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Home > Dogs > Dog Breeds > Ibizan Hound Dog Breed Guide: Info, Pictures, Care & More!

Ibizan Hound Dog Breed Guide: Info, Pictures, Care & More!

Ibizan Hound

The Ibizan Hound or Beezer as this breed is often called, is a slender, elegant dog with a history dating back to the time of the pharaohs of Egypt. If you’re on the hunt for a medium to a tall-sized dog that will turn heads whenever you’re out for a walk, a Beezer may be just what you’re looking for. This beautiful dog that’s often red and white in color has a long narrow head, large erect ears, long slender legs, and flesh-colored pigment on its nose and eye rims, bearing an uncanny resemblance to the Egyptian god Anubis.

Breed Overview

Height:

12-27 inches

Weight:

45-55 pounds

Lifespan:

10-12 years

Colors:

Solid red or white, fawn, red and white

Suitable for:

Active individuals and families looking for a dog with low grooming needs

Temperament:

Friendly, gentle, curious, playful, intelligent, sensitive, stubborn

The Ibizan Hound’s gait is a high-stepping one and the dog carries its tail fairly high while it’s trotting along. This dog’s deer-like elegance is very obvious when it’s running at full speed and jumping over rough terrain.

The Beezer has a wonderful temperament as it’s gentle and easy-going, getting along well with nearly everyone it meets, including children and other dogs. A Beezer is a sighthound which means this dog tends to chase anything that moves and especially small animals like cats, rabbits, and squirrels. To learn more about the Ibizan Hound, continue reading the guide below to find out if this is the right breed for you.

Ibizan Hound Characteristics

Energy:
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High-energy dogs will need a lot of mental and physical stimulation to stay happy and healthy, while low-energy dogs require minimal physical activity. It’s important when choosing a dog to make sure their energy levels match your lifestyle or vice versa.
Trainability:
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Easy-to-train dogs are more skilled at learning prompts and actions quickly with minimal training. Dogs that are harder to train will require a bit more patience and practice.
Health:
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Some dog breeds are prone to certain genetic health problems, and some more than others. This doesn’t mean that every dog will have these issues, but they have an increased risk, so it’s important to understand and prepare for any additional needs they may require.
Lifespan:
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Some breeds, due to their size or their breeds potential genetic health issues, have shorter lifespans than others. Proper exercise, nutrition, and hygiene also play an important role in the lifespan of your pet.
Sociability:
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Some dog breeds are more social than others, both towards humans and other dogs. More social dogs have a tendency to run up to strangers for pets and scratches, while less social dogs shy away and are more cautious, even potentially aggressive. No matter the breed, it’s important to socialize your dog and expose them to lots of different situations.

divider-paw Ibizan Hound Puppies

If you’re able to meet a litter of Ibizan Hound puppies, consider yourself fortunate because this is a relatively rare breed of dog in the United States. Before committing to taking a Beezer puppy home, be sure you know as much as you can about this breed to ensure it’s the right fit for you.

Ibizan Hounds have a tendency to chase small animals so you must keep this dog leashed at all times when out walking. Beezers also tend to bark when they’re chasing so be sure you can deal with that.

Aside from their chasing and barking tendencies, these dogs are gentle beings that enjoy spending time with their owners. In fact, a Beezer would quickly forgo a romp outside if he’s given the chance to curl up on the couch next to his favorite human!


Temperament & Intelligence of the Ibizan Hound

Ibizan Hound posing elegantly against the backdrop of a town square
Image By: Sergii_Petruk, Shutterstock

The lean and athletic Ibizan Hound is a smart, easy-going dog that is very loyal to its owner. This is a dog that likes being pampered and one that tends to be quiet inside the house. The Ibizan Hound can be a bit standoffish with strangers and even a little aloof with its family. But this dog is very kind and gentle. When the dog is allowed outside, it will quickly give chase to anything it deems prey whether it’s a passing rabbit or a neighborhood cat.

The Ibizan Hound was bred to run and hunt. Even if this dog is relaxing with its owner on the couch, it will quickly give up that comfort for the chance to run, jump, chase, and play!

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 👪

Ibizan Hounds make great family dogs and even for families with other dogs and small kids. This even-tempered dog is very family-oriented and can even live happily in an apartment with a single owner as long as it’s provided with a good amount of attention and exercise.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets?

Beezers are sweet-natured, affectionate dogs that enjoy the company of other dogs. An Ibizan Hound is sure to be an excellent partner with another dog if the two animals are raised together from puppyhood. This dog can also learn to get along with other pets although it may feel the need to bark and chase small pets like cats. If you have a pet rabbit, it’s best to slowly and carefully introduce your Ibizan Hound to your rabbit so the dog doesn’t view it as something to chase and capture. Don’t forget that these dogs were bred for rabbit hunting so it’s ingrained in them that rabbits are prey!

divider-dog paw Things to Know When Owning an Ibizan Hound:

Before you go out and look for an Ibizan Hound to buy, you should know a few important things about this dog breed. We’ve put together some key points to ponder before committing to buy one of these regal, deer-like dogs.

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

Like other dog breeds, the Ibizan Hound must be fed a healthy diet and exercised regularly to keep it healthy and happy. You can feed this dog dry kibble or wet dog food as long as it’s of good quality. An Ibizan Hound should be fed an appropriate amount of dog food for its age three to four times a day. It’s best not to leave the dog food down all the time because this dog, like other breeds, can eat too fast or too much, which could lead to bloat.

Exercise 🐕

An Ibizan Hound will need to take two to three walks a day. If you’re into jogging, this dog would make a good running partner, as long as you keep it on a leash so it won’t dash off in pursuit of a passing cat, squirrel, or another small animal. The Ibizan Hound has lots of stamina and speed so you’d have a difficult time catching up to the dog if it did run away.

Ideally, this dog would love to run free in a big fenced yard. If you do plan on letting your Beezer run free in a fenced yard, be sure the fence is high enough to prevent the dog from getting out of the yard, because Ibizan Hounds are impressive jumpers!

Training 🎾

Because the Ibizan Hound has a strong prey drive, obedience training should begin early with this breed. It’s important that your Beezer becomes well socialized with adults, kids, other dogs, and other animals so try to expose your dog to as many people and pets as possible and start as soon as you get your dog.

Leash training with an Ibizan Hound is also important to teach the dog to walk at your side and to heel when told. Beezers are smart dogs that learn quickly but they do have a stubborn side. Just be patient and persistent and train as often as possible! Before you know it, you’ll have an obedient, well-trained dog that will make your life and your Beezer’s life more pleasant!

ibizan hound walk_Unsplash
Image By: Mitchell Orr, Unsplash

Grooming ✂️

A short-haired Ibizan Hound is an easy dog to care for as it doesn’t have thick, long hair to brush. If you get a wire-haired Ibizan Hound, you’ll have a bit more brushing to do! Either way, plan on brushing your dog at least once a week to remove loose hairs and to stimulate the skin underneath. Remember that every loose hair you brush away is one less hair on your couch or floors!

Beezers also need their nails clipped monthly which is easy to do with the right tool. If you’re not comfortable with nail clipping, find a groomer near you who’ll do the job. The dog’s teeth and gums need attention as well. It’s a great idea to brush your dog’s teeth every couple of days using a dog toothbrush and toothpaste. This type of basic oral care will go a long way in preventing tooth loss and gum disease.

Health and Conditions 🏥

Ibizan Hounds are robust, healthy dogs that can live up to 12 years. However, like with most breeds, Beezers are prone to developing some health issues including the following.

Minor Conditions
  • Allergies
  • Deafness
  • Glaucoma
Serious Conditions

Male vs. Female

The size difference between a male and female Ibizan Hound is minimal with the female being only slightly lighter and shorter. There’s not much difference between the two sexes when it comes to temperament either. However, a male Ibizan Hound may be a bit more ‘needy’ than a female, although that’s not always the case.

Like with other dogs, it is cheaper to neuter a male versus spaying a female as the spay procedure is more complicated. If money is a factor for you, maybe you’d be better off getting a male Beezer so you can save a few hundred dollars.

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3 Little-Known Facts About the Ibizan Hound

1. They Can Run Fast and Jump High

It shouldn’t come as a big surprise that an Ibizan Hound can run fast and jump high, considering this dog’s racy body. However, you may be surprised to learn that a Beezer can run up to 40 miles per hour and jump up to 6 feet in the air!


2. It’s One of the Oldest Dog Breeds Alive Today

As the name suggests, the Ibizan Hound hails from the Mediterranean isle of Ibiza where the breed was originally used to hunt rabbits and other small game. While this bit of history is interesting enough, there’s more! It’s thought that this dog’s history dates thousands of years before it was documented living on the isle of Ibiza.  Some people believe this dog was brought to Ibiza and its neighboring islands as early as 800 B.C. by Phoenician traders!


3. The Dog Comes in Two Coat Types

While most Ibizan Hounds you come across have short smooth coats, there is another coat variation of this breed which is wire-haired. The wire-haired Beezer looks quite different from its short-haired counterpart as it has stiff wiry hair that’s about 3-inches long. Some people think there is also a long-haired type of Beezer although those with longer hair are likely a variation of the wire-haired type.

Ibizan Hound close up_Nik174_Shutterstock
Image By: Nik174, Shutterstock

divider-paw Final Thoughts: Ibizan Hound

The Ibizan Hound is a graceful, slender dog with a wonderful temperament. This dog has a high prey drive as it was bred to hunt rabbits and other small game. If you’re looking for a family-friendly dog with a heart of gold, a beautiful Beezer may be the perfect breed for you. This is an adaptable dog that can be just as happy living in an apartment as a big house, as long as it gets plenty of exercise and attention from its owner.


Featured Image Credit: Nik174, Shutterstock

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