THE ELEGANT IBIZAN HOUND
KATIE CAMPBELL
2. The biggest concern you have about your breed, be it medical, structural, temperament-wise, or what? KC: Responsible breeders utilizing BAER testing have proven to nearly remove bilateral deafness from the gene pool, but we still have some occurrences of unilateral deaf- ness. Some breeders exhibit faulty, messy, egg-beater front assemblies citing that they are appropriately “elas- tic”. Sloppy is not correct. This breed is truly elegant and graceful—seasoned with a sense of humor. EL: Since I started showing Ibizans in 1981 our tem- peraments have vastly improved. Our dogs were often untouchable back then. Some of this is due to good breeding, some to better training and certainly some is because we expect our showdogs to be strong in the field as well. That promotes intolerance of insane dogs and also dogs who are asked to perform their function gain confidence and the ability to deal with new situa- tions through that activity. We are on a good track here and should continue to insist that our dogs are dual purpose. AM: My biggest concern in Ibizans is with the front assem- bly. Our breed has a unique trait in that we want a rather upright upper arm. This creates a lifting action as the dog is reaching forward at the trot. Sometimes too much emphasis is put on this lifting action and the upper arm without taking into consideration the layback of shoul- der. The standard calls for a well laidback shoulder. I often see dogs with little layback which when coupled with the upright upper arm creates a more hackney gait with little reach. 3. The biggest problem facing you as a breeder. KC: Ibizan Hounds are appropriately on the low-entry-breed list which implies that not very “popular.” Popularity obviously influences the demand (or lack there of) for stay-at-home pets well as show prospects. Responsible breeders need to take reservations in advance of con- summating litters to assure that they will have enough quality, vetted homes to support their breeding aspira- tions. Meanwhile, no one wants to disappoint committed homes, either. Combine those realities with the fact that this breed commonly whelps two to fourteen puppies
I live in Seattle, Washington. Professionally, I’m a partner in a commercial real estate firm. I enjoy ballroom dancing, especially in the autumn and winter months. During the spring and summer months, when I’m not at dog shows, I tend to my organic garden and then prepare and preserve the bounty. ERIC LIEBES Joan and I live outside of Colorado Springs with two Samo- yeds, a Komondor, an Ibizan Hound and Joan’s two horses. I retired two years ago after 30 years with Chevron as a geo- physicist, doing oil exploration and research ALICE MIRESTES I live in Northwest Arkansas and I am a practice manager at a veterinary clinic 1. Your opinion of the current quality of purebred dogs in general, and your breed in particular. KC: In my opinion, Ibizan Hounds are riding higher than before with the deepest quality we’ve collectively seen in the USA since their acceptance to the AKC. Ibizan Hounds are excelling in a variety of dog sports, as the breed particularly shines in lure coursing, agility and rally. EL: I think too many winning dogs are sound and are good “showdogs” and that the important details of type are in danger of fading. It is the responsibility of judges to reward type above showmanship. In other words, they have to know the details of type in all the breeds they judge. In Ibizan Hounds this danger is expressed when judging our breed becomes a contest of who can hold their ears up the longest or who can move the fastest around the ring. Both are a disservice to our breed. Style of move- ment in Ibizans is unique, it must be athletic, efficient and include “joint flexion” expressed as some lift in the front at a trot. AM: My opinion of quality overall and in my breed, people are striving for mediocrity instead of understanding what makes a great dog great. People seem to think they should win because they put in the effort to show up.
per litter and that makes striking the appropriate balance of responsible supply and puppy demand rather challenging.
EL: When I bred several litters in the 80s and 90s we had a tragic neurologic issue which has now gone away. It turned out to be a vaccine reaction which we can now avoid. We still have food sensitivities and because of that I am feeding my dog raw food.
S how S ight M agazine , J anuary 2018 • 277
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