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November 1999 Breed of the Month IBIZAN HOUND
ORIGIN AND DEVELOPMENT
As might be expected, the lbizan Hound derives its name from Ibiza, a Spanish island that has been ruled by many different peoples, including Arabs, Vandals, Carthaginians, Romans, Chaldeans and Egyptians.
The Ibizan Hound can be traced back to about 3400 B.C. when it was the hunting dog of the Pharaohs. The breed's distinct features have enabled Egyptologists to identify the Ibizan as the dog depicted on artifacts that have been discovered in the tombs of the Pharaohs. The breed was also referred to as the Galgo Hound. A duplicate of today's Pharaoh Hound was discovered in the tomb of Tutankhamen.
The resemblance between the Pharaoh Hound then and the lbizan is so close that most scholars now believe that the Pharaoh and the Ibizan may be the same breed. It is now accepted that Phoenician traders brought the lbizan from Egypt to Ibiza. It is thought, too, that the lbizan was the dog that accompanied Hannibal and his elephants on his difficult journey across the Alps.
It was not until 1956, however, that Colonel and Mrs. Seoane of Rhode Island brought the first lbizan Hounds to the United States. It was from their two original imports, Hannibal and Certera, that the first American litter was born. Eight puppies were produced in the first litter. These offspring, along with several other imports, were the foundation of the breed in the United States.
Unlike other Greyhound-like dogs, the lbizan can hunt by sound as well as by sight and scent. It is believed that, along with the Greyhound and Saluki, the Egyptian Mastiff made up the characteristics of the lbizan. The relative isolation of ancient Egypt contributed to the purity of the lbizan and helped the breed to remain unchanged in form through the years.
TEMPERAMENT
The Ibizan is like most Greyhound-type dogs: loyal, affectionate and generally even-tempered. The breed is not given to great bursts of demonstrated affection, but these dogs are quiet, loyal and giving.
Ibizan Hounds do have a certain sense of play and will occasionally tear around in huge circles at a dead gallop giving the impression that they are simply glad to be alive. lbizan Hounds like their comfort (particularly a couch or bed) and they may well want to cuddle up in cold weather.
HEALTH MATTERS
Health problems are very rare in the lbizan. For centuries they were culled from any problems and lived in a land where survival of only the fittest was the maxim. Today, fortunately, the Ibizan has not suffered from indiscriminate breeding and has stayed true to its original form, health and structure.
SPECIAL CARE AND TRAINING
The lbizan needs a good healthy diet but requires no special care. It has a natural instinct to hunt and is very easy to train for lure-coursing, tracking, Obedience and the show ring.
ADAPTABILITY
House training should begin early and the young lbizan should not be left unattended until it has learnt what it may or may not do it can he very destructive. Crate training by eight to ten weeks is essential, and the young hound should always ride in a crate in the car - sudden stops and starts may result in sprains, strains and fractures if the animal is not confined. Training on a leash should also be begun at an early age. So long as it has the opportunity to exercise daily, the lbizan Hound will adapt to both country and urban surroundings.
ESSENTIALS OF THE BREED
The lbizan has all the qualities to make it a proper hunter. It is a moderate dog and is not extreme in any way, except for its large pointed ears which it uses to hunt with. Its clear amber eyes and verv large mobile ears, set on a long narrow head give it a unique expression. A prominent occipital bone, a slight stop and a moderately convex muzzle distinguish the breed from other Greyhound-type dogs. The light pigment around its eyes and on its nose is one of the unique characteristics of the breed. It should be built to have great speed, along with splendid stamina so that it can work for long periods of time. Agility is essential and it should never appear heavily muscled. The breed displays a unique "hovering" gait where the forefoot tends to hover before being placed on the ground, quite unlike other hounds.
The lbizan Hound comes in two types of coat: shorthaired and wirehaired, the most common being the shorthaired variety. The coat of the wirehaired varies from 1-3 inches/ 2.5-7.5 cm in length. Both types of coat should be hard, close and dense. In the wirehaired type there should be a slight feathering on the back, thighs and tail.
Contributed by: Jessie |
