Ibizan Hound
依比沙獵犬
Updated 2026-09-09
At a glance
The Ibizan Hound is a lithe, leggy rabbit hunter from the Balearic Islands, an ancient type that hunts by sight, scent and hearing and can clear a five- or six-foot fence from a standstill. Even-tempered, affectionate and loyal, a little aloof but sweet-natured and family-oriented, it is more trainable than many sighthounds and excels at lure coursing, agility and tracking. It needs a lot of exercise, a tall secure fence and a lead whenever it is not in a controlled space, because its prey drive will take over in an instant.
Facts
| Size | Medium |
|---|---|
| Height | 57–70cm |
| Weight | 18–25kg |
| Life expectancy | 11–14years |
| Breed group | AKC: hound FCI: 5 |
| Role | Hound |
| Coat | Short coat |
| Shedding | 2/ 5 |
| Exercise | 90–180min/day |
| Can be left alone | up to 3 hours |
| Companionship need | 5/ 5 |
| Trainability | 3/ 5 |
| Barking | 3/ 5 |
| Good with children | 3/ 5 |
| Good with other dogs | 5/ 5 |
| Heat tolerance | 4/ 5 |
| Cold tolerance | 1/ 5 |
Health
This page is general information compiled from published sources. It is not veterinary, legal or purchase advice. Dogs vary within a breed — talk to a vet or a reputable breeder about the dog in front of you.
Health notes are not veterinary advice. Conditions listed are those reported for the breed, not a diagnosis of any dog. Always consult a veterinarian.
Hip dysplasia
Commonly reported in the breed; breeders screen hips by X-ray. Ask your vet about hip screening and about keeping your dog lean and fit.
Inherited eye conditions
Various inherited eye conditions are reported in the breed; annual eye examinations by a veterinary ophthalmologist are recommended for breeding stock. Ask your vet about eye screening.
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is reported in the breed. Ask your vet about thyroid testing if you notice weight gain, lethargy or coat changes.
Congenital deafness
Congenital deafness is reported in the breed; puppies can be BAER hearing-tested. Ask your breeder about hearing tests.
Immune-mediated conditions
Immune-mediated conditions are reported in the breed. Ask your vet if your dog has unexplained illness.
Behaviour
Athlete that clears fences and chases
The AKC says it is not uncommon for an Ibizan to jump five or six feet from a standing position, so a tall, secure fence is essential; it needs vigorous daily play or a couple of long walks, makes a fine jogging companion, and has such a strong prey drive that it should never be off lead in an uncontrolled setting because it will take off after perceived prey at a moment's notice.
Even-tempered, easy-going, trainable
The CKC describes an even-tempered, affectionate and loyal hound that is very trainable and easy-going, hunting by sight, scent and hearing rather than sight alone, with lots of stamina and a natural hunting instinct, benefiting from regular exercise and lots of safe running room. The AKC adds it is a bit aloof but sweet-natured and family-oriented, alert to strangers yet friendly and outgoing.
Temperament
The AKC summarises the breed's temperament as "family-oriented / even-tempered / polite".
Energy and exercise
Energy level is rated 5/5 (very high) on the AKC breed-trait chart. The Royal Kennel Club puts its exercise need at "more than 2 hours per day".
Training and barking
AKC trait chart: trainability 3/5, barking level 3/5. Individual dogs vary; early socialisation and reward-based training are recommended for every breed.
Official guidance
Summaries of official documents are ours; the source is linked. Breed standards, laws and licensing rules change — check the issuing body for the current version.
American Kennel Club — Ibizan Hound
Breed overview, breed-trait chart, history, official standard summary and health notes from the AKC and the national parent club.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
Canadian Kennel Club — Ibizan Hound (Hounds)
Origin, temperament, activity level, height/weight, coat and grooming as described by the Canadian Kennel Club.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
The Royal Kennel Club — Ibizan Hound
Breed characteristics (size large, exercise more than 2 hours per day, lifespan over 10 years).
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
FCI nomenclature — Ibizan Podenco (standard no. 89, group 5)
FCI breed nomenclature entry with the official breed standard PDF in English, French, German and Spanish.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
What owners say
Owner advice is quoted from public community posts and reflects those owners' opinions, not PocketPaw's position. It is unverified and not a substitute for professional advice. Each item links to where it was said.
“The parent club calls the Ibizan a hearty breed with few seriously affected by hereditary problems compared with many popular breeds, and lists its CHIC screening set as hips (OFA or PennHIP), an ACVO eye examination, a BAER hearing test for congenital deafness, an OFA thyroid panel and a cardiac evaluation. It stresses that a CHIC number is not a clean bill of health — results only have to be published, not normal — so look them up rather than assume they were clear, and avoid impulse-buying a puppy.”
— Ibizan Hound Club of the United States — Health and the Ibizan Hound via breed clubWorldwide2026-09-09
Sources
- [1]Ibizan Hound — Dog Breed Information — American Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [2]Ibizan Hound — Choosing a Breed — Canadian Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [3]Ibizan Hound — Breeds A to Z — The Royal Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [4]Ibizan Podenco — FCI standard no. 89 — Fédération Cynologique Internationale (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [5]How do I help my dog adjust to spending time alone? — The Royal Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [6]Incidence and risk factors for heat-related illness (heatstroke) in UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016 (Hall, Carter & O'Neill, Scientific Reports 10:9128) — Nature / Scientific Reports (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [7]Health and the Ibizan Hound — Ibizan Hound Club of the United States — Ibizan Hound Club of the United States (public health pages) (Accessed 2026-09-09)
Still have questions?
Ask owners on the PawMunity forum — every breed has its own board.
Breed data compiled by PocketPaw from the sources credited on each entry. Text and layout © 2026 NextPath Solutions Limited. Please link to a page rather than copying it.