Podenco Ibicenco

Breed Rating

Breed Details

General

The Podenco Ibicenco (also known as Ibizian hound) is thought to have been originated in Egypt and there after were distributed throughout Spain in early 700 BC. This breed is a very rapid hunter and was used mostly to hunt game and rabbit. As well as finding and catching their prey, the Podenco Ibicenco retrieves it and 'points' out the find to their master, which are more characteristics of Retrievers or Pointers.

This ancient breed of dog is elegant, agile, and very clever making them perfect working dogs for the sport of hunting. They are a sight hunter, and are very efficient in doing so. Today the Ibizian Hound is more used for racing or lure hunting or coursing. Their speed and agility make them great competitors among the lure racing sport.

Slender and athletic, the Podenco Ibicenco has the body of a hunter. They have a long muscular neck and a thin face. Their body is compact yet light, giving this dog steadfast speed. The Podenco Ibicenco has large ears that are pricked upward to enhance their already acute hearing. This breed has 3 coat types, smooth, wire and long haired with smooth being the most popular among breeders and fanciers alike.

Color

The Podenco Ibicenco comes in a varieties of 2 color patterns. Tan and white, solid white, solid red, red with white patches or a mixture of red and white. Their nose is always a light pink color.

Coat

The smooth haired variety of Podenco Ibicenco has a very short, glossy coat that is smooth to the touch. The wire haired has a tougher wiry coat that is coarsely dense, and the last variety is the long haired which is very uncommon but is thought to be a type of wire haired Ibizian. During colder temperature the short coated variety will need to be indoors at all time and have some layering when going outside as they have no protection against the cold. The smooth haired variety of Ibizian has a very short, glossy coat that is smooth to the touch. The wire haired has a tougher wiry coat that is coarsely dense, and the last variety is the long haired which is very uncommon but is thought to be a type of wire haired Ibizian. During colder temperature the short coated variety will need to be indoors at all time and have some layering when going outside as they have no protection against the cold.

Personality

The Podenco Ibicenco is a well mannered, sweet and energetic dog. Good with people, children, dogs and even cats if they are raised with them, this stable breed is a great worker and family pet. Smaller pocket pets, such as mice, hamsters, rabbits, guinea pigs etc, should be monitored around the Ibizian as they consider these prey. They enjoy the company of the family but can be independent as well. They are protective of their domain, and are more reserved around people they don't know but will warm up to that individual quickly after the first meeting. Podenco Ibicencos are dogs that need to be included in the family. They will not do well left alone often as they thrive greatly on being part of your pack. They can become very comfortable in daily routines, so when introducing new people or animals to the household, this breed will have a harder time adjusting. This is a very clean dog often being compared to the cleanliness of a cat.

Care

The Podenco Ibicenco is a low maintenance breed to groom. Although there are 3 variations of their coat textures, the smooth, long, and wire haired will need to be brushed about once per week just to remove dead fur. This breed is prone to seizures and sensitivity to drugs which makes it medically harder to give treatment. They are also known to have muscle and nerve diseases.

Training

The Podenco Ibicenco will need firm yet positive training methods when practicing basic obedience. Negative methods will not help this dog excel so patience will be needed. They are a swift breed that will excel in agility trials or lure coursing as this would be fun exercise for them and great practice!

Activity

The Podenco Ibicenco will need a large amount of exercise daily. Daily walks or jogs will needed at least 3 times per day or trips to the off-leash dog park so they can run and socialize with other dogs. This breed needs to run and they enjoy chasing after a ball or running alongside their owner. The Ibizian should not be kept off leash as they are a hound after all that could potentially chase after any small animal at a moments notice. This breed will do well in an apartment as long as they are exercised daily. A yard would be preferable but a very high fence will be needed as they can jump high from a standing position and have been known to clear fences!