Breed History
Anubis
It is believed that the Ibizan Hound's origins date back at least 5,000 years, making it one of the oldest pure-bred dogs in existence today. These hounds were often the theme in Egyptian art. Tracing back to 3100 B.C., a concave dish (called the Golenischeff plate) was found at Nagada in upper Egypt. Three leashed hounds with erect ears and tall lean bodies are portrayed.
Hieroglyphs
Drawings of these ancient hounds, so strikingly similar to the Ibizan, have been found in hieroglyphs and in the tombs of pharohs dating back to 3100 B.C. (including Ptolemy and Nefermat (2650 B.C.), Mereku and Tutankhamon). Even the head of Anubis resembles that of the Ibizan.
The Balearic Islands
During the 8th and 9th centuries B.C., the Phoenicians brought this breed to the Balearic Islands, located off the coast of Spain. They remained there, unspoiled for two thousand years. They were bred as "rabbit dogs" with farmers only keeping the keenest and strongest hunters to help feed the farmer's families. Ibizans have been known to "bring down" much bigger game including deer. The breed was first introduced to the United States in 1956 by Colonel and Mrs. Consuelo Seone. Ibizans were finally accepted as an AKC Breed in 1979. The Ibizan's first appearance at the Westminster Kennel Club show was in 1980.
More information . . .
Both Wikipedia, and About Ibizan Hounds are excellent on-line resources for information regarding the Ibizan Hound.
A modern day heiroglyph?