Ibizan Hound
A deer in a dog's body — amber-eyed, candle-eared, and airborne more often than seems possible.
Vital stats
| Size | Large · 60–72 cm |
| Weight | 20–29 kg |
| Life expectancy | 11–14 years |
| Energy | High — daily sprints plus 60 min |
| Shedding | Low |
| Coat | Short or wire coat · red & white |
| Group | Hound · FCI №89 / AKC |
Breed traits
Friendliness
Care
Mind
Temperament
Bred on the Balearic Islands to hunt rabbits across rock and scrub, the Ibizan combines sighthound speed with a spring-loaded vertical leap and a mischievous streak. At home it is quiet, clean, and affectionate on its own terms — polite with guests, devoted to family, and always calculating whether the worktop is reachable. (It is.)
Habits & quirks
The vertical surprise
Worktops, tables, six-foot fences — if an Ibizan can see it, it's considering the jump.
Blushing ears
Those huge upright ears flush pink with excitement — a built-in mood indicator.
Counter-surfing élan
It doesn't steal food so much as levitate towards it with silent, dignified precision.
Sun worship
Between sprints, an Ibizan folds itself into the warmest, softest sunbeam available.
Care
| Containment | Fencing needs to be genuinely tall and secure — this breed out-jumps almost every other. |
| Exercise | Daily opportunities to sprint in a safe enclosed space, plus walks; a bored Ibizan invents parkour. |
| Warmth | A fine coat and lean frame mean coats in winter and padded bedding indoors. |
| Training | Sensitive and independent — reward-based methods only, and never trust recall against a fleeing rabbit. |
Common questions
Can Ibizan Hounds really jump that high?
Yes — flat-footed leaps over head-height are well documented. Plan fencing, and worktop storage, accordingly.
Are Ibizan Hounds good family pets?
Gentle, quiet and clean indoors, they suit calm, active families well. They're reserved with strangers rather than guardy.
Do Ibizan Hounds come in different coats?
Two varieties — smooth and wire-haired, both in red and white. Grooming for either is happily minimal.