Ibizan Hound E-Book

Juliette Cunliffe

• Herausgeber: CompanionHouse Books
• Kategorie: Lebensstil
• Serie: Comprehensive Owner's Guide
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 248

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2012

Beschreibung

Hailing from the Balaeric island of Ibiza in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Spain, the Ibizan Hound is an elegant, sleek-coated companion dog that began as a powerful hunter renowned for its infallible ability as a rabbit courser. Keen eyesight and equally perceptive hearing afford this lithe, fleet-footed sighthound superb hunting and coursing abilities. The breed's unique deerlike appearance is accomplished by its clean-cut lines; its large, mobile ears; its obliquely set, amber eyes; and its long, slender neck. Written by sighthound specialist Juliette Cunliffe, this Comprehensive Owner's Guide presents an authoritative and entertaining look at the breed's origins in Europe and the United States. The chapter on the breed's characteristics well describes this sensitive companion that is even tempered and well tuned to his owner's moods and feelings. Additional information is provided on the breed's physical characteristics as well as breed-specific health concerns of interest to all potential owners of an Ibizan Hound. New owners will welcome the well-prepared chapter on finding a reputable breeder and selecting a healthy, sound puppy. Chapters on puppy-proofing the home and yard, purchasing the right supplies for the puppy as well as house-training, feeding, and grooming are illustrated with photographs of handsome adults and puppies. In all, there are over 135 full-color photographs in this useful and reliable volume. The author's advice on obedience training will help the reader better mold and train into the most well-mannered dog in the neighborhood. The extensive and lavishly illustrated chapter on healthcare provides up-to-date detailed information on selecting a qualified veterinarian, vaccinations, preventing and dealing with parasites, infectious diseases, and more. Sidebars throughout the text offer helpful hints, covering topics as diverse as historical dogs, breeders, or kennels, toxic plants, first aid, crate training, carsickness, fussy eaters, and parasite control. Fully indexed.

Leseprobe

Physical Characteristics of the Ibizan Hound

(from the American Kennel Club breed standard)

Head: Long and narrow in the form of a sharp cone truncated at its base. Finely chiseled and extremely dry fleshed.

Nose: Prominent, extending beyond the lower jaw. It is of a rosy flesh color, never black or liver, and tends to harmonize with that of the coat. Pigment is solid or butterfly. Nostrils are open. Lips are thin and tight and the color of the nose. Flews are tight and dry fleshed.

Muzzle: Elongated, fine, and slender with a very slight Roman convex. The length from the eyes to point of nose is equal to the distance from eyes to occiput. The muzzle and skull are on parallel planes.

Teeth: Perfectly opposed in a scissors bite; strong and well set.

Forequarters: Angulation is moderate. The shoulders are elastic but never loose with moderate breadth at the withers. The shoulder blades are well laid back. At the point of the shoulder they join to a rather upright upper arm. The elbow is positioned in front of the deepest part of the chest. The forearms are very long, strong, straight, and close, lying flat on the chest and continuing in a straight line to the ground. Bone is clean and fine. The pasterns are strong and flexible, slightly sloping, with well developed tendons.

Feet: Hare-foot. The toes are long, closed and very strong. Interdigital spaces are well protected by hair. Pads are durable. Nails are white.

Skull: Long and flat, prominent occipital bone, little defined stop; narrow brow.

Neck: Long, slender, slightly arched and strong, yet flat muscled. The topline, from ears to tail, is smooth and flowing. The back is level and straight.

Body: The chest is deep and long with the breastbone sharply angled and prominent. The ribs are slightly sprung. The brisket is approximately 2.5 inches above the elbow. The deepest part of the chest, behind the elbow, is nearly to or to the elbow. The abdomen is well tucked up, but not exaggerated. The loin is very slightly arched, of medium breadth and well muscled. The croup is very slightly sloping.

Color: White or red, (from light, yellowish-red called “lion” to deep red), solid or in any combination. No color or pattern is preferable to the other.

Size: The height of dogs is 23.5 inches to 27.5 inches at the withers. Bitches are 22.5 to 26 inches at the withers. Average weight of dogs is 50 pounds; bitches, 45 pounds.

Tail: Set low, highly mobile, and reaches at least to the hock. It is carried in a sickle, ring, or saber position, according to the mood and individual specimen.

Hindquarters: Angulation is moderate with the hindquarters being set under the body. The thighs are very strong with flat muscling. The hocks are straight when viewed from the rear. Bone is clean and fine. There are no rear dewclaws. The feet are as in front.

Coat: There are two types of coat; both untrimmed. Short—shortest on head and ears and longest at back of the thighs and under the tail. Wire-haired—Can be from one to three inches in length with a possible generous moustache. Both types of coat are hard in texture.

Contents

History of the Ibizan Hound

Travel to the Spanish isle of Ibiza to learn about the beginnings of the Ibizan Hound, as well as its ancestors that were highly valued in ancient Egypt. Discover this sighthound’s history as a prized hunting dog in its native land, as well as France. From there, travel to the United Kingdom, the United States and other destinations to uncover the breed’s history in show.

Characteristics of the Ibizan Hound

Explore the one-of-a-kind personality of the Ibizan Hound. This stunning, elegant hound is quite intelligent, personable and high-energy and possesses chase and escape instincts that will require the right owners to train and care for it. The chapter also discusses the physical characteristics and health concerns of this generally hardy breed.

Breed Standard for the Ibizan Hound

Learn the requirements of a well-bred Ibizan Hound by studying the description of the breed set forth in the American Kennel Club standard. Both show dogs and pets must possess key characteristics as outlined in the breed standard.

Your Puppy Ibizan Hound

Find out about how to locate a well-bred Ibizan Hound puppy. Discover which questions to ask the breeder and what to expect when visiting the litter. Prepare for your puppy-accessory shopping spree. Also discussed are home safety, the first trip to the vet, socialization and solving basic puppy problems.

Proper Care of Your Ibizan Hound

Cover the specifics of taking care of your Ibizan Hound every day: feeding for the puppy, adult and senior dog; grooming, including coat care, ears, eyes, nails and bathing; and exercise needs for your dog. Also discussed are the essentials of dog ID and boarding.

Training Your Ibizan Hound

Begin with the basics of training the puppy and adult dog. Learn the principles of house-training the Ibizan Hound, including the use of crates and basic scent instincts. Get started by introducing the pup to his collar and leash and progress to the basic commands. Find out about obedience classes and training for other activities.

Healthcare of Your Ibizan Hound

By Lowell Ackerman DVM, DACVD

Become your dog’s healthcare advocate and a well-educated canine keeper. Select a skilled and able veterinarian. Discuss pet insurance, vaccinations and infectious diseases, the neuter/spay decision and a sensible, effective plan for parasite control, including fleas, ticks and worms.

Showing Your Ibizan Hound

Step into the center ring and find out about the world of showing pure-bred dogs. Here’s how to get started in AKC shows, how they are organized and what’s required for your dog to become a champion. Take a leap into the realms of obedience trials, agility, tracking tests, lure coursing and racing.

Behavior of Your Ibizan Hound

Analyze the canine mind to understand what makes your Ibizan Hound tick. The following potential problems are addressed: aggression (fear-biting, inter-canine and dominant), separation anxiety, digging and food-related problems.

KENNEL CLUB BOOKS®IBIZAN HOUND

ISBN 13: 978-1-59378-389-1

eISBN 13: 978-1-62187-047-0

Copyright © 2007 • Kennel Club Books® • An Imprint of I-5 Press™ • A Division of I-5 Publishing, LLC™

3 Burroughs, Irvine, CA 92618 USA

Cover Design Patented: US 6,435,559 B2 • Printed in South Korea

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form, by photostat, scanner, microfilm, xerography or any other means, or incorporated into any information retrieval system, electronic or mechanical, without the written permission of the copyright owner.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Cunliffe, Juliette

Ibizan hound / by Juliette Cunliffe.

p. cm. -- (A comprehensive owner’s guide ; 186)

ISBN 1-59378-389-2

1. Ibizan hound. I. Title.

SF429.I24C86 2006

636.753’2--dc22

2006029015

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Photography by Mary Bloom, Isabelle Français and Juliette Cunliffe with additional photos by:

Carol Beuchat, Paulette Braun, Tom Di Giacomo, Karen Giles, Stephen Hall, Carol Ann Johnson, Bill Jonas, Ludwig Photography, Sanne Rutloh, Jay Singh, Luis Sosa, Susan & Lennah, Chuck Tatham and Christina Timbury.

Illustrations by Patricia Peters.

The publisher would like to thank all owners of the dogs featured in this book, including Michelle Bariak, Ed Kimble (Mystickal kennels), Maria Novellino and Eva Partida (Tekoneva’s Podencos).

THE IBIZAN HOUND IN HISTORY

With its early ancestors in ancient Egypt, there is little doubt that the forerunners of today’s Ibizan Hound are the same Middle Eastern dogs that lie behind the Pharaoh Hound. The breed’s origins date back at least 5,000 years, and these beginnings were often depicted in early Egyptian art, on papyrus, rocks and stones, as well as on tombs and pyramids. It is even said that bone discovery from the Proto-Dynastic Period date such dogs to 4770 BCE.

The history of the Ibizan Hound goes back thousands of years to ancient Egypt. This Ibizan Hound is from the 1930s.

Going back still further, prehistoric drawings that are around 8,000 years old, and appear on the walls of the Tassili caves at Hoggar in Algeria, depict primitive spear-bearing hunters with hounds. The hounds in these illustrations appear to be trained and are pursuing and possibly entrapping mountain sheep. The hounds are lean, agile and, what’s more, prick-eared!

A particularly interesting find is the Golenischeff plate, a concave dish dating back to around 3100 BCE, found at a site called Nagada. This plate shows us three leashed hounds, all with erect ears and tall, lean bodies, so they are undoubtedly similar to today’s Ibizan Hounds. Similar drawings have also been located in the tombs of Hemaku (3100 BCE) and of Ptolomy and Nefermat (2650 BCE), as well as the tombs of Mereku and the famous Tutankhamen (1327 BCE).

In Egyptian mythology, Anubis, also called Anpu, was the inventor of embalming and was the guardian of tombs. He was also the judge of the dead. In appearance he was likened to the dog and was equally watchful, both by day and by night. We can easily see why breed enthusiasts connect Anubis with the Ibizan Hound, as his full life-sized statue found in Tutankhamen’s tomb is often said to be “the identical duplicate of the Ibizan Hound today.” To be fair, though, there is still controversy among Egyptologists as to whether Anubis was a dog or a jackal, which he was originally thought to be.

In ancient Egypt, there is evidence that dogs of this general type were used to hunt hare, gazelle, antelope and ibex. It is also fascinating to note that in Egypt, not only humans but also dogs were mummified, and mummies of dogs measuring 22 inches (56 cm) at the shoulder have been discovered. Such mummification ensured that they could enter the afterlife.

THE IBIZAN HOUND IN THE BALEARIC ISLES

The Phoenicians, who came from the Arabian Peninsula around 1200 BCE, established great cities at Beirut, Byblos, Tyre, Sidon and Baalbek, expanding across not only North Africa but also western Europe. They pushed past the Straits of Gibraltar and founded the city of Gades (now Cadiz) in Spain. In the eighth and ninth centuries BCE, the Phoenicians took their hounds on trading ships to the Balearic Islands off the Spanish mainland. It was one of these islands, Ibiza, that gave the breed its name, and in Spain the dog we know as the Ibizan Hound is called the Podenco Ibicenco or Ca Eivissenc in Catalonia.

PODENCO, PODENGO—LET’S CALL THE WHOLE THING OFF!

The Spanish say “Podenco” and the Portuguese say “Podengo,” and both refer to similar hare-hunting sighthound dogs from the peninsula. The three breeds of Podengos Portuguêses (translated as Portuguese Rabbit Hounds) include the Pequeño, Medio and Grande (Small, Medium and Large), ranging in size from 22 to 28 inches for the Grande, 15 to 22 inches for the Medio and 8 to 12 inches for the Pequeño. Each breed can be seen in a rough, long or smooth coat, and the coloration ranges from a soft honey to a deep chestnut with or without white markings.

The Spanish breeds include the Podenco Ibicenco, the subject of this book, and the Podenco Andaluz, which like the Portuguese Podengos come in three sizes and three coat types. The Andalusian breed derives from Cadiz and appears similar to the Egyptian hounds. The third Podenco breed is the Podenco Canario, developed on the Canary Islands; it is similar to the Ibizan Hound, but has only a smooth coat and is a few inches shorter.

CHOOSY MATERS

When the Ibizan Hounds were taken to the Balearic Islands, it is said that some of them even refused to mate with other canines. This is not so strange as it may seem, as to this day there are undoubtedly Ibizans who are very choosy about their mates!

The Ibizan Hound’s cousin, the Podenco Andaluz, is an extremely rare breed deriving from Cadiz.

There is a fascinating story that might just be true. It tells of Ibizan Hounds riding atop Hannibal’s elephants when he invaded Italy. When we consider that Hannibal (247–182 BCE), the Carthaginian general and leader of the famous march across the Alps, was actually born in Ibiza and is said to have traveled with his hounds, there may indeed be some element of truth in this.

In Ibiza and in the neighboring island of Formentora, Ibizan Hounds have long been known. Here they were bred as “rabbit dogs,” for use without guns. The farmers kept only those dogs that were the keenest and strongest hunters, for to earn their keep they had to help feed the farmer’s family, as food was scarce. The majority of males and all the weakest puppies were drowned in the sea; those that survived had to be survivors in the truest sense. Their diet was usually a few fish heads and a little goat meat, in addition to what little game they could obtain themselves.

ENCONILLARSE

A pack of Ibizans can sometimes catch thousands of rabbits during a hunt, and after this, understandably, some of them no longer wish to hunt until they have had a considerable rest. There is an expression, enconillarse (go to rest) that refers to this particular habit of the breed.

The Ibizan is a sighthound that hunts primarily by vision, although scent and hearing are also used. The Ibizan’s huge ears can almost be described as antennae. All sighthounds are adept at following fast, agile prey, and there are many aspects of their construction that help them in this, such as their long legs and elongated middle toes that help with firm footing.

Although the Ibizan Hound was initially worked primarily with rabbit, it has been known to bring down much larger game, including deer. This is a particularly fast and intelligent hound that can hunt on all types of terrain and can follow its quarry in and out of brush. Even walls do not deter these magnificent hunters. If an Ibizan should lose sight of its quarry in heavy cover, it simply stands on its hind legs to relocate the game. Essentially the Ibizan locates its prey by scent, flush and chase. When the prey is caught, the Ibizan breaks its neck, and this remarkable hound then puts its retrieving skills to work. It is truly a superb, superior hunter!

This speedy and agile sighthound was once a highly decorated hunter.

In Spain usually eight to ten hounds are hunted together, generally all bitches or one male with several bitches; to avoid quarrels among the males, only one male dog is hunted at a time. They interact well together and encircle the prey, thereby preventing escape. The majority of hunts with Ibizan Hounds end in success. To see an Ibizan hunting is a remarkable sight, for their jumps often incorporate a turn in the air. Jumping up to great heights allows them to survey the scene even in the 4-feet high grasses.

Here are three different-sized Portuguese Warren Hounds, relatives of the Ibizan, that were exhibited at the 2001 World Dog Show in Oporto, Portugal.

The Ibizan Hound is now found throughout the Balearic Islands and also on the mainland of Spain. It was mostly the Ibizan’s hunting expertise that kept the breed alive until the middle of the 20th century, when Dona Maria Dolores Olives de Cotonera, the Marquesa de Belgida, became involved with this remarkable breed. She had a breeding kennel on the Balearic Island of Majorca and promoted the breed throughout Spain and beyond.

THE BREED AS A HUNTER IN FRANCE

Because of its silent style of hunting, the Ibizan Hound and similar crosses were used by southern French poachers. These dogs were called Charnegue, or Charnigue, and according to Count Henry Bylandt’s work Hunderassen, published in 1904 in various languages including English, the weight of the Charnegue, which he also called the Balearic Greyhound, was about 66 pounds, and it measured about 25.5 inches at the shoulder.

VIEWS ON THE BREED IN THE EARLY 20TH CENTURY

Robert Leighton’s The New Book of the Dog was published in 1907 and was one of very few books of its time that gave coverage to many of the less well-known breeds. In his section titled “French and Other Continental Hounds,” he refers to a Podengo “peculiar to the Balearic Isles, although one may occasionally see it in the neighborhood of Valencia, Barcelona and other places along the eastern shores of Spain, where it is known as the Charnigue.”

Unfortunately Leighton seems not to have been suitably impressed by this extraordinarily talented hound and, to this author’s eyes, elegant breed, for he describes it as lean, ungainly, with a long muzzle, long erect ears and stilty legs. Says Leighton, “it gives one the impression that it is masquerading as a Greyhound or an overgrown Whippet.” Mercifully he shows a little more kindness to the breed when he talks of its innate sporting qualities and says that “with training it might be made a creditable hound.”

THE IBIZAN HOUND ARRIVES IN BRITAIN

It was in the 1920s that the first Ibizan Hounds arrived in Britain, but it is thought that these died of distemper. Four further imports came into the country in 1929, of which two, Petra of Chardia and Anita of Chardia, were shown at the famous Crufts dog show. But it was not until much later that imports were bred from, and it is to these hounds of the 1960s that the lineage of today’s UK stock can be traced. Sol and Curra are particularly notable. Then, in the mid-1970s, Ra Benji Hassan was imported. Although there have been several imports over the decades, the gene pool has generally remained small in the UK, where the breed has never been numerically strong.

A Podengo Portuguêse at a Moscow show.

The English Ibizan Hound Club was officially approved by The Kennel Club on September 27, 1965, with an impressive list of founder members. Diana Berry was the club’s first secretary, and later she became its president. The first show was held on April 8, 1972. It was for hunting dogs of ancient Egypt, scheduling classes for Ibizan Hounds, Pharaoh Hounds, Basenjis and Sloughis. The club received championship status in 1984, and at its first such show drew an entry of 43 hounds, with an overall entry of 100. Today, at championship shows in the UK numbers exhibited are significantly fewer; large all-breed shows like Crufts and the West of England Ladies Kennel Society attract only a couple dozen hounds.

Ch. King Tut’s Nefertiti, one of the top winners soon after AKC breed recognition, shown winning the Hound Group at the Kennel Club of Pasadena in 1982, owner handled by Manette Ward under judge Lorraine Masley.

THE IBIZAN HOUND IN THE US

The Ibizan Hound was initially introduced to the US in 1956 by Colonel and Mrs. Consuelo Seoane, who lived in Rhode Island. The Seoanes imported Hannibal (Stop) and Certera (Tanit) who produced the first litter of eight puppies, four of each sex. These dogs along with several other imports became the country’s foundation stock.

The flyer from the litter was Malchus V, a typey male puppy who was sold to Mr. and Mrs. Free lee Preu, Mr. Free lee Preu then being the Ambassador to Spain. Also in 1956, the Seoanes established a parent club for the breed, the Ibizan Hound Club of America (IHCA), for which the Colonel was president for the first eight years. Upon his death in 1964, his wife, Rhoda Low Seoane, resumed the office.

Barcelona’s Dona Maria Dolores Olives de Cotonera was glad that interest had been generated in the US, and personally saw to it that quality specimens were sent over to use in early breeding programs.

Best of Breed at Westminster in 2000, Ch. Hemato’s J-Mark Star Maiden, handled by Pam Lambie under judge Gloria Reese.

By the mid-1960s, the breed’s popularity was strong enough to petition the American Kennel Club for Miscellaneous Class status. It’s reported that there were 151 Ibizan Hounds in the US in 1965. Miscellaneous Class status was granted in 1968. A second club was formed in 1972 by a splinter group of former IHCA members; it was named the Ibizan Hound Fanciers and Exhibitors of the United States. The club only last about four years and was disbanded in favor of the original club.

American breeders trying to expand the limited gene pool in the US looked to English breeders. These imports from England proved more reliable than certain Spanish imports that were bred during the mid-1970s. Although there were pivotal breeders like Dolores Olives de Cotonera, stock from other Spanish sources proved disappointing and did not produce the consistent quality that American show breeders sought.

The Ibizan Hound fancy in the US owes a great debt to Richard Edwards of the Ishtar prefix. Edwards promoted the breed with his outstanding English import Int. Ch. Eridu Maestro of Loki, known to all as “Maya,” who became the foundation sire of the breed in the US. As the top Ibizan Hound from 1974 through 1977, Maya was the first member of his breed to win the Kennel Review Top Producer award, which he won in 1979. Pedigree buffs are awed by Maya’s influence on American Ibizans, citing his presence in every pedigree of the first 100 champions of the breed. Other noteworthy Ishtar Ibizans include Tallaway’s Castanet of Loki, Bushland Issa of Curtis Lane, Int. Ch. Ishtar Alpha Rade Koo Kay and Ibia of Loki. The Ishtar hounds became the foundation of other kennels as well. Some examples include: Ch. Ishtar Sonnet of Loki, owned by Susan Stafford; Ch. Ishtar Threehand Aquilla of O’Bre-on’s, owned by Kathleen O’Brien; and Ch. Ishtar Charisma, owned by Lisa Puskas and Dale Whitmore.

It wasn’t until 1979 that the Ibizan Hound was recognized as an American Kennel Club (AKC) breed, making its first appearance at the well-known Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in 1980.

In 1992 the Ibizan Hound Club of the United States became the AKC parent club for the Ibizan Hound. The club encourages and promotes quality in the breeding of pure-bred Ibizan Hounds and is in favor of the organization of independent local Ibizan Hound specialty clubs in those locations where there are sufficient fanciers of the breed to meet the requirements of the AKC.

Although today there are many Ibizan Hounds who have placed and won Groups and even Bests in Show, we would be remiss without talking about the top-winning Ibizan Hound in US history: “Bunny,” formally known as Ch. Luxor’s Playmate of the Year. Owned by Wendy Marquardt, Leslie Lucas, Glen Brand and Dr. Helen Goldberg, Bunny was the first Ibizan to win the Group at Westminster and was the top Ibizan from 2000 through 2003, winning multiple all-breed and specialty Bests in Show. She became an exquisite ambassador for the breed and converted many to become avid fans of this beautiful sighthound breed.

AROUND THE WORLD

The Ibizan Hound is now known in many different countries around the world, where it is kept not only as a show dog and as a pet but also for use on race tracks and in hunting and coursing competitions. Remarkably, in 1958, a special commission from the Egyptian government was sent to the islands of Ibiza and Formentora to see the breed and, as a result, imported some Ibizans back to their homeland.

The Ibizan Hound has been known in Canada since 1981. Among the breeders responsible for the breed’s development and maintenance are Mary Jane Weir of the Titian kennels, Beverly Tufford of the Amar kennels and Mariette Murphy of the Atakah kennels. The breed is active in conformation as well as lure coursing. The first Ibizan to win a Best in Show in Canada was Am/Can/Ber. Ch. Atakah’s Flying Cub, owned by Mariette Murphy. The first imports to Australia went there from the UK; lines therefore went back to imports the UK acquired from Ibiza. The first Ibizan Hound litter in Australia was whelped in 1985.

IBIZANS AND LURE COURSING

Because of the breed’s history and purpose in life as a hunter, the Ibizan excels at lure coursing. The breed has instinctively retained its natural coursing ability and is still sometimes referred to as “the three-way hunter” because it uses sight, sound and scent. In the US, Ibizans are highly competitive in the American Sighthound Field Association (ASFA) field trials, which involve chasing an artificial lure.

The Ibizan Hound has stunningly beautiful, clean-cut lines, and with its light pigmentation and large, erect ears it undoubtedly has a unique appearance. But appearance is not everything. Would-be owners must realize that the Ibizan is a hunting hound and its instinct is still strong. This means that it is not a breed to be taken on lightly and is not usually considered a breed for an urban dweller or city slicker. It needs a lot of exercise, and because of its desire to chase prey it should only be allowed to run free in an absolutely safe, enclosed area, unless it has been fully trained in obedience, so that it comes instantly when called. However, sighthounds rarely come when called and almost never instantly.

The Ibizan Hound always has his eye out for prey and will require a properly fenced yard to serve as his “hunting grounds.”

The Ibizan Hound is also noted for its ability as a great escape artist and can jump remarkable heights of over 6 feet from a standstill. Many Ibizans are also expert diggers and a good number of them are adept at opening door handles, so beware. Keep in mind, too, that Ibizan Hounds are capable of sprinting at full speed for great distances.

PERSONALITY

An intelligent breed, the Ibizan Hound is both dignified and independent. This is a breed that is reserved with strangers so is considered rather aloof, but it is perfectly devoted to its owners. The breed is rather sensitive and does not take kindly to harsh scolding. You will certainly see this in your hound’s expression, and you will probably regret having chastised him. It goes without saying that no dog should ever be punished physically; raising your voice in reprimand is usually enough to prevent future wrongdoing, excessive barking or other unwanted behaviors.

This is a breed that is slow to mature and high puppy-like activity levels can continue up to the age of around three years. The Ibizan is constructed such that he can reach almost anything in sight, so high counters and tabletops can never be considered out of range.

The Ibizan is not a nervous or aggressive breed, but it truly relishes any opportunity to chase anything that moves. Like most other sighthound breeds, it rarely barks while chasing or hunting.

Some people do keep their Ibizan Hounds in an outdoor environment, but this is only possible in a temperate climate, and warm bedding is absolutely essential. The majority of owners feel this breed is neither physically nor temperamentally suited to outdoor living, so many keep the Ibizan as a house pet. It certainly seems to enjoy home life, frequently taking advantage of the most comfortable armchair or sofa. Ibizan Hounds like to be an integral part of family life, and in return they will give both love and devotion to their dedicated owners.

Although not a protective guard dog, the ever-alert Ibizan can be a good watchdog that is likely to bark loudly at the approach of strangers. It is not recommended, however, to train your dog to be a watchdog. Indeed they may even vocally advise their owners of a passing bird. However, some Ibizans seem to be much quieter than others, so a dog’s own personality comes into play in this regard. It is always important to allow an Ibizan Hound to have plenty of interesting things to occupy its time, including the companionship of humans, other dogs and plenty of interactive toys. A hound left alone for long periods of time will find its own way of keeping busy and can do considerable damage!

HEART-HEALTHY

In this modern age of ever-improving cardio-care, no doctor or scientist can dispute the advantages of owning a dog to lower a person’s risk of heart disease. Studies have proven that petting a dog, walking a dog and grooming a dog all show positive results toward lowering your blood pressure. The simple routine of exercising your dog—going outside with the dog and walking, jogging or playing catch—is heart-healthy in and of itself. If you are normally less active than your physician thinks you should be, adopting a dog may be a smart option to improve your own quality of life as well as that of another creature.

IBIZANS WITH CHILDREN AND OTHER PETS

Introductions to children must be made under careful supervision for the Ibizan is a pack animal and considers any human, be it adult or child, a member of his pack. It is important that the hound understands that his owner is the ultimate pack leader.

An Ibizan Hound will get along with children as long as they learn how to properly interact with one another.

Ideally an Ibizan Hound should have been introduced to children and other pets by the age of about 8 to 12 weeks. If initial introductions are made later than this they will be more difficult, but once an Ibizan has come to understand and accept children and other pets he will usually get on well with them. Naturally, owners must teach dogs and children to respect each other from the very first introduction, and young children with dogs should always be kept under close supervision.