Ibizan Hound

Ca Eivissenc Podenco Ibicenco
Ibizan Hound.
Other names	Ibizan Hound Ibizan Warren Hound
Origin	Ibiza, (Balearic Islands, Spain)
Kennel club standards RSCFRCE standard Fédération Cynologique Internationale standard
Dog (domestic dog)

The Ibizan Hound (Spanish: podenco ibicenco, Catalan: ca eivissenc) is a lean, agile dog of the hound family. The breed has two primary hair types: smooth and wire. The smooth coat is the more commonly observed type and is characterized by its sleek and shiny appearance. On the other hand, the wire coat has a distinctive texture, being rougher and more rugged.

Some people also mention a third type called longhair, which features a more extended and flowing coat. However, it's generally believed that the longhair variety is a variation of the wire coat, rather than a separate type altogether.

Description

Two 6 months old Ibizan hounds

Looks

The Ibizan Hound is an elegant and agile breed, with an athletic and attractive outline and a ground-covering springy trot. Though graceful in appearance, it has good bone girth and is a rugged/hardy breed. Its large upright ears — a hallmark of the breed — are broad at the base and frame a long and elegant headpiece. The neck is long and lean. It has a unique front assembly with well laid-back shoulders and relatively straight upper arm. Coming in both smooth and wire-coated varieties, their coat is a combination of red and white with the nose, ears, eye rims, and pads of feet being a light tan color. Its eyes are a striking amber color and have an alert and intelligent expression. The Ibizan may range in height, from 22 to 29 in (56 to 74 cm) and weigh from 45 to 65 lb (20 to 29 kg), males being larger than females.

Wirehaired ibizan hound

Temperament

Ibizan Hounds are intelligent, active, and engaging by nature. They rank 53rd in Stanley Coren's book The Intelligence of Dogs, considered average working/obedience intelligence, but many Ibizan owners enjoy recounting a multitude of examples of their problem-solving abilities. They are true "clowns" of the dog world, delighting in entertaining their people with their antics. Though somewhat independent and stubborn at times, they do take well to training if positive methods are used, but they will balk at punitive training methods. They are generally quiet but will alarm bark if necessary, so they make good watch dogs. They are sensitive hounds, and very good around children and other dogs alike. They generally make good house dogs but are active and athletic, therefore need a lot of daily exercise. They do not make good kennel dogs. Ibizan hounds are sweet, but they are very stubborn and independent.

Ibizan Hounds are "escapologists": they are able to jump incredible heights from a standstill, so they need very tall fences. They also have been known to climb, and many can escape from crates and can open baby gates and even locks. They have a strong prey drive, therefore they cannot be trusted off leash unless in a safely enclosed area. Once off the leash, they might not come back for a long time. A hound that knows where its home is and the surrounding area will usually return unscathed.

Health

The Ibizan Hound is typical of the hound group in that it rarely suffers from hereditary illness. Minor health concerns for the breed include seizures and allergies; very rarely, one will see axonal dystrophy, cataract, retinal dysplasia and deafness in the breed. Ibizan Hound owners should have their dogs' eyes tested by a veterinarian before breeding. CERF and BAER testing is recommended for the breed. Ibizan Hounds are sensitive to barbiturate anesthesia, and typically live between 12 and 14 years.

History

Female Ibizan Hound

DNA analysis indicates that the breed was formed recently from other breeds.

The Ibizan Hound is similar in function and type to several breeds, such as the Pharaoh Hound, the Cirneco dell'Etna, the Portuguese Podengo, and the Podenco Canario. The Ibizan Hound is the largest of these breeds, classified by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale as primitive types.

Use

This breed originates in the island of Ibiza and has been traditionally used in the Catalan-speaking areas of Spain, and France where it was known under the name of le charnigue, to hunt rabbits and other small game. The Ibizan Hound is a fast dog that can hunt on all types of terrain, working by scent, sound and sight. Hunters run these dogs in mostly female packs, with perhaps a male or two, as the female is considered the better hunter.

Traditionally a farmer may have one dog and a very well off farmer two dogs to catch rabbits for food. However, in the last twenty years it is seen as a sport where between five and fifteen dogs can be seen in the chase of one rabbit.

The Ibizan Hound authority Miquel Rosselló has provided a detailed description of a working trial which characterises their typical hunting technique and action, strikingly illustrated with action photos by Charles Camberoque which demonstrate hunt behaviour and typical hunt terrain. While local hunters will at times use one dog or a brace, and frequently packs of six to eight or as many as fifteen, the working trial requires an evaluation of one or two braces. A brace is called a colla. The couples should be tested on at least two to five rabbits (not hares), without the use of any other hunting aid. An inspection and evaluation of the exterior, fitness, character and obedience of the dogs is recommended prior to the hunt. The trial is qualified as having 5 parts. The dogs should show: (1) careful tracking and scenting of the rabbit, without being distracted in the least, 0-30 points; (2) correct signalling of the game, patient stand, strong jump into the air, obedience 0-10 points; (3) chase, giving tongue, speed, sureness, anticipation 0-30 points; (4) putting the game to cover at close quarters, listening, waiting, obedience, correct attack 0-10 point; and (5) good catch, or correct indication of the game's location, retrieval, obedience 0-20 points.

When assessing the performance of individual dogs in specialized roles, such as hunting, search and rescue, or other demanding tasks, several critical qualities are required to ensure their effectiveness and reliability. These qualities include a high degree of discipline, obedience, and cooperation, as well as exceptional agility, speed, and scent-tracking abilities. Each of these attributes plays a crucial role in enabling the dog to perform its duties efficiently and successfully.

Discipline is a fundamental trait for dogs in any specialized role. It refers to the dog’s ability to adhere strictly to training and commands from its handler. A disciplined dog demonstrates consistent behavior and follows instructions with precision, which is vital in high-stakes situations where even small errors can have significant consequences. This quality ensures that the dog can operate under pressure, maintain focus, and execute tasks as required.

Obedience is closely related to discipline but focuses more on the dog’s responsiveness to commands. An obedient dog responds promptly and accurately to verbal cues or hand signals from its handler. This responsiveness is essential for tasks that require immediate action or precise movements. The dog’s ability to obey commands ensures that it can carry out its responsibilities effectively, whether it’s tracking a scent, navigating challenging terrain, or working alongside other team members.

Cooperation is another key attribute, particularly when the dog needs to work in conjunction with its handler or other dogs. A cooperative dog is willing to work as part of a team, following directions and contributing to the collective effort. In scenarios such as coordinated search and rescue missions or collaborative hunting expeditions, the ability to cooperate ensures that the dog’s actions complement those of others, enhancing the overall effectiveness of the operation.

Agility is a crucial quality for dogs that must navigate varied and often difficult terrain. An agile dog can move swiftly and deftly, adapting to obstacles and uneven surfaces with ease. This agility is demonstrated through the dog’s ability to make quick, sharp movements and maintain balance on rough or heavily covered ground. The dog’s agility is further highlighted by its capability to execute powerful vertical jumps from a stationary position, allowing it to overcome barriers and reach areas that might otherwise be inaccessible.

Speed is an important factor that complements agility, enabling the dog to cover ground quickly and efficiently. A fast dog can perform tasks with greater efficiency, which is particularly valuable in time-sensitive situations. Speed allows the dog to complete its tasks more rapidly, whether it’s tracking a moving target or searching a large area. When combined with agility, speed ensures that the dog can operate effectively in a variety of challenging environments.

Scent-tracking abilities are essential for tasks that involve locating targets by smell. A dog with excellent scent-tracking skills can detect and follow scent trails with remarkable accuracy. This capability allows the dog to pinpoint the location of game or search targets, even in complex or cluttered environments. In addition to tracking, the dog should also be able to give a vocal alert, or “give tongue,” at the appropriate moment when approaching the target closely. This alert signals to the handler that the dog is nearing the target, providing valuable information about its position.

At other times, the dog must be able to remain silent, which is crucial for not disturbing the game or compromising the search. Silence allows the dog to use its acute sense of hearing to further locate the target by sound, adding another dimension to its tracking abilities. By maintaining a balance between vocal alerts and silence, the dog can enhance its effectiveness in locating and identifying the target.

The performance of individual dogs in specialized roles hinges on a combination of discipline, obedience, cooperation, agility, speed, and scent-tracking skills. Each of these attributes contributes to the dog’s overall effectiveness, enabling it to handle the demands of challenging environments and tasks with precision and reliability. A well-trained dog with these qualities is well-equipped to succeed in its assigned role, making a significant contribution to its team and mission.

In the United States, the Ibizan Hound is frequently competed in lure coursing through the AKC and ASFA, and also competes in LGRA straight racing and NOTRA oval track racing. Some parts of the country also use them for coursing live prey, generally jackrabbits.

The Ibizan Hound breed is recognized by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale, Continental Kennel Club, American Kennel Club, United Kennel Club, Kennel Club of Great Britain, Canadian Kennel Club, National Kennel Club, New Zealand Kennel Club, Australian National Kennel Council, America's Pet Registry, and American Canine Registry. It was fully recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1979.

In folk culture

According to journalist Norman Lewis, when an owner no longer wants to own one of these dogs (having too much of an appetite, for instance), it is considered very bad luck to kill the dog. Instead, they release the dog on the other side of the island, so that someone else might 'adopt' the animal.

See also

• Dogs portal
• List of dog breeds

External links

• Sighthound Sanctuary & Animal Services Archived 2018-10-08 at the Wayback Machine
• Ibizan Hound Photos
• Charles Camberoque: photos of Ibizans at work Archived 2014-05-30 at the Wayback Machine
• Video: How Ibizans hunt
• Ibizan Hound Club (Eivissa)
• Norwegian Ibizan Hound Club Archived 2014-08-11 at the Wayback Machine
• Swiss Ibizan Hound Club
• German Ibizan Hound Club Archived 2013-05-27 at the Wayback Machine
• Ibizan Hound Rescue in Spain
• Ibizan Hounds in the UK Archived 2021-02-28 at the Wayback Machine
• Additional information on the German language Wikipedia.(In German: "Podenco Ibicenco")
• NASAR
• APDT