I, and most of us who bought the breed into the show ring, are quite horrified to see the unnecessary habit of trimming from America creeping into our breed. Ours is a working dog and as such was born with the structure required to hunt. Our standard says: �Hunting scars are not to be faulted� and then some know-it-all jumped up and decides to cut off the whiskers, eyebrows, etc. This neither enhances their look nor does anything to help the hound hunt. I think it is mainly done when the exhibitor thinks the judges prefer smooth coated hounds. It takes away expression and impairs their hunting ability.


We have too few hounds that breed true to coat, but I understand in parts of Spain, one isn�t allowed to mix the coats when breeding; this to me is nonsense as whatever the coat, as long as it is waterproof, it can in no way help it to work any better or worse. So if you want to make the most of your hound, see that it has plenty of hard road walking, as well as free fields. See that the nails are short at least a week before the show. Nothing looks more careless than cropped-off nails square. It is only nails kept short that will bring the correct hare foot up on its toes. Be sure there are no ear infections, mites, etc, as you cannot get good ear showing if there has been any sort of irritation.

If an ear is torn-out hunting, it is very difficult to heal as every time he shakes his head, it will crack the healing scab and start all over again. You need two people when it comes to ears; one to hold both ear and dog still, while the other person applies �New Skin� and hold till set. This may take up to ten minutes. When the ear has healed both scar and New Skin fall off with no other dressing required. If I plan to bath my dog, I like to do it two days before the show to give the coat time to �settle�. This is not necessary with a rough coat as the rougher the better. Let there be no doubt in the judges mind that he is a rough. If weather is too dirty, try coating him up when out to keep the bulk of mud off after washing, until the day. Of course white areas, legs and face can be washed on the day. Believe me, there is no need to spray anything if the hound has been correctly fed and exercised. His glowing health will produce more than spray is able to.


When we swept the board at CRUFTS in 1964 with SOL, we were late arriving; ran up stairs to the bench, cast our rug down, walking into the ring with no polish or chalk. ��we finally arrived on the long red carpet and were asked to walk up and down. Sol thought this was the best thing that had happened all day & she really stretched out. The crowd went wild, letting out one of those long drawn-out �Ooh�s�, like they do when the first rocket goes up�� (from �Ibizan Hounds as I Know Them� by Diana Berry). SOL went on to be declared �Best of Not-Specified� at Crufts �64 and bought the breed to the attention of Europe�s public and media alike, leading to general world interest, when she danced around the show ring for the Challenge of best for the day; unveiled to a great, singular gasping sound, usually reserved for the collective �Oah� at the surprise launch of a spectacular fireworks display. The breed has been �Oohing� people ever since.

Ibizan Hounds are independent from birth onwards. While most litters pull together in a little pile, Ibizan puppies will spread-out in different directions as if shunning one other�s company. It is not that they are anti-social; rather it is their independent nature. Each Ibizan Hound seems to have a very distinct personality from the moment of birth onwards and throughout its life.

As puppies, most Ibizans are a bit of a handful. Besides their independent nature, there is their aloofness and single-mindedness, as they generally do exactly what they want to do, regardless of any obstacles in their path. And, I have to admit that it would appear that most Ibizans have a tendency to be quite destructive during the eight week to six-month growth period, with occasional relapses between six to nine months. Somewhere around 9 months, this destructiveness seems to simply stop; adulthood and dignity takes over to transform the juvenile delinquent into a responsible member of the household.

One other tendency appears to be quite common with the breed - that of a particularly shy period which, depending on each individual, can crop-up anywhere from three months to a year of age. Once an Ibizan Hound reaches adulthood, they become ideal household members. I cannot speak for all Ibizan Hounds, only from my own, or with my experiences and close contact with Ibizans owned by friends; all have been the model of gentleness, good manners and considerately trained. Indoors, there is peace and quiet or controlled play; outdoors there is a more noisy and active type of play. I�ve not observed a high degree of aggressiveness, destructiveness or hyperactivity in the breed; however, some lines are more hyperactive than others, while other lines are more laid back.

As with any breed, there is as much a variance in temperament as there is in type, movement, markings, etc. The ideal Ibizan Hound temperament is one which makes for a lovable housemate; one that gets along with other dogs in the home, is good with children as well as adults, is not destructive, is quiet and controlled within the confines of four walls (not bouncing off the walls), is easily trained and well mannered, as not everyone likes a dog begging at the table, crawling onto strangers laps, or jumping up on everyone who walks through the door.

They can be left alone without fear of the house being destroyed or their being accidents to clean up, who can be kept in a crate or allowed the freedom of the house, and who remains quiet (no constant barking to annoy or alarm neighbours). When left alone, is controllable under all circumstances, plays well either with humans or most other animals, can play in a designated outdoor area without tearing-up the yard or downing the fence, doesn�t jump through windows or tear holes in walls, floors, etc., etc. Fortunately, most Ibizan Hounds sleep the day away and sometimes most of the evening too! being content with love, attention and affection, a good exercise plan consistently observed and a bit of playtime romping during the course of the day or evening. An Ibizan Hound should be very easy to live with. I consider then an ideal housemate. Mine are so quiet that sometimes it�s hard to believe there are two of them in the house! yet they are the best of fun. When it�s playtime, they help me keep up my own exercise program, and are still well mannered when I have company. I highly recommend the breed!