Page 260 - Showsight March 2013

THE IBIZAN HOUND:
The Hound For All Reasons
By Michelle Paulin No you read it right. I don’t
consider them the hound
for all seasons, but the
hound for all reasons.
I have been involved
with the breed for over
20 years and have loved them long before
that. To me they are the total package of
what I love of every breed.
As a companion there is no other that
can top them. I know many say this for
many breeds, but I have a very special pro-
spective as I am also a professional handler,
and have been blessed to have shown and
shared my life with many breeds.
The Ibizan Hounds’ ancestors were
known as the Egyptian Greyhounds pic-
tured in the pyramids. This breed was then
brought to varying countries. The dogs
brought to Spain evolved as the Podenco
Ibicenco or Ibizan Hound.
The breed has a huge love of humans,
especially children and were constant com-
panions to the farmers, hunters and family
who owned them. Their love of humans
makes them wanting to please you at all
times. Their sense of humor is like no oth-
er. Sometimes what they consider funny
will make you scream. Their perception of
our feelings are what makes them such an
amazing companion. Do not attempt to
watch a sad movie and cry, your Ibizan will
quickly be in your face asking with their
deep seeking eyes, ‘What is wrong?!’ Don’t
be surprised if they chime in when excited
screams are heard. They want to be a part
of everything. Over the years, they have
never ceased to amaze me with their
creativity and antics.
The breed’s flexibility in everything
make them great show dogs, amazing fam-
ily dogs, agile lure coursers, intelligent
obedience and agility dogs. They are also
known to be very good in tracking and
herding. The breed has also been very suc-
cessful as therapy and service dogs. Their
disposition helps them excel at so much.
I know of Ibizans working as service
dogs for autistic, hearing impared, epilep-
tic and disabled children and adults. Their
natural caring and nurturing tempera-
ment help them accomplish their tasks
with glee.
Being a three-way hunter makes them
keenly aware of everything going on
around them. They use sight, scent and
sound in every day life. The fact that they
are a pack dog enable them to fit into any
family. They love all four and two-legged
members of their family.
Although sighthounds, the breed over-
all is very tolerant of other pets including
birds, cats and small animals. The biggest
and most important thing to know for
anyone new to the breed is that it must be
socialized. The more the breed is exposed
to, the better a companion they will be.
They love having a purpose. Your first
year will be the most trying as the breed
is forever thinking and investigating their
world. It’s like having a three-year old
child in the house. There will never be a
dull moment.
Overall their activity level matches
those they live with. The will as gladly play
in the backyard as go on a long hike or just
lay next to you on the couch.
Although not for everyone, a good
breeder will evaluate you and your envi-
ronment and make sure this is the right
breed for you. Also count on your breeder
to mentor you and support your journey
into a little piece of history.
For more information on the breed
you can search the web, www.akc.organd
www.ihcus.org .
BIO
Michelle Paulin cur-
rently resides in Cali-
fornia. She moved there
from Ontario, Canada
in 1998. Under the
Ahram Prefix, she has
been involved in Ibizan
Hounds since 1992,
having produced Best in Show, multiple
group winning and top lure coursing dogs
in multiple countries.
MBIF/BOSS DC GCh Int’l Ch Aliki’s Classic Martini CGC RN MC LCX FCh
“Their perception of our feelings
are what makes them
sUcH AN AmAZINg cOmpANION.”
260 • ShowSight Magazine, March 2013