Canary Islands Hound
About the Canary Islands Hound
Temperament
Physical Characteristics
| Size Category | Medium (25-50 lbs) |
|---|---|
| Height | 21-25" |
| Weight | 44-55 lbs |
| Coat Type | Smooth |
| Coat Length | Short |
| Colors | |
| Hypoallergenic | No |
Care Requirements
Exercise Needs
High (60-90 min/day)
60 minutes per day recommended
Grooming
Moderate - Weekly
Mental Stimulation
★★★★★Moderate mental stimulation needed
Drooling
★★★★★Living Conditions
Cost of Ownership
| Purchase Price | $800-$1,500 |
|---|---|
| Annual Cost | $1,000/year |
Costs vary based on location, breeder, and individual needs. Annual costs include food, veterinary care, grooming, and supplies.
Health Considerations
Like all breeds, Canary Islands Hounds may be prone to certain health conditions:
Regular veterinary check-ups and proper care can help prevent or manage many health issues.
Best For
- Families with Children
- Active Owners
May Not Be Ideal For
- Apartment Living
- Sedentary Lifestyles
Guides for your Canary Islands Hound
The story behind the Canary Islands Hound
The Canary Islands Hound belongs to the wider family of podenco and Mediterranean hound types found across Iberia, the Balearics, and the Atlantic islands, all built on a similar prick-eared, lightly framed hunting model. Its documented life is on the Canary Islands, where dogs of this kind have been used for generations to hunt rabbit across lava fields and terraced hillsides, working in small packs with a hunter and often alongside ferrets. Popular claims linking such dogs to ancient Egyptian imagery remain unproven, and a cautious account treats the type as a long-established regional hunting dog rather than a preserved antiquity. Spanish authorities and the FCI recognise the breed under a standard reflecting its working shape. On the islands it is still a working hunter, while abroad it is rare and often encountered through rescue organisations.
Originally bred for: Rabbit hunter, Pack hunting hound, Small-game finder. You can trace how working roles shaped today’s breeds across our dog guides.
Feeding a Canary Islands Hound
A lean, light-framed runner that carries very little fat by design, so resist any urge to fatten one up. Quality food with adequate fat supports stamina; increase the ration on heavy hunting or running days, and divide meals for a deep-chested dog that tends to eat fast.
Watch for: No breed-linked ingredient problem is recognised. Owners do report sensitive stomachs in individuals unaccustomed to rich commercial diets, particularly imported rescue dogs adjusting from a very different feeding history. Change foods gradually, and involve a veterinarian if the upset continues.
Mealtime extras: training treats worth keeping in your pocket. Everything else lives in our dog nutrition and feeding hub.
Living with a Canary Islands Hound
Day to day, the basics matter most: how much exercise your dog needs, how often to get out for a walk, and how much sleep is normal.
For play and enrichment, browse our favorite dog toys and interactive toys for rainy days.
Gear that fits the breed makes life easier: a well-sized dog bed, a properly sized crate.
Raising a puppy? Work through crate training and the teething timeline — or see how old your dog is in human years with our dog age calculator.