Cirneco dell’Etna: Your Complete Guide

The cirneco dell’Etna is a small hound who excels at much more than just sniffing out your snack stash; he’s an excellent family pet for those after an active, faithful, and outgoing companion. Another huge perk? He’s also downright adorable, with a loving, sweet-natured expression and triangular ears that endearingly tower over his head….

Cirneco dell’Etnas aren’t a well-known breed, but their roots began thousands of years ago in Sicily. They grow up to 19.5 inches tall and weigh between 17 and 26 pounds, making them one of the smallest breeds in the hound group.

While these pups can make wonderful, lifelong companions, they aren’t suited to everyone — below, we’ll help you decide whether this breed is right for you by covering their characteristics, temperament, health, and trainability.

Quick Look at the Cirneco dell’Etna

Below is a quick glance at this special breed in terms of their physical characteristics, lifespan, temperament and grooming needs.

What Is the History of Cirneco dell’Etnas?

The cirneco dell’Etna (cheer-nek-o dell-et-na) is one of the oldest hound dogs, with his roots stretching back to 500 B.C. in the Mediterranean island of Sicily. It is believed that the breed’s ancestors were brought over to Sicily by the Phoenicians (maritime traders).

The cirneco dell’Etna was used to hunt small game and has frequently appeared in ancient Greek and Italian cultural works. In fact, this pup even appeared on Sicilian coins at one point in history!

While most breeds obtain their distinct qualities through selective breeding, this wasn’t the case for the cirneco; he’s one of the few breeds thought to have gained his characteristics through natural selection.

The breed has likely taken their name from the Greek word “kyrenaikos,” which loosely translates to dog from Cyrene (aka Libya). However, it may also derive from the Latin word “cernere,”  meaning to discern or see, potentially referencing their sighthound qualities.

The latter part of their name was added in the mid-20th century and pays tribute to Mount Etna, the largest active volcano in Sicily.

The cirneco dell’Etna was only recently recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 2015. However, the breed was recognized by the United Kennel Club back in 2006.

What Do Cirneco dell’Etnas Look Like?

Take a quick glance at the cirneco dell’Etna, and you may mistake him for a whippet — with his short, smooth coat, agile build, and low-set tail, it’s an easy mixup to make! However, there are some distinguishing attributes. Cirnecos have large, erect ears and stand slightly smaller than whippets. They also have stockier, broader heads.

According to the AKC breed standard, the cirneco dell’Etna has strong, long limbs, a muscular neck, and large nose (which no doubt helps him sniff out game). He also has oval-shaped eyes and an alert, intelligent expression.

His coat comes in various shades of tan and can either be solid or accompanied by white markings, which often appear around his face, chest, throat, and belly. No other coat colors are accepted under the breed standard.

What Size Is a Cirneco dell’Etna?

The cirneco dell’Etna is considered a small to medium-sized pup, reaching 16.5 to 19.5 inches tall at the withers and weighing between 17 and 26 pounds. Males are larger than females, with most males being heavier and at least a few inches taller.

Despite their light, small builds, cirneco dell’Etnas are incredibly agile, strong, and swift. They’re well-suited to hunting and dog sports like agility. Plus, they can effortlessly take on harsh terrain, making them fantastic hiking buddies for the right owners.

What Is a Cirneco dell’Etna’s Coat Type and Length?

The cirneco dell’Etna has a short-haired, smooth coat that rests straight against his body. The hair is fine and coarse in texture and often has a glossy appearance. While some pups may have slightly longer fur, there isn’t any prominent feathering, and their physical features blend into their coats.

What Is a Cirneco dell’Etna’s Temperament?

The cirneco dell’Etna survived the harsh landscapes in Sicily thanks to his hunting prowess — and his personality traits today are a testament to that. He’s incredibly alert, perceptive, and even-tempered.

He also has an independent spirit and enjoys doing things his own way…  something that can be both positive and negative, depending on whether his way aligns with yours.

Are Cirneco dell’Etnas Good With Kids?

The cirneco dell’Etna is friendly and gentle. He gets along well with kids, and his muscular build and high energy level enables him to tolerate some roughhousing. However, he should never be left unsupervised around small children.

You should always be in a position to step in and break things off if the play becomes too boisterous or either exhibits signs of stress. Children should also be taught how to play safely with dogs to prevent accidents.

Are Cirneco dell’Etnas Good With Other Animals?

The cirneco dell’Etna can get along wonderfully with other dogs, as long as he has received proper socialization and been exposed to them in a positive, gradual way.

However, he does have a high prey drive and will often try and chase cats and small animals like hamsters, rabbits, and birds. It can be difficult to “train away” these natural instincts, so it’s important to keep him on a tight leash in areas where wild animals are common.

Are Cirneco dell’Etnas Aggressive?

Cirneco dell’Etnas aren’t prone to aggression and rarely growl or snap. They have a gentle, calm temperament and are generally outgoing. However, this doesn’t mean aggressive behaviors can’t occur. Fear, anxiety, and poor socialization can all cause these pups to lash out and exhibit destructive habits.

It’s important to ensure their needs are met while nurturing a strong, positive bond with them. You should also help them release their energy through exercise, mentally stimulating activities, and fun play.

Do Cirneco dell’Etnas Bark?

A lot of small dogs are notorious yappers — looking at you, Chihuahuas — but fortunately for your ears (and the neighbor’s), this isn’t the case for cirneco dell’Etnas. These pups are relatively quiet and usually only bark to alert their owners. Excessive barking is often a result of unmet needs, poor training, or anxiety.

If your pup is barking excessively, it’s important to consider why; are you providing him enough mental stimulation throughout the day? Is he getting adequate exercise? Knowing the underlying cause will put you in the best possible position to manage (and hopefully minimize) the barking.

Are Cirneco dell’Etnas Affectionate?

While he is built for hunting, that doesn’t mean the cirneco isn’t affectionate! He’s gentle, devoted, and loving with people he forms strong bonds with. Sure, he may not jump into your lap at your beck and call, but he does still enjoy a good cuddle.

Cirneco dell’Etnas are typically polite with strangers and warm up to them quickly. However, don’t expect them to reach “golden retriever-level” friendliness. And by that, we mean see every human as their best friend and slobber all over them.

Are Cirneco dell’Etnas Intelligent?

Move over border collie, there’s a new smarty paws in town! The cirneco dell’Etna is incredibly intelligent and has a thirst for new experiences. He’s also alert, intuitive, and perceptive of his surroundings.

Are Cirneco dell’Etnas Energetic?

The cirneco dell’Etna might be small, but don’t let his appearance fool you: he’s a working dog through and through and has boundless energy to spare. He loves long walks, runs, and activities that work out his brain and legs in equal measure, like lure coursing and agility. He’ll need at least an hour of daily exercise to feel satisfied.

Since these pups have a soft spot for play, they’ll also benefit from plenty of fun, interactive games. Some great options include tug-of-war, puzzle toys, and fetch.

Are Cirneco dell’Etnas Easy to Train?

The cirneco dell’Etna is extremely intelligent, but this does come at a price: he isn’t afraid to test his owner and often prefers to do things his own way. Due to his stubbornness, he’ll need an experienced owner who can maintain a firm, consistent, and patient training approach.

With the right owner, the cirneco dell’Etna can master virtually any trick. He also makes a great candidate for dog sports, especially activities that make full use of his unrivaled hunting skills.

Are Cirneco dell’Etnas Good Watchdogs?

While these pups are alert and pay close attention to changes in their surroundings, this doesn’t exactly translate to them being paw-fect watchdogs; most have no strong desire to protect the home and are friendly toward strangers.

However, cirneco dell’Etnas will likely alert you if someone enters the house. They may also take the initiative and investigate the potential danger out themselves (although don’t expect their small size to ward off intruders).

Are Cirneco dell’Etnas Good Service Dogs?

The cirneco dell’Etna is intelligent, alert, and capable of learning advanced tasks. But he isn’t the best fit for service work; his independent streak means he may not reliably perform the tasks he’s been taught. He also doesn’t have the strength to perform physically demanding jobs like balance assistance.

With that said, these pups do make great emotional service animals, with their even-tempered demeanor offering a calming presence. Their high energy level can also help motivate individuals to exercise more frequently, which has been known to have a positive influence on mood.

How to Care for a Cirneco dell’Etna?

The cirneco dell’Etna is a lively pup who benefits from plenty of exercise and play. He also needs socialization and training from a young age to help him grow into a well-adjusted, confident adult.

While he can be stubborn, it’s important to not get frustrated or resort to punishment measures. This can exacerbate his stubbornness and lead him to become anxious, stressed, or even aggressive.

Make sure to use positive reinforcement measures with high-value rewards. You can also work with his stubbornness by breaking training into smaller sessions and using tools that set him up for success, like a clicker.

Cirneco dell’Etnas are adaptable and will feel at home in apartments. However, they do benefit from a backyard where they can have a space to exercise, play outdoor games, and explore their surroundings.

Do You Need to Groom a Cirneco dell’Etna?

Cirneco dell’Etnas have low-maintenance coats, with most only requiring weekly grooming to keep their fur looking healthy and glossy. However, make sure to use a soft-bristled brush during grooming; this will allow you to properly remove trapped debris, loose hairs, and dead skin.

Since their coats stay relatively odor-free and don’t trap dirt easily, cirneco dell’Etnas only require a wash once a month. Do note though that pups who spend a lot of time working outdoors will need to be washed more frequently.

Cirneco dell’Etnas are also prone to ear infections because of their large, open ears (more on this shortly). They’ll benefit from bi-weekly ear cleaning, particularly if they frequent grassy areas or woodlands.

Do Cirneco dell’Etnas Shed?

The cirneco dell’Etna sheds minimally, making him a paw-fect companion for those who hate finding fluff everywhere and anywhere. His low shedding tendency also means he’s a good choice for allergy sufferers. However, keep in mind that those who are particularly sensitive to dog hair will likely still struggle with this breed.

What Health Problems Do Cirneco dell’Etnas Have?

The cirneco dell’Etna is a hardy and extremely healthy breed. The AKC does not currently recommend any specific health tests for these dogs, though that may be in part due to their rarity (i.e. a lack of data).

With that said, dogs that share similar characteristics to cirneco dell’Etnas have been associated with certain health complications, such as:

• Osteochondritis Dissecans (OCD): A developmental disease that causes abnormal growth of the cartilage in the joint, resulting in lameness and stiffness. Treatment typically involves lifestyle changes, medication, and surgery.
• Hip Dysplasia: A genetic condition where the hip joint forms abnormally, causing symptoms such as exercise intolerance, lethargy, and difficulty in sitting or climbing steps. Hip dysplasia is treated with physiotherapy and surgery.
• Patella Luxation: When the kneecap dislocates out of its proper position, resulting in pain, lameness, and a noticeable hopping gait. Patella luxation is treated in the same way as hip dysplasia; physiotherapy for milder cases and surgery for severe cases.
• Ear Infections: The cirneco’s open, large ear shape puts him at greater risk of infections — dirt, debris, and water can easily get trapped in the ear canal and create the perfect breeding ground for harmful bacteria.

How Long Do Cirneco dell’Etnas Live?

The cirneco dell’Etna has an average life expectancy of 12 to 14 years. However, his lifespan can be shortened significantly by a poor-quality diet, lack of exercise, and hereditary diseases.

It’s important to only buy pups from reputable breeders who can show you the parents’ health certificates, screen for common health conditions, and answer all your questions thoroughly. You should also take the time to learn the ins and outs of the breed’s care needs.

What Should a Cirneco dell’Etna Eat?

The cirneco dell’Etna thrives on a diet tailored to his age, size, and energy level. You should stick to kibble formulated for active, small pups and feed him 1 to 2.5 cups per day, split across two separate meals.

Due to his high energy level, the cirneco dell’Etna benefits from a high protein content of at least 20%. Some good sources of protein include beef, turkey, chicken, and lamb.

Is a Cirneco dell’Etna the Right Dog for Me?

The cirneco dell’Etna is a sleek, affectionate, and outgoing dog who can make the perfect addition to your family. However, it’s important you can provide him the lifestyle, care, and love he needs to succeed and live a long, happy life.

He’ll require an owner who can keep up with his high energy level and exercise him for at least an hour every day. Due to his high intelligence, he’ll also appreciate an owner who is willing to challenge his brain daily with mentally stimulating games.

While the cirneco dell’Etna is incredibly loyal, his independent streak can make him stubborn so he isn’t the best fit for new owners. He’ll thrive with someone who has plenty of experience working with stubborn pups, particularly hound dogs.

The cirneco dell’Etna can adjust to virtually any home environment, as long as he receives plenty of exercise, training, and socialization. He can also make a great playmate for kids, as long as they know how to behave around animals.