Breed library

Ibizan Hound

Also known as Ibizan Podenco, Podenco Ibicenco.

Ibizan Hound photograph.
Podenco z ibizy 645.jpg - Jan Eduard , corrected by Pleple2000. CC BY-SA 3.0. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Podenco_z_ibizy_645.jpg. License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/. License: CC BY-SA 3.0.

Breed overview

The Ibizan Hound (podenco ibicenco, ca eivissenc) is a lean, agile dog of the hound family. There are two hair types of the breed: smooth and wire. The more commonly seen type is the smooth.

  • Breed classification: PodencoBreed reference breed group.
  • Breed type: dog breedBreed reference breed kind.
  • Country of origin: IbizaBreed reference country of origin.

Breed facts

  • DNA analysis indicates that the breed was formed recently from other breeds.
  • The Ibizan Hound is similar in function and type to several breeds, such as the Pharaoh Hound, the Cirneco dell'Etna, the Portuguese Podengo, and the Podenco Canario.
  • The Ibizan Hound is the largest of these breeds, classified by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale as primitive types.
  • The Ibizan Hound (podenco ibicenco, ca eivissenc) is a lean, agile dog of the hound family.
  • The Ibizan Hound is a fast dog that can hunt on all types of terrain, working by scent, sound and sight.

Size and appearance

The Ibizan Hound has large upright ears and a lean, athletic outline. Both smooth-haired and wire-haired varieties are described. Red and white coats occur, with amber-colored eyes and light tan nose and eye rims.

  • Height reference: Up to 67 cmBreed reference height. female, maximum.
  • Height reference: 60 cm or moreBreed reference height. female, minimum.
  • Height reference: 66 cm or moreBreed reference height. male, minimum.
  • Height reference: Up to 72 cmBreed reference height. male, maximum.
  • Coat texture: wiry
  • Coat texture: smooth
  • Height category: tall
  • Height category: very_tall

Personality and behavior

Ibizan Hounds are intelligent, active, and engaging by nature. They are true "clowns" of the dog world, delighting in entertaining their people with their antics. Though somewhat independent and stubborn at times, they do take well to training if positive methods are used, but they will balk at punitive training methods. They are generally quiet but will alarm bark if necessary, so they make good watch dogs. They are sensitive hounds, and very good around children and other dogs alike. They generally make good house dogs but are active and athletic, therefore need a lot of daily exercise. They do not make good kennel dogs. Ibizan hounds are sweet, but they are very stubborn and independent. Ibizan Hounds are "escapologists": they are able to jump incredible heights from a standstill, so they need very tall fences. They also have been known to climb, and many can escape from crates and can open baby gates and even locks. They have a strong prey drive, therefore they cannot be trusted off leash unless in a safely enclosed area. Once off the leash, they might not come back for a long time. A hound that knows where its home is and the surrounding area will usually return unscathed.

Exercise and activities

This breed originates in the island of Ibiza and has been traditionally used in the Catalan-speaking areas of Spain, and France where it was known under the name of le charnigue, to hunt rabbits and other small game. The Ibizan Hound is a fast dog that can hunt on all types of terrain, working by scent, sound and sight. Hunters run these dogs in mostly female packs, with perhaps a male or two, as the female is considered the better hunter. Traditionally a farmer may have one dog and a very well off farmer two dogs to catch rabbits for food. However, in the last twenty years it is seen as a sport where between five and fifteen dogs can be seen in the chase of one rabbit.

Training and enrichment

Care planning: choose one everyday skill to practice and keep a record of each session. Note the cue, the reward your dog enjoys and what went well. Rotate familiar games and new activities, and use your notes to choose the next small step.

Coat and grooming

Care planning: use the coat details above to discuss a grooming routine with your groomer. Record brushing sessions, baths and appointments in the app. Add the tools you use and your preferred schedule so the whole household can follow the same routine.

  • Coat texture: wiry
  • Coat texture: smooth

Health and lifespan

Care planning: keep your dog's veterinary records, health-check dates and agreed care plan together. Add reminders for appointments and record changes you want to discuss at the next visit. Use the linked breed organizations and original references to explore their current health resources.

Living with this breed

Care planning: compare this profile's adult dimensions, coat care and available activity information with your household's routine. Make a shortlist, plan who will handle daily care and save the questions you want to ask a breed club, rescue or breeder.

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Compare supported adult height and weight ranges, matching research measures and sourced coat and care categories.

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Breed history

DNA analysis indicates that the breed was formed recently from other breeds. The Ibizan Hound is similar in function and type to several breeds, such as the Pharaoh Hound, the Cirneco dell'Etna, the Portuguese Podengo, and the Podenco Canario. The Ibizan Hound is the largest of these breeds, classified by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale as primitive types.

Clubs and further reading

Sources

  1. Wikidata structured breed dataWikimedia contributors Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC0 1.0. Wikidata contributors (CC0).
  2. National C-BARQ breed and all-breed means from USA.PLOS ONE / Figshare Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC BY 4.0. Bohland, Kyle R.; Lilly, Meghan Leanne; Herron, Meghan E.; Arruda, Andréia G.; O’Quin, Jeanette M. (2023). National C-BARQ breed and all-breed means from USA.. PLOS ONE. Dataset. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0289356.s003 CC BY 4.0. Selected rows and field names adapted; values unchanged.
  3. File:Podenco z ibizy 645.jpgWikimedia Commons Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC BY-SA 3.0. Podenco z ibizy 645.jpg - Jan Eduard , corrected by Pleple2000. CC BY-SA 3.0. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Podenco_z_ibizy_645.jpg. License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/.
  4. Ibizan Hound - WikipediaWikipedia contributors Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC BY-SA 4.0. Adapted excerpts from Wikipedia contributors, Ibizan Hound, revision 1337318874. CC BY-SA 4.0. Formatting, citations and selection changed. Source history: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ibizan_Hound&action=history
  5. Palipaws everyday care planningPalipaws Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: Palipaws original factual summaries. Palipaws. Original care-planning text, separate from breed measurements and licensed article summaries.
  6. AKC national parent club directoryAmerican Kennel Club Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: Factual reference only. Names and verified external links only. No source descriptions, logos or endorsement reused.