| Ibizan Hounds: the most honest dog breed review you'll ever find. Information about Ibizan Hound personality and behavior. |
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My book, Your Purebred Puppy: A Buyer's Guide (published by Henry Holt & Co.), includes a full-page profile of the Ibizan Hound, including these excerpts:
"The AKC Standard says, "Lithe and racy, the Ibizan possesses a deerlike elegance combined with the power of a hunter."
Once past the boisterous puppy stage, the sleek Ibizan Hound is quiet, gentle, and relaxed indoors and can be a couch potato.
However, true to his heritage, he is also a swift and athletic dog who needs running exercise in a safe, enclosed area.
He loves to leap, and he is incredibly graceful and light on his feet, without equal as a high-jumper and broad-jumper. Fences must be at least six feet high - the top of the refrigerator is not out of his reach.
Polite but watchful with strangers, the Ibizan Hound does need early and extensive socialization to develop a confident, outgoing personality. Most are effective watchdogs and some have protective instincts, which is unusual for a sighthound.
"Beezers" are good with other dogs, but likely to pursue (and catch!) smaller pets.
The Ibizan Hound learns quickly and enjoys activities such as obedience and agility (when they are made interesting and challenging), but he is a freethinker who doesn't obey mindlessly.
He must be handled calmly and persuasively and motivated with food and praise, for he is sensitive to sharp corrections.
Sighthounds can be touch-sensitive, startling when touched unexpectedly or wrapped up in someone's arms. A verbal correction is more effective than a physical one, because it is less upsetting and distracting to the dog."
History
A statue of the canine god Anubis, uncovered in King Tut's tomb, is believed to be that of an Ibizan. However, this ancient breed did not come by his name until he became popular as a rabbit hunter on the Mediterranean island of Ibiza.
Size
24-28 inches and 45-60 lbs |
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Ibizan Hounds
What's good about 'em
What's bad about 'em
- Has a tall, slender, elegant build
- Has a sleek easy-care coat
- Is extremely athletic and graceful -- can run swiftly and jump great heights
- Is polite with strangers, but makes a keener watchdog than other sighthounds
- Responds better to training than some other sighthounds
An Ibizan Hound may be right for you.
| If you don't want to deal with... |
- Providing a safe, enclosed area where he can gallop
- Fearfulness and timidity when not socialized enough
- Strong instincts to chase other living creatures that run
- High fencing to prevent escapes
- An independent "what's in it for me?" attitude toward training
- Emotional sensitivity to stress and abrupt changes in schedule
An Ibizan Hound may not be right for you.
| If I were considering an Ibizan Hound... |
My major concerns would be:
- Providing enough running exercise. Ibizan Hounds don't need miles of running every day, but they MUST have regular opportunities to vent their energy a few times a week. Otherwise they will become restless and bored -- which they usually express by destructive chewing.
| Ibizan Hounds need access to a large fenced area -- fenced because these independent dogs are likely to take off and not come back. If there is a dog club in your area, get your Ibizan Hound involved in lure coursing (chasing a mechanized lure around a track or across an open field). This is an appropriate outlet for the full-speed galloping behaviors that are "hardwired" into his genes. |
- Timidity. Standoffish by nature, Ibizan Hounds need extensive exposure to people and to unusual sights and sounds. Otherwise their natural caution can become shyness or fearfulness, which is very difficult to live with.
- Chasing other animals. Most people do not realize just how fast and agile sighthounds are -- or how strong their instincts are to chase and seize fleeing creatures. They could seriously injure or kill your neighbor's cat or toy dog. In today's society, the legal liabilities should be considered.
- The independent temperament. Ibizan Hounds are not Golden Retrievers. They are independent thinkers who don't particularly care about pleasing you. Many Ibizan Hounds are stubborn. They can be manipulative. You must show them, through absolute consistency, that you mean what you say. All that said, if you're interested in canine activities such as obedience, agility, and tracking, Ibizan Hounds are one of the best choices of the sighthounds. When these activities are made interesting and challenging, Ibizan Hounds learn readily and are very willing to work with you.
| To teach your Ibizan Hound to listen to you, "Respect Training" is mandatory. My Ibizan Hound Training Page discusses the program you need. |
- Emotional sensitivity. Be honest...is there tension in your home? Are people loud or angry or emotional? Are there arguments or fights? Ibizan Hounds are extremely sensitive to stress and can end up literally sick to their stomachs, with severe digestive upsets and neurotic behaviors, if the people in their home are having family problems. Sighthounds are peaceful, sensitive dogs who need a peaceful, harmonious home.
| Not all Ibizan Hounds are alike! |
- There are energetic Ibizans, and placid Ibizans.
- Hard-headed Ibizans, and sweet-natured Ibizans.
- Serious Ibizans, and good-natured goofballs.
- Introverted Ibizans, and Ibizans who love everyone.
| If you acquire an Ibizan Hound puppy, you can't know for sure what he or she will grow up to be like. Because a good number of purebred puppies do NOT grow up to conform to the "norm." |
| If you're considering an adult Ibizan Hound... |
There are plenty of adult Ibizan Hounds who have already proven themselves NOT to have negative characteristics. If you find such an adult, don't let "typical breed negatives" worry you.
When you acquire a puppy, you're acquiring potential -- what he one day will be. So "typical breed characteristics" are very important. But when you acquire an adult, you're acquiring what he already IS.
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Copyright © 2000-2008 by Michele Welton. All rights reserved. No part of this website may be reproduced without the permission of the author. |
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