Most important facts
- Group
- Hound
- Size
- Medium
- Weight
- 20–29 kg
- Lifespan
- 12–14 years
- Coat
- Smooth (or, less commonly
- Energy
- High
- Height
- 56–72 cm
- Colours
- White, red, or red and white
- Shedding
- Light
- Est. feeding cost
- ~£41/mo
- Gear to consider
- Escape-proof harness and secure long line, warm winter coat for the short coat, calorie-dense slow feeder
Typical dry food, adult
About the Ibizan Hound
The Ibizan Hound has hunted rabbits on Ibiza and the neighbouring Balearic islands for many generations, working in packs for farmers over rocky, scrub-covered ground. Its striking resemblance to the hounds painted on ancient Egyptian tombs long fuelled theories of Phoenician origins, though modern genetics suggests the breed was rebuilt more recently from local stock. Either way, it remains one of the most distinctive and athletic of all sighthounds.
Ibizan Hounds are dignified and intelligent, with an independent mind. They were bred in the Balearics to hunt rabbits by sight, scent and sound over rough terrain. Within the family they are typically affectionate, gentle and playful, with a graceful, cat-like quality that includes a tendency to leap effortlessly onto furniture.
True to their breed standard, they tend to be reserved with strangers rather than nervous or aggressive, and can be sensitive to harsh handling or a raised voice. They respond best to calm, patient, reward-based training, including a consistent, low-pressure feeding routine that builds trust. Early socialisation pays dividends with this watchful breed.
Common health conditions
Things Ibizan Hound owners commonly watch for. Guidance, not veterinary advice.
Hip dysplasia
A structural joint condition the breed club recommends screening for. Keep this athletic jumper at a lean, correct body condition to reduce strain.
Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)
This inherited eye condition takes sight away gradually. Choose breeders who health-test and follow the breed club's eye screening advice.
Hearing loss (congenital deafness)
Seen more often in predominantly white-coated dogs. Ask breeders about BAER hearing tests, one of the four screening checks recommended for the breed.
Autoimmune thyroiditis
An underactive thyroid can affect weight as well as coat and energy. Discuss any unexplained weight gain or lethargy with your vet, and ask breeders about thyroid screening.
Sensitivity to certain anaesthetic drugs
Like many lean sighthounds, low body fat can affect how some sedatives are metabolised. Always mention the breed to your vet before any procedure.
Feeding a Ibizan Hound
Ibizan Hounds are lean, deep-chested sighthounds bred to sprint and leap tirelessly, so they generally need a calorie-dense, high-quality diet to maintain muscle without tipping into excess fat. A visible waist and some rib definition is normal and healthy for this breed. Judge weight by body condition, and do not compare with stockier dogs. Two meals a day, with rest around exercise, suit the deep chest.
This is a breed that can be a selective eater, and food changes are best made gradually to avoid digestive upset. Given the demands of repeated jumping and sprinting, diets with good-quality animal protein and joint-support nutrients such as glucosamine, chondroitin and omega-3s help support an active life.
Every dog is different — weight, age and activity all shift what a Ibizan Hound needs. The turns these breed tendencies into a shortlist matched to your dog’s age, size, budget and needs.
Typical adult weight
20–29 kg
Est. daily calories
790–1,570 kcal
A broad guide for an average-activity adult in good body condition — not veterinary advice. Real needs vary with age, neutering, activity, health and body condition, so no two Ibizan Hounds eat exactly the same. Get a personalised estimate or estimate feeding costs.
- Per day
- ~£1.35
- Per month
- ~£41
- Per year
- ~£495
A broad typical monthly budget guide, not a live price quote. Food format, calorie density, pack size and retailer pricing all change the real cost.
Find the right food for your Ibizan Hound
Foods ranked to your dog
Answer a few quick questions and the Food Finder ranks foods to your Ibizan Hound by score, price, life stage and fit.
Breed at a glance
- Exercise needs9/10
- Appetite5/10
- Trainability5/10
- Good with children6/10
- Shedding2/10
- Tolerates being alone4/10
The good & the worth-knowing
The good
- Athletic, tireless and impressively agile, thriving with active owners
- Affectionate and playful with familiar people, often described as cat-like in elegance
- Low-shedding, easy-care short coat that needs minimal grooming
Worth knowing
- High prey drive and a huge natural jump mean gardens need very secure, tall fencing
- Reserved and sensitive, so patient, positive socialisation matters from puppyhood
- Still rare in the UK, which can mean a longer wait for a puppy
Best matched accessories
All accessories →The collections that suit the breed, judged by the same independent standard.
Common owner questions
How much exercise does an Ibizan Hound need?
A good deal. This is a tireless, athletic hound that benefits from daily off-lead running in securely enclosed areas plus regular walks, alongside mental stimulation to satisfy its strong sighthound instincts.
What should I feed an Ibizan Hound?
A calorie-dense, high-quality complete food suited to an active, lean breed, fed to maintain a visible waist and muscle rather than a bulkier look. Our Food Finder can help match a food to this breed's activity and any sensitivities.
Are Ibizan Hounds easy to train?
They are intelligent but independent-minded, with a strong prey drive that makes recall around wildlife challenging. Calm, consistent, reward-based training from puppyhood, with food rewards counted within the daily ration, gets the best results.
Do Ibizan Hounds need a coat in winter?
Many do. Their short coat and lean body condition mean they feel the cold more than stockier breeds, and a well-fitted winter coat alongside consistent feeding helps them stay comfortable through a British winter.