The Ibizan Hound is a medium tall and thin dog from the Balearic Islands, specifically from the island of Ibiza, Spain. Formerly, these dogs were used to hunt rabbits and other prey, so their natural hunting instincts still persist. His independent and active character makes this dog very curious and needs a large dose of physical and mental activity on a daily basis to become a he althy and happy dog.
Don't miss this breed file that our site puts at your disposal so that you know all the information that you have to have in mind when adopting an Ibizan Hound as a pet, because before adopting a pet you must make sure that you can take care of it without any problem.
Origin of the Ibizan Hound
The Ibizan Hound originated on the islands of Mallorca, Ibiza, Menorca and Formentera. In them, as well as in other regions of Spain, it is used for hunting rabbits, hares and big game.
These hounds are thought to be descended from Egyptian dogs brought to the islands by traders long ago, so they are considered very ancient dogs. However, studies of the canine genome suggest that it is actually a recent breed
Be that as it may, the Ibizan is a highly appreciated dog in Spain for its qualities as a hunter, but little known outside its country originally.
Physical characteristics of the Ibizan Hound
The Ibizan Hound is a medium-sized dog tall and thin that weighs between 20 and 25 kg and has a height at the withers of 60 to 67 cm in females and from 66 to 72 cm in males.
The head of this podenco is elongated, shaped like a truncated cone, lean and small in relation to the body. The naso-frontal depression (stop) is poorly defined. The nose is flesh colored. The eyes are small, oblique and light amber in color. The ears are rigid, elongated, rhomboid and large. The dog carries them upright when attentive.
The body is very slim and slightly longer than it is tall. The back is straight, long and flexible. The loin is arched. The chest is deep, narrow and long. The belly is well collected, but not agalgado. The tail is long and set low. At rest, the dog carries it hanging, but during the action it forms a more or less closed sickle.
The skin is very tight and close to the body. The coat can occur in three varieties:
- Straight hair. It's strong and shiny, but not silky.
- Hard hair. Rough, dense and can form a beard.
- Long hair. At least two inches long and soft.
All varieties of hair can be presented in combinations of white and red, solid white or solid red.
Character of the Ibizan Hound
The Ibizan Hound is very independent, curious, dynamic and energetic, capable of cheering up any lazy person. His hunting instincts are very strong and become evident at an early age, but even so, he is a dog that enjoys a home life next to his human family like the most and, of course, doing all kinds of outdoor activities.
Socialization is very important in this breed, as Ibizan Hounds tend to be wary of strangers and quarrelsome with dogs of the same sex. But well socialized they can make excellent family dogs, but you still have to be cautious if you have other small pets, as the strong hunting instincts of these dogs can lead them to attack small animals.
Care of the Ibizan Hound
Coat care depends on the coat variety Smooth-haired dogs require no more than occasional brushing. For those with wire hair, weekly brushing is usually sufficient, while those with long hair will need two brushings per week.
This breed needs a lot of daily exercise with different physical activities. Daily walks are a must, but make sure you don't let the dog out in dangerous places (near avenues, etc.).) because by their instincts they can run after anything that catches their attention. Therefore, it is useful to have a large garden where you can run freely, or have access to some fenced public space. But it is not recommended to have it in small flats or houses.
Ibizan Hounds tolerate warm to temperate climates well, as long as they have good shelter. In any case, it is better if they live inside the house and not in a shed outside. Due to their low amount of adipose tissue they do not tolerate cold well.
Education of the Ibizan Hound
These hounds respond well to canine training as long as it is done with positive reinforcement. Traditional training does not give good results with this (or any breed), due to their independent temperament and because they are very sensitive to punishment. Educating the Ibizan Hound in bad ways will only cause serious mental and physical damage. We will start by teaching him the basic commands for dogs and we will increase the difficulty as he assimilates them.
These dogs are not particularly barking, but can develop a habit of barking if left alone for long periods. They can also become destructive dogs. It must be taken into account that they are great jumpers and can easily overcome fences that are enough to keep other dogs locked up.
He alth of the Ibizan Hound
The breed does not present particular he alth problems, but occasionally there may be cases of unilateral or bilateral deafness Some puppies are deaf when they are born and blind because their auditory and visual canals are closed and usually open between 12 and 16 days of life. But still, in the case of some newborns, there is a group of nerve cells that detect sounds that deteriorate until the puppy is about 6 weeks old and it is not reversible.
That is why it is advisable to go to a good veterinarian as soon as we detect any abnormality in the dog and make sure to strictly follow its vaccination schedule to prevent and control other possible diseases.
