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

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

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.

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