Cirneco dell’Etna

This is a dog breed that the Phoenicians brought to Sicily; therefore the Cirneco dell’Etna originates from Pharaonic dog, but is smaller than their ancestor. It is assumed that to Sicily they arrived from Egypt with the Phoenicians, more than 3000 years. The Phoenicians are said to been known for trading greyhounds and other hunt dogs and sell them in the Aegean and other Mediterranean ports and islands, including Sicily.

Cirneco dell’Etna is an excellent hunter and able to hunt rabbits, pheasants and partridges. Strong, intelligent with a very strong smell, it is extremely effective in difficult terrains such as the slopes of Etna.

Cirneco dell’Etna is agile and has very light bones. His body is of the same length and height. The muzzle is the same length as the skull. The eyes are oval and often petty and can be amber, ocher and gray. High triangular ears are fully erected. A low ponytail is worn in the form of sickle when resting or elevated when rushed.

The top coat is of very short hair on the head, ears and limbs, and a little longer and smooth on the fuselage and tail. It can be of a solid color in fawn or fawn and white. The Cirneco dell’Etna has a slender and elegant form, medium size, is less fulfilled yet robust and resistant. The hair is thin. It is short on head, ears and legs. On the body and tail is semi-long (about 3 cm) but very flat and stiff as a horse hair.

Male Cirneco dell’Etna dogs can grow up to 50 cm and females up to 46 cm. Males can weigh up to 12kg and females up to 10kg.