Ibizan Hound?

[k9krazee]

I've never met an Ibizan Hound and would like some input from those of you that have!

I've recently fallen in love with the breed. They seem like the great breed on paper, but every single thing written about them says the exact same things.



The things I want in a dog:

FRIENDLY. I need a dog that can (theoretically) hang out in a funeral home all day with all sorts of different people without being too needy or pushy for attention.

Good living with other dogs. I will always have multiple dogs.

Playful/Goofy/Not too serious about life. Good play drive.

I want a sport dog. Definitely a dog to do agility with and I'd love to get into flyball, rally/obedience, frisbee, tracking, etc. If I got a Beezer I'd definitely be interested in trying Lure Coursing.

I like to train tricks and things, so I like dogs that are willing to learn and play the game. But not blindly obedient.

A dog that plays ball/likes to swim is a plus, but not necessarily needed

I'm up for any amount of exercise. I enjoy biking, hiking, rollerblading and running with my dog.




Do you think a Beezer would be a good fit for me? Or should I look totally elsewhere? I did find a breeder online close to me that I've tried to contact to meet her dogs, but haven't heard anything back.

 

[Dekka]

There is one that does the Super Dog thing that I have met a few times. Lovely lovely dog. NOT a dog I would get if I wanted a sport dog though (though perhaps there are lines that do better) they have tonnes of chase drive it seems but not much 'people pleasing' drive. Even with all his training he can decide listening is not for him. She never ever lets him off leash in an unfenced area.

They are nice dogs and seem from what I have heard talking to owners would be great at everything you want except if you specifically want an agility dog. If so I would pick a whippet or even a grey. They have similar temperaments but seem to be a little (lot) more biddable.

 

[milos_mommy]

Might chase small dogs, should be good with other large dogs. They seem to be a more trainable sighthound, and I have seen them do agility and things, but if you get one with a really high drive it's going to be hard. I wouldn't choose one as a sporting dog.

Do you want a puppy from a breeder, or are you looking at rescue/adults?

 

[colliewog]

I've met several that were very dog aggressive, but it might have just been these dogs. (It was at a show, though, so not random untrained dogs ....)/

 

[MafiaPrincess]

I know the same one Dekka does. He's lovely, I like him, but I'm not dying to own one if they are all like him. His owner trains for a living. He couldn't get anymore training time than he does. He started stalling out in advanced rally as he'd prefer not to sit.. I've seen him choose not to listen in agility and at demos where there is no stress and nothing to lose..

 

[Equinox]

I have met a few Beezers before, also at a show. They were great dogs, the couple who owned them had a total of ten, plus a Beauceron. They were very sweet, friendly, well adjusted dogs who did not seem to have any problems with dogs or people.

I do agree though that they may not be the best dogs for competitive sports or obedience.

 

[SisMorphine]

There is one that does the Super Dog thing that I have met a few times. Lovely lovely dog. NOT a dog I would get if I wanted a sport dog though (though perhaps there are lines that do better) they have tonnes of chase drive it seems but not much 'people pleasing' drive. Even with all his training he can decide listening is not for him. She never ever lets him off leash in an unfenced area.

They are nice dogs and seem from what I have heard talking to owners would be great at everything you want except if you specifically want an agility dog. If so I would pick a whippet or even a grey. They have similar temperaments but seem to be a little (lot) more biddable.

Ahhhh sounds like a Grey! I'm loving the breed more and more.

When I got into Bulldogs I met up with some bulldog people who were leaving them and going for herders. Why? Because herders are far more biddable! Of course I was shocked because compared to Greys, the bulldogs are **** willing to please. LOL!

I'm still toying with Ibizan vs. Pharoah . . . I haven't met enough of either to make a decision . . . and hell maybe I won't like either in the end. I just know that I'm missing having an arrogant a-hole of a sighthound in the house. **sigh**

 

[Romy]

The things I want in a dog:

FRIENDLY. I need a dog that can (theoretically) hang out in a funeral home all day with all sorts of different people without being too needy or pushy for attention.

Beezers are pretty active and into things compared to other sight hounds. I suggest meeting some in person and deciding if their activity level is suitable for the situation you're hoping for.

Good living with other dogs. I will always have multiple dogs.

Same sex aggression is not at all uncommon. I've met several males in my limited interaction with the breed who had to be crated and rotated with the other males in their homes. And it was serious, like, they'd try hard to kill each other if they were together. The breeders I've talked to said they've never had that problem with females though.


Playful/Goofy/Not too serious about life. Good play drive.

This is DEFINITELY a beezer thing. They are kleptos, and funny about it. When you can't find your toothbrush/cellphone/silverware/tv remote, check under the beezer's bed. They don't chew it, just hoard. lol

I want a sport dog. Definitely a dog to do agility with and I'd love to get into flyball, rally/obedience, frisbee, tracking, etc. If I got a Beezer I'd definitely be interested in trying Lure Coursing.

You can definitely find good sport dogs among beezers. I know one puppy who got his RN at something like 7 months old. He's also doing really well in his agility and lure coursing now that he's more mature. Getting them to be obedient is only a matter of finding their motivation, like other hounds. You can also find more biddable individuals and lines. I strongly prefer the spanish hunting lines for sport prospects, there's something a bit more solid about the temperaments of those dogs I've met.

In Spain they don't cross smooth and wirecoated varieties like we do in america and britain, so they are almost separate breeds in a way. In general, spanish wirecoats are more laid back and smooth coats are more active and into things.

They are one of the sight hounds that naturally excels at tracking, because it's part of their hunting style. A beezer is supposed to scent out a rabbit, and then bounce up and down to flush them out of the brush/ground and then chase them down.

I like to train tricks and things, so I like dogs that are willing to learn and play the game. But not blindly obedient.

You could definitely find a beezer like that. Some only want to do their own thing, but biddable ones exist. And with the hounds, if you make anything into a game that they like, they'll like doing it for you. The trick is keeping training sessions very short and fun, ending it on a high note so they don't get bored.

I'm up for any amount of exercise. I enjoy biking, hiking, rollerblading and running with my dog

They're more active than other sight hounds, so good.

.




Do you think a Beezer would be a good fit for me? Or should I look totally elsewhere? I did find a breeder online close to me that I've tried to contact to meet her dogs, but haven't heard anything back.

If you'd like some beezer contacts, I can send you some links to a couple of really great breeders with lines who match a lot of the criteria you listed.

 

[Zoom]

Someone on here has a beezer and they had better see this thread! We're due for some pics anyway.

I've met one or two and they are just stunning dogs. I keep wanting to go to a dog show around here just so I can meet more sighthounds.

 

[k9krazee]

Thanks for the responses!

I'm definitely not hoping for a sports dog that is the best of the best, by any means. Just a dog that might enjoy that kind of outlet. I have Jack now (Lab/Beagle) and he is the laziest dog I know, and certainly doesn't think running in circles and jumping around is any fun. He's so serious all the time. I'm hoping to get a Lab from my Aunt eventually to fulfill the "serious sporter" role, but I find that they're too easy and willing to please. I do like a little challenge.

Aggression would be the only thing that really worries me. But then again, I've been dealing with same sex aggression with my female JRTs for the last 6 years.

I would like to get a puppy from a breeder, but I'm open to the right rescue or adult dog.

Romy I would love any links that you might have!

 

[Gypsydals]

Romy hit it on the head with her descriptions. Ivan's breeder has 2 a male and female. They are quite different in personality. Her male is much more of a serious dog in personality but her female is anything but. The female is very much the klepto. She doesn't snag things to chew them but to play keep away. And she is very bouncy. So much so I'm sure she thinks her name is bouncing baby Bambi. But like Romy said, I would meet a few and talk to the owners/breeders.

 

[k9krazee]

I have been talking to a breeder that has 2 Beezers along with a GSD and Aussie. She does agility with the latter two. She said that her youngest Ibizan is from some of the more performance lines (that includes the top agility Ibizan) but she still wouldn't do agility with her Ibizan because of her short attention span/stubbornness.

I don't know. I think that I'd rather get a challenging breed to do agility with first and when I'm older switch to a breed that would be more willing to please. It's one of the main things really drawing me to this breed. You know, when you go to a trial and there's a person running a Husky? I think the tougher road can sometimes be the more rewarding road.

We'll see. My boyfriend wants to get his Pug next fall/spring (which he will also be doing agility with ) and we already have Jack. But I think a Beezer might be in the cards in the next two years or so.

 

[milos_mommy]

I just wouldn't want you to be disappointed if it didn't work out....some dogs, no matter what the training, are just NOT agility/performance dogs. You can of course try it for fun, but if you'd like to compete or success is important to you within the sport, I'd really be wondering if an Ibizan is the right choice.

 

[MafiaPrincess]

There's a cocker breeder I admire who got an Ibizan. It's got some titles CD AX AXJ JC RN RL-2 and #1 AKC AGILITY IBIZAN 2005.

From reading her site I think she's gotten awfully ill, but she has successfully worked Kizzi.

Skyrocket Cockers, Agility and Ibizans (go t meet the dogs and scroll down to Kizzi).

 

[k9krazee]

I just wouldn't want you to be disappointed if it didn't work out....some dogs, no matter what the training, are just NOT agility/performance dogs. You can of course try it for fun, but if you'd like to compete or success is important to you within the sport, I'd really be wondering if an Ibizan is the right choice.

I know what you're saying. Success within the sport can be a variety of things to different people. To me, being successful does not mean being number one dog in the country or having the fastest times. I know that Jack will never be the best or the fastest dog in the world but we still continue to play the game. To me we're successful when we work as a team and do the best that we can do. Jack has not been an easy agility dog, he doesn't always enjoy it but it gives us something to do together. And I love the competition weekend atmosphere and the friends that I have made that way.

I didn't start considering the Ibizan with agility as the first thing in my mind. If my goal was to only do agility and to do it well, I would have chosen a more agility type breed (like a BC). I just wanted to know that doing sports with an Ibizan wasn't impossible to do, that there were some people doing well with it. Sports are something I will do with all of my dogs, as long as they are structurally sound and capable, even if it's just in the yard.

 

[Dekka]

I have seen a few quite successful pugs doing agility, I don't look at them or huskys at all in the same way I look at beezers for difficulty. Talking to people beezers are a whole 'nother level of 'tricky' Not saying it can't be done just saying you can pick a tricky breed with out handicapping yourself into frustration. The only people I know who are successful (IRL and OL) are very very experienced dog trainers, often ones who have had a few dogs previously who were very experienced.

If I wanted an easy agility breed I wouldn't have JRTs either.

 

[Laurelin]

I have a couple friends with beezers. One handlers for Luxxor, I believe. Anyways, I can see if I can get contacts if you want them.

 

[k9krazee]

I have seen a few quite successful pugs doing agility, I don't look at them or huskys at all in the same way I look at beezers for difficulty. Talking to people beezers are a whole 'nother level of 'tricky' Not saying it can't be done just saying you can pick a tricky breed with out handicapping yourself into frustration. The only people I know who are successful (IRL and OL) are very very experienced dog trainers, often ones who have had a few dogs previously who were very experienced.

Oh, I understand that they're not in the same category. Just clarifying that I'm not looking for a dog specifically for agility, if I was I wouldn't even think about Ibizans or Pugs. I wouldn't be heartbroken if I tried all I can do and couldn't have an Ibizan agility dog. I have a friend who had a retired greyhound that excelled in agility. After she passed away she got another retired grey, and after working on his issues for the last year she has decided that he just doesn't have the right personality for it. A lot would be up to the individual dog as well.

 

[happydogfamily3]

I've only seen one at the Riverside dog park in Austin Tx. She was playful and a runner. Not social at all, but not aggressive, just ignoring everyone, in her own little world of fun running chasing squrrells and being a dog.

That's all, no basis of comparison, sorry. But she was impressive.

 

[CaliTerp07]

There's a cocker breeder I admire who got an Ibizan. It's got some titles CD AX AXJ JC RN RL-2 and #1 AKC AGILITY IBIZAN 2005.

From reading her site I think she's gotten awfully ill, but she has successfully worked Kizzi.

Skyrocket Cockers, Agility and Ibizans (go t meet the dogs and scroll down to Kizzi).

That's my agility instructor! Melissa is awesome Her dogs are absolutely insane drivey little things, but they're adorable.

She's a breast cancer survivor now--she was declared cancer free in the spring.