Cirneco dell'Etna
A slim, elegant Sicilian hunting hound with large upright ears, gentle at home and keen in the field.
At a glance
- Size
- Small
- Height at the withers
- Males 46–50 cm · Females 42–46 cm
- Weight
- Males 10–12 kg · Females 8–10 kg
- Life expectancy
- 12–14 years
- Exercise
- 60–90 min a day
- Grooming
- Once a week
- Coat
- Smooth, short
- Colours
- Fawn, Tan, White, Orange
- Bred for
- Hunting by sight, Hunting by scent
- Country of origin
- Italy
- FCI
- Group 5, no. 199 · Spitz & primitive types
Breeders on Kuldo
No breeders on Kuldo have this breed yet.
Living with the breed
| Affectionate with family | 4/5 – High |
|---|---|
| Good with children | 4/5 – High |
| Good with other dogs | 4/5 – High |
| Good with cats | 2/5 – Low |
| Open to strangers | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Energy | 4/5 – High |
| Playfulness | 4/5 – High |
| Needs mental stimulation | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Easy to train | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Prey drive | 5/5 – Very high |
| Watchful and protective | 2/5 – Low |
| Barking | 2/5 – Low |
| Shedding | 2/5 – Low |
| Grooming effort | 1/5 – Very low |
| Drooling | 1/5 – Very low |
| Good for first-time owners | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Suits apartment living | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Adaptability | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Copes with being alone | 2/5 – Low |
| Copes with heat | 4/5 – High |
| Copes with cold | 2/5 – Low |
Kuldo's own guidance from the breed's typical traits. Every dog is an individual, so talk to the breeder.
Is it the right breed for you?
Great if you …
- want a medium-small, easy-care dog
- enjoy walks and running
- can provide a secure garden
Think twice if you …
- have cats or rabbits
- want off-lead walks without worries
- live somewhere very cold
Care
Temperament
Cirnechi are friendly, sensitive and lively, close to their family and usually polite with strangers. They become very focused when they find a scent or see prey.
Exercise
About an hour a day, including free running in safe areas. Lure coursing, scent work and long walks suit them.
Grooming
The short, close coat needs only a weekly rub-down. Shedding is light.
Training
They respond to gentle, rewarding training and dislike pressure. Recall needs steady practice and can fail around prey.
Health
The Cirneco is generally healthy with few known breed-specific problems. Ask the breeder about any hip and eye results and the health of related dogs.
Health tests breeders usually do
- Hips (HD)
- Eye examination
Ask the breeder to show you the parents' results.
About the breed
The Cirneco dell'Etna is an old hunting breed from Sicily, especially the slopes of Mount Etna, where it hunts rabbits on rough volcanic ground using scent, hearing and sight. Dogs of similar type are often said to appear on ancient Sicilian coins.
Cirnechi are affectionate, gentle and usually sociable with other dogs. They are quiet indoors and enjoy comfort, but they love to run and have a strong hunting instinct. Fencing, careful recall and a warm coat in cold weather are part of looking after one.
Did you know?
The Cirneco is adapted to hunting on Etna's sharp lava fields, where it works rabbits largely by scent and hearing.