Ibizans, Lure Coursing and Conformation Dog Shows: 

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Ibizan Hounds:

** Spanish hunting video:**  This is an amazing video of Ibizans hunting on Ibiza.  This is a beautiful way to see the functionality of the breed and its very unique hunting/ running style.  

 http://video.google.es/videoplay?docid=-1136543284183346223

About the Breed and Breed History:  Please visit http://www.ibizan.freeservers.com/ This is an excellent site !         

Lure Coursing:

Lure coursing was developed in the mid 1970s in California as a human alternative to open field coursing.  There are currently two organizations who offer lure coursing tests and trials: the American Sighthound Field Association (ASFA) and the American Kennel Club (AKC).  For more information and a video please visit http://www.asfa.org/coursing.htm 

Conformation Dog Shows:

 AKC Ibizan Hound Standard taken from the American Kennel Club (www.akc.org)

General Appearance
The Ibizan's clean-cut lines, large prick ears and light pigment give it a unique appearance. A hunting dog whose quarry is primarily rabbits, this ancient hound was bred for thousands of years with function being of prime importance. Lithe and racy, the Ibizan possesses a deerlike elegance combined with the power of a hunter. Strong, without appearing heavily muscled, the Ibizan is a hound of moderation. With the exception of the ears, he should not appear extreme or exaggerated.

In the field the Ibizan is as fast as top coursing breeds and without equal in agility, high jumping and broad jumping ability. He is able to spring to great heights from a standstill.

Size, Proportion, Substance

Size--The height of dogs is 23½ inches to 27½ inches at the withers. Bitches are 22½ to 26 inches at the withers. There is no preference for size within this range. Sizes slightly over or under the norms are not to be regarded as demerits when other qualities are good. Weight--Average weight of dogs is 50 pounds; bitches, 45 pounds. Proportion--Slightly longer than tall. Substance--The Ibizan possesses clean, fine bone. The muscling is strong, yet flat, with no sign of heaviness.

Head
Long and narrow in the form of a sharp cone truncated at its base. Finely chiseled and extremely dry fleshed.

Expression
The Ibizan has an elegant, deer-like look. The eyes are oblique and small, ranging in color from clear amber to caramel. The rims are the color of the nose and are fully or partially pigmented. The appearance of the eye is intelligent, alert and inquisitive. The ears are large, pointed, and natural. On alert the ear should never droop, bend, or crease. Highly mobile, the ear can point forward, sideways, or be folded backward, according to mood. On alert, the lowest point of the base is at level of the eye. On frontal examination, the height of the ear is approximately 2½ times that of the widest point of the base.

Skull
Long and flat, prominent occipital bone, little defined stop; narrow brow. The muzzle is elongated, fine, and slender with a very slight Roman convex. The length from the eyes to point of nose is equal to the distance from eyes to occiput. The muzzle and skull are on parallel planes. The nose is prominent, extending beyond the lower jaw. It is of a rosy flesh color, never black or liver, and tends to harmonize with that of the coat. Pigment is solid or butterfly. Nostrils are open. Lips are thin and tight and the color of the nose. Flews are tight and dry fleshed. Bite--The teeth are perfectly opposed in a scissors bite; strong and well set.

Neck, Topline, Body
The neck is long, slender, slightly arched and strong, yet flat muscled. The topline, from ears to tail, is smooth and flowing. The back is level and straight. Body --The chest is deep and long with the breastbone sharply angled and prominent. The ribs are slightly sprung. The brisket is approximately 2-1/2 inches above the elbow. The deepest part of the chest, behind the elbow, is nearly to or to the elbow. The abdomen is well tucked up, but not exaggerated. The loin is very slightly arched, of medium breadth and well muscled. The croup is very slightly sloping. The tail is set low, highly mobile, and reaches at least to the hock. It is carried in a sickle, ring, or saber position, according to the mood and individual specimen.

Forequarters
Angulation is moderate. The shoulders are elastic but never loose with moderate breadth at the withers. The shoulder blades are well laid back. At the point of the shoulder they join to a rather upright upper arm. The elbow is positioned in front of the deepest part of the chest. It is well held in but not so much as to restrict movement. Legs --The forearms are very long, strong, straight, and close, lying flat on the chest and continuing in a straight line to the ground. Bone is clean and fine. The pasterns are strong and flexible, slightly sloping, with well developed tendons. Dewclaw removal is optional. Feet: hare-foot. The toes are long, closed and very strong. Interdigital spaces are well protected by hair. Pads are durable. Nails are white.

Hindquarters
Angulation is moderate with the hindquarters being set under the body. Legs--The thighs are very strong with flat muscling. The hocks are straight when viewed from the rear. Bone is clean and fine. There are no rear dewclaws. The feet are as in front.

Coat
There are two types of coat; both untrimmed. Short--shortest on head and ears and longest at back of the thighs and under the tail. Wire-haired can be from one to three inches in length with a possible generous moustache. There is more hair on the back, back of thighs, and tail. Both types of coat are hard in texture and neither coat is preferable to the other.

Color
White or red, (from light, yellowish-red called "lion" to deep red), solid or in any combination. No color or pattern is preferable to the other. Disqualify any color other than white or red.

Gait
An efficient, light and graceful single tracking movement. A suspended trot with joint flexion when viewed from the side. The Ibizan exhibits smooth reach in front with balanced rear drive, giving the appearance of skimming over the ground.

Temperament
The Ibizan Hound is even-tempered, affectionate and loyal. Extremely versatile and trainable, he makes an excellent family pet, and is well suited to the breed ring, obedience, tracking and lure-coursing. He exhibits a keen, natural hunting instinct with much determination and stamina in the field.

Disqualification
Any color other than white or red. 

UKC Ibizan Hound Standard taken from the United Kennel Club website (www.ukcdogs.com)

IBIZAN HOUND
Official U.K.C. Breed Standard
Copyright 1992, United Kennel Club, Inc.

History
The lbizan Hound is considered to be one of the most ancient breeds of hounds and bears a striking resemblance to the Egyptian god, Anubis. Their name is taken from the island of Ibiza, which is off the coast of Spain. It is believed they were taken there by the Phoenicians around the eighth century. Another theory is that they were brought there by the invading Carthaginians in the sixth century. Regardless, the Ibizan Hound has been bred for thousands of years as a hunting dog, its primary quarry being rabbits. Although a Sighthound, they use sight, scent and sound while hunting. Function was, and still is, of prime importance.

The lbizan Hound was recognized by the United Kennel Club in 1979.

General Appearance
The Ibizan Hound is slightly longer than tall. They possess clean, fine bone and strong, flat muscling with no sign of heaviness. They present a unique appearance with their clean-cut lines, large prick ears and light-colored pigment. General appearance is to always be in moderation without exaggeration, with the exception of their characteristic ears.

Characteristics
The breed is characteristically even tempered, affectionate and loyal. Being extremely versatile and trainable, they make an excellent family pet as well as show dog and are well suited for tracking, obedience and lure coursing. Being a Sighthound, they exhibit a keen natural hunting instinct, coupled with much determination and stamina. The Ibizan possesses a deer-like elegance that is combined with the power of a hunter. They are not as fast as the top coursing breeds, but are without equal in agility and high jumping and broad jumping ability. The lbizan Hound is very flexible, being able to spring to great heights from a standstill and turn abruptly without losing speed.

Head and Skull
The long, narrow head is in the form of a sharp cone truncated at its base. It is finely chiseled and dry fleshed. The long, flat skull has a prominent occiput. The stop is only slightly defined. The length from the eyes to the point of the nose is equal to the distance from the eyes to the occiput. The skull and muzzle are on parallel planes. The thin, tight lips are the same color as the nose. Flews are tight.

TEETH - A full complement of strong, well set, white teeth meet in a scissors bite.

EYES - The small, oblique eyes range in color from clear amber to caramel. Their appearance is intelligent, alert and inquisitive. The fully or partially pigmented eye rims are the same color as that of the nose.

NOSE - The prominent nose extends beyond the lower jaw. The nostrils are open. Pigment is a rosy flesh color, tending to harmonize with coat color and may be solid or butterfly. It is never dark or liver in color.

EARS -The large, pointed, natural ears are highly mobile; they can point forward and sideways or be folded backward, according to the dog's mood. When the dog is alert, the ears never droop, bend or crease; the lowest point is at the level of the eye. When viewed from the front, ear height is approximately 2½ times that of the widest point of the base.

Neck
The long, slender, slightly-arched neck is strong yet flat muscled.

Forequarters
Forequarter angulation is moderate. The elastic shoulders are of moderate breadth at the withers; they are never loose. The shoulder blades are well laid back.

FORELEGS - The point of the shoulders join to a rather upright upper arm. The elbows are positioned in front of the deepest pan of the chest, and are well held in but not so much as to restrict movement. The long, strong, straight forearms are close and lie flat on the chest. They continue in a straight line to the ground. The bones of the forelegs are clean and fine. The strong, flexible pasterns slope slightly and have well developed tendons. Removal of dewclaws from the forelegs is optional.

Body
The topline, from the ears to the tail, is smooth and flowing. The back is level and straight. The slightly arched, well-muscled loin is of medium breadth. The croup slopes slightly. The chest is deep and long but not broad, the brisket being approximately 2½ inches above the elbow. The deepest part of the chest is behind the elbow and may be level with or above the elbow, but is never below it. The ribs are slightly sprung. The well-tucked-up abdomen is not exaggerated.

Hindquarters
Hindquarter angulation is moderate. The hind legs are set under the body.

HIND LEGS - The strong thighs have flat muscling. The bones of the hind legs are clean and fine. When viewed from behind, the hocks and rear pasterns are straight. If rear dewclaws are present, they are to be removed.

Feet
Hare type in shape. The long, closed toes are very strong. The interdigital spaces are well protected by hair. The pads are durable.

The nails are white. The front feet may toe out slightly.

Tail
The highly mobile, low set tail reaches at least to the hock. It may be carried in a sickle, ring or saber position, according to the individual dog's mood.

Coat
Two coat types are breed typical: Short and Wirehaired, and neither is to be preferred over the other. Both coats are to be left untrimmed.

SHORT - the Short coat is shortest on the head and ears and longest at the back of the thighs and under the tail.

WIREHAIRED - the Wirehaired coat may be from one to three inches in length, and there may be a generous moustache. There is more hair on the back, on the back of the thighs and under the tail than in the Short coat.

Color
Acceptable colors include white or red, solid or in any combination. The red may be from a light yellowish-red (called "lion") to a deep red. No color or pattern is to be preferred over any other.

Height and Weight
Height is measured at the withers. Height ranges are as follows: dogs, 23½ to 27½ inches; bitches, 22½ to 26 inches. No size is preferred within these ranges. If an individual dog's height is slightly over or under the stated range, they are not to be faulted if all other characteristics are good.

The average weight for dogs is 50 pounds, the range being 46 to 55 pounds; for bitches is 45 pounds, the range being 40 to 50 pounds.

Gait
Movement is efficient, light and graceful. As speed increases, the dog single tracks. When viewed from the side, the dog exhibits a suspended trot, with every joint showing great flexion. The smooth reach in the front is balanced by drive from the rear, making it appear that the dog is skimming over the ground while covering much distance. The dog is always in perfect balance, and the gait rhythm is difficult to break.

Disqualifications
Unilateral or bilateral cryptorchid. Viciousness or extreme shyness. Albinism. Any color other than white or red. Black or brown pigment in the skin or coat.

FCI Podenco Ibicenco Standard:

 ORIGIN : Spain (Balearic Islands).

 DATE OF PUBLICATION OF THE ORIGINAL VALID STANDARD : 26.05.1982. UTILIZATION : The Podenco Ibicenco is mainly used for hunting rabbits without guns, by day and  at night.  Thanks to his particularly good scenting ability, which, coupled with hearing, he uses more than sight, he scents and hunts out rabbits with ease, even in dense cover.  Nimble and bright, he catches his prey quickly, specially when hunting together with other dogs.  When one dog indicates game, he is surrounded by all the others, which keep a certain distance and stand in wait.  They bark only when they see or hear the game and when they have surrounded it.  Both when indicating and catching game, all dogs wag their tail fast, but are easily put off their waiting attitude.  The Podenco Ibicenco is also used for hunting hare and large game.  He is a good retriever.  With certain exceptions only bitches are used for the formation of a pack or, at most, with one male only, as the latter do not work together during a hunt and are quarrelsome.  When a pack has caught several thousand rabbits, it can happen with this breed, that some dogs from the same pack no longer want to hunt until they have had a considerable rest. The Spanish expression « enconillarse » ( go to rest ) refers to this peculiarity. 

CLASSIFICATION F.C.I. :   Group   5      Spitz and primitive types.        Section 7      Primitive type-Hunting dogs.  Without working trial.

 BRIEF HISTORICAL SUMMARY :  This breed originates in the Balearic Islands of Majorca, Ibiza, Minorca and Formentera, where it is known by the original name of « Ca Eivissec ».  It is also widely found in Catalonia, round Valencia, in the Roussillon and in the Provence, where it is known by the names Mallorquí, Xarnelo, Mayorquais, Charnegue, Charnegui and Balearic Dog.  Probably these dogs were brought to the islands by the Phoenecians, Carthaginians and eventually also the Romans.  This dog is a typical primitive and robust representative of one of the oldest still existing breeds.  Illustrations of these dogs are found in the graves of the Pharaohs and on objects in museums, so that the existence of the breed can already be proved in the year 3400 BC.

 IMPORTANT PROPORTION : The distance from the tip of the muzzle to the eyes is equal to that from the eyes to the occiput. HEAD : Seen as a whole, the long, fine head has the appearance of a cone cut off near its base ; completely dry, rather small in relation to body.   CRANIAL REGION : Skull : Long and flat (dolichocephalic).  Occipital bone protruding.  Forehead fine and flat.Stop : Barely pronounced. FACIAL REGION : Nose : Nose leather flesh colour.  Nostrils open.  Nasal bridge slightly arched.Muzzle : Nasal bridge and nose protrude over lower jaw ; fine, long and according to colour of coat, flesh colour. Lips : Thin,close fitting, flesh colour.Teeth : Perfect fitting bite, scissor bite, white and regular.Eyes : Slanting, small, light amber colour, reminiscent of caramel colour.  The amber colour can be more or less intensive according to coat colour.  Without seeming very noble, the expression shows intelligence but also fear and mistrust.Ears : Always stiff, very mobile.  Pointing forward or sideways in a horizontal plane or held backwards.  Upright when dog is animated.  The center of the ear set on is level with the eyes .  The shape is that of an elongated rhomboid, which has been cut off by a third of its long diagonal.  They are fine without hair on the inside of the ear opening ; of medium, not exaggerated size.     NECK : Very dry, both in its upper and lower part.  Its length is a quarter the length of the body, slightly arched and muscular.  Skin is taut, smooth, without dewlap.  Normally, the coat is longer and denser in the region of the set on to the body, especially in the smooth variety.   BODY : Regarded as a whole, the body is symmetric, slightly convex and of medium, even proportions, compact and slightly longer than heigh, without the differences being laid down exactly.Withers : Well defined, high, dry and long.  Back : Long, straight and pliable.  Muscles strong, yet flat.Loins : Arched, of medium breadth, strong and firm.  Croup : Strongly sloping with bone structure visible ; it shows very strong, hard muscles.Chest : Deep, narrow and long, but not reaching to the elbows.  Forechest pointed and strongly protruding.  Ribs flat. Abdomen :Tucked up, but not too much. TAIL : Set on low ; there should be some longer and coarser, slightly offstanding hairs (like ears of grain) towards the tip ; long.  When the tail is pulled through between the legs, it should reach the spine.  Slightly thicker at set on, gradually tapering towards the tip.  Hanging naturally in repose ; in movement carried in sickle shape more or less tightly curved.  Preferably not carried upright or too much curled over back.    LIMBS  FOREQUARTERS : Vertical, symmetric.  Seen from front, the position of the front legs is very close together ; altogether sturdy, with long limbs which give the impression of a slim, fast, yet strong animal.Shoulders : Shoulder blades slanting, strong and freely mobile.Upper arm : Very long, straight, strong and very close in position. Elbow : Broad, set well apart from the body, parallel to the median plane of the body, but never loose.Forearm : Broadening towards front pastern.Pastern : Strong, firm, broad and well upright. HINDQUARTERS : Vertical with long, strong, flat muscles.   Hock : Well angulated, broad, set low, vertical, turning neither out nor in. FEET : Almost harefoot.  Toes long and close together.  Profuse hair in space between toes ; nails very strong and normally white, occasionally according to coat colour.  Pads very hard. GAIT/MOVEMENT  : The preferred movement is a suspended trot.  Gallop is very fast and gives the impression of great agility. SKIN : Taut, close fitting to body ; reddish pigment, but may be a different colour where coat colour differs.  COAT  HAIR : Smooth rough or long hair.  ·       The smooth should not be silky, but strong and shiny.·       The rough should be hard and very dense, somewhat shorter on head and ears and somewhat longer on rear of thighs and underside of tail.  A beard is highly valued.  The longhair is softer and should have at least a length of 5 cm.  The head is very densely coated. COLOUR : Preferred are white and red, or entirely white or red.  Fawn dogs are permitted, provided it is an exceptionally good specimen ; in smooth coats, however, this colour is not permitted. HEIGHT :       Dogs :     66 to 72 cm.                         Bitches : 60 to 67 cm.Without undue strictness, dogs which are close to the required measurements can be accepted, provided they are well proportioned and aesthetic.  FAULTS : Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree. SERIOUS FAULTS : ·       Head short and broad.·       Stop markedly pronounced.·       Missing of a premolar.·       Drop ears.·       Barrel ribs.·       Elbows turned outwards.·       Cow hocks.·       Feet turned out.·       Crossing of feet and hocks in movement. ELIMINATING FAULTS : ·       Skull in the shape of a stair( plane of skull too high in relation to nasal bridge).·       Brown pigment or black spots on nose leather.·       Any form of prognathism.·       Eyelids and lips : Reddish brown.·       Evidence of crossing with a « Galgo » or other form of sighthound :- Folded ears.- Dark eyes.- Croup broad.- Barely defined forechest.- Front legs wide apart.- Thighs rounded and broad with visible veins. N.B. : Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.