Dog Breed Information and Pictures

The Ibizan Hound is best described by its lean, lithe body stature and agile nature. Developed as a hunting dog in the past, the Ibizan hound carries its deer-like elegance even to the present times. Other physical features that make it appealing include its long, narrow, cone-shaped head, big pointy ears, slender muzzle, and low-set tail. Owing to their hunting lineage, these dogs have a high chasing instinct. It makes them unsuited for households with small pets like rabbits, chickens, birds, squirrels, and cats.

The Ibizan Hound is of two varieties- the short-haired and the wire-haired. There is also a third kind, the long-haired. However, it is not a distinct type. Long-haired Ibizan hounds are a variation of their wire-haired counterparts. This breed gained the American Kennel Club’s (AKC) recognition in 1978. According to the 2021 list of AKCs’ most popular species, it ranked 182 of the 197 enlisted breeds.

History of the Ibizan Hound

In 1922 after King Tut’s Tomb opened, the statue of Anubis found within bore a striking resemblance to the hound breeds, mainly the Ibizan and Pharoah Hound. It made people assume that the Ibizan Hound was an ancient breed, with its existence dating back to 5000 years ago. However, this isn’t the correct assumption. Genetic research shows that the present-day Ibizan Hound reconstructed the older type. Their lineage doesn’t date back over 1000 years. However, their ancestors are definitely that old, and here goes the story about how they came into being.

The Egyptian hounds, the ancestors of this breed, were brought to Ibiza by the Phoenicians about 3000 years ago. These dogs were primarily employed in hunting rabbits, hares, and other miniature games on the island. Their strong sight and immense speed, all thanks to their long legs, supersonic ears, and powerful eyes, made them adept hunters. In the rugged terrain of Ibiza, food was rare. These dogs became such a crucial part of the life of the islanders that many relied on them for their food source. From here began the development of the Ibizan hound, which is as efficient as its ancestors when it comes to coursing.

This breed has gained recognition from several prominent kennel clubs besides the American Kennel Club. Some include the United Kennel Club, the Canadian Kennel Club, the New Zealand Kennel Club, the National Kennel Club, and so on.

More About the Ibizan Hound

Affectionately called Beezer, the Ibizan hound is perfect for those who wouldn’t mind a highly energetic breed in the house. Do you live in the countryside? Are you looking for a species that would accompany you on your jogging or hiking spree? Then, this one is perfect. Read on to learn more about the dog’s appearance, temperament, and other aspects related to the breed.

Appearance

One of the highlighting factors of this breed is its graceful and elegant appeal. As mentioned above, its head resembles a sharp, pointed cone that remains truncated at the base. Their small-sized eyes, varying in color from amber to caramel, generate an alert, intelligent, and curious look—no wonder it has been likened to a deer.

Another notable feature is its ears, which are pointed and big. They are also highly mobile and can be pointed sideways, forward, or folded backward. They even have an elongated, slender muzzle and a prominent nose extending beyond their lower jaw. The nose mostly appears rosy but never liver-colored or black. It all depends on the dog’s mood.

The Ibizan Hound also has muscular well-muscled thighs and lean, long legs that undoubtedly make them fast runners.

Size

The Ibizan hound is a large-sized breed with a tall stature, achieved because of their lean body. The males are 23.5- 27.5 inches tall, while the females are around 22.5-26 inches tall. The males are also heavier than the females weighing 50 pounds, while the latter weighs about 45 pounds.

Personality and Temperament

These dogs are perfect clowns. They have a unique and exciting temperament – a combination of several aspects. One can’t help but notice their amusing nature. They won’t compromise a bit when entertaining people with their hilarious antics.

They are at their best near their homes – loyal, obedient, affectionate, and fun-loving. However, when it comes to strangers, they wouldn’t be welcoming on the first go. Initially, the Ibizan hound would display reservedness towards the unknown person. However, it is even worth noting that they would never show aggression when they see anyone at the door whom they don’t know.

The next trait that needs to be mentioned is their extraordinary watching abilities. All credit goes to their big, mobile ears resulting in their sharp listening skills. They would immediately warn their owners at the slightest indication of danger by letting out a loud bark or twitching their ears.

One not-so-appealing trait is their instinct to chase everything on the move, mostly smaller pets. Their role as hunting dogs in the past is responsible for this attribute of theirs. So it goes without saying that keeping them with smaller pets in the same household is a strict No-No. Also, they are great escape artists. Their agile nature, and long legs, make it just a cakewalk for them to jump from tall gates. Escaping from crates or opening locks is a small thing for these hounds. So you know you would have to dogproof your home as much as possible. It would help you avoid any unpleasant occurrences.

Health

They are an overall healthy breed, yet like all dogs, they, too, seem prone to suffer from certain health conditions. Read on to know the ailments they are more susceptible to.

Seizures

Seizures could be hereditary or triggered by an infectious disease or metabolic disorder. With medication and proper management strategies, it is possible to control seizures. However, there isn’t any cure for the same. If your dog has seizures, it will run in circles. It may even have stiffened muscles, cramps, bite, or drool. So if you notice any of these signs in your Ibizan hound, don’t delay taking him to the vet. Any delay may turn out fatal for your dog.

Allergies

Allergies are common in almost all breeds. It may happen because of a particular food or reaction to topical substances like shampoos, flea powders, bedding, etc. Common symptoms of allergies include sneezing, coughing, red or watery eyes, wheezing, etc. Allergies need to be addressed at the earliest, lest they could take a severe turn.

Hip Dysplasia

Though hip dysplasia is more common in big dogs, dogs of all sizes might be affected by it. Common symptoms include groin pain triggered by activity, limping, problems sleeping on the hip, and much more. Immediate intervention by the vet may help address the issue of hip dysplasia.

Deafness

Some bloodlines of this breed have exhibited deafness. If hearing loss is detected in your Ibizan hound, he would require aids like vibrating collars alongside specialized training techniques. Making the Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response or BAER diagnosis for this breed is always advisable. It helps detect certain types of hearing loss, mainly those caused due to injury or a tumor.

Axonal Dystrophy

It’s a neurological disorder that is found in the Ibizan Hound. Common symptoms of Axonal Dystrophy include lack of coordination in movement, stumbling, incontinence, and head tremors. Puppies are more prone to this condition.

Retinal Dysplasia

It’s a condition that occurs when the retina doesn’t develop well. It can vary in severity from mild to severe. Puppies could get affected by this condition between 7 and 12 weeks.

Care

Taking proper care of the Ibizan Hound would help them lead a quality life for a longer duration. These athletic dogs have high exercise needs. So, the onus lies on owners to channel their energies better. Lest the dogs could get bored and resort to destructive activities, take them for long walks at least 2-3 times a day. If that isn’t possible, regularly engage them in play sessions in your yard or garden (if you have one).

Due to their escaping and chasing tendencies, it is always to supervise when they are outside. Keep them on a leash when you take them out, or these dogs could get after any small animal they see.

The Ibizan hound will be your perfect companion if you jog daily. However, for the puppies, make sure that you don’t over-exercise them. As a rule, a 5-minute exercise is required for each month of age. For instance, a 2-month-old puppy needs 10 minutes of exercise. A 3-month-old puppy requires 15 minutes of exercise, and so on.

Following the daily hygiene parameters are also a mandate. Check their ears each week for any debris or wax buildup. Also, try to brush their teeth twice or thrice a week. It would help to check any bacteria accumulation or tartar buildup.

Trim their nails on a monthly or bi-monthly basis. Try to keep their feet in proper condition. When your dog’s nails click on the floor, it is a sign that they have gotten too long.

Feeding

The Ibizan hound is susceptible to obesity. So one should take special care of their diet. While planning your Ibizan hound’s diet, include sufficient amounts of vegetables, ground bones, and healthy fats. When giving your dog kibble, try to provide them with good quality dog food. However, while fixing his diet, ensure to consult a vet.

Coat Color and Grooming

These dogs’ most common color combination is a red body with patches of white on their chest and legs. However, some could even have a solid red or solid white coat.

It is easy to groom their coat, irrespective of the fur they have. You can brush once or twice a week to maintain the shine. Bathe the Ibizan hound once a month or when they get messy. Bathing them too often can take away the natural oils from their coat.

Children and Other Pets

The Ibizan hound is playful, affectionate, and loyal. It makes them good with the kids of the family. However, owing to their moderately large size and tendency to chase, these dogs aren’t good for younger kids.

They could end up chasing the little ones, though it might be in pursuit of play. Adult supervision is always needed when kids interact with these dogs. However, the Ibizan hound would become their best pal for older kids.

They are good with dogs of the family, especially if socialized to live with them. However, keeping them with smaller pets is undesirable. It’s because Ibizan hounds are renowned chasers.

Training

They are mostly easy to train due to their high intelligence level and loyalty. However, a firm and tactful handler is needed as these dogs sometimes get stubborn.

Train these dogs on socialization since their puppyhood. It would help them understand the good and bad experiences of life. It is essential to expose them to varied experiences and people. Once trained to identify and understand people, they won’t consider all strangers a threat.

Leash training is a must. Simultaneously obedience training is also a mandate. It would eventually help your dog follow commands like ‘stay’ and ‘stop.’ Else controlling these chasers and escape artists would be a mammoth task indeed.

Conclusion

So, we have provided a vivid description of the significant traits of the Ibizan hound. They are excellent courses and great home pets. If you want to prevent your Ibizan hound from escaping from your home, make sure he doesn’t get bored. Keep him engaged and happy; he will be there with you all his life.

FAQs

Hi, I’m Walter,

I live in Oklahoma City, USA, and have extensive dog caring and grooming expertise. In addition, I provide dog training tips and tricks through my blogs in Canine Weekly. I have a Dog Behavior and Training diploma and have previously worked as a Dog Trainer at ROC Animal Training and Behavior and Tip Top K9 of OKC Dog Training.

Apart from writing on Canine Weekly, I share my views on Twitter and Linkedin.