Cirneco dell'Etna

The Cirneco dell'Etna is a medium-sized hunting dog of the sight hound type. It originated on the island of Sicily. This breed has traditionally been used to hunt rabbits on the difficult rocky terrain around Mount Etna, a volcanic mountain. The Cirneco dell'Etna is fairly common in its native region and has existed there largely unchanged since at least 600 BC. The Cirneco (cheer NAY koh) dell'Etna is at first glance a smaller version of the Pharaoh Hound, but fanciers of the Cirneco point to eleven points in the breed standard ten besides the obvious size difference which differentiate the two breeds. They do share the build of a sight hound: the Cirneco dell'Etna is lean, strong, robust and of medium bone. Its skin is thin, and its musculature and skeletal structure somewhat pronounced. It is square in shape, the length of back being roughly equal to the height at the withers. The chest is deep. The head is rectangular and rather large. The eyes are small, almond-shaped, of an ochre color and have a soft expression. The ears are very large and carried parallel and erect, opening toward the front. The tail is thick and does not taper; it is quite long, reaching at times below the hock when relaxed. When carried high it curves and is held like a banner, according to the standard. The single coat is smooth and sleek, and is a fawn color. It may or may not have subtle white markings. The skin of this breed is pinkish, never black. Like the Pharaoh Hound, the Cirneco dell'Etna blushes when excited as a pronounced rosy tone spreads over the snout and ears. This breed stands an average 16 to 20 inches at the shoulder and weighs an average 17 to 25 pounds. Traditionally it has been assumed that several sight hounds that closely resemble those canines depicted on the walls of pharaohs' tombs must have originated in Egypt and been brought to the Mediterranean region by the Phoenicians. However, recent DNA research is changing that view. It is possible that the Cirneco is a primitive breed that is indigenous to the Mediterranean region. But however it came to be in Sicily, what is certain is that the breed has existed unchanged for over two millennia. The best evidence for this is hundreds of coins which date from the 5th to the 3rd century BC, from the local mints of various towns around the island, all of which contain images of the Cirneco. In the town of Enna, Sicily, mosaics at the ancient imperial Roman villa at Piazza Armerina offer clear depictions of the breed. It is obvious that the dogs had religious significance in Sicilian culture. In fact there seems to have been a sort of cult to the Cirneco in existence around the immediate Mt. Etna area, particularly near the town of Adrano. Legend says that Dionysus built a temple here to the god Adranos on the slope of the volcano, and put there one thousand Cirnechi (plural form) to guard it. The dogs had been given the divine gift of recognizing thieves or disbelievers, and these they attacked on sight. However, the true sincere pilgrims were met and escorted safely to the temple, with particular kindness being shown those who were intoxicated. An Italian writer doing research in the area for a book on hunting dogs that he published in 1973, reported at the time that there were at least a few thousand Cirnechi living in the town. However, in the early 20th century, the breed was dying out. The situation had been so dire that a veterinarian in Adrano, Dr. Maurizio Migneco, published an article in an Italian hunting journal magazine decrying Italian neglect of the breed.This so moved a local baroness that she began a search of the island to find the most representative specimens to start her own breeding program. At the time the majority of the dogs were owned by local peasants who bred them for hunting ability, not for conformation to the traditional type. Baroness Agata worked diligently to breed the Cirneco back to its ancient glory, and in 1939 she consulted a prominent zoologist who examined the dogs at her kennel for authentic representation of the ancient breed, and then wrote a breed standard which was adopted by the Italian Kennel Club. In 1951 a breed club was formed with Dr. Migneco as the first president and Baroness Agata the secretary. At her death in 1958 she had spent 26 years researching the breed and bringing it to life again. The breed was recognized in 1989 by the Federation Cynologique Internationale. Today the Cirneco dell'Etna is found all over Europe, in North America and even in Russia. It has been recorded in the Stock Foundation Service of the American Kennel Club since 2006. The Cirneco is an easy care dog. It is very active and needs a bout of vigorous exercise daily, such as a brisk walk, to stay fit physically and mentally. It can adjust well to urban life if given adequate exercise. The coat of the Cirneco needs little care. A quick once-over with a damp washcloth will keep it looking clean. It is important that the owner understand that the Cirneco should wear a coat in cold weather since it does not possess the body fat content to keep from freezing easily. This breed does well in an active, busy household in which it can participate. The Cirneco is not suitable for households with small animals such as ferrets, rodents or birds: its hunting instinct is very strong and it may always see these creatures as prey. The Cirneco can do well with cats if properly socialized to them. This breed shows little in the way of genetic health issues; it is extremely healthy. Individuals can live to be 15 years of age or more. The Cirneco excels at lure coursing competition, scenting exercises, and agility. It is easier to obedience train than are many sight hounds, and can also compete in formal obedience trials.

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