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Ibizan Hound
The Ibizan Hound is a large
hound that is rather stocky compared to the other sight hounds
and is capable of hunting by sight, sound or scent.
History:
The Ibizan Hound is a native
of the island of Majorca, but its origins date back some
thousands of years to ancient Egypt. Other names that this
elegant breed goes by are the Podenco Ibicence and the Ca
Eivissencs. As with many of the ancient breeds, there is no
defined history of its development. However, there have been
images found in Egypt that depict hounds of very similar type
to the modern-day Ibizan. It is likely that the dogs of the
Ancient Egyptians somehow ended up on Majorca, where relative
isolation kept the type true to the ancient forms. The Ibizan
resembles both the Greyhound and the Saluki, and it is
probable that these two breeds were the ultimate ancestors of
the breed. It has also been speculated that Egyptian Mastiff
may have been included in the mix, contributing to the
relatively stocky build of the Ibizan, compared to other sight
hounds.
Whatever
its origins, the Ibizan was and is an extraordinary small game
hunter, and it is distinguished from other coursing hounds by
its ability to hunt by sound and scent as well as sight.
Ibizans are deceptively strong, and dogs resembling them were
said to have been used by the Pharaohs and to have accompanied
Hannibal and his elephants during his Italian invasion.
Physical
characteristics:
The Ibizan is a tall dog,
though not very heavy for its height. Height: 22 - 28 in (56 -
71 cm). Weight: 42 - 55 lb (19 - 25 kg). The most striking
features of an Ibizan are the huge bat-wing ears that are set
high on the head. When the dog is alert, the ears stand erect
and dwarf the rest of the fine, narrow head. The other main
features of the head are the large amber eyes and the large
nose. As befits a coursing hound, the Ibizan has a long,
muscular neck and a deep chest that is not barreled. The legs
are long and straight with very powerful hindquarters. The
tail is thin and set low on the back, and carried in a gentle
curve. There are two coat varieties of Ibizan, the smooth
(most common) and the wire-haired. In either coat type, the
Ibizan can be white or chestnut, or a combination of the two.
Behavior:
This magnificent animal is a
wonderful working dog. It has been bred to hunt by scent and
sound as well as by sight. These skills provide the dog with a
head start over most other hunting dogs. A wise owner who uses
consistent training and gentle perseverance can produce an
excellent multi-skilled dog. The Ibizan Hound makes a good
watch-dog and as long as it is allowed to become properly
socialized as a puppy, it also makes a good companion animal.
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