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Hound Handbook
Insurance guide
Breed profile

Ibizan Hound

Balearic rabbit hound with huge upright ears and a springy trot. Clownish with family, reserved with strangers, and a gifted jumper.

Red and white smooth-coated Ibizan Hound in mid-stride across a grassy field, large ears pricked
Ibizan HoundPhoto: Lydie Heritier / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Weight
20–23 kg44–51 lb
Height
60–72 cm24–28 in
Lifespan
11–14 yrs
Group
Hound
Origin
Spain
Popularity
#174 US#203 UK · 2025

Known for: Running partnersLow grooming

Energy
Shedding
Trainability
Barking
Good with kids
Flat-friendly

Temperament

Affectionate, Playful, Independent, Reserved.

Health problems to know about

  • Hip dysplasia
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis (hypothyroidism)
  • Congenital deafness
  • Cataracts and other eye disease
  • Epilepsy

Ask breeders for the parents' health test results, and check what your national breed club recommends screening for.

Daily care

Daily walks plus free running in a secure area; the RKC suggests over two hours of activity. Fencing of at least 1.8 m (6 ft), as a 1.5 m (5 ft) fence is easy for them. Weekly brushing for either coat.

A good fit for

Active owners with a large, well-fenced garden, families with older children, and fans of lure coursing or agility.

Probably not ideal for

Homes with cats or small pets unless raised together, owners relying on invisible fences, and families with toddlers.

Sources

  1. Royal Kennel Club: Ibizan Hound
  2. FCI Standard No. 89: Ibizan Podenco
  3. Ibizan Hound Club of the United States: Health statement
  4. PetMD: Ibizan Hound
  5. Vetstreet: Ibizan Hound

Popularity: AKC 2025 registration rankings (US); Royal Kennel Club 2025 registrations (UK, ranked by us). Breed traits are tendencies, not guarantees. Individual dogs vary, and mixed breeds and rescues can be wonderful fits too.

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