Page 255 - Showsight March 2013

“...rear assembly is
what enables the dog to
prOpErly mOvE
AND NAvIGATE IN
THE BrUsH.”
best of them! Some aloofness can also be
seen. This breed is highly sensitive to sur-
roundings and emotions.
Upon examination of the head, you
should see a sharp truncated cone, with
parallel planes, and equal distance between
occipital bone and mid eyes, and mid eyes
to nose. The base of the ears should be at
the base of the eye at attention. If the head
shape is correct the ears should not appear
to be on the top of the head.
The neck should descend into a well laid
back shoulder and into a rather upright
upper arm. The topline from withers to
near the last rib should be flat. There
should be a slight rise, generally seen in
three showing vertebrae. This is especially
seen in exhibits over one year of age and
in good physical condition. The croup is
slightly sloping. The body is slightly longer
than taller, to enable the turns and flexibil-
ity needed during the hunt. This length is
noticed in the loin area. The deepest part
of the chest should be behind the elbow.
This breed is not to be deep chested. The
brisket should be 2½" above the elbow. The
breast bone should be prominent. Their
ribs should be slightly sprung.
Tail is carried in a sickle, sabre, or ring
shape. Most importantly the length should
be to the hock or longer. The tail is impor-
tant to the breed and was used as a way for
the hunters to keep track of the dogs in
the brush.
Another important part of this exam
in the understanding of a moderate rear
kept well beneath itself. This rear assembly
is what enables the dog to properly move
and navigate in the brush. Its positioning
beneath itself without over angulation is
what allows it to leap.
Now here is a key point for the breed...
the down and back. This breed should
single track, unlike the Pharaoh Hound.
A clean down and back with single track-
ing may confuse you due to the flexion
seen in the wrists. Watch their posi-
tioning of the feet on movement. Many
Ibizans will show flexibility but do not
excuse looseness with elbowing out. The
dog should have appropriate forechest to
hold its front together.
The breed’s coat patterns come in wire
and smooth. Allowed colors are red and
white, all white, all red, and in varying
types and amounts of both colors. Both
coats have a harsh type texture. The breed
is to be shown UNTRIMMED, unshaved,
pulled, or patterned.
In conclusion, please remember that
without its function, this breed is just
another dog. As a breeder here is the check-
list I follow when grading.
Overall
This is a breed of moderation other
than the ears and the personality
Temperament
The breed can appear aloof, but overall
are an outgoing clown. Aggression should
be penalized.
Head
Sharp truncated cone with ears 2½
times the height of width at base of eye.
Body
Body length slightly longer than taller;
well laid back shoulder which allows for
proper positioning and placement of the
neck; slight rise in the topline where the
last rib goes into the spine. Deepest part of
chest is behind the elbow, chest 1½" above
the elbow at the elbow; prominent breast
bone, but should not appear as a keel.
Muscle tone should show flatter muscle
but should be very fit and tone; weight can
vary especially between show weight and
lure coursing weight, due to the build of
the breed. I like to see the shadow of three
ribs and vertebrae. This breed was never
meant to be overweight.
Height
Do not penalize smaller dogs, techni-
cally the top of our breed standard is 27½
inches for males. Dogs 23½"-27½"; Bitch-
es 22½"-26". Now it is said SLIGHLTY
under or over not to be penalized.
Movement
The dogs should single track as well and
show flexion, reach, drive and an efficient
gate.
Disqualification
The only disqualification is any color
other than white and red.
S howS ight Magazine, M arch 2013 • 255