Ibizan Hound Breed Info
Ibizan Hounds are a very ancient breed. The breed dates back at least 5000 years to the time of the Pharaohs of Egypt. They were bred to hunt rabbit, small game and gazelle. They hunt by sight, scent, and hearing, and use all three senses to their utmost. Although the breed looks almost exactly like the Egyptian God Anubis, most breeders feel the Ibizan Hound is not a completely pure breed for those thousands of years. Somewhere along the line another breed or breeds must have assuredly been added (and infused the wire coat gene). I doubt we'll ever truly know how the Ibizan came about, but there isn't any doubt in my mind it originated in Egypt so many millenia ago.
Ibizans are still used to hunt, and lure course (simulate live game hunting). They also can excel in agility as the breed is reknowed for their agile bodies. Ibizans can jump about 9 ft straight up with no take off. Many people would think that all Ibizans would be hard to keep because of their jumping ability, but the fact is most never even try to jump their fence. Like I have said there are exceptions to every rule though. I highly recommend keeping your Ibizan behind a minimum 6' fence. Obedience can be done if training is done with a lot of praise, love, and patience. Ibizans are extremely intelligent and can do most anything if trained properly. Some of the activities you can try with your Ibizan:
Ibizans are a fairly healthy breed, but breeding dogs should have their eyes CERF'd by an Ophthalmologist yearly. Seizures are known to affect this breed but as of yet there is no carriership test available. All Ibizans should be BAER tested for deafness. Even though hip displaysia is not common in this breed, all breeding stock should have their hips and possibly their elbows checked and certified with the OFA. Many breeders also certify cardiac and thyroid. OFA now has a CHIC # that is given to any dog in a breed that qualifies. If individuals in a breed do all the required health exams their National breed club recommends and the results are submitted to OFA for PUBLIC view, they are given a CHIC #. The dog doesn't need to pass the health exams to get their #, just need to have all their results disclosed to the public. For an Ibizan to gain their CHIC # they must be tested for BAER hearing, CERF/OFA eyes, thyroid and OFA hips.
Ibizans are still used to hunt, and lure course (simulate live game hunting). They also can excel in agility as the breed is reknowed for their agile bodies. Ibizans can jump about 9 ft straight up with no take off. Many people would think that all Ibizans would be hard to keep because of their jumping ability, but the fact is most never even try to jump their fence. Like I have said there are exceptions to every rule though. I highly recommend keeping your Ibizan behind a minimum 6' fence. Obedience can be done if training is done with a lot of praise, love, and patience. Ibizans are extremely intelligent and can do most anything if trained properly. Some of the activities you can try with your Ibizan:
- Lure coursing (AKC/ASFA/UKC)
- Straight racing (LGRA)
- Oval track (NOTRA)
- Open field coursing (NOFCA live game)
- Obedience (AKC/UKC & various clubs)
- Agility (AKC/UKC & various clubs)
- Rally-O (AKC/UKC & various clubs)
- Barnhunting (BHA/UKC)
- Dock diving (Various clubs)
- Weight pulling (UKC & various clubs)
- Nosework (NACSW)
- Tracking (AKC)
- Flyball (NAFA)
Ibizans are a fairly healthy breed, but breeding dogs should have their eyes CERF'd by an Ophthalmologist yearly. Seizures are known to affect this breed but as of yet there is no carriership test available. All Ibizans should be BAER tested for deafness. Even though hip displaysia is not common in this breed, all breeding stock should have their hips and possibly their elbows checked and certified with the OFA. Many breeders also certify cardiac and thyroid. OFA now has a CHIC # that is given to any dog in a breed that qualifies. If individuals in a breed do all the required health exams their National breed club recommends and the results are submitted to OFA for PUBLIC view, they are given a CHIC #. The dog doesn't need to pass the health exams to get their #, just need to have all their results disclosed to the public. For an Ibizan to gain their CHIC # they must be tested for BAER hearing, CERF/OFA eyes, thyroid and OFA hips.