If you are looking for a mix of a family-orientated yet super sleek and athletic breed, then the Ibizan Sighthound would fit perfectly. This breed has an even-temper and is very polite with both strangers and family. Their intelligence helps them to be highly trainable, affectionate and loving, and very hard to say no to. This breed of hound, affectionately nicknamed as ‘Beezers’, are often described to have a ‘deer-like elegance’ that is combined with the power of a predator, mixing noble royalty with wild hunters. Some highlights:
Ibizan Hounds are very athletic and energetic but can balance their entertainment with a lot of sleeping and rest.
This breed has a gorgeous look with huge, naturally pricked ears that add to their enthusiastic behaviours. These ears also help them lose heat quickly, allowing for higher tolerance in warm climates
Being very intelligent and a quick learner, the Ibizan Hound enjoys agility work and obedience competitions.
With the Ibizan Hound’s extreme agility comes their ability to jump up to huge heights. They can easily clear 6-foot fences, so it is advised that they are kept in a secure area when they are not being supervised. They are also often seen to suddenly run after something, making it difficult for their owners to get them back in control, so proper training and obedience are very important for Ibizan Hound puppies to limit this as much as possible. Some other downsides to the Ibizan Hound:
Ibizan Hounds can be boisterous as a puppy, testing its limits in the family with its high energy and exercise requirements.
Although they are intelligent and loyal, Beezers are not very good at returning to their owner on command. Once their prey drive is activated, they are set on the scent, and it is sometimes impossible for their recall to work. Keeping them on a lead will ensure this does not happen in open spaces.
Ibizan Hounds are not cold-climate dogs. They require jackets and layers when the temperature drops, and the weather gets harsh to maintain healthy body temperature.
Originating off the coast of Spain on an Island called Ibiza, the Ibizan Hound can be traced back 3,000 years ago, where they were bred for hunting. The Phoenician trade first bough Egyptian Hounds to the Island. Egyptian hounds are still a popular breed today and look very similar to that of the Ibizan Hound. They were used as rabbit hunters as they were fast and agile across the ground. Even today, Beezers are still used as courses and trackers.
This breed has a large, long-legged figure, with the males measuring in at around 66cm and the females at a smaller 63.5cm.
Typically, the Ibizan Hound is sleek and thin, males weighing 20.4kg – 24.9kg whilst the females weigh 18.1kg – 22.6kg
What makes this breed even more interesting is their coat colours. They can be white, red, solid or any combination, with the most common colour being a mixture of white and red.
Although they make excellent hunters, Ibizan Hounds are not known for their guarding qualities. They remain quiet most of the time, only barking when they chase and hunt their prey. They are very friendly to both family members and strangers.
Due to their intelligence, Ibizan hounds are known for being quick learners. However, they are bred with a very strong prey drive, meaning they are difficult to get back once they are hunting. They adore agility training and companionship, but often struggle with recall and obeying commands when their inheritance takes over.
As both a puppy and an adult, Ibizan hounds remain as playful as ever. Their energetic temperament means they require a lot of exercise, but they are very happy to do this in the form of playing as well as walks!
This breed is very affectionate and gentle with children and other pets, playing with them and always being polite, even with strangers.
Ibizan Hounds are not very good at being left alone, but with early and consistent practice with shorter periods of time at a younger age, they are able to be more comfortable when older. However, this must be balanced with the appropriate amount of exercise. Without this mental and physical stimulation that will help them sleep whilst they are left alone, they can become destructive and perform behaviours such as chewing to occupy themselves.
Ibizan Hounds generally live around 11-14 years. Their longevity is often determined by their health and lifestyle as well as their health issues that can occur with age.
It is recommended that Ibizan Hounds get about an hour of exercise a day minimum. The more exercise that they can get the better as they will lose their energy and be able to snuggle up in the evenings comfortably without being needy for some playtime.
Although Ibizan Hounds are a relatively healthy breed, they can be prone to some diseases with their leggy build and thin stature:
Hip Dysplasia
Eye Diseases
Autoimmune Thyroiditis
Congenital Deafness
Ibizan hounds don’t need so much room to live in, but more require space to exercise themselves in. Although they can be good apartment dogs, more activity outside is required to maintain a healthy dog, both physically and mentally. They will happily curl up next to you on the sofa and does not require any special room to be made for them.
This breed should be fed high-quality dry food that is usually based on the dogs age. Always check with your vet what they recommend for your puppy itself and monitor your dogs’ weight regularly. Due to the natural slenderness of this breed, if they gain weight this can quickly deteriorate their joints and increase the speed in which health issues arise.
The Ibizan Hound’s coat is most regularly seen as being smooth, but can sometimes be wirey. Regular grooming is required for both types, with their ears being checked weekly to ensure that there is no debris or wax build up from running around that could cause an infection.
This breed does not shed and is hypoallergenic. It is important to note that even breeds that are classed as being hypoallergenic can still lose their coat with it just falling out, meaning they can still leave their fur around but just not as much as a shedding dog.
As a rough guide in pricing: Cost to buy: roughly £300-500 for a well-bred Ibizan Hound puppy Other costs (Vet, Food etc): £50-100 per month
You can read our general buying guide here (/advice-on-buying-a-puppy/), with the most important thing being going to view your Ibizan Hound Puppy, seeing it with its mother, and checking the quality of the breeder. More specifically, here is some Ibizan Hound puppy buying advice:
Ibizan Hounds are quite rare, and therefore there are many scams that could come about when researching to buy one. To spot these, look at the price the litter or puppy is listed at. If it is lower and seems like a bargain, it is most likely not going to be legitimate. It is advised that before you pay anything, even a deposit, you go and visit the puppies to see them for yourself. This will also allow yout o look at the breeder and how the puppies were brought up, and whether or not the breeder is legal.
Due to their rarity, it is also sometimes difficult to find a new litter near you. They can often be miles away or even in another country. If you are set on getting an Ibizan Hound, be prepared to travel some distance, or have a look at adoption centres and rescue homes near you.
This breed excels in competitions, more specifically agility, obedience, rally, tracking, coursing and luring. If you want to have a competing dog then make sure you look at their bloodlines when meeting with the breeder to see if your puppy has a natural talent that can aid its abilities.
A big thank you to the following sources who helped to shape this article: https://www.ibizanhoundrescue.com/ https://www.galgopodencosupport.org/ibizan-hound-rescue https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/services/public/breed/display.aspx?id=1021
