Ibizan Hound Dogs for Adoption in West Des Moines, IA

No, a purebred Ibizan Hound is not black. The breed standard allows only red, ranging from light lion to deep red, and white, either solid or in any combination. Nose, eye rims and other pigment are flesh-colored to match the coat. A black dog listed as an Ibizan is most likely a mix or another type of podenco.

Ibizan Hounds traditionally hunt rabbits and other small game, often working in packs. Unlike pure sighthounds, they use their large ears and nose as well as their eyes, tracking prey through brush, listening for movement and then sprinting or leaping to catch it. Hunters valued their stamina and determination across rocky terrain, traits that still show in their chasing instincts today.

Most English speakers say Ibizan Hound as ih-BEE-zan hound, like the island of Ibiza. You may also hear ih-BEETH-an, which follows the Spanish pronunciation of the island's name. Both are widely understood among breed fans. In Spain the dog is called podenco ibicenco, and the Catalan name used on the islands is ca eivissenc.

Ibizan Hounds are very fast, capable of the quick acceleration and agile turns typical of sighthounds, and they are known for stamina over long chases. Owners and coursing enthusiasts often estimate top speeds around 40 miles per hour, though there is no well-documented breed average. Their speed is one reason they should only run loose in fully enclosed areas.

Ibizan Hounds are tall but lightly built. Males usually stand about 23.5 to 27.5 inches at the shoulder and females about 22.5 to 26 inches, according to the breed standard. Males average around 50 pounds and females around 45 pounds, so most adults fall between roughly 40 and 55 pounds, with visible ribs and hip bones being normal.

Yes, the Ibizan Hound is a fairly rare breed in the United States. Relatively few puppies are registered each year, and you are much less likely to meet one than a Greyhound or Whippet. Breed-specific and sighthound rescues sometimes have Ibizans or Ibizan mixes available, so checking those groups and shelter listings regularly is the best route to adoption.

Ibizan Hounds eat ordinary dog food; a good-quality commercial diet suited to their age and activity level works well. They usually need moderate portions for their size because they are lean, and many do well with two meals a day. Judge portions by body condition rather than the bag: a fit Ibizan shows a faint outline of ribs and hips.

An Ibizan Hound looks like a tall, slender athlete with an elegant, deer-like expression. It has very large, upright ears, a long cone-shaped head, light amber eyes and a flesh-colored nose. The body is slightly longer than tall with flat muscle and fine bone. The coat is either smooth or wiry, in red, white or both.

Ibizan Hounds were bred to hunt rabbits and other small game on the Balearic Islands. Their job was to find prey by scent and sound, flush it from dense cover and catch it with bursts of speed and high leaps. Families relied on them to put food on the table, which explains their determination, stamina and strong prey drive.

The Ibizan Hound arrived in the United States in the mid-twentieth century and was fully recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1979, joining the Hound Group. On its home islands the breed had worked alongside hunters for generations before that. The current AKC breed standard took effect in 2022, and the breed remains uncommon but devoted to its fans.