The Podenco Ibicenco is a medium sized dog from the Spanish Baleares. The Balearic islands are Ibiza, Mallorca, Menorca and Formentera. It is Ibiza that gives the Spanish name to this breed, Podenco Ibicenco. In Catalan the name is Ca Eivessenc. There is also other names on this breed around the Mediterrenean. The height at withers should be 60-72 cm. A degree of variation from that can be accepted if the dog in general is of exceptional quality. Different shades of red and white and combinations of the two are permissable colors. The coat comes in two varieties: smooth and wire haired. Some want the rare long hair to be counted as a third coat, but today it is seen as a variant of the wire haired.
The Podenco Ibicenco is a very athletic and elegant dog with long legs, a slender body and with an elongated noble head. It is their big erect ears that are the most striking main characteristic. They are very quick and agile with great jumping ability. A hunting demonstration is available on this site's video page. When Podenco Ibicenco hunt they use all their senses. These dogs were bred for the wild chase, in other words hunting without any assistance given by the human hunter. It is they and not the hunter who conduct the search, the chase, the killing and finally the retrieving of the prey. The hunter is just a silent bystander who gives the dogs their reward for the hunt. Most of the time, the reward is a drink of water. The dogs get very thirsty in the heat. Using dogs to take down prey is forbidden in many countries, for example, Sweden. Only the hunter is allowed to kill the intended prey, by shooting it.
When first released, the dogs search the hunting area as a pack, using their sense of smell to track down the prey. The most common prey is rabbits and hares, but other size animals are also hunted. As soon as they got wind of something, sight and hearing take over. This is when they demonstrate their astounding jumping ability. They are totally fearless when they run forward. Nothing stops their advance. They tear straight through the scrubby undergrowth and over walls and rocks. They seem to fly over everything in their path with regal elegance.
With the help of their high jumps they get a better overview of the landscape and where the prey is located. The dogs will make use of their excellent hearing capabilities if sight isn’t sufficient for navigation. If prey is sighted, an individual will start to bark frenetically, and the rest of the pack quickly join the hunt. The rabbit is immediately killed by breaking its neck or spinal cord. In this breed however they prefer that the prey is delivered to the hunter alive and unharmed. A small numbers of the dogs do deliver the prey alive. If the hunter has built up a good relationship with his dog it will now happily give the rabbit to him.
The big question is: can these hunting dogs fit as pets? The answer is undoubtedly YES! They are excellent family dogs because they are gentle, friendly, patient and faithful. They are cuddly without being clinging. Some may find them a bit cat-like when they vigilantly and cautiously study a newcomer. In other words, it is not a dog to throw itself on your guests and welcome them. There is a saying amongst PI-owners: You do not own a Podenco Ibicenco. It owns you!
We easily forget that our dogs are predators. It's especially imortant to remember about Podencos. They are bred for hunting small game. If we aren’t careful a few neighborhood cats and rabbits may mysteriously disappear. I assure you that your own popularity will disappear as quick as the morning dew. Podencos quickly learn that the small animals in the family belong to the pack and are forbidden to them. For most individual, that rule does not apply any where else than in their own homes.
Even though they may be perceived as noble mythical creatures by visitors so do not be fooled by the facade. The Podenco Ibicenco is a highly intelligent, active, and dedicated dog. They are very stubborn and independent. In other words, inventive. They find ways to amuse themselves and it may not always be appreciated by the human part of the pack. They are very curious and would like to be a part of everything that happens around them. They stick their noses everywhere, even where they don't belong. When you throw the garbage into the trash they are quickly there to help you pick it up again. They will test all your limits to the breaking point, but it is just to persevere. Sooner or later even a Podenco will get tired. Do not forget that they are kangaroos in disguise, and master climbers. Fences around the garden must be high, very high. Do not think you can catch up to your dog if it has escaped. You just have to sit back and wait until he or she decides to come back home again.
This is a breed that requires plenty of physical and mental exercise for proper health and attitude. They require an active family, no couch potatoes. Activities that they will enjoy are tracking, agility, lure coursing, cycling, retrieving, and of course long walks in nature to stimulate all their senses. They are a healthy breed without any hereditary diseases, so you can count on keeping your friend for at least 12-14 years. They must be trained with kind methods. NEVER with threats and blows. A Podenco who feels violated will take the first opportunity he gets to leave. In that case it can be very hard for the dog to forgive you. We simply have to be inventive to make our PI’s to do what we ask of them. If they understand what we want and they think they can gain something from it, they will happily do it with you since a pack do everything together.
This is not a easily trained breed. They can be incredible skilled in any competition as long as they are motivated. So train for the fun of it and not for the gold medallions. As an owner, you have to be physically active and able to take your dog with you everywhere. Ibicencos do not thrive alone, and preferably, should not be kept as a single dog. They are very attached to their pack, both human and dogs, and want to be together with them. A lonely Podenco is an unhappy Podenco. This is the breed for an owner with plenty of humor, self-confidance and lots of patience. I promise that your shared life will never become boring.
 La Podenquera
|
* Note that a breed presentation is only a general description. A breed consists of numerous individuals, where each one is unique.
*A big Thank you to Harvey Bernstein for proofreading my text.
|
