Page 254 - Showsight March 2013

JUDGING THE IBIZAN HOUND
By Michelle Paulin As a breeder, I aspire to
know my standard in
and out and to breed
for it. As a Profes-
sional Handler, I try
to have knowledge of
each standard for every dog I show. There
are so many standards and many subtle-
ties in each breed, as well as many details
to remember.
I discovered in many cases the easi-
est to remember were the disqualifying
points and the faults listed. Overall, a
balanced dog is a balanced dog. If you
can remember the basics of a breed’s
type and structure, and understand
how it should move, you get the gist
of it.
Sadly upon discussion with many
judges, breeders and observers, it has
come to my attention that overall the
misconceptions of my beloved breed
appear to have become what it is expect-
ed not what it is suppose to be. I hope
to cover the basics of what is a correct
Ibiza Hound.
In many ways, in horseman’s terms,
I consider them vary similar to an Ara-
bian horse in movement. When the breed
first walks into the ring, you should notice
a deer-like appearance. The Ibiza Hound
should appear slightly longer than taller.
The other thing that should immediately
strike you is its overall moderation. These
dimensions are what allow this breed to
move and function as it should.
This breed, its curiosity and interest in
everything going on, can be quite the beast
to show. It can humble the best of us. Being
a three-way hunter, its senses are overly
keen. They use sight, scent and sound for
hunting and everyday life. To add to this,
the breed is naturally clownish. They live to
please those around them. This can create
an issue when often we are asked to pres-
ent them as working dogs. This breed was
never meant to drop a perfect free stack,
unless we happen to be showing outdoors
and a bag or bird crosses the ring! Those
dogs who actually do, make me suspicious
and quite often upon examinations, I often
find these exhibits to not be balanced and
possess other serious breed faults.
I often feel, it almost takes the breed
one turn around most small rings to just
get their act together especially the young
ones. Don’t be afraid to ask for a few turns,
you will notice a huge difference as the
breed relaxes. This breed’s movement is so
unique that most consider a great moving
dog a bad dog. The breed should not move
like an Afghan, a Pharaoh or a Doberman.
In some ways, if it looks wrong it very well
may be right. You should see flexion of the
joints; this includes the wrist, elbow, knee
and hock. It is almost a four-tier type sus-
pended movement. You have the lift show-
ing flexion, the reach, the touchdown and
the push. This can be seen in the attached
pictures. A hackney movement where the
wrist goes over the elbow is not correct, nor
a lack of flexion. They should show a light
and efficient gate as well as the ability to
cover ground.
Once the exhibit has been stacked, as
a judge, you would find your examination
much easier were you to first approach
the dog at the shoulder. Then proceed to
their head, and follow through with your
examination as usual. The ears are highly
independently mobile and generally will
follow your every move; in many cases
their heads will try to follow you also.
Expect possible kisses and wiggles from the
254 • ShowSight Magazine, March 2013