bizan Hound

bizan Hound

The Ibizan Hound is a large hound that is rather stocky compared to the other sight hounds and is capable of hunting by sight, sound or scent.

History:

The Ibizan Hound is a native of the island of Majorca, but its origins date back some thousands of years to ancient Egypt. Other names that this elegant breed goes by are the Podenco Ibicence and the Ca Eivissencs. As with many of the ancient breeds, there is no defined history of its development. However, there have been images found in Egypt that depict hounds of very similar type to the modern-day Ibizan. It is likely that the dogs of the Ancient Egyptians somehow ended up on Majorca, where relative isolation kept the type true to the ancient forms. The Ibizan resembles both the Greyhound and the Saluki, and it is probable that these two breeds were the ultimate ancestors of the breed. It has also been speculated that Egyptian Mastiff may have been included in the mix, contributing to the relatively stocky build of the Ibizan, compared to other sight hounds.

Whatever its origins, the Ibizan was and is an extraordinary small game hunter, and it is distinguished from other coursing hounds by its ability to hunt by sound and scent as well as sight. Ibizans are deceptively strong, and dogs resembling them were said to have been used by the Pharaohs and to have accompanied Hannibal and his elephants during his Italian invasion.

Physical characteristics:

The Ibizan is a tall dog, though not very heavy for its height. Height: 22 - 28 in (56 - 71 cm). Weight: 42 - 55 lb (19 - 25 kg). The most striking features of an Ibizan are the huge bat-wing ears that are set high on the head. When the dog is alert, the ears stand erect and dwarf the rest of the fine, narrow head. The other main features of the head are the large amber eyes and the large nose. As befits a coursing hound, the Ibizan has a long, muscular neck and a deep chest that is not barreled. The legs are long and straight with very powerful hindquarters. The tail is thin and set low on the back, and carried in a gentle curve. There are two coat varieties of Ibizan, the smooth (most common) and the wire-haired. In either coat type, the Ibizan can be white or chestnut, or a combination of the two.

Behavior:

This magnificent animal is a wonderful working dog. It has been bred to hunt by scent and sound as well as by sight. These skills provide the dog with a head start over most other hunting dogs. A wise owner who uses consistent training and gentle perseverance can produce an excellent multi-skilled dog. The Ibizan Hound makes a good watch-dog and as long as it is allowed to become properly socialized as a puppy, it also makes a good companion animal.