Cirneco dell'Etna: temperament, size, care and health

About the Cirneco dell'Etna

The Cirneco dell'Etna is a small to medium, slim hound with a wedge-shaped head, large erect ears, a long muzzle and a body built for quick turns. The name refers to Mount Etna, the volcano on the island of Sicily. The short, stiff coat lies flat and comes in sandy to fawn shades, with white allowed on the chest, feet and tail tip. Adults stand roughly sixteen to nineteen inches at the shoulder, with fine bone and a springy step.

The Cirneco is generally considered a lighter and smaller relation of the Pharaoh Hound and the Ibizan Hound. It was kept in Sicily to hunt rabbits over rough lava fields, using nose, eyes and ears. It is rare outside Italy, and in North America it remains one of the least common AKC breeds, which means buyers often have to be patient and travel.

Temperament and family life

The Cirneco is gentle and affectionate with its family and often described as quiet, thoughtful and sensitive. It tends to be wary of strangers at first, but it is not aggressive and usually warms up. The breed tends to attach closely to its people and wants to be with them in the house, not left outside.

It is generally good with children who are old enough to be gentle, and it enjoys games. Most Cirnechi get along with other dogs, particularly when raised together. The hunting drive is strong, and small animals that run will trigger a chase, although a dog raised with a cat may leave that cat alone. Barking is mild, but a Cirneco will alert you to an unusual noise.

Exercise and training

The Cirneco is an athlete in a modest body. It needs a daily walk and a chance to run and play, preferably in a fully fenced yard, and it enjoys lure coursing and agility. It can jump high and is a clever escape artist, so fences need to be well built. It should be kept on a leash in open areas, since a rabbit or a bird could send it off.

Training is easy for a hound if it is kind and brief. The breed is intelligent and sensitive and does not respond well to harsh correction, and it can be independent. Praise, treats and variety keep its attention. Early socialization to people and new places helps its reserved nature. Provide a warm bed, since the dog likes comfort.

Grooming and shedding

The coat is one of the simplest to keep: a weekly rub with a rubber mitt or soft brush, and a bath only when needed. Shedding is light. There is little odor.

The thin coat and lean body offer limited protection against cold or wet, so a sweater or coat is useful in winter. The ears stand erect and need occasional checks for dirt. Nails should be trimmed, and teeth brushed, as small dogs of this type can have tartar build-up.

Health

The Cirneco is generally a healthy, long-lived breed with few well-documented inherited problems, although the population is small. Some dogs show allergies, eye problems or dental disease, and the breed has a low body fat level that can affect how it handles some anesthetics. Active dogs can also hurt themselves jumping. Responsible breeders typically screen eyes, hips and knees where relevant. This is general information about the Cirneco dell'Etna, and a veterinarian is the person to ask about a particular dog.

History

The breed is generally traced to Sicily, where it was kept by farmers around Mount Etna for centuries for rabbit hunting. Legends link it to ancient Egypt and Phoenicia, but the documentation is thin. In the twentieth century Sicilian enthusiasts worked to preserve the type and standardize it as a breed. It reached the United States in the late twentieth century, and the American Kennel Club recognized it in 2015.

Is the Cirneco dell'Etna right for you?

The Cirneco suits an active adult or a family with considerate older children, and a home with a high fence, daily exercise and company. It is a poor choice for people wanting a protective or boisterous dog, or for households with free-roaming small pets.

For a larger relative with a taller frame, consider the Pharaoh Hound or the Ibizan Hound. The Portuguese Podengo Pequeno is a smaller Iberian cousin.