A very elegant breed, the Ibizan hound blends the characteristics of a hound with an almost deer-like appearance. Engaging and intelligent, it makes for a wonderful pet. Let us gather some more information about this dog.
The Ibizan hound is an exceptionally nice breed. It can run very fast and jump a fence from a standing position. Known for its adaptability and affectionate nature, it makes for a great pet.
History
This dog was considered to be one of the ancient dog breeds, and was believed to have originated from Egypt. This is because the ancient paintings showed canines that were very similar in appearance to this breed.
In recent years, this breed has been put through some genetic testing, and it has been discovered that it is actually a lot more recent than originally believed.
It is now believed that this breed originated in Spain, and was used to hunt rabbits and other game on the Balearic Island of Ibiza. This is a fast dog that can hunt on all types of terrain, working not only by sight, but by sound and scent as well.
Spanish hunters would run these dogs in female packs with one or two males present, because the females make better hunters. This breed was officially recognized by the AKC in 1979.
Appearance
This breed is agile and athletic, not only in appearance but also in reality. It has a very attractive outline and covers the ground in a nice, springy trot. Although this dog may look frail at first glance, it is definitely not so. This breed has a good bone structure and is known for being a rugged and hardy one.
The thing that sets it apart from others is the big, upright ears, which are broad at the base and frame its aristocratic head. The neck is long, lean, and graceful-looking, with a build that is a little bit different from the other sighthounds.
This breed can reach a height of up to 22 to 29 inches (56 to 74 cm), and can weigh from 45 to 65 pounds (20 to 29 kg). The males are bigger than the females. It has bright amber eyes and a red and white coat.
There are generally two variations in the coat, smooth and wiry. The long-haired coat is believed to be an extension of the wiry coat. Wire coats have a hard texture. The hair in this coat can be 1 to 3 inches long.
This dog has a look of complete elegance about it. When the hound cleans itself, it will do so like a cat. It needs a lot of exercise and should never be let off the leash except in a fenced area, as it tends to escape. Even then, the fence must be tall because this dog is a great jumper.
It can jump to great heights from a complete standstill, and hence, the fence should be over 6 feet, at least.
Nature
This is a very intelligent and active dog that has an engaging nature. It can almost be called the clown of the canine world, as it loves to amuse its owners by doing crazy things. Despite all this lovable nature, it can be stubborn and rather independent at times.
When training, always use positive reinforcement because this is not a breed that takes kindly to being pushed around. It is a good watch dog and is generally aloof around strangers.
Although it is good with kids, other animals need to be carefully introduced to the family because this is a hound breed, and it was born and bred to hunt. If given a lot of exercise, then it can be a good house dog.
However, kenneling is out of the question, as it is far too energetic for that. It ranks 53rd in Stanley Coren's book The Intelligence of Dogs, with average working obedience. However, it has good problem-solving capabilities.
Health
This dog belongs to the Hound group and does not normally suffer from any hereditary health issues. Some minor issues may include seizures and allergies, and other rare conditions are cataract, retinal dysplasia, and deafness. It is particularly sensitive to barbiturate anasthesia. Its life expectancy is 12 to 14 years.
This is a very warm and loving breed who loves to make people laugh. It makes for a wonderful and fun pet.