Ibizan, << ee BEE zuhn, >> hound is a rare breed of dog from the island of Ibiza, off the eastern coast of Spain. It is descended from hunting dogs of ancient Egypt brought to Ibiza by merchants. The people of Ibiza used it primarily to hunt rabbits and other game. The breed became popular on the Spanish mainland and eventually spread throughout Europe. It was introduced into the United States in 1956. Today, it is used chiefly for hunting and exhibition.
The Ibizan hound resembles the greyhound. Its most prominent features are a long head; large, upright ears; a pink nose; and amber eyes. It has a long neck and a long, slender tail. Its short, silky coat may be red, white, brown, or a mix of those colors. Some of the dogs have longer coats that are thick and wiry. The dog stands from 23 to 27 inches (58 to 69 centimeters) high at the shoulder and weighs from 42 to 50 pounds (19 to 23 kilograms).
