The Ibizan Andaluz is one of the lesser known Podencos because the breed is not recognized by the FCI .  In March 1992 the breed was recognized by Spain in the RSCE and attempts have been made to get the breed recognized internationally by the FCI.  This is hard because the Spanish Andaluz Ibizan clubs struggle to help the owners of a Podenco Andaluz to register their Ibizan LOE (Libro de Origen de España).   There are currently only 600 registered dogs, there are 2000 which need to be recognized by the FCI.

For a Podenco Andaluz to be recognized as pure bred,  three generations require to be registered with the Portuguese LOE, who protest because they believe the Ibizan Andaluz is similar to their Podengo Português. Spain now looks to the standard of the Ibizan Andaluz,  so perhaps a compromise will be reached soon.

The Ibizan Andaluz, the name says it all, is the Ibizan of the Spanish mainland.  The breed is, in general, somewhat reserved with strangers, but to their owners they are are loyal, affectionate, obedient and respectful.  They are never aggressive towards people.   Officianados of this breed have never believed the report that a Podenco Andaluz attacked someone – even the large Ibizan Andalus; however one can imagine that a traumatised or abused Podenco Andaluz, when cornered, could attack to defend itself.

In Spain, the Ibizan Andaluz is used for hunting and has also a boss, the hunter, this would be called a one-man dog.  However, in Andaluz the podenco lives in a pack, in a hunting kennel/barn and is never kept in the house.  He knows no different.  In an adoptive home with a family,  he is perfectly able to love and share his friendship with the family. He will obey commands from other members in the family  but strangers should approach him slowly;  better to let him get used to them in his own time.

The hunting instinct is not always strong in a Podenco Andaluz but, as with all Spanish hunting breeds, it is not wise to allow them to roam freely in the first few months after adoption, as they need time to adjust to their new home and life.

Depending on the extent of the hunting instinct, the character of your dog, the degree of obedience, you can decide if your Ibizan will be walked without a lead. In areas with wild rabbits it is not wise because accidents will happen. The Ibizan is bred for hunting and hunting is in his genes, so it’s always a difficult balance between freedom and security.  Yet I know a number of podencos which are walked loose on the beach and enjoy their freedom and podencos in the park freely play with other dogs.  However, in an area with rabbits, the hunting instinct will take over. They almost always come back, but this may take several hours .  The best place for a Podenco release is obviously a fenced area where they cannot run away, but where do you find one? 

If  a podenco itself could choose between a life in Spain on a short chain,  vegetative in the burning sun, often without food or water, often abused ,  only being released for hunting for between 12 to 25 days or a life in a forever adopted home with love, care and attention every day food, long walks and an own basket where do you think a podenco would choose?!

 In order to gain the trust of the podenco, one must first spend considerable time with their new dog.  To create a bond with the dog, one must walk a lot with the dog on a lead, playing with the dog, etc. All contact between you and your new dog can enhance a  happy and lasting relationship between you.   A Podenco Andaluz in general, should learn a lot when it comes to live with you simply because it is not used to such a life.  Be clear and firm, but do not use a hard hand as this is counterproductive.  A quiet, friendly and consistent approach with positive reinforcement gets the best result. Grab a Podenco too hard and you may damage its trust in you forever.

The Ibizan Andaluz is just like the rest of the podenco’s, a hunting dog. The main prey are rabbits, but the Andaluz is a versatile hunting dog. It is primarily the Ibizan Andaluz Talla Grande used for hunting big game. . There are two different strains with regard to the Ibizan Andaluz. Een daarvan is gefokt voor de wilde jacht. One is bred for hunting wild. . These dogs detect the prey, the chase, killing the prey and bring it to the hunter. The other line functions more as a retriever and stays much closer to the hunter. . They find the prey for the hunter, who then shoots, after which the dog retrieves it for him. Most hunters use a variety of Spanish dogs, because they work together in order to surround the prey and to detect.

Unlike many other hunting breeds Podenco Andaluz requires no initial training for hunting, everything runs on instinct. The young pups have a dead rabbit to play with, just the instinct to generation. Then the young guns together with more experienced dogs that they show how the hunt for the most efficient way is implemented.  Also by purchasing a puppy you can not beat the hunting instinct of a Podenco Andaluz around. As the hunt is conducted purely by instinct.

Everyone who adopts a Podenco should be aware that education requires much patience. An Ibizan Andaluz is very intelligent and learns quickly, but by his own wisdom, you will often be surprised.  This means we must be inventive to our dogs to believe that they do things  of their own free will. The training should be short, fun and conducted in a positive frame of mind.  Otherwise they will get bored and find something else to amuse them.  Because they are somewhat nervous, they must be trained with soft methods.  An Ibizan who fells offended or unfairly treated may lose his relationship with his boss and it can be very difficult for the loss of confidence to be restored. An Ibizan remains loyal to his owner where he trust, but he can also choose to distance himself from someone who does not fulfill his expectations.

Personally I have only positive experiences with my dogs.  After so many years I’m just more to love this breed.  An Ibizan Andaluz much attention and confidence, so I think it is unwise to adopt a Podenco when working full time and the Ibizan left too. They are very sweet and affectionate, as Lili is just a lap dog who likes to sit on my lap all day. They have a lot of energy and get on very well with other dogs.  They are certainly not always busy because they can also spend hours in their baskets or on the couch sleeping peacefully. Together in a pack, they can be perfectly fine but once in a while, they sometimes fight over a toy or chew stick, but that is rare.  As with other breeds of puppies, they will chew a newspaper or shoe, but soon outgrow that.  

They need some time to adjust to their new homes. Depending on the extent of the hunting instinct, the character of your dog, the degree of obedience, you can decide if your Ibizan runs off lead. In areas where there are wild rabbits, it is not a good idea because accidents will happen!  The Ibizan is bred for hunting and hunting is in his genes, so it’s always a difficult balance between freedom and security. Yet I know a number Podencos who run free on the beach and enjoy their freedom and will play freely in the park with other dogs.  However, in an area where there are rabbits, their hunting instinct will take over.  They almost always come back, but this may take several hours ….  The best place to release a podenco is obviously a fenced area where they cannot run away!

What would a podenco choose – a life in Spain in a short chain,  existing in the burning sun,  with hardly any food or water and abused, or a forever home abroad.  He only hunts for 12 to 25 days!  Whereas adopted abroad to a life with love, care and attention, every day food, long walks and its own basket!

In order to gain the trust of the Ibizan one must first spend considerable time with the new dog.  To create a bond with the dog, one must walk a lot with the dog leash, playing with the dog, etc. All contact between you and your new dog can enhance a guarantee for a happy and lasting relationship between you.   A quiet, friendly and consistent approach with positive reinforcement gets the best result. 

The Ibizan Andaluz is a hunting dog, just like the rest of the podencos.  The main prey is rabbits, but the Andaluz is a versatile hunting dog. They are also used for hunting deer, wild boar and birds. Primarily it is the Ibizan Andaluz Talla Grande which is used for hunting big game. There are two different strains with regard to the Ibizan Andaluz.  One is bred for hunting game. These dogs detect the prey, chase, killing the prey and bring it to the hunter. The other type functions more as a retriever and stays much closer to the hunter.  They find the prey for the hunter, who then shoots, after which the dog retrieves it for him.  Most hunters use a variety of Spanish dogs, because they work together in order to surround the prey and to detect. 

Unlike many other hunting breeds Podenco Andaluz requires no initial training for hunting, everything runs on instinct. The hunter introduces an early victim to a puppy.  The young pups have a dead rabbit to play with.  Then the young guns run together with more experienced dogs who show how to hunt in the most efficient way.  Also by purchasing a puppy you  cannot beat the hunting instinct, as the hunt is conducted purely by instinct. 

I always enjoy sitting in the garden and Chica, Bonita and Lili each sit in a chair at the table.  If I go out, on my return they greet me as though I’ve been away for a year!  I have the idea that people think podencos are very difficult, but it is probably only because of the hunting instinct, because they are very sweet, affectionate dogs, very loyal and with a heart of gold.  They can be stubborn and somtimes a bit busy, but they are very sweet dogs. 

Their eyes radiate such love; and those heads with so much expression, amazing ears that can assume any position, depending on how they feel.  Look in the eyes of a beautiful Podenco and your heart will melt .. give them a chance because they deserve more recognition! 

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