Ibizan Hound

The Ibizan Hound, nicknamed Beezer, is playful and sometimes silly. They are not a touchy-feely dog, but they enjoy snuggling with members of their family. The Ibizan can be reserved with strangers and protective of their home, but they should never be shy or aggressive.

A medium-size sighthound who was developed to hunt rabbits and other small game, they were bred for speed, stamina, and determination. Today, those talents make this athletic dog a match for some of the top coursing breeds, as well as an excellent competitor in agility, thanks to his ability to jump high and far.

Ibizan Hounds enjoy their comforts and can become couch potatoes who enjoy spending their days sleeping. Their exercise needs are moderate. They'll enjoy a couple of 20- or 30-minute walks or jogs daily. Whenever possible, give them a chance to run full out in a large, safely fenced area.

Their ability to jump high from a standstill makes Ibizans notorious as counter surfers. Never trust them alone with food, no matter how out of the way you think it is. Outdoors, protect them with a secure fence that's at least six feet high. Ibizans cannot be trusted off-leash unless they are in a fenced yard. They have a strong prey drive and will chase anything that moves quickly. For this reason, they're not suited to families who have pets such as rabbits, although they get along fine with other dogs and can learn to live with cats if they're raised with them.