Sarah Murphy | Abbaio Ibizan Hounds

Interview with Sarah Murphy, Breeder of Abbaio Ibizan Hounds

1. Please tell us a little bit about yourself. Where do you live? How many years in dogs? How many years as a breeder? What is your kennel name?
2. What are the hallmarks of your breed and why are they important for maintaining breed type?
3. In your opinion, are there enough puppy homes to support breeding a litter this year?
4. How have you implemented new technologies in science and communications as a breeder?
5. In your community, have you noticed a change in the public’s perception of purebred dogs?
6. Have you noticed any trends in the sport? Anything to be concerned about?
7. What are some of the positive changes you’ve seen in the sport in recent years?

Sarah Murphy

1. I live in Spring Hill, Florida, right next to Brooksville. I have been in dogs for 24 years, 23 years in Ibizan Hounds and 14 years as a breeder. My kennel name is Abbaio.

2. The hallmarks of the Ibizan Hound include the rhomboid ear shape as well as the unique upper arm assembly and movement. The rhomboid shape of the ear probably contributes the most aesthetically to the “deer-like elegance” the Breed Standard calls for. The well-laid-back shoulder that joins a rather upright upper arm brings the front forward of the deepest part of the chest and aids in the characteristic lift of the pasterns with joint flexion when moving, in addition to helping them change direction mid-air which makes them more efficient in the field while hunting in tall grass.

3. Personally, yes, there are enough puppy homes. There are always excellent families learning about this wonderful breed and wanting to add one to their home.

4. As a millennial, I mostly utilize Facebook for advertising and networking. I like to share a lot of photos and videos of my dogs at home just being dogs rather than always posed or moving. I have tried to venture into Instagram and TikTok, but I honestly just don’t have the attention span to keep up with them all! A breeder in Germany championed a new pedigree database via The Breed Archive for us a few years ago which has been invaluable in making plans and getting to know what is out there, not just in the US but around the world.

5. I am not really active in the community outside of our show community! I try not to take comment sections online as indicative of the public’s perception of purebreds as there are always so many spectators at shows who clearly love dogs and are so interested in the histories of all of the different breeds.

6. I am usually busy with my dogs and what I am doing that I don’t always notice, but I will say the things I have seen that are concerning have been situational, and I don’t think they are representative of the sport as a whole.

7. I am glad to see more emphasis being placed on holding people accountable for their actions and protecting vulnerable people in our community. I’ve noticed the AKC Gazette Secretary’s Page has been getting longer in the last year, with suspensions. I don’t think that means there is more wrong being done. Rather, complaints are finally being taken more seriously and the AKC is taking appropriate action.