Cirneco dell'Etna

Cirneco dell'Etna

A male Cirneco dell'Etna
Common nicknames	Cirneco
Origin	Italy
Traits Weight Male 10–12 kg (22–26 lb) Female 8–10 kg (18–22 lb) Height Male 46–52 cm (18–20 in) Female 42–50 cm (17–20 in) Coat Short on head, short to semi-long on body Colour Light sand, isabella, light to dark tan Life span Over 12 Years
Classification / standards FCI Group 5, Section 7 Primitive Hunting Dogs #199 standard AKC Hound Group standard KC (UK) Hound standard UKC Sighthound & Pariah standard
Domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris)

The Cirneco dell'Etna (Italian pronunciation: [tʃirˈnɛko delˈlɛtna]; plural Cirnechi [tʃirˈnɛki]) is a small breed of dog originally from Italian island of Sicily. This hound was historically used to hunt rabbits and can work for hours without food or water. The breed also has a keen sense of smell and is primarily built for endurance over harsh terrain such as that of Mount Etna. It is the smallest of the Mediterranean island hunting hounds, the others being the Pharaoh Hounds and Ibizan Hounds.

Today they are increasingly kept for conformation showing and as pets, due to their low coat maintenance and friendly nature, although as active hounds they do need regular exercise. A Cirneco should measure from 43 to 51 cm (17 to 20 in) and weigh between 10 and 12 kg (22 and 26 lb). As with other breeds, those from hunting stock can lie outside these ranges.