A Detailed Comparison of the Ibizan Hound and the Maremma Sheepdog.

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Ibizan Hound Versus Maremma Sheepdog: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Ibizan Hound and the Maremma Sheepdog? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Ibizan Hound and the Maremma Sheepdog better suits you.

We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Ibizan Hound and the Maremma Sheepdog.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Ibizan Hound and the Maremma Sheepdog is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.

Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Ibizan Hound and for the Maremma Sheepdog. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Ibizan Hound and the Maremma Sheepdog.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Ibizan Hound or the Maremma Sheepdog.

Ibizan Hound versus Maremma Sheepdog

Ibizan Hound versus Maremma Sheepdog: Overview

A very important difference between the Ibizan Hound and the Maremma Sheepdog is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Ibizan Hound is a medium-sized dog while the Maremma Sheepdog is a large-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Ibizan Hound belongs to the Hound Dogs group. Hound Dogs were bred to pursue and hunt warm-blooded animals. Hounds hunt by using their good sight or their good sense of smell. Dogs that belong to the Hound Group have strong prey drives and often will stop at nothing to catch what they are pursuing.

On the other hand, the Maremma Sheepdog belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.

Ibizan Hound versus Maremma Sheepdog: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Ibizan Hound to the Maremma Sheepdog based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.

When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets

Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.

However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.

Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Ibizan Hound and the Maremma Sheepdog

Factor Ibizan Hound Maremma Sheepdog
Tolerates Cold Weather 1/5 4/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 3/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 5/5 1/5
Life Span 10 to 14 years 11 to 13 years
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 2/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 4/5
Height 22 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder 23.5 to 28.5 inches
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 1/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 1/5
Easy To Train 3/5 1/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 4/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 2/5
Easygoing 2/5 2/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 1/5
General Health 4/5 5/5
Intelligence 4/5 5/5
Weight 45 to 50 pounds 65 to 100 pounds
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 1/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 4/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 2/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 5/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 1/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 2/5
Average Lifespan 12.0 years 12.0 years
Price Range No Data $495 – $1500
Average Price No Data $1160
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Congenital Deafness
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Shoulders
  • Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Ibizan Hound in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Maremma Sheepdog. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.

    The Better-Pet score for the Ibizan Hound is 84 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Maremma Sheepdog is 68 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Ibizan Hound is a better pet than the Maremma Sheepdog. So, you should get the Ibizan Hound!

    Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

    Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the Ibizan Hound and the Maremma Sheepdog so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Ibizan Hound and the Maremma Sheepdog

    Below is a list of where the Ibizan Hound and the Maremma Sheepdog are most different:

  • Ibizan Hounds cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold. However, Maremma Sheepdogs can tolerate cold weather.
  • Ibizan Hounds are not prone to gaining weight easily. However, Maremma Sheepdogs gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Ibizan Hounds are very friendly towards strangers. However, Maremma Sheepdogs are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Ibizan Hounds adapt well to apartment living. However, Maremma Sheepdogs do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Ibizan Hounds are very easy to groom. However, Maremma Sheepdogs require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Ibizan Hounds have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets. However, Maremma Sheepdogs have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
  • Ibizan Hounds have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects. However, Maremma Sheepdogs do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
  • Ibizan Hounds are very playful. However, Maremma Sheepdogs not very playful.
  • The Similarities Between the Ibizan Hound and the Maremma Sheepdog

    The Ibizan Hound and the Maremma Sheepdog are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Ibizan Hound and the Maremma Sheepdog are most similar:

  • Both the Ibizan Hound and the Maremma Sheepdog do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Ibizan Hound and the Maremma Sheepdog are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Ibizan Hound and the Maremma Sheepdog are easily disturbed by noise in their environments. They are sensitive to human tone. They will understand the tone of your voice when you try to correct their behaviors with a firm tone.
  • Both the Ibizan Hound and the Maremma Sheepdog are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Ibizan Hound and the Maremma Sheepdog are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Ibizan Hound and the Maremma Sheepdog are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Ibizan Hound and the Maremma Sheepdog get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Ibizan Hound and the Maremma Sheepdog get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Ibizan Hound and the Maremma Sheepdog have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Ibizan Hound and the Maremma Sheepdog require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Ibizan Hound versus Maremma Sheepdog

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Ibizan Hound and the Maremma Sheepdog.

    Ibizan Hounds weigh 45 to 50 pounds when fully grown. Ibizan Hounds are 22 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Maremma Sheepdogs weigh 65 to 100 pounds when fully grown. Maremma Sheepdogs are 23.5 to 28.5 inches when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Ibizan Hound versus Maremma Sheepdog

    The lifespan of Ibizan Hounds is between 10 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Ibizan Hounds is 12.0 years.

    The lifespan of Maremma Sheepdogs is between 11 to 13 years. The average lifespan of Maremma Sheepdogs is 12.0 years.

    Adopting the Ibizan Hound versus Adopting the Maremma Sheepdog

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Ibizan Hounds and many Maremma Sheepdogs are currently available for adoption.

    These adorable and cute dogs are waiting in dog shelters hoping that someday someone will rescue them. Furthermore, adoption costs are lesser than the cost of a new puppy. Dog adoption costs are usually around $300. In addition to your local dog shelter, a good place online to see dogs that are available for adoption is petfinder.com.

    Below is an adorable Male Ibizan Hound named Ibizan Hounds (Nationally Located) that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Ibizan Hounds like Ibizan Hounds (Nationally Located) on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Ibizan Hounds, Maremma Sheepdogs are also available for adoption. For example, Leo is a Male Maremma Sheepdog that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Maremma Sheepdogs like Leo that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The Ibizan Hound and the Maremma Sheepdog can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    You can find more Ibizan Hounds and Maremma Sheepdogs that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    Health Problems of Ibizan Hound versus Health Problems of Maremma Sheepdog

    Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. There is nothing like a perfect dog breed.

    Both the Ibizan Hound and the Maremma Sheepdog are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.

    The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.

    Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the Maremma Sheepdog is prone to more genetic health problems than the Ibizan Hound.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Maremma Sheepdog than for the Ibizan Hound.

    4 health tests are recommended for Ibizan Hound while 5 tests are recommended for the Maremma Sheepdog.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Ibizan Hounds and in Maremma Sheepdogs.

    Ibizan Hound Health Problems

    Ibizan Hounds are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Ibizan Hound puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Ibizan Hound puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Ibizan Hound breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Ibizan Hounds for:

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Congenital Deafness
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Ibizan Hounds here.

    Maremma Sheepdog Health Problems

    Maremma Sheepdogs are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Maremma Sheepdog puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Maremma Sheepdog puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Maremma Sheepdog breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Maremma Sheepdogs for:

  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Shoulders
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Maremma Sheepdogs here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Ibizan Hounds and Maremma Sheepdogs

    Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Ibizan Hound Breed is Baer Hearing Test problems.

    This is because the Ibizan Hound ranks 5 out of 21 dog breeds for Baer Hearing Test problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 402 Ibizan Hounds, 8 of them had Baer Hearing Test problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Ibizan Hounds, and how common these diseases are in Ibizan Hounds relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Baer Hearing Test problems: Rank 5 out of 21 Dog Breeds
  • Congenital Cardiac problems: Rank 5 out of 159 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 15 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 24 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 193 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Maremma Sheepdog Breed is Hips problems.

    This is because the Maremma Sheepdog ranks 59 out of 198 dog breeds for Hips problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 159 Maremma Sheepdogs, 27 of them had Hips problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Maremma Sheepdogs, and how common these diseases are in Maremma Sheepdogs relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Hips problems: Rank 59 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in Ibizan Hound and in Maremma Sheepdog and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Ibizan Hound and the Maremma Sheepdog:

    Disease Ibizan Hound Rank Maremma Sheepdog Rank
    Baer Hearing Test problems 5 out of 21 dog breeds Not Common
    Congenital Cardiac problems 5 out of 159 dog breeds Not Common
    Eyes problems 15 out of 182 dog breeds Not Common
    Thyroid problems 24 out of 115 dog breeds Not Common
    Hips problems 193 out of 198 dog breeds 59 out of 198 dog breeds

    *To learn more about each of these diseases, go to OFA.org and search for the disease.

    Again, most of these health problems can be prevented through health screening. Responsible breeders screen male and female dog parents for genetic problems. These breeders will only breed dogs that are free of genetic defects. That way, there is little or no chance that their puppies will grow up to have genetic health problems. Always ask a breeder for the list of health tests the breeder screens their dogs for before buying a puppy from such a breeder.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Ibizan Hound versus Maremma Sheepdog

    Ibizan Hounds do not like to be left alone.

    Maremma Sheepdogs do not like to be left alone.

    Do Ibizan Hounds shed more than Maremma Sheepdogs?

    Ibizan Hounds shed moderately.

    Maremma Sheepdogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Ibizan Hound or the Maremma Sheepdog

    Ibizan Hounds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Maremma Sheepdogs drool moderately.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Ibizan Hound or the Maremma Sheepdog?

    Ibizan Hounds are very easy to groom.

    Maremma Sheepdogs require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Does the Ibizan Hound Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Maremma Sheepdog?

    Ibizan Hounds have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.

    Maremma Sheepdogs have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other pets.

    Do Ibizan Hounds Bark and Howl? What about Maremma Sheepdogs?

    Ibizan Hounds are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Maremma Sheepdogs are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Can Ibizan Hounds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Maremma Sheepdogs Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Ibizan Hounds cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Maremma Sheepdogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Ibizan Hound vs. Maremma Sheepdog

    Ibizan Hounds have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Maremma Sheepdogs do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    Can Ibizan Hounds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Maremma Sheepdogs Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Ibizan Hounds can tolerate hot weather.

    Maremma Sheepdogs cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Ibizan Hound or the Maremma Sheepdog?

    Ibizan Hounds get along very well with other dogs.

    Maremma Sheepdogs get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Ibizan Hounds good family dogs? What about Maremma Sheepdogs?

    Ibizan Hounds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Maremma Sheepdogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Ibizan Hounds and Maremma Sheepdogs?

    Ibizan Hounds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Maremma Sheepdogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Ibizan Hound Easier to Train than the Maremma Sheepdog?

    Ibizan Hounds are fairly easy to train.

    Maremma Sheepdogs are not easy to train.

    Is the Ibizan Hound Better for Apartment Owners than the Maremma Sheepdog?

    Ibizan Hounds adapt very well to apartment living.

    Maremma Sheepdogs do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Ibizan Hound or the Maremma Sheepdog?

    Ibizan Hounds are OK for new dog owners.

    Maremma Sheepdogs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Ibizan Hound

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Ibizan Hound that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Ibizan Hound:

  • Sloughi (79 percent match with Ibizan Hound). Here is our comparison of the Maremma Sheepdog vs Sloughi.
  • Whippet (86 percent match with Ibizan Hound). Here is our comparison of the Maremma Sheepdog vs Whippet.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Maremma Sheepdog

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Maremma Sheepdog that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Maremma Sheepdog:

  • Central Asian Shepherd Dog (75 percent match with Maremma Sheepdog). Here is our comparison of the Ibizan Hound vs Central Asian Shepherd Dog.
  • Hovawart (72 percent match with Maremma Sheepdog). Here is our comparison of the Ibizan Hound vs Hovawart.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Ibizan Hound and how the Maremma Sheepdog compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Ibizan Hound and of the Maremma Sheepdog to other breeds:

    Ibizan Hound Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Ibizan Hound versus Pug     Ibizan Hound versus Chow Chow     Ibizan Hound versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi     Ibizan Hound versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne     Ibizan Hound versus Shichon     Ibizan Hound versus Bolognese     Ibizan Hound versus English Springer Spaniel     Ibizan Hound versus Harrier     Ibizan Hound versus Stabyhoun     Ibizan Hound versus Collie     Ibizan Hound versus Rottweiler     Ibizan Hound versus American Water Spaniel     Ibizan Hound versus Cavapoo     Ibizan Hound versus Border Collie     Ibizan Hound versus Schnoodle     Ibizan Hound versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever     Ibizan Hound versus Shetland Sheepdog     Ibizan Hound versus Jack Russell Terrier     Ibizan Hound versus Collie     Ibizan Hound versus Havanese     Ibizan Hound versus Boxer     Ibizan Hound versus Azawakh     Ibizan Hound versus Boxer     Ibizan Hound versus Siberian Husky     Ibizan Hound versus Coton de Tulear     

    Maremma Sheepdog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Maremma Sheepdog versus Cane Corso     Maremma Sheepdog versus Bichon Frise     Maremma Sheepdog versus Bearded Collie     Maremma Sheepdog versus Leonberger     Maremma Sheepdog versus Cockalier     Maremma Sheepdog versus Manchester Terrier     Maremma Sheepdog versus Cesky Terrier     Maremma Sheepdog versus Shiloh Shepherd     Maremma Sheepdog versus Border Terrier     Maremma Sheepdog versus Pyrenean Mastiff     Maremma Sheepdog versus Belgian Tervuren     Maremma Sheepdog versus Lagotto Romagnolo     Maremma Sheepdog versus Dogue de Bordeaux     Maremma Sheepdog versus Basset Hound     Maremma Sheepdog versus Saluki     Maremma Sheepdog versus Affenpinscher     Maremma Sheepdog versus Rhodesian Ridgeback     Maremma Sheepdog versus Saint Berdoodle     Maremma Sheepdog versus Cockalier     Maremma Sheepdog versus Braque du Bourbonnais     Maremma Sheepdog versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier     Maremma Sheepdog versus Rhodesian Ridgeback     Maremma Sheepdog versus Saint Berdoodle     Maremma Sheepdog versus Cocker Spaniel     Maremma Sheepdog versus Pomapoo     

    Conclusion: Ibizan Hound versus Maremma Sheepdog. Which One is a Better Pet?

    In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Ibizan Hound and the Maremma Sheepdog better suits you and your family.