Ibizan Hound Breed Rescue & Adoption FAQ Answered

Interview with Alexsey Dobberstine, Midwest Rescue Chair, Ibizan Hound Club of the United States Rescue

In addition to articles that describe a dog breed based on research, in this case Ibizan Hounds aka “Beezers”, I wanted to share insider and breed expert knowledge with you. I hope that this interview will help answer your every question about what life with a Ibizan Hound would be like so that you can make an educated decision about whether this breed would be a match for you and your lifestyle. The following is a summary of our conversation about the breed and breed rescue for Ibizan Hounds; it is a combination of direct quotes and my best attempt to paraphrase based on my interpretation of sentiment.

If after reading this and our informative article about the breed, you would like to learn more and possibly adopt a Beezer from rescue, then I encourage you to contact Ibizan Hound Club of the United States Rescue directly.

History and Meaning of Nickname “Beezers”

Summary: Ancient Clowns

Alexsey speculated that perhaps the nickname is easier than deciding which of the many pronunciations to select and the breed was developed in the Ibizan Islands. She did share that breed lovers jokingly say “Beezers gonna beez” because the breed has a clown side like stealing knives from a dishwasher (loaded blade down with handle up) and running around the house with the knife. Maybe this ancient hound inspired knife swallowers in circuses everywhere- smile.

I did not ask how long the dog delighted in a game of keep away with the knife or knives, but after she educated me to the endurance of the breed, I suppose it could have been a while. I would have thought that Beezers would have been on-off sprinters like other sighthounds like Reggie our Afghan or the many racetrack rescue greyhounds in our community. However, it seems that Ibizan Hounds have more in common with the multi-category hounds like ridgebacks that are both sight and scent hounds since Beezers use multiple senses to hunt. Apparently, they have a knack for “knowing where it’s at before anyone else”. And their athletic ability allows this breed to hunt in rocky terrain using their keen ability to smell, hear and jump to locate and take down prey. And when they are not using their athleticism to hunt, their clownish, playful side may employ that talent and energy to jump up over a six foot fence to say “hi” to a neighbor.

Alexsey explained that Beezers were bred to have endurance not just speed so that they could “last all day” and hunt for hours. She has clocked her Beezers at 28 mph and speculated that the breed average is probably closer to 33 mph. She described how these hounds do a lot of flushing and jumping; and then there is a “closer” that goes in for the kills. In the case of her dogs, her big guy male is the closer and her female is the flusher.

Ibizan Hound Puppy Cost

Summary: Ranges from $500-2,000

Alexsey explained that the average cost to obtain a puppy can really range depending on timing and if one adopts from rescue or a breeder. According to Alexsey, the most common average is $1500 but she paid as low as $500 during covid, while she knows of others who paid $2000 from breeders at times. It is rare to have an Ibizan hound appear in a shelter, if at all as the breed’s community is very tight knit and protects the breed. Ibizan hounds also tend to be a healthy breed since like what I witnessed with Afghans and Salukis with my godmothers, the Beezer community monitors the health and behavior of litters. She expanded on an example of how the community was waiting to breed females until they were four years old to prevent a possible seizure gene that had been witnessed. Responsible breeding makes all the difference.

Why Are Ibizan Hounds So Rare

Summary: They are “Very Protected” & “Can Be Sharp” or “Like Pringles” for the Right Match

Fortunately for the health of this breed, there is not a lot of supply or demand, unlike some breeds whose popularity can give rise to backyard breeders and puppy mills. Alexsey describes the breed as “very protected” and accounted for the fact that she waited two years for one of hers. Breeders want to ensure a good match since apparently Beezers “can be sharp”. By contrast to more common labs or golden retrievers, Ibizan hounds are not known for their listening skills or obedience. They can be aloof and have an affinity for jumping fences like Salukis.

She also cautions against letting the breed free roam since they may find trouble except in large safe spaces like “sniff spots” that she rents for her dogs to explore in Texas.

And they can be “very vocal, [they] bark a lot when [they] see things” so she has to carefully select the right boarding facility, when she and her family travel.

They are “not a dog that you can take everywhere” because they can be “sharp if space invaded” and she furthered that they do not normally start fights but will finish it. “You have to be in their circle” so that they feel comfortable enough with you “before [they will be] social with you”. She describes hers as “like Pringles”, meaning that once you fall in love with one, you will want more. Though this is a breed that would be best matched to an owner who is flexible and willing to adjust to their dogs not the other way around. Alexsey glowed and delighted that “once [you’re] in their circle, they just love you”.

Family Pet Potential

Summary: They Are Picky Not Pleasers

Alexsey describes the breed as a “good match for specific people“, typically someone who is okay with things not always going according to plan as Beezers are not known for being biddable but rather having minds of their own. The are not as eager to please as some breeds. “You live in their world… You are a person they deemed great enough to be in their world.” She expanded that they “have to be able to trust you” and that approaching the relationship as a partnership, may be the best approach.

They will need a lot of mental enrichment like puzzle games, scent tins and lick mats work well to keep them mentally engaged and out of trouble. And as with most training, high stake’s treats may yield greater participation, even though they can be picky eaters. One of her Beezers only responds to Chic fil-A nuggets, while the other just wants roast chicken. Our Afghan was also a picky eater, especially when asked to do something, although he was pretty dang obedient overall, I would not describe him as eager to please.
In terms of how they are with other pets, Alexsey explained that they tend to do better with the same breed since they have a “playstyle that’s similar, like to tag, not ruff and tumble. [They] want to be chased so they can punch, jump over each other”. And they tend to maintain their puppy energy and not really mature physically or behaviorally until they are around three, not two like many other breeds.

Are Ibizan Hounds OK Alone

Summary: With Enough Enrichment, Yes, But Not A Match for Doggie Daycare

Many people wonder if their dog will be okay alone all day when they are at work. Alexsey doesn’t think that this is a breed that is not a good match for most daycares as they do not “blend well into playgroups” but they can be at home when you are gone. She kennels her two Beezers. For solo dogs, and some do prefer being the one and only, Alexsey recommends giving them enrichment to soothe and stimulate them like a radio playing, a very comfortable kennel, and wobbles and lick mats.

Best Exercise Regiment for Ibizan Hounds

Summary: Free Play That Engages Mind & Body

Alexsey suggests hiking in open fields as the best option. She takes hers to “sniff spots” that she rents in TX and does “lure coursing” with her two. The breed does well with “free play” not fetch or treadmills since “they’re explorer dogs”; so activities that will allow them to engage their muscles, senses, and brains will keep them emotionally and physically happy and healthy. She believes that they could be content as apartment dogs as long as they have outings to “big open spaces for them to run around is going to be good for them”. Because they need “free play in big open space” at least a couple times a week.

Common Misconceptions

Summary: They Are A “Very Healthy Breed” Not Inbred

Alexsey felt that since this is an ancient breed that not many people are familiar with that some people mistakenly believed that all Ibizan hounds are inbred, or “bottlenecked” or suffering from “stud dog or favorite sire syndrome” but that was not true at all. In fact, the breeders use a very diverse gene pool and have maintained a “very healthy breed” as a result.

She also explained that Ibizan mixes are very uncommon, but were often just shepherd or collie mixes that people mistook for Ibizan mixes; but again, since they are not dogs that people take everywhere, people do not often get to see one in person.

Another good aspect of Ibizan hound ownership is that the breed community is very tightknit, meaning that owners and breeders pretty much all know each other directly or indirectly. As a result, the community is very supportive of the rescue org and owners who may be facing challenges. Ultimately, they “want people who love the breed as much as we do” and as a result, the dogs from her rescue organization normally get adopted quickly and supply cannot keep up with demand. Patience would be your necessary virtue if you want this rare breed from rescue or a breeder as they have been placing an average of about two a year from rescue, unless a fluke occurs like a breeder passing with multiple dogs.

Alexsey’s One Wish

Summary: Everyone from Shelters, Rescue Groups & Breeders Working As A Team To Help Homeless Animals Find Loving Homes

When asked what Alexsey would change if she had one wish and could wave a magic wand it would be that rescue orgs and shelters “should work together in partnership” because everyone is “doing the best with what [they] have and all want to help animals”. There are a lot of people involved in a dog or cat’s rescue journey from the need to be adopted to the point of landing in their furever home, and the different parties involved are “all working together to get [a] dog into the perfect home”. Hopefully one that will appreciate the dog’s personality and build a wonderful life together.

I think basically, it would be nice and appreciated by the city staff working at local shelters and the volunteers who rescue outside the governmental structure, if people were a little more understanding that people are trying to do the best that they can with the resources available to them. Perhaps considering the impact of irresponsible owners and backyard breeders would give rise to the root of more of the problems than the people who are trying to “work together” as a team to address this large scale challenge of homeless animals who are in need of homes and a loving family through no fault of their own.