Ibizan Hound vs Hortaya Borzaya - Breed Comparison

Ibizan Hound vs Hortaya Borzaya - Breed ComparisonHortaya Borzaya is originated from Russia but Ibizan Hound is originated from Spain. Both Hortaya Borzaya and Ibizan Hound are having almost same height. Hortaya Borzaya may weigh 6 kg / 14 pounds more than Ibizan Hound. Hortaya Borzaya may live 3 years more than Ibizan Hound. Hortaya Borzaya may have less litter size than Ibizan Hound. Both Hortaya Borzaya and Ibizan Hound requires Low Maintenance.

Basic Information

Group:
Hound dog
Hound dog
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Russia
Spain
Height Male:
65 - 75 cm
25 - 30 inches
56 - 74 cm
22 - 30 inches
Height Female:
61 - 71 cm
24 - 28 inches
50 - 68 cm
19 - 27 inches
Weight Male:
18 - 35 kg
39 - 78 pounds
20 - 29 kg
44 - 64 pounds
Weight Female:
16 - 32 kg
35 - 71 pounds
17 - 26 kg
37 - 58 pounds
Life Span:
14 - 15 Years
10 - 12 Years
Litter Size:
6 - 8
6 - 12
Size:
Large
Large
Other Names:
Hort, Chortaja borzaja, Kурч, Kurtas Chortaj Hortaya Horty, Xорт, Hrt, Chort
Ibizan Warren HoundPodenco Ibicenco, Balearic Dog, Ca Eivissenc
Colors Available:
brown, black, white, red, piebald , brindle
red and white
Coat:
short yet dense
short and hard
Shedding:
Minimal
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Loyal, Playful
Alert, Energetic, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Outgoing, Playful, Quiet
Grooming:
Low Maintenance
Low Maintenance
Trainability:
Moderate
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

hortaya borzayaThe Hortaya Borzaya is an ancient sighthound from Asia with its origins in Kievan Rus = Grand Duchy of Lithuania = Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and the Empire of Russia. The Hortaya is a large dog, especially a long in body dog with a muscular build suitable for running fast. He is one of the most talented of sighthounds, able to track moving prey at quite great distances. He is an intensely active when running prey and quiet and well balanced when not working.

In Asia and Russia, it is still a working hunting dog, hunting a variety of game such as Saiga antelopes, wolves, foxes, and hares. With tremendous endurance, the Hortaya can run at great speeds and great distances on the hunt. The Hortaya Borzaya is a long distance runner rather than a sprinter like the greyhound we are all so familiar with. He also needs very little rest between runs of up to 4 km. The Hortaya uses his sense of smell as well as sight in the hunt. They hunt solo, in pairs or in packs.

It was not until 2004 that the Hortaya was first exported to Europe and given full breeding papers. They went to Germany, Slovakia and the Czech Republic in 2004. They went to Switzerland and Finland in 2005 and to the United States around 2005. Prior to this the Hortaya Borzaya was bred only in its original territory for thousands of years.

Unlike Western breeding programs, the Hortaya is not bred for the purpose of improving the breed. Like Asian thoroughbred horses the breed is considered “finished”. Because of this there was no inbreeding, linebreeding or incest. This is true for about 4-6 generations of a line. This helps the breed to stay healthy.

The breed was developed centuries ago being bred by many different groups of people throughout the region, making it impossible to say exactly where and how this Central Asian/Afghanistan/ southern Russian breed developed. The Russian Kynological Federation (RKF) member of the FCI, developed a standard for the Hortaya Borzaya, which unlike most breed standards, does not tell you what the Hortaya must be like. Instead it tells you what he cannot be.

It gives boundaries that the dog must fit inside in order to be considered a Hortaya Borzaya. This is because the breeds of these dogs in their native territories want to preserve as many different types and sub-types as possible under the banner of one breed. To most people these dogs would look like very different breeds. For this reason, they have not been accepted into International Breed Groups and Associations. The breeders of these dogs do not want to be tied down to one standard. They do not want the breed to be separated into western lines and the original line or show lines and working lines. They wish to keep all the dogs within one grouping.

The breed is recognized on the national level by the originating countries and federations, including Russia’s. There are an estimated 2500-3500 dog of this breed in existence to day. Only a few dozen of the breed exist outside of the original countries. In other Eastern and European countries, the dogs may be registered with hunting associations instead of a breed association.

The breed is held mostly by hunters in remote, local areas and villages that are fairly isolated. Here the Hortaya is seen as a partner in feeding the hunters family and the dog is invaluable. In these remote areas a good hunting dog is equal in value to the good horse. Both are essential to the hunter and his family’s livelihood.

The Hortaya Borzaya is a pack dog and does well with the family as well as an athletic hunter. They hunt in packs, small groups or alone and bring their catch back to the hunter for the family meal. No hunter had to go with the dog. In fact, the hunters would send the dogs several times for food. The Hortaya might travel for miles across tough terrain to get food for the family.

ibizan houndThis lean, speedy and agile hound dog looks and acts very much like a Pharaoh Hound except the Ibizan Hound is larger and a different color. The image of dogs that look like the Ibizan have been seen since 3400 BC in Egypt. The dogs were probably brought by sailors to Ibiza and surrounding islands. They came about 700-900 BC. It is believed that they actually came for the island of Elvissa and Spain, where they speak Catalan. It was also known in France as the le chanigue. There job was the same. To hunt rabbits.

They were fast hunting greyhound type dogs. They hunted for rabbit for the Ibizaners and themselves. These dogs hunt by day and by night. They are not just sight hounds, they also hunt by smell and hearing, in packs or by themselves. They use their sight to find and corner the prey. Then they act like retrievers and bring it back to the hunter. Their function and look is very similar to several other dogs such as the Pharaoh Hound, the Greyhound, the Portuguese Podengo, the Cimeco dellEtna and the Podence Canario. The Ibizan is larger than any of these, but all these breeds are considered to be “primitive”.

Within the breed itself there are smooth, wire and longhaired Ibizan Hounds. The Smooth is by far the most common. A great jumper, nimble runner built for stamina, the Ibizan Hound was just what the island people needed. The breed lived in isolation on the island for many centuries, under a variety of rulers including the Romans, Egyptians, Vandals, Carthaginians, Chaldeans, Arabs and Spanish. Because of the harsh island conditions, the farmers only allowed the best hunters among the Ibizan Hounds to procreate thus assuring a breed that is unchanged from ancient stock.

By 1950 the Ibizan Hound was brought to America. Because this dog is not a pet but a working machine, it took awhile for the breed to become popular enough to be recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1979. Still the Ibizan Hound is a rare breed with the female being a better hunter than the male. One of the most common activities of this breed in the U.S. is lure coursing. These events are sponsored by AKC and ASFA as well as racing events in the NOTRA and LGRA.

Description

hortaya borzaya puppy - descriptionThis athletic sighthound is a handsome dog, ranging from large to giant. Remember there are many different ‘types’ of dogs within the one line/breed of Hortaya. Breed standards are exclusionary, and performance based rather than inclusionary, and appearance based. Still most of the breed lines share many of the same traits.

They are a long legged breed with a very deep chest and flexible spine. They have immensely strong lungs and a narrow but long skull. Their gait is fluid, effortless trotting when not hunting. When she is hunting, they gallop like a horse and cover a lot of ground.

There eyes are usually black but can be any color and their fur is also any color. It is thick and dense. Finally, in the 2000’s, there were some dogs in a subline exported to Europe and to North America. Here, for this subgroup, a standard was established based on appearance and the color or the coat was now set at only white, blue, black, cream, red, sable and brindle, and piebald. They might or might not have a saddle. Definition of this type is still going on and has not been entirely settled yet. This standard is only for the European and American market show dogs.

These dogs, bred for show, have the same ability to run like the wind and for a very long time with his muscled body and long legs. The breed has strength and stamina that will fool you. He also has a long neck and broad back. He has thin, short ears.

ibizan hound puppy - descriptionThe breed is agile, elegant, athletic and graceful. At the same time the Ibizan Hound is a fierce hunter travelling at unreal speeds to catch his rabbit prey. They are a hardy breed with a lean and long neck, and a lean, muscled body with laid back shoulders. The ears are specific to the breed, with a broad base leading to long, beautiful ears. They have tan eye rims, nose, foot pads, and ears. The eyes themselves are an amber with an intelligent and alert expression.

Characteristics

Children friendliness

hortaya borzaya dog - characteristicsChildren friendliness - yes, they are very good with children and will play with them for hours.

Special talents

They have tremendous stamina, speed and intelligence to hunt on their own without the hunter and bring the prey back in good shape for the hunter’s family to eat.

Adaptability

No they are not very adaptable in terms of living arrangements. They will not do well in an apartment and probably not in the city as they need land to run.

Learning ability

Learning ability yes, they are intelligent and learn easily.

Children friendliness

ibizan hound dog - characteristicsThey love children but be careful they do not knock them over and don’t let the children play to rough.

Special talents

Exceptional jumping ability, speed and stamina.

Adaptability

Must have a large fenced yard and a place to run full out.

Learning ability

Very intelligent with excellent learning ability.

Health Problems

hortaya borzaya puppies - health problemsAs previously mentioned, the original breed is isolated and therefore has a pretty good health track record. Most of the breed specific illnesses or conditions that usually are inherited barely exist in this breed.

They have a propensity toward obesity and diet is essential to prevent other issues.

Chronic or acute pancreatitis is possible because the breed developed eating small meals and hardly any meat. Too much meat or fat could cause this.

No tolerance for high protein dog food. Can cause puppies to have life threatening damage to bones and cartilage that is irreversible.

Bloat – because of the deep chest and the intolerance for large meals they are prone to bloat.

ibizan hound puppies - health problemsDespite being isolated on the islands for all those years, the Ibizan Hound has several tendencies toward medical issues:

  • Allergic Reactions -insecticides, drugs and flea powders.
  • Seizures – can be medicated.
  • Axonal Dystrophy – a muscle and nerve disease.
  • Cataracts – occasional occurrence.
  • Retinal Dysplasia – occurs rarely
  • Deafness – can be at birth or developmental.

Caring The Pet

Feeding the puppy

hortaya borzaya dogs - caringAs mentioned above do not overfeed a Hortaya Borzaya puppy. There is serious risk of irreversible damage if you do. Feed small meals 3-6 times a day with lower protein.

Feeding the adult

3 cups of an average protein high quality dog food served at least 3-4 times per day. To avoid bloat do not feed large meals before or after exercise and don’t let your dog drink a lot of water at one time.

Points for Good Health

They have tremendous stamina and speed.

Games and Exercises

This is an extremely active dog bred to hunt 5-6 times a day over wide expanses of various and rough terrain. They need exercise. If you run, they will run with you happily and they will outlast you. They are good at and enjoy fetch, chase, agility, and field trials. They will last hours at any game they play.

Feeding the puppy

ibizan hound dogs - caringYour Ibizan Hound is an athlete and needs to be fed like one. As a puppy he needs high quality breed or group (hound) specific food. Feed her 3-4 times a day based on calories. A puppy needs about 866 calories each day.

Feeding the adult

If your dog participates in sports as adults, they need between 1450 and 2900 calories each day. The exact amount depends on how much activity the dog is engaged in. Feed at least 2 times a day.

Points for Good Health

Great speed and stamina

Games and Exercises

Your Ibizan Hound is a working athlete. He needs a lot of exercise and he needs a chance to run full out so access to land is essential. It can be a large back yard, or it can be a dog park. No matter what it is, it is essential for the Ibizan Hound. She will also require long walks at least a couple times a day. However, do not over exercise your puppy. They are great jumpers as well as runners.

The sport of lure coursing was made for the Ibizan in the same way that it was made for the Greyhound. They are good at Flyball and agility as well.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Ibizan Hound vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  2. Ibizan Hound vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  3. Ibizan Hound vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  4. Ibizan Hound vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  5. Ibizan Hound vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  6. Ibizan Hound vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  7. Ibizan Hound vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  8. Ibizan Hound vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. Ibizan Hound vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  10. Ibizan Hound vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  11. Ibizan Hound vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  12. Ibizan Hound vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  13. Ibizan Hound vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  14. Ibizan Hound vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  15. Ibizan Hound vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  16. Ibizan Hound vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  17. Ibizan Hound vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  18. Ibizan Hound vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  19. Ibizan Hound vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  20. Ibizan Hound vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  21. Ibizan Hound vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  22. Ibizan Hound vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  23. Ibizan Hound vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  24. Ibizan Hound vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  25. Ibizan Hound vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. Hortaya Borzaya vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. Hortaya Borzaya vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Hortaya Borzaya vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. Hortaya Borzaya vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Hortaya Borzaya vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Hortaya Borzaya vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Hortaya Borzaya vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Hortaya Borzaya vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Hortaya Borzaya vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Hortaya Borzaya vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Hortaya Borzaya vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Hortaya Borzaya vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Hortaya Borzaya vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Hortaya Borzaya vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Hortaya Borzaya vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Hortaya Borzaya vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Hortaya Borzaya vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Hortaya Borzaya vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Hortaya Borzaya vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Hortaya Borzaya vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Hortaya Borzaya vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Hortaya Borzaya vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Hortaya Borzaya vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Hortaya Borzaya vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Hortaya Borzaya vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison