Cirneco Dell'Etna
Other names: Cirneco
The Cirneco dell’Etna is a small, slender dog that was developed on the Italian island of Sicily. It was bred to hunt rabbits and is well known for its incredible levels of stamina. These slight but durable dogs can work for hours on end without stopping to rest, eat, or drink.
Key facts about the Cirneco Dell'Etna
Origins and history
The original sighthounds can be traced all the way back to ancient Egypt. From there, they spread across the Middle East and the Mediterranean and were developed into a range of varieties including the greyhound, the Ibizan Hound, and the Cirneco. For thousands of years, the Cirneco dell'Etna hunted rabbits and game in her native Sicily. Given her slight, delicate frame, many people underestimate this dog's physical ability. The Cirneco is strong, tough, and can work for hours on end without rest, water, or food. However, by the 1930s the breed was almost extinct, until an Italian vet wrote a passionate article about the dogs’ declining numbers. This was seen by a Sicilian aristocrat called Baroness Agata Castello, who then dedicated the next 20 years to saving this breed. The American Kennel Club recognised the Circeno in 2005.
FCI breed nomenclature
FCI Group
Group 5 - Spitz and primitive types
Section
Section 7 : Primitive type - Hunting Dogs
Physical characteristics of the Cirneco Dell'Etna
Adult size
Female : Between 17 and 19 in
Male : Between 18 and 20 in
Weight
Female : Between 18 and 24 lb
Male : Between 22 and 29 lb
Coat colour
Fawn, sable, sometimes white and fawn.
Type of coat
Short, flat, and soft.
Eye colour
Ochre, amber, or hazelnut.
Description
This is a small hunting dog with a slight frame, very similar to the greyhound. She has long, slender legs. Her skull is flat and oval, with a long snout and small eyes and very large, upright ears. She has an alert posture and expression, with a saber-like tail, and a fine, flat coat.
Good to know
The Cirneco dell’Etna takes her name from Mount Etna in Sicily. Cirneco is pronounced “cheer - nec - ko.”
The Cirneco is very sensitive, and requires a much softer approach than many other dogs.
Keeping the Cirneco mentally stimulated is just as important as regular physical exercise. Working dogs are smart and eager to show off their skills. They get bored quickly and that boredom can soon turn to frustration.