Buying or Adopting an Ibizan Hound

Should You Even Get a Dog? Are You Sure?
Important – I've been helping people choose and find dogs for nearly 40 years, and honestly, some people who decide to get a dog are making a big mistake... [read more]

The Truth About Purebred Dogs
Pros and cons... (most people don't know about the cons)

The Truth About Crossbred Dogs
Pros and cons... (don't get taken by breeder hype)

The Truth About Mixed Breed Dogs
Pros and cons... (are mixes inferior to purebreds and crosses?)

Is an Ibizan Hound the right breed for you?

Ibizan Hound Review
I'll tell you what's good about 'em, and what's bad about 'em... most honest review you'll ever find

Dog Breed Traits – Which Traits Are Right For You? In this brand new series, I'll help you decide which dog breed traits would best suit you and your family, your home and yard, and your lifestyle, so you can choose the best dog breed for your family.

Are YOU the right owner for an Ibizan Hound?

Can you provide what this breed needs?

• Someone home most of the day
• Fenced yard (6-8 feet high, not an electronic/underground fence)
• No young children in the household
• No very small dogs in the household
• No cats in the household
• Restricted exercise when young – until maturity (at least 18 months old), exercise restricted to multiple short (20 minute) walks, fetch games, and playing with other dogs – no forced running (beside a jogger or bicyclist), no long-distance treks, minimal jumping
• Ample exercise after maturity – enough ongoing exercise that your Ibizan Hound stays slim and is tired enough to sleep contentedly and not get into mischief
• "Mental exercise" – interesting activities that keep the mind stimulated, such as a challenging dog sport (agility, rally obedience, tracking, lure coursing); challenging dog toys; a homemade obstacle course; tricks and games such as Hide 'n Seek; instructions in my training book, Teach Your Dog 100 English Words
• An indoor lifestyle, except for exercise and bathroom breaks
• A meat-heavy diet, either homemade or commercial – meat is expensive, so people with less money should opt for a small dog
• An owner with enough money to treat the health problems Ibizan Hounds are prone to (pet health insurance can really help here!)
• Commitment to provide thorough socialization – introducing your Ibizan to lots of people and other animals
• Commitment to establish the right Leader-Follower relationship with your Ibizan Hound, teaching him to listen to you and do what you say

Which sex? What age?

Male Dogs vs. Female Dogs
Which one makes a better pet?

Puppies vs. Adult Dogs
Should you get a young puppy, an older puppy, or an adult dog?

Where can you buy or adopt an Ibizan Hound?

Ibizan Hounds are very uncommon in the United States. Out of 189 breeds in the American Kennel Club, where 1 is most popular and 189 is least popular, Ibizan Hounds rank 152nd. Like all sighthounds, Ibizans have an appearance and temperament that's quite different from most dogs. That appeals to some people, but turns a lot of other people off. So it can be hard to find this breed.

Adopting From Dog Rescue Organizations
You might find an Ibizan Hound available from a Dog Rescue group. But not many Ibizan Hounds are turned over to Rescue groups, because not many people own them in the first place. Owners may give up an Ibizan simply because they're more difficult to train than familiar breeds like Labs and Goldens.

Adopting From Public Animal Shelters and Humane Societies
Ibizan Hounds are rarely found here for the same reasons listed above. Plus, Ibizan Hound Rescue groups keep their eyes peeled on shelters and humane societies across the country. On the off chance that an Ibizan Hound turns up at a shelter, the rescue group typically moves in quickly to take the dog.

Buying From a Dog Breeder
You can buy an Ibizan Hound from a show breeder, who breeds Ibizan Hounds to match a detailed standard of appearance for the dog show ring. You might also be able to buy an Ibizan Hound from people who "just breed pets" or "just had one litter." But should you? Be sure to read the article to learn more about these people.

Here's one difference between a responsible breeder and an irresponsible breeder – BOTH PARENTS of an Ibizan Hound puppy should have:

• a certificate from the Orthopedic Foundation of America's CAER (Companion Animal Eye Registry) – dated within the past year – certifying the dog to be free of eye diseases
• a certificate from the Orthopedic Foundation of America (OFA) or PennHip certifying the dog to have normal hips
• a certificate from the Orthopedic Foundation of America (OFA) certifying the dog to have a normal thyroid

Pet Shop Puppies: Buying a Puppy From a Pet Store
I have never seen an Ibizan Hound in a pet shop. Which is good, because I have plenty to say about buying a puppy from a pet shop!

Which puppy?

Choosing the Right Ibizan Hound Puppy
How to test the temperament and personality of Ibizan Hound puppies and pick the best puppy in a litter.

AKC Registered Puppies: Are AKC Papers Important?
Should you buy only an AKC registered Ibizan Hound puppy? Do AKC papers and pedigrees really matter?