Cirneco Dell’Etna

Published A Few Days Ago
ADVERTISEMENT
fast facts

About Cirneco Dell’Etna

Weight
22-26 lb
Lifespan
12-14 years
Group
AKC Hound Group
Best Suited For
Families with children, active singles, houses with yards
Temperament
Gentle, alert, independent, playful
Comparable Breeds
Pharaoh Hound, Ibizan Hound
Height
17-20 inches
ADVERTISEMENT

Cirneco dell’Etna Basics

The Cirneco dell’Etna is a small and slender dog, similar in appearance to the Greyhound but with larger ears and a chestnut/tan coat. These dogs are an ancient breed native to the island of Sicily where they were valued for their intelligence and for their natural hunting ability. If you are looking for a small, active breed – especially one that takes well to dog sports – the Cirneco dell’Etna may be the right breed for you.

The Cirneco dell’Etna is a small and slender dog, very similar in appearance to the Greyhound.

Origin

The name of this breed is Italian and sometimes the Cirneco dell’Etna is referred to as the Sicilian Greyhound. This breed looks similar to the Pharaoh Hound but its origins are entirely Italian. The Cirneco dell’Etna gets its name from a famous mountain on the island of Sicily, Mount Etna, where the ancestors of the breed were known for hunting hare and rabbit. This breed has always been fairly rare and it was only recently recognized by the United Kennel Club in 2006. The Cirneco dell’etna is the smallest of the hound breeds native to the Mediterranean islands.

Pedigree

ADVERTISEMENT

The Cirneco dell’Etna is considered an ancient breed native to the island of Sicily where its ancestors were used to hunt hare and rabbit. This breed has undergone relatively little manipulation by man so the modern breed is still similar to the ancient Cirneco dell’Etna.

Food/Diet

Because the Cirneco dell’etna is a small-breed dog, it is best that you feed him a dog food formulated specifically to meet the high-energy needs of small-breed dogs. An active dog food formula may also be adequate.

Training

The Cirneco dell’Etna is an intelligent breed so they typically respond well to training. For the best results, start training early while your puppy is still young – that is when they will soak up the most training. Socialization is also important for this breed to help introduce them to new things and situations. Positive reinforcement training methods are recommended and you should be prepared to maintain a level of firm consistency with your dog to prevent him from becoming too strong-willed or independent. These dogs do very well when trained for hunting, lure coursing, agility, or other dog sports.

The Cirneco dell’Etna is an intelligent breed so they typically respond well to training.

Weight

The Cirneco dell’Etna is a small hound, standing only 17 to 20 inches tall at maturity. This breed generally weighs between 22 and 26 lbs. as an adult.

Temperament/Behavior

ADVERTISEMENT

The Cirneco dell’Etna is an active and intelligent breed that does best when it is trained for some kind of dog sport to help it burn off excess energy. In the home, this breed tends to be playful and friendly but they can be a little independent at times. For this reason, it is essential that you start training and socialization as early as possible.

Common Health Problems

As an ancient breed that has been largely unmanipulated by man, the Cirneco dell’Etna is hardy and healthy. The main health concerns to which this breed is prone include injuries that can occur while running. Responsible breeding practices and genetic testing can help to reduce the risk for inherited conditions in this and other breeds.

Life Expectancy

The average life expectancy of the Cirneco dell’Etna is between 12 and 14 years.

Exercise Requirements

Because the Cirneco dell’Etna was bred for hunting it is a fairly active breed with fairly high exercise requirements. This breed requires at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise each day in the form of a walk or jog – active play time is also appreciated. Training your dog for hunting, lure coursing, or other dog sports can help to meet its daily exercise requirements while also providing plenty of mental stimulation.

In the home, this breed tends to be playful and friendly but they can be a little independent at times.

AKC

The Cirneco dell’Etna was only recently recognized by the United Kennel Club in 2006 and it was entered into the AKC Foundation Stock Service shortly thereafter. In 2012, the breed was entered into the Miscellaneous group and, on January 1, 2015 it was officially accepted by the AKC as part of the Hound Group.

Coat

The Cirneco dell’Etna has a short, glossy coat that is fine in texture and very easy to care for. A simple weekly brushing is typically enough to take care of loose or dead hairs. The most common colors for this breed are various shades of tan or chestnut, though some specimens exhibit a white collar or patches of white.

Puppies

It is important to start socializing and training this breed from a very young age to prevent the dog from developing a strong will or independent streak. Cirneco dell’Etna puppies are still intelligent at a young age and capable of soaking up training quickly.

Photo credits: ots-photo/Bigstock.com; vivienstock/Bigstock.com

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

You May Like

SnapChat Gets Catty With New Selfie Lenses

Even Social Media platforms know that more than ever, pets are people too. Social Media Story Teller Snapchat has recognized that with the introduction of ne…

6 Advantages Of Living In A Multi Dog Household

Two dogs are better than one – Let’s look at the pros of a multi dog household The more, the merrier – that’s the motto of many famil…

Best Dental Sticks for Dogs

Dental sticks for dogs help your pet maintain oral hygiene while enjoying a yummy treat at the same time. Here is our selection of the best ones!

How to Treat Your Dog’s Wounds at Any Stage

To ensure your dog''s injury heals properly, there are steps to follow. Know from the get-go how to take care of your dog''s wound at every stage.

Adoptable Dog of the Week- Sparky

Our Adoptable Dog of the Week is Sparky, a 4 years old Chihuahua mix from Wethersfield, Connecticut. He is neutered, vaccinated, and housebroken.

Filefish

Filefish are a curious species of saltwater fish. They are characterized by their rhomboid shaped bodies, thick, sandpaper-like skin and small, fleshy fins.

What To Look For In A Quality Dog Boarding Facility

We’ve put together a list of things to be mindful of when you’re looking into dog boarding accommodations One of the hardest things about going a…

Why Is My Cat Sneezing?

Break out the tissues! Does your feline have the sniffles and the sneezes? Find out if your cat sneezing problem is no big deal or a big problem.

The Much-Loved Furbo is 46% Off on Amazon Right Now

Remember Furbo? You probably do. It was the hands-down winner of our “ Best Pet Tech of 2018“, it’s been featured on Ellen, and for anyone…

Bolo-Chi

The Bolo-Chi brings together the petite Chihuahua and the small but robust Bolognese. A great little family dog that is playful, loyal and curious.

Hear Doggy! Martian Dog Toy Contest

We love how cute and quiet the Hear Doggy! Martian Dog Toys are. And that''s why we''re giving away a pair to one lucky dog in our very first dog toy contest!

Yorkinese

Smart, sweet, but still with a dose of independence, the Yorkinese has a special charm. These designer dogs are a mix between a Yorkie and a Pekingese.

Why Do Cats Purr?

If you''re happy and you know it, let out a purr! We love that sound - but did you know there''s much more behind it - so why do cats purr?

Modko Litter Boxes Keep Your Decor Clean and Classy

Who knew the kitty litter boxes could look so good? Modko litter boxes are easy to use, environmentally friendly and super chic.

Lhasa Apso

Calm and subdued, the Lhasa Apso is a wonderful house pet as it doesn''t require a lot of exercise. This breed is curious about everything around them.