Ibizan Hound
A tall, slender hunting hound from the Balearic Islands with huge upright ears, great athleticism and a gentle nature.
At a glance
- Size
- Medium
- Height at the withers
- Males 66–72 cm · Females 60–67 cm
- Weight
- Males 21–25 kg · Females 18–22 kg
- Life expectancy
- 11–14 years
- Exercise
- 60–120 min a day
- Grooming
- Once a week
- Coat
- Smooth, Wire-haired, short, medium
- Colours
- Red, White
- Bred for
- Hunting by sight, Hunting by scent
- Country of origin
- Spain
- FCI
- Group 5, no. 89 · Spitz & primitive types
Breeders on Kuldo
No breeders on Kuldo have this breed yet.
Living with the breed
| Affectionate with family | 4/5 – High |
|---|---|
| Good with children | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Good with other dogs | 4/5 – High |
| Good with cats | 2/5 – Low |
| Open to strangers | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Energy | 4/5 – High |
| Playfulness | 4/5 – High |
| Needs mental stimulation | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Easy to train | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Prey drive | 5/5 – Very high |
| Watchful and protective | 2/5 – Low |
| Barking | 2/5 – Low |
| Shedding | 2/5 – Low |
| Grooming effort | 1/5 – Very low |
| Drooling | 1/5 – Very low |
| Good for first-time owners | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Suits apartment living | 2/5 – Low |
| Adaptability | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Copes with being alone | 2/5 – Low |
| Copes with heat | 4/5 – High |
| Copes with cold | 2/5 – Low |
Kuldo's own guidance from the breed's typical traits. Every dog is an individual, so talk to the breeder.
Is it the right breed for you?
Great if you …
- have a high, secure fence
- enjoy running or long walks
- want a calm, elegant dog indoors
Think twice if you …
- want off-lead walks in open country
- have cats or small pets
- live somewhere cold with little shelter
Care
Temperament
Ibizan Hounds are friendly, even-tempered and sensitive, sometimes reserved with strangers. Once something moves, their hunting instinct takes over.
Exercise
Give them an hour or more each day, including free running in a securely fenced area. Lure coursing, long walks and canicross suit them.
Grooming
Both smooth and wire coats need only weekly brushing. A coat may be needed in cold, wet weather.
Training
They respond to gentle, reward-based training and dislike harsh handling. Recall is unreliable when prey is around.
Health
The breed is generally healthy; allergies, some eye conditions and deafness are reported, and sighthound-like sensitivity to anaesthesia is worth discussing with a vet. Ask the breeder for any eye and hearing results.
Health tests breeders usually do
- Hips (HD)
- Eye examination
- Hearing (BAER)
Ask the breeder to show you the parents' results.
About the breed
The Ibizan Hound, or Podenco Ibicenco, comes from Ibiza and the other Balearic Islands, where it has long hunted rabbits using sight, scent and hearing, often in packs. Similar dogs appear in ancient Mediterranean art, but its exact history is uncertain.
At home Ibizans are gentle, playful and often polite with other dogs, but they have a powerful chase drive and are remarkable jumpers. They need room to run in safe, fenced areas and quiet time indoors afterwards. Their short coat gives little protection from cold.
Did you know?
On the Balearic Islands, Ibizan Hounds were traditionally kept to hunt rabbits for the pot, often working in small packs of mostly females.