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IBIZAN HOUND |
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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 which she promoted
throughout Spain and the Continent. When interest generated in America,
she per-sonally 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. If they lose sight
of their prey in heavy cover, they stand on their hind legs to relocate
the game. 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, then gently retrieve the prize
to hand.
The American Kennel Club gave its official sanction to the Ibizan Hound in 1979. Ibizans are extremely hardy and agile. They are capable of jumping great distances both in height and width and can leap six to eight feet straight up in the air from a standstill. In straight-away racing, they have been clocked at 40 mph. The often-seen white mark on the head between the ears is called the "ax mark" and, probably due to an old superstition, is a highly prized characteristic. |
