Ibizan Hound Breed Guide

What is the history & origin of the Ibizan Hound?

There are images of dogs that bear a striking resemblance to Ibizan hounds on the walls of Egyptian tombs and pottery dating back 5000 years ago, potentially making the Ibizan hound the oldest hound breed on the planet.

It's thought that this breed originates from when Greek traders brought similar dogs to Elvissa in Ibiza.

They have shown very little changes over thousands of years and maintain the athletic physique that made them so suited to the hunting they were bred for. To this day they are still used to working in the Balearics as well as Spain.

Who are Ibizan Hound dogs best for?

Raising an Ibizan hound is an involved, time-consuming task that doesn't make them suited for first-time owners or families with small children whose time is already restricted.

They can take a while to mature mentally, meaning that it's likely you'll have a full-grown adult dog with the daft nature of a puppy before long. They are best suited to someone with experience with raising dogs or specifically hounds as it requires patience to coach this high-energy pooch.

Even with adequate coaching, early socialization around other dogs, and mental stimulation they can be wilful, feisty dogs that will take off when the feeling takes them, happily ignoring your recall commands.

This breed of dog will benefit from a large space to run around when they're not on a walk so a large garden should be a prerequisite to give them enough space to romp around in.

Their powerful physiques also allow them to jump incredible heights so make sure you have high fences in your garden so they don't take off when they're feeling adventurous

In short, this hound is best suited to someone with the passion to commit their time to shape this potentially challenging pooch into the wonderful companion they are known to be.

How much grooming does a Ibizan Hound need?

This breed of hound has very short hair making them easy to keep tidy and necessitating a once-weekly brush to keep their skin in good condition and their coats glossy. You'll need to be a bit more active with brushing during Autumn and Spring when they begin to shed more frequently.

It's also helpful for having a clear sight of any bumps or injuries they make pick up. You should towel dry them after they've had a bath or been for a walk in the rain as their low coverage of fur means they can pick up a chill quickly.

Do Ibizan Hound bark much?

Ibizan hounds are moderate barkers. They are surprisingly sensitive hounds and generally quiet dogs who are known to be pretty relaxed around other dogs.

They will usually bark for a clear purpose and not to hear their voice as other dog breeds will. They typically give a pleasant bark when meeting friends or other dogs, they may also bark if they're bored or lonely as they are pack animals who crave company after periods of being alone.

They might also give an alarm bark if they're being territorial, which will be a progressively louder bark, the same goes if they are craving attention or want a walk or food.

Do Ibizan Hound bite?

While Ibizan hounds might be prone to disobedience they are not known for aggression and are typically very reserved dogs who prefer to observe than engage.

This dog breed was originally bred for hunting small game, such as rabbits and it would appear they are uninterested in using their jaws on any other sort of animal or human if they are raised responsibly.

What is the temperament & personality of a Ibizan Hound?

The Ibizan hound is an intelligent and kind dog who is calm around humans and dogs alike. They aim to please their owners, making them solid working dogs who remember commands well once they have learned them.

That being said, they aren't a great choice for first-time owners as they require a high degree of commitment to ingrain correct behaviour. Even if you train them to a high standard, they can sometimes just follow their tune and take off on whatever venture takes their fancy at any given time.

This means that they need someone capable with the right amount of authority to bring them to heel if they are more spirited dogs.

What is the weight & size of a Ibizan Hound?

Both males and females of this dog breed reach the same height and size. Once fully grown they will be between 56-74cm at the shoulder and weigh between 20-29kg.

How much training does a Ibizan Hound need?

The Ibizan hound, though often challenging, is rewarding to train and will take instruction well if delivered correctly.

They are adept at several dog sports, such as lure coursing, and their genetic predisposition to hunt rabbits has given them good trainability tendencies, with a keenness to follow instructions and please their owners.

That being said, their instincts to take off and do their own thing can be overpowering and lead them to ignore your training. In this case, it's important to maintain your composure and not resort to punitive training methods, which this dog doesn't take to effectively.

With the right amount of training and perseverance from when they are puppies, Ibizans can become good house dogs.

What are some of the most common health issues for a Ibizan Hound?

Like their proud, athletic posture portrays the Ibizan as a very healthy dog that rarely suffers from serious congenital issues.

It is still important to check with your breeder about screenings for heart health and hearing as they are ranked highly for breeds in terms of congenital deafness and heart abnormalities.

What is the lifespan of a Ibizan Hound?

With daily exercise, the right amount of nutrition and proper care an Ibizan Hound can live a healthy life for between 12-14 years.

How much should you feed a Ibizan Hound?

Ibizan Hounds don't require any specific nutrition needs but you should maintain a daily diet that matches their lean body mass.

Any breeder who sells you an Ibizan hound puppy will give you a breakdown of the eating plan you should follow while they are puppies and can also advise you on how to adjust their diet as they grow into adult dogs.

What is the price of a Ibizan Hound in Australia?

You can expect to pay between $2000-$3000 for your Ibizan puppy. Prices will vary from breeder to breeder for these purebred dogs.

Many breeders will also keep canine sports champions, which will naturally drive the cost up but is also ideal if you're looking for a competitive dog breed.