History of the Ibizan Hound or Podenco Ibicenco as Hunting Dogs

The Ibizan Hound, also called Podenco Ibicenco, is an agile, deer-like, elegant and athletic hound that has a long, arched neck, long wedge-shaped head, amber eyes and very large, triangular ears which stand up when the dog is alert. Several examples of Ancient Egyptian art, some from 5000 years ago, depict dogs closely resembling today's Ibizan Hound. In early times, the same ancient Middle Eastern, prick-eared dogs that created the Pharaoh Hound were brought by trading ships to the Ba-laeric Islands off the coast of Spain. One of these islands, Ibiza, gave this breed its name. Despite their isolated development, far from Malta, the dominance of their ancient characteristics allowed these two independently developed breeds to look very much alike even after many centuries. Ibizan Hounds were said to have ridden atop Hannibal's elephants when he invaded Italy; the fact that this Carthaginian general was actually born on Ibiza gives weight to the story. Ibizan Hounds have been known in their present form on the islands of Ibiza and its neighbor, Formentera, eight miles to the south, for more than 5,000 years. The Ibizan was welcomed as an admirable hunter of rabbit and other small game on this poor island, where these prizes supplemented the diet of inhabitants whose food was scarce. Owners couldn't afford to feed many puppies, and often the weaker pups and most of the males were drowned in the sea. The survivors were easy keepers who could stay healthy and spirited on a diet of a few fish heads, an occasional bit of goat meat, and whatever game they could scrounge for themselves. They were also known and worked in the nearby mainland provinces of Catalonia in Spain (where the breed is called in the Catalonian language, Ca Eivissencs) and the Provence and Roussillon area of France. Due to a silent style of hunting, the Ibizan or his crosses were often the choice of French poachers, who called him Charnique or Charnegue. These clandestine activities led to a declaration of this dog being banned in France. Continuing in this vein as a simple hunting dog brought the Ibizan halfway through the 20th century. At that time, the breed came to the attention of a dog authority and judge from Spain, Dona Maria Dolores Olives de Cotonera, the Marquesa de Belgida of Barcelona. She wanted to save this now indigenous Spanish breed. Her kennel, located on the larger Ba-laeric island of Majorca (Mallorca), soon was producing high quality dogs that she promoted throughout Spain and the Continent. When interest generated in America, she personally saw that good quality representatives were sent to begin breeding programs in the USA. Soon the Ibizan Hound was seen in many countries of the world, as a pet, as an exhibition dog, on race tracks, and in hunting or coursing competitions. In 1958, a special commission from the Egyptian government was sent to Ibiza and Formentera to see examples of the breed and bring specimens to their country. After 5,000 years, the Ibizan Hound returned home! Their style of hunting utilizes scent and sound (with their huge antennae ears), as well as sight. They can follow their quarry in and out of brush, over walls and through any type of obstacle course. They are sighthounds, meaning they hunt by sight rather than depending solely on scent. If they lose sight of their prey in heavy cover, they stand on their hind legs to relocate the game. It can also be used in nocturnal hunting. He is a steady pointer when he discovers game, and can also retrieve very well. Guns are unnecessary. When hunting to provide food for their masters' table, the Ibizans locate the prey by scent, flush and chase until they catch it and break its neck, and then gently retrieve the prize to hand.