Cirneco Dell'Etna Dog Breed

Registration: KC, AKC, FCI
Country of Origin: Italy
Size: Medium
Coat: Short
Colours: Light to dark tan
Temperament: Loving, resilient, gentle, lively, independent, affectionate

History

The name “Cirneco” (pronounced cheer-neck-oh) comes from the Greek word “Kyrenaikos”, which means “of Cyrene.” This ancient Greek city can be found near modern Shahhat, Libya. The “Dell’Etna” comes from Mount Etna on the beautiful island of Sicily.

While the Cirneco Dell’Etna looks very similar to the Ibizan Hound, their ancestors are likely derived from dogs that arrived in Sicily on Phoenician trader ships. Offspring of those dogs have hunted small games like hares and rabbits on the island for many years.

The Cirneco Dell’Etna is an ancient breed. In fact, they are believed to date back to 500 B.C. An old legend tells that a thousand of these dogs guarded the temple of Adranos, a Fire God. They had a divine ability to find and attack nonbelievers or any thieves who approached, as they kept devoted pilgrims to the temple safe.

The dog breed was virtually unknown outside their native Sicily before 1932. But that year, Dr. Maurizio Migneco, a veterinarian, came to the island and wrote an article for an Italian hunting journal about the breed’s declining numbers. An Italian aristocrat, Baroness Agata Paternó Castello, was moved by the Cirneco Dell’Etna’s dilemma, and she worked until her demise to revive the breed.

The Cirneco Dell’Etna was recognised by Italy’s National Kennel Club in 1939. But it took seven decades for the American Kennel Club to grant full recognition of the breed in 2015. They were recognised by the United Kennel Club in 2006, with the first individual imported into the UK in 2001.

Appearance

The Cirneco Dell’Etna is both elegant and athletic-looking. These are lean and muscular dogs with a square body shape. They are medium-sized with a slender but robust build. The skull is moderately narrow, and the top skull and foreface are parallel. Their heads are well-chiselled with a slight stop and flat cheeks. The length of the muzzle is equal to or a little less than the length of the skull. Their noses are large, and flesh-coloured, blending in with their coat colour.

These dogs have relatively small, oval-shaped eyes. They are in a semi-lateral position and can be amber or ochre in colour. Their triangular-shaped ears are set very high and close together. They are erect, rigid, and almost parallel when the dog is alert. Their mouths are strong with a perfect scissor bite and thin, tight lips.

Their necks are strong, muscular, and well-arched, with long, moderately laid-back shoulders. Their straight forelegs are parallel when viewed from the front. The length from the point of the shoulder to the point of the buttocks is the same as the height at their withers. These sleek dogs have a straight topline that slopes from the withers towards the croup. The croup itself is flat, sloping steeply downwards to the root of the tail. Their ribs are slightly sprung, and their bellies gently rise without excessive tuck-up.

The Cirneco Dell’Etna has strong, muscular hindquarters. Their upper thighs are long and broad with flat muscles. Their second thighs are well-developed. These dogs have strong, firm, well-knuckled and padded feet, with nails that are flesh or brown-coloured. The tail is relatively thick at the base and set low, reaching the point of the hock. It is generally carried high and curved.

The Cirneco Dell’Etna’s smooth coat is shorter on the head, ears, and legs. It is sleek and held close to the body, ranging from fine to somewhat harsh in texture. Accepted coat colours range from light to dark tan, often with a mixture of lighter and darker hairs. White markings are permissible on the toes, head, chest, foreface, and tip of the tail.

Personality

Cirneco Dell’Etna’s are gentle yet very alert dogs with independent spirits. They love to play and thrive on being around people. Because they were originally bred to aid hunters in catching prey, these beautiful dogs are a match for those looking for a vigilant canine companion.

The Cirneco Dell’Etna is highly intelligent, making them easy to train, especially when you use positive reinforcement and praise. However, be aware that these friendly dogs have a high prey drive. That’s why it is crucial to keep a tight hold on the leash when you go outdoors for a walk, as they might want to dash off to chase a squirrel or other small animal.

It is recommended to train the Cirneco Dell’Etna as early as possible because they tend to be independent thinkers. Unlike other dogs, these alert canines are friendly towards strangers. They also love to play with children of all ages and can get along well with other dogs and smaller pets, given that they are socialised from puppyhood.

These dogs are fairly quiet by nature, only barking when necessary. They also make great watchdogs.

The Cirneco Dell’Etna is an adaptable dog breed. They can be happy living in an apartment in the city or a large home in the country. Enjoy playing with these fun-to-be-with dogs as they love to play catch as well as cuddle up on the sofa at the end of a long day.

Trainability

While hounds are generally known for being stubborn and difficult to train, the Cirneco Dell’Etna is thought to be an exception to this rule. These highly intelligent dogs may be easily distracted by sights and smells, but they are always eager to please and follow commands.

Cirneco Dell’Etna’s are not highly motivated by food, so it is better to use lavish praise as a reward during training sessions. These dogs are natural athletes, so they also do well in canine sports such as agility and flyball. Just make sure you train them the basic commands, especially recall training, before moving on to more complex tasks.

These dogs work best with positive reinforcement. Like all dogs, they don’t appreciate rough handling and harsh training methods. Patience, consistency, and understanding are key.

Coat & Care

The Cirneco Dell’Etna’s flat coat does not shed heavily, so they only need a little bit of work to keep the coat clean and in good physical condition. Weekly brushing is sufficient to eliminate loose and dead hair. You can also wipe them down with a damp cloth or chamois to retain the natural sheen of the coat. Because the Cirneco Dell’Etna is a naturally clean breed, they are to be bathed seldomly.

Their ears must be checked regularly to keep them wax and dirt-free. Using clean cotton or a cloth moistened with a vet-approved ear cleanser to carefully wipe the outer part of the ears once a week. If your dog starts shaking their head or scratching their ears excessively then it’s best to book them in for a vet visit because these are common signs of an ear infection.

Their nails must be trimmed and cleaned regularly to prevent them from becoming too long. If you’re not sure how to do this, you can speak to your vet or a local professional groomer for advice. Also, check their paw pads are clean and wound-free.

Ideally, a dog’s teeth should be brushed daily to stave off tooth and gum disease. However, twice weekly brushing is good enough to prevent excessive tartar build-up. Make sure you purchase the best products for your dog by seeking advice from your vet. Many canines suffer from dental issues as they age, so you will want to ensure you keep their mouths, teeth, gums, and tongues clean. Furthermore, like other fine-boned sighthounds, they do not put much effort into chewing their food, causing tartar and plaque to accumulate on their teeth.

Lastly, inspect the whole body while cleaning and grooming your dog to check that they have no irritation, discomfort, injury, or other signs that they may have an infection or other health condition. Inspect their eyes too, they should be clean, clear and without pain, or discharge.

Health

The Cirneco Dell’Etna’s average life expectancy is 12-14 years, if they are properly cared for, with daily exercise, regular vet checkups, and a nutritious diet.

These dogs are generally hardy and healthy. However, because they are still relatively rare, little is known about any health issues that may affect them. There's no assurance that your Cirneco Dell’Etna will or won’t develop specific health issues; that’s why it's vital to talk to your vet about the steps you can take to safeguard a long, happy, healthy life for your pet. Also, it’s essential that you purchase these dogs from reputable breeders to ensure they have been well looked after and appropriately raise.

Some of the health concerns that may affect the Cirneco Dell’Etna include:

Cold Intolerance – Because of the low body fat of the Cirneco dell’Etna, they can get cold easily. Continued exposure to cold weather can affect their breathing, as well as cause decreased heart rate and stiff muscles.
Anesthesia Sensitivity – This condition affects a number of different dog breeds and is characterised by a sensitivity to certain drugs. Sighthounds, in particular, have a different way of metabolising drugs than other breeds which can increase the risk of complications during surgical procedures. Furthermore, due to the low body fat content of this breed, they have a greater risk of developing hypothermia under anaesthesia.
Demodectic Mange – A skin condition that is caused by Demodex canis, a parasitic mite that lives in the hair follicles. This is the most common form of mange in dogs.
Skin Allergies – These can be caused by a range of different allergens found in the environment. It generally results in licking, scratching, and recurrent skin infections. Treatment varies depending on the cause but can include dietary and lifestyle changes.
Obesity – Unfortunately, these dogs are prone to weight gain if they are not exercised regularly and are given too many treats. This condition can increase the risk of other issues such as joint or heart problems.

Children & Other Pets

The Cirneco Dell’Etna loves being around children of all ages. And because of their size, they can generally handle overly excited children. With this said, they are better suited to homes with older children because of their fine bone structure which can cause them to be injured easily. Furthermore, these dogs are lively and playful, so they might be too rambunctious for younger kids. Always supervise interactions between a dog and children to prevent any incidents.

Cirneco Dell’Etna dogs can get along with other animals, given they are trained and socialised from an early age. When introducing new pets, always make sure you do it calmly and gradually. If any signs of aggression or fear are shown by either party, then move back a step. Don’t rush introductions. Bear in mind that these dogs have strong prey drives, so they are not best suited to homes with smaller pets.