight.
Special Skills: Hunting dog and family pet.

Watch-dog: High. Ibizan Hounds are very alert.
Guard-dog: Low. Although alert, they are not loud or intimidating dogs.

Ibizan Hound Care and Training: Minimal grooming of the Ibizan Hound's coat is necessary. A light brushing, good massage or rub down with a damp soft cloth is all that is needed for coat care. Clean and check ears regularly. Trim nails when needed. Exercise of Ibizan Hounds should consist of frequent long walks on a leash. An owner should handle puppies from an early age for proper socialization. Also obedience training should begin early on due to their high prey drive.
Learning Rate: High. Obedience - High. Problem Solving - High. Train in small steps, however, because overbearing training methods will only panic them.

Activity: Medium.
Living Environment: Apartment or house will do fine if they receive daily exercise and space to lay down. They do not kennel well, but prefer a non-hectic environment, and should be kept out of drafts. Ibizan Hounds enjoy the comforts of a soft bed and will utilize it. Although this hound is very adaptable, the best owner for this breed would be an active, dog-experienced owner in a suburban or country home.

Ibizan Hound Health Issues: Sensitive to anesthesia, insecticides, pesticides and other drugs. Other health concerns include false pregnancies and axonal dystrophy.

Life Span: 10 - 12 years.
Litter Size: 6 - 12 puppies.

Country of Origin: Egypt
Ibizan Hound History: Their origins trace back to the time of the Pharaohs in 3400 B.C. when they were used a a hunting dog and carved on the tombs of the dead. Egyptologists have identify the Ibizan Hound as the dog depicted on artifacts that have been discovered in the tombs of the Pharaohs as well. The Sicilian and Pharaoh Hounds are believed to be the same breed as the Ibizan, branching off when the Ibizan was brought to Spain. It is said that the Ibizan was brought from Egypt to Ibiza, part of the Balearic Islands off the coast of Spain, by Phoenician traders. In the 9th century B.C., the Romans sacked Egypt, making living difficult for the Carthaginians and Phoenicians. Therefore they migrated to the island of Ibiza where they lived for a century. When they left, they left behind the Ibizan Hound. Hannibal, a Carthaginian general native to Ibiza, was said to have invaded Italy on elephants, on which his Ibizan Hounds rode atop. But back in Ibiza they inhabited the southern points of Spain, along with the island of Ibiza, as well as its sister island, Formentera, for more than 5,000 years. Ibizan Hounds were used mainly for hunting rabbit and other small game on the islands, and because the islands were quite poor at the time, Ibizan puppies that were either male or weaker than the rest were tossed to sea because owners could not afford to feed a whole litter. At other times of scarce food, this hunter substituted as a meal for its owners. Consequently, the breed learned to survive on no more than a few fish heads, and were able to go longer with less food. Later when the breed migrated from Spain to France, they became popular hunting dogs due to their silent nature. Ibizan Hounds survived in France partially due to poachers using them, for which they were sequentially banned from France. Halfway through the 20th century, a dog judge named Doña Maria Dolores Olives de Cotonera from Spain, who was the Marquesa de Belgida of Barcelona, saw the breed and wanted to save the waning species. She created a kennel on Majorca, Balearic Isles, and began breeding the species throughout Spain. She then generated an American interest, drawing American Kennels to attain this exotic breed. In 1956 Colonel and Mrs. Seoane of Rhode Island brought the first Ibizan Hounds to the United States. It was from this pair that the first American litter was born. Finally, after a world of traveling, the breed found its way to its home country again. In 1958 a commission of the Egyptian government was sent to the Balearic Isles to retrieve the breed and bring it back to Egypt. Today the breed survives around the world and although separated from the Pharaoh Hound, still largely resembles it.

First Registered by the AKC: 1978
AKC Group: Hound
Class: Hound
Registries: AKC, ANKC, CKC, FCI (Group 5), KC (GB), UKC

Ibizan Hounds

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