PORTUGUESE WATER
DOG (PORTUGAL)SIZE: Medium/large
(43cm – 57cm)COLOURS: Black, white, various
shades of brown, black and white,
brown and white.DESCRIPTION: In the show
ring, this dog can be easily spotted
due to his rather distinctive haircut
that involves his muzzle and his
entire hindquarters (and two thirds
of his tail) being clipped. As in
Poodles, however, this isn’t just an
af ectation. Water dogs needed
to be as buoyant as possible, so
avoiding having extra coat to weigh
them down, but still needed protection on their joints
and extremities, and to keep their vital organs warm. Another
non-shedding dog, there are two types of coat — one being fairly
long and loosely waved, and the other shorter, fairly harsh, and with
compact curls.GOOD HOUSEMATE OR NIGHTMARE LODGER? This is
a highly active, trainable, friendly dog, who can turn his paw to just
about anything. A natural clown, who can be both impetuous and
sometimes unwisely brave, he needs to have plenty of exercise
and, ideally, a job to do to stop him getting into mischief! As
a water-loving breed it may be an
idea to keep him on-lead near
lakes and rivers, as they hold an
almost magnetic attraction for
him (and often the smellier,
the better!).18 Your Dog May 2019IBIZAN HOUND
(SPAIN — IBIZA)SIZE: Large (56cm – 74cm)
COLOURS: White, chestnut, or
‘lion’ solid colour, or any combination
of these.DESCRIPTION: Like other similar
hounds found around southern
Europe (the Pharaoh Hound, Sicilian
Hound, and Spanish Greyhound
among others), the Ibizan Hound
owes his ancient appearance to his
ancestors, who travelled with the
Phoenicians over 3,000 years ago.
These short-coated hounds, with fabulous erect ears, are an almost
unchanged piece of history, and can easily be imagined sitting
elegantly beside pyramids.
In Ibiza, the breed was largely used for rabbit hunting, but would
pursue other small game by l ushing and then chasing it at high
speed (up to 40mph), before bringing it back to his owner. Like
many dogs who hunt in hot climates, the Ibizan Hound is all about
short bursts of speed, and then a lot of lying around — elegantly!GOOD HOUSEMATE OR NIGHTMARE LODGER?
These are af ectionate, sensitive dogs with easy-to-care-for coats.
They are loyal to their families, but are generally fairly reserved
with strangers. They can have a lot to say for themselves, and, like
many hounds, have little interest in training, are escapologists, and
become totally deaf when they i nd something to chase.INTERESTING FACT
The ‘lion’ colour may well
date back to the breed’s
Egyptian ancestors
and the now extinct
Barbary lion. Lions were
worshipped in Egypt and
it’s easy to see how the
dogs’ similar colouring
became so highly
prized. Dogs similar to
the Ibizan Hound are
depicted on the tomb of
Tutankhamun.INTERESTING FACT
This is the only breed to
be described as
a i sh-herder! His keen
eyesight meant he could
spot shoals of i sh and
he was used to drive
them into nets. He would
also carry messages
between boats, retrieve
lost nets, and even
worked as a canine
foghorn. He could turn
his paw to i shing and
often caught the odd
i sh that tried to escape
from the nets.ey bra
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IBIZAN HOUND
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16-19 YD Breeds CS(SW)ok.indd 18 01/04/2019 16: