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.
