Cirneco Dell'Etna

She is friendly and warm-hearted with her master, but can be sensitive to abrupt manners.

These dogs are exceptionally playful, especially during their puppy years. They are high energy dogs that will play fetch and other doggy games for hours on end. 

She gets very excited when she’s working or playing. She is an enthusiastic dog that loves to please her owner. 

The Cirneco is a quick learner, who will master the basics quickly. She is capable of understanding more complex voice commands. This smart dog needs plenty of mental stimulation. 

Bred to hunt rabbits, she is an excellent tracking dog with a superb sense of smell and vision. She has a very high prey drive, and can follow a trail to hard-to-access recesses. 

She is reserved with strangers, and doesn’t trust easily, but she is never aggressive.

Like many primitive dogs, she is independent-minded and can be a little stubborn if not handled correctly. 

This dog is quite comfortable in her own company. She can deal with solitude much better than many other breeds as long as her needs are met and she has toys to keep her occupied.

She is powerful, nervous, very active, and independent, so not the easiest to educate. She needs an experienced master who will be firm and gentle.

This is a quiet breed.

If she’s getting enough exercise, the Cirneco shouldn’t run away. But they do like to explore, so make sure the front and back gardens are fully secured.

This calm, soft-hearted dog will rarely engage in any destructive behaviour.

Treats can be helpful in overcoming her stubborn side for training.

The Cirneco dell'Etna is an excellent watchdog, with a superb sense of smell and sight. She is alert and lively, and protective of her master.

For a first adoption, it is better to choose a breed that is more docile and sociable.

A flat is not an ideal environment. Ideally, she should live in the countryside, in a house with a large garden where she can run freely (which should not replace daily walks).

This is a high energy dog that needs over an hour of decent exercise every single day. This natural hunting dog needs to run free, so exercise her in wide open parks or countryside areas.

This small dog is fairly easy to transport, but she can get bored or restless on long journeys. 

Hunting dogs with a high prey drive don't mix well with cats. In fact, it’s best to keep them apart. This keeps them both safe.

The Cirneco dell'Etna is not usually sociable, but nothing is impossible. Much work needs to be done on this point to hope for respectful doggie meetings.

She is patient with children, but they must be taught to respect her need for peace.

She is definitely not suitable for potentially inactive older people.