Cirneco dell’Etna

Potentially going back 2,500 years to ancient Egypt, the Cirneco dell’Etna is a dog that gets its name from the Italian island of Sicily, particularly the area around the Mount Etna Volcano. They found work as scent hounds, although they can also be sight hounds. 

Resembling a small Pharaoh Hound, they were unknown outside of Sicily until the 1930s when a visiting veterinarian discovered them. Italian nobility helped revive the breed, although they remain relatively rare dogs.

The Cirneco dell’Etna dog breed doesn’t have particular space requirements, so long as they get plenty of exercise and get to spend time with their owners. A fenced-in yard in a suburban or rural area is important—these dogs can jump!

Scent tracking, free running, leash walks, chasing toys, and more can fill up a Cirneco dell’Etna’s days. They can get bored and become disruptive and destructive, so it’s important to keep them busy. 

The Cirneco dell’Etna dog breed doesn’t have particular space requirements, so long as they get plenty of exercise and get to spend time with their owners. A fenced-in yard in a suburban or rural area is important—these dogs can jump! 

Brush the Cirneco dell’Etna’s coat a few times a week, and check the dog for cuts and scratches after walks.

With positive reinforcement and smart motivation, the Cirneco dell’Etna dog can be trained well. They love chasing and following scents, so any training involving those activities will appeal to them. They can be independent and like to make their own decisions, so it’s important owners build strong bonds with them so that the dogs don’t go off and do their own thing. Cirneco dell’Etna puppies and dogs need to be well-socialized with other pets, children, and livestock. Recall is important although it can’t be relied upon—once on the scent, it can be hard to get these dogs to focus on anything else.

If you have an active family with children who know how to respect a dog’s boundaries, the Cirneco can be a great companion. Smaller children might not be the best fit as this is a breed that needs training and exercise that might not be compatible with young children’s schedules. 

The cost of a Cirneco dell’Etna from a breeder is significantly more than the cost of adopting one from a local shelter or rescue. The adoption fee usually covers additional items such as spaying or neutering, vaccines, and microchipping.