"Malcolm" at a show  
All about the Ibizan Hound or as it is also called: Podenco Ibicenco.
This Hound is embraced by the Danish "Myndeklubben" - the Danish Sighthound Club, even though it is officially placed in group 5 by the FCI, who govern in Europe and which Denmark is a member. It is a hunter who not only uses it eyes, but also its extremely large and alert alert ears with keen hearing, which are an important feature of this breed. It is a very ancient breed that can be seen depicted in the Egyptian writings and pyramid decorations. Above is a picture of USACH CANCH Caesares Flying First Class (S.C., CGC, FCH) All the dogs shown below are owned by Lise-Lotte and Leif Knudsen, Kennel Flying Danes, Denmark.
Origins
The breed originates from the Balearic islands of Mallorca, Ibiza, Minorca and Formentera, where it is know under its original name of “Ca Eivissec”. It is also common in Catalonia, around Valencia, in Roussillon and Provence, where it is known under the names of Mallorqui, Xarnelo, Mayorquais, Charnegui and Chien des Balearic. It is believed that the breed was brought to these islands by the Phoenicians and maybe also by the Romans. It is a typical representative of an ancient robust type of dog and one of the oldest that can be traced back thorugh time. Drawings of these dogs have been found in the Egyptian tombs and pieces of art taken from these to museums around the world, some dating back to around 3400 BC.
They are used mainly for rabbit hunting without weapons and guns, both by day and by night. Using it's agility, good hearing and hunting instinct, it's quick to seek out and catch its prey.

Characteristics
A very kind and open dog describes the breed well. Loved by children, who seem to sense its friendliness and playful mind. It is easily upset if harshly corrected as its extremely good hearing. (Note the beautiful and large errect ears!) This makes it a dog one absolutely should not shout commands at all the time.
It also has a very good nose and is excellent at tracking down its quarry by following its scent. Ibizans are very strong and untiring dogs and are even to this day used for hunting both by day as well as at night, either singly or in groups. It is not a breed that just dashes off and doesn't come again, but is good at retrieving and a hunt with them is just as successful even without the use of guns! It is said that a couple of Ibizans, without much difficulty, have managed to catch up to 100 rabbits in one day.
However, these qualities are mostly unusable where we live so they must manage with artificial lure coursing, retrieving and several have shown a flair for obedience and the like.

But above all it is also a lively, loving and devoted family dog! One piece of advice to future Ibizan owners is, that one should be extremely careful where one lets this dog run loose! One must be a long way from roads with heavy traffic and any possible wild prey that it might run after. It is a tireless hunter, so be warned!
The best one can do is to go regularly to obedience training and thereby get a reasonable amount of control over the dog.
A puppy - guess who!
Here you can see Lise-Lotte and Leif Knudsen's dog: Frontrunner's Play With Fire or "Zappa", when he was only 5 months.

The worst thing this breed knows is to get bored! They are active and lively and extremely nosy. If there's nothing in particular happening - then it will invent something or other to get attention or pass the time of day!
Ibizans need stimulating with various activities and a lot of talking to- but it understands only what it chooses! It will gaze at you mysteriously, teasing and loving for hours. If you have a clear conscience regarding its exercise, the attention you have paid to it and you have played with it - then you have in turn an entertaining and devoted friend!
Zappa in bed!
Here is Zappa at only 6 months in bed with his "father" Lief! Ibizans just love all the home comforts - and are a very neat and clean dogs to have in the house.
Appearance
The Ibizan is a tall breed, nearly the same in length as in height. Seen from above it is a very narrow dog. The chest doesn't reach quite down to the elbow, (as it does in many of the other sighthound breeds). It is moderately curved in the back legs. It should have a level top line and a moderate underline. It is without exaggerations. Moving at the walk or trot Ibizans gait very narrowly and have a light, springy step. The head is long and narrow and must not look in any way like a Greyhound. It has a clearly defined curve of neck and very upright standing ears. The nose is unusual for a dog: it is flesh coloured! The tale is borne proudly in a curve up over the back but never tightly rolled up or in a ring. The Ibizan is has 3 hair types - which are kept strictly separate: Smooth haired, Wire haired or Long haired.
Size at the shoulder for males: 66 - 72 cm and females: 60 - 67 cm. The preferred colours are: White/red or self coloured white or red. Fawn is allowed, though not for the smooth haired variety. In Spain, it is preferred that the ribs and hips are clearly visible.
A few odd facts about the breed:
First registered in Spain in 1922.
First registered in FCI in 1931.
First import to England in 1926.
First time shown at Crufts in 1929.
Examples of the breed were kept at the i ZOO in Berlin until right up in this century
There are today (1999) something like 12 Ibizans registered in Denmark.
In Norway there are about 70 and in Sweden about 10. In Finland there are only a few.
In Germany there are around 20, Holland about 5, Belgium about 5, and in Poland about 5. Spain is of course leading in numbers and some breeders have up to about a 100 Ibizans.
England has also quite a number, as has the USA.

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My e-mail: janetfm@sighthound.net
"Duke" at 8 months
Danish bred Frontrunner's Thin White Duke at 8 months.

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