Ibizan hound

Overall description of the breed

The Ibizan Hound, also known as the Ibizan Hound or Rabbit-Hunting Dog of the Balearics, traces its origins to the Spanish archipelago of the same name. This breed is extremely ancient and predominant on the islands of Ibiza. The ancestors of this breed are part of the large Greyhound family. Some specialists assert that this breed might have emerged thousands of years ago, already present during the time of the pharaohs.

The precise origins of the Podenco Ibicenco have never been fully elucidated with certainty. It was likely imported from North Africa through Phoenician merchant ships between the 8th and 10th centuries BCE. Despite challenging living conditions, islands with scant food supply, and a desert climate, the Podenco Ibicenco managed to adapt to its environment. It developed hunting skills, particularly for tracking rabbits, a specialty it cultivated.

Seldom found outside its country of origin, its popularity remains confidential. However, most major global canine organizations (SCC, AKC, UKC, KC, or CKC) recognize it as a distinct breed, including the FCI, which definitively registered it on November 10, 1954.

The Ibizan Hound is classified among large-sized dogs. Its slim morphology strongly resembles that of a Greyhound: sleek, tall on legs, with a fine and delicate bone structure, combined with a deep yet narrow chest and a prominently elevated abdomen. Its withers are slightly lower than its total length, creating a rectangular silhouette. Despite its robust build, it retains a certain delicacy and remarkable flexibility of movement.

Its topline is firm and straight at the croup, yet discreetly rounded at the loin. Its musculature is lean and impressively developed. Its head is proportionally smaller than its body, deep and elegant. Its skull is flat, lacking a pronounced stop, with a long muzzle tapering to a point. All of this rests upon a medium-length neck, solidly constructed and slightly arched. Its tail is slender, reaching the hock joint. At rest, it hangs pendulous, while in alertness, it adopts a sickle shape.

Three coat types can be distinguished in the Podenco Ibicenco: smooth (adherent to the body, soft and silky), rough (textured and coarse to the touch), and long (abundant, thick, and soft to the touch). Colors allowed by the standards are white, red, or a combination of both hues on the same dog.

The character of the Ibizan Hound is reserved, gentle, and warm towards its owners. It will always have a particular affinity with one person. Rather discreet, it is wary of strangers and often prefers to adopt an observer's role. As a guard dog, it does not excel. Its natural wariness prompts it to flee unusual situations.

It is calm and independent, peaceful indoors, yet it reveals exceptional dynamism outdoors. It greatly enjoys playful activities, tracking, and searching. Its predatory instinct is pronounced, especially in a pack, and it excels at tracking rabbits, birds, or even larger prey. Its education can be a challenge for a novice owner. Although obedient, it will never submit blindly to commands.

Endowed with great work intelligence, it is an exceptional partner. However, family life with young children is not its preference, as it favors independence and tranquility.

As an adult, the Ibizan Hound will weigh between 19 and 23 kg (40 to 50 lb) and have a withers height of 66 to 72 cm (26" - 28.5") for males and 60 to 67 cm (23.5" - 26.5") for females.