The Cirneco dell’Etna is a small hunting dog from the Mediterranean island of Sicily, taking its name from Mount Etna in eastern Sicily.
This is a dainty, fine-boned hound with great athleticism. In appearance, it is similar to the Pharaoh Hound only smaller and probably has a shared heritage. They are slender, with long legs, large erect ears, amber eyes and a short tan-coloured coat. The Cirnechi (plural of Cireneco) are gentle, loving dogs which will become firmly attached to their owners. They are super companions, which will love nothing more than spending time with their family but dont tolerate being left alone for long periods of time. They are generally calm and will do well with children and other pets with early socialisation and careful introductions. They are active dogs, although shorter walks with lots of opportunities to run are ideal. This breed loves to have quick bursts of activity and they can be breathtakingly quick. Their coats are particularly low-maintenance and other than the time they wish to spend with their owners, they are not overly demanding. They make ideal dogs for owners looking for an active but not overly large or demanding dog, which has a sweet, calm disposition.
History
The Cirneco dell’Etna originated in Sicily and are believed to have arrived on Phoenician merchant ships. They probably share some of the same ancestry as the Pharaoh Hound, to which they are strikingly similar. Their heritage is certainly ancient, and Sicilian coins dating back to 500 BC, show dogs that resemble today’s Cirneco dellEtna. They were originally used in Sicily to hunt rabbits and hares.
