Cirneco Dell'Etna Dogs

Cirneco Dell'Etna Dog against a white background

Cirneco Dell'Etna Dog standing in a sandy clearing

Cirneco Dell'Etna dog with its tongue out in a field of flowers

Cirneco Dell'Etna in a field ready to play

Cute Cirneco Dell'Etna laying down next to a vase of flowers

History

The Cirneco is a small hound that originates from Sicily and specifically the Mount Etna region. It was used by the locals for hunting rabbit and hare. It was used by the locals for hunting rabbit and hare and is renowned for it's ability to work for a long time without food and water. They have an excellent nose for scent and are quick and nimble over harsh terrain.

The Cirneco Dell'Etna is the smallest of the hunting hounds from the Mediterranean Islands and are now mainly kept for showing and as pets.

Behaviour

The Cirneco Dell'Etna is a friendly, active dog that likes people and it's creature comforts. Like many dogs, once properly socialised they are fine with strangers and for in well with family life. However, as sight hounds, they are likely to chase cats, but may be ok with them if brought up together. They get on well with other dogs in the house and are generally friendly and playful to those they meet outside. They are sociable and rarely dog aggressive. Rough and tumble with very young children should be avoided, as the Cirneco is a sensitive breed and dislikes rough play/teasing. Their friendly, outgoing nature makes them good with respectable children and they are loving/loyal to those around them. They thrive on affection and cuddles from you. Keeping them off your sofa or bed will be a full time job as they adore snuggling up under your duvet.

Cirnechi (plural) are clever and quick to learn but many have a short attention span and become bored with long training sessions. They respond well to short sessions, with positive reinforcement and praise to encourage them. They thoroughly enjoy lure coursing and are major competitors in agility competitions. Many are also successful therapy dogs as they love the attention.

Cirnechi are energetic and need plenty of exercise. Long walks and the chance to run will keep their minds and bodies active and prevent boredom. However, as sight hounds, they can race off with surprising speed when they spot something, so are best walked in a secure area or on a lead. They can be good jogging partners and have lots of stamina. Gardens should be well fenced as they are expert jumpers and climbers. They are keen diggers, so to prevent damage to your garden, it is best to provide them with a sand pit to play in. Introduce hem to it on day one and that should save your borders. They will play with toys for hours and never seem to tire of it. If they receive enough exercise, they are calm and placid in the home. The Cirneco's coat is very short and they are classes as low maintenance. The coat needs grooming, twice a week with a hound glove or rubber glove to give it shone and to remove dead hair. They are sensitive to having their paws touched, making nail clipping tricky. Getting them used to it from a young age with make the job easier later on. They are a healthy breed with no hereditary problems. Due to their lack of body fat and thin skin, they can suffer from scrapes and cuts. They will sometimes need a coat in cold weather.