History of the Ibizan Hound
The Ibizan Hound can be traced back nearly 5,000 years. Prick-eared hounds have been depicted in tombs of ancient Egyptian Pharaohs. During the travels of the Phoencians through the Mediterranean region these hounds were deposited. Each area developed their own breed by selecting the traits best suited to the game hunted and their terrain.
It is estimated that nearly 2,000 years ago these hounds made their way to the Balearic Islands off the coast of Spain. While extinct in Egypt, the breed flourished on Mallorca, Formentera, and Ibiza giving way to the dog we now call the Ibizan Hound. They were developed as a rabbit hunting dog. The Ibizan hunting style is unique for two reasons 1) they hunt as a pack; each dog having its own job 2) they leap to great heights while in pursuit of game.
The breed is known by many names. In most English speaking countries they are referred to as the Ibizan Hound. Most European countries refer to them as the Podenco Ibicenco; this is the name of the breed with the FCI registry.
The Ibizan Hound first came to the United States in the 1950’s. They received AKC recognition in 1979.
Life with an Ibizan Hound
The breed comes in two coat types: wire and smooth. In the past, the wire coat was more rare, but in recent years the population seems more equal. Very rarely is a dog penalized in the ring for being one variety over the other.
Key characteristics to the Ibizan are:
- Fun loving “Peter Pan” personalities
- Ability to jump great heights
- Highly intelligent; problem solvers
- High activity
- Outstanding hunting instinct
- Loving with family members, but may be aloof with strangers.
Ibizans do best in a home where they are a member of the family. They love to go places and be in on the action. If left to their own devices they can be quite destructive. The breed can be trained to obey basic obedience if training methods are fair and consistent. Harsh methods and repetitive drilling are not tolerated.