History of the Sicilian Greyhound or Cirneco dell' Etna

The Cirneco dell'Etna (pronounced "cheer-nay-ko") is a lively little hound used in Sicily for rabbit hunting. The Cirneco is also known as the Sicilian Hound, or the Sicilian Greyhound. The Cirneco is found all over Sicily in particular in the area surrounding Mount Etna where they are specifically bred to hunt on the terrain formed by volcanic lava. The breed has been rigorously selected over centuries for its ability to work for hours in the heat without food and water, thus creating the dog we have today: an extremely hardy breed, free from inherited health problems. The

Cirneco is very similar to the Pharaoh hound in appearance and shares the same origins in the Mediterranean basin. The Cirneco is a primitive dog that is one of the few ancient breeds that has undergone very little manipulation by man. It has been selected by nature, by the environment and the use to which it has been put over the three thousand years it has been present in Sicily. As hunters, they are smaller versions of their relatives from Malta and Ibiza. Although basically sighthounds of an ancient sort, they can also hunt by scent. The Cirneco is a specialist on rabbit and hare, but is so silent that it can also sneak up on any kind of feathered game. Affectionate and friendly, it is considered easier to train than some of its sighthound cousins.

Hunting Dogs Good Hunter? Gun Dog Breeds Hunting Setter English Setter Gordon Setter Laverack Setter Irish Setter Bracos Hunters Italian Bracos French Braco Saint Germain Braco Auvernia Braco German Shorthaired Pointer or Kurzhaar Hungarian Pointer Epagneul Breton Griffons as Hunters Italian Griffon Spinone Italiano Wirehaired Pointing Griffons Wirehaired Pointing Griffon or Korthals German Wirehaired German Wirehaired Pointer or Drahthaar Pointers as Hunting Dogs Perdiguero de Burgos or Spanish Pointer Perdiguero Navarro Old Spanish Pointer English Pointer Retrievers as Hunters Labrador Golden Retriever Golden Retriever History of the English Cocker Spaniel English Cocker Spaniel English Springer Spaniel Springer Spaniel Hounds as Hunters Porcelaine History of the Harrier Harrier Beagle Beagles Ibizan Hound Podenco Ibicenco Ibizan Hound Sicilian Greyhound Cirneco dell' Etna Sicilian Greyhound Training Hunting Dogs Why train hunting dog puppies New Puppy Puppy Hunting House training Puppy Potty Training Hunting Name Dog Training Come Command Puppy Stay Accidents & illnesses Rabies symptoms Canine distemper Canine Leptopirosis Internal parasites Types of Worms Hydatid cysts External parasites Ears-Eyes Care Emergencies Care Resuscitating a dog Types of Dog Skin Injury Hunting dog hemorrhages Correct Nutrition Nutrition Hand feeding Puppy Food Breed Reproduction Breeding Cycle Spaying Mating When to Breed Pregnancy of the female dog Birthing puppy dogs Dog Kennel