Ibizan Hound Breed Standard
General Appearance
The Ibizan's clean-cut lines, large prick ears and light pigment give
it a unique appearance. A hunting dog whose quarry is primarily
rabbits, this ancient hound was bred for thousands of years with
function being of prime importance. Lithe and racy, the Ibizan
possesses a deerlike elegance combined with the power of a hunter.
Strong, without appearing heavily muscled, the Ibizan is a hound of
moderation. With the exception of the ears, he should not appear
extreme or exaggerated.
In the field the Ibizan is as fast as top coursing breeds and without
equal in agility, high jumping and broad jumping ability. He is able to
spring to great heights from a standstill.
Size, Proportion, Substance
Size--The height of dogs is 23½ inches to
27½ inches at the withers. Bitches are 22½ to 26 inches
at the withers. There is no preference for size within this range.
Sizes slightly over or under the norms are not to be regarded as
demerits when other qualities are good. Weight--Average
weight of dogs is 50 pounds; bitches, 45 pounds. Proportion--Slightly
longer than tall. Substance--The Ibizan possesses clean,
fine bone. The muscling is strong, yet flat, with no sign of heaviness.
Head
Long and narrow in the form of a sharp cone truncated at its base.
Finely chiseled and extremely dry fleshed.
Expression
The Ibizan has an elegant, deer-like look. The eyes are
oblique and small, ranging in color from clear amber to caramel. The
rims are the color of the nose and are fully or partially pigmented.
The appearance of the eye is intelligent, alert and inquisitive. The ears
are large, pointed, and natural. On alert the ear should never droop,
bend, or crease. Highly mobile, the ear can point forward, sideways, or
be folded backward, according to mood. On alert, the lowest point of
the base is at level of the eye. On frontal examination, the height of
the ear is approximately 2½ times that of the widest point of
the base.
Skull
Long and flat, prominent occipital bone, little defined stop;
narrow brow. The muzzle is elongated, fine, and slender
with a very slight Roman convex. The length from the eyes to point of
nose is equal to the distance from eyes to occiput. The muzzle and
skull are on parallel planes. The nose is
prominent, extending beyond the lower jaw. It is of a rosy flesh color,
never black or liver, and tends to harmonize with that of the coat.
Pigment is solid or butterfly. Nostrils are open. Lips
are thin and tight and the color of the nose. Flews are tight and dry
fleshed. Bite--The teeth are perfectly opposed in a
scissors bite; strong and well set.
Neck, Topline, Body
The neck is long, slender, slightly arched and strong,
yet flat muscled. The topline, from ears to tail, is
smooth and flowing. The back is level and straight. Body
--The chest is deep and long with the breastbone sharply angled and
prominent. The ribs are slightly sprung. The brisket is approximately
2-1/2 inches above the elbow. The deepest part of the chest, behind the
elbow, is nearly to or to the elbow. The abdomen is well tucked up, but
not exaggerated. The loin is very slightly arched, of
medium breadth and well muscled. The croup is very
slightly sloping. The tail is set low, highly mobile,
and reaches at least to the hock. It is carried in a sickle, ring, or
saber position, according to the mood and individual specimen.
Forequarters
Angulation is moderate. The shoulders are
elastic but never loose with moderate breadth at the withers. The
shoulder blades are well laid back. At the point of the shoulder
they join to a rather upright upper arm. The elbow
is positioned in front of the deepest part of the chest. It is well
held in but not so much as to restrict movement. Legs
--The forearms are very long, strong, straight, and close, lying flat
on the chest and continuing in a straight line to the ground. Bone is
clean and fine. The pasterns are strong and flexible,
slightly sloping, with well developed tendons. Dewclaw
removal is optional. Feet: hare-foot. The toes are long,
closed and very strong. Interdigital spaces are well protected by hair.
Pads are durable. Nails are white.
Hindquarters
Angulation is moderate with the hindquarters being set
under the body. Legs--The thighs are very strong with
flat muscling. The hocks are straight when viewed from the rear. Bone
is clean and fine. There are no rear dewclaws. The feet
are as in front.
Coat
There are two types of coat; both untrimmed. Short--shortest
on head and ears and longest at back of the thighs and under the tail.
Wire-haired can be from one to three inches in length with
a possible generous moustache. There is more hair on the back, back of
thighs, and tail. Both types of coat are hard in texture and neither
coat is preferable to the other.
Color
White or red, (from light, yellowish-red called "lion" to deep red),
solid or in any combination. No color or pattern is preferable to the
other. Disqualify any color other than white or red.
Gait
An efficient, light and graceful single tracking movement. A suspended
trot with joint flexion when viewed from the side. The Ibizan exhibits
smooth reach in front with balanced rear drive, giving the appearance
of skimming over the ground.
Temperament
The Ibizan Hound is even-tempered, affectionate and loyal. Extremely
versatile and trainable, he makes an excellent family pet, and is well
suited to the breed ring, obedience, tracking and lure-coursing. He
exhibits a keen, natural hunting instinct with much determination and
stamina in the field.
Disqualification
Any color other than white or red.
Approved September 11, 1989
Effective November 1, 1989