If you are planning to buy a dog, you will be interested to know the ancestry of its breed. You would want to know where your breed originated from and if it was somehow connected to any kind of nobility. These facts would not only make you knowledgeable about your pet's history but they would also add to your pride of owning a dog with a colorful past. One dog breed that has a history that its owner can take pride in is the Ibizan Hound. The ancestry of this dog breed might still be clouded with mystery, but whatever information that is present about the Ibizan can make anyone marvel at the nobility of its ancestry.
Many Ibizan Hound owners will be proud to say that their pets belong to an ancient breed that has existed for thousands of years. They would even tell you that the Ibizan could be a direct descendant of the hunting dogs of the Pharaohs in Egypt. This belief is made evident in ancient artworks as well as mummified remains that belong to ancient Eqypt.
More traditionally, however, the Ibizan Hound is believed to have come from the Ibiza island, which is one of the Balearic islands that is located off Spain's Mediterranean coast. This island is said to be the place where Carthaginian or Phoenician traders came and brought dogs from Egypt from as far back as 800-600 B.C. The island is also said to be where the Ibizan Hound got its name.
However, in those days, dogs of any kind were not treated kindly in Spain. In its supposed place of origin, the Ibizan Hound was only considered as a livestock or a provider of fresh meat for meals. Because of this, the Ibizan is considered a hardy dog that can live in harsh conditions in the country. Even up to this day, the Ibizan is still regarded as a working stock in Spain, rather than a pet that is meant to be cuddled and taken care of. It is fortunate to note that this perception of the Ibizan is slowly changing because the dog has demonstrated that it is worthy to become a family pet. The living conditions of Spain have also improved for the better, making it unnecessary for the people to use dog meat.
As history shows, it is said that Ibizan Hounds were used as hunters in the Balearic Islands. These islands include Majorca, Formentura, Minorca and of course, Ibiza. In these islands, the Ibizan Hound is known as the "Ca Eivissenc". The provinces of Valencia, Catalonia and Languedoc-Rousillon of Spain as well as Provence, France are also said to have been hunting grounds of the Ibizan, where it is better known as the "Podenco Ibicenco" or the Balearic Hound.
Along with its extensive and interesting history, the Ibizan Hound is also highly regarded for its unique abilities. It exudes an air of nobility that sets it apart from other dogs, and it is indeed a dog that will make its owner proud.
|
