Overview
The Cirneco dell'Etna is an ancient Mediterranean hound from Sicily, related to the Pharaoh Hound and the Podenco family. It is slender and fine-boned with a short tan coat and large pricked ears, and it hunts rabbit and hare by sight, scent and hearing over rough lava fields.
In Britain it is uncommon but has a loyal following. Unlike many hounds it is quite people-focused and gentle, easy to live with and friendly with other dogs. The things to manage are prey drive, a dislike of cold and wet, and a tendency to think a fence is a suggestion.
Exercise and walking needs
An hour a day spread across two outings keeps most adults content. They enjoy a sprint in a safe field and a long sniff along a hedge in equal measure, and they are agile enough to enjoy a bit of scrambling.
The coat is thin and the body carries no fat, so in winter a coat is needed and walks should be kept moving.
On the walk
- Prey: Rabbits and squirrels will be chased without hesitation. Keep the lead on in open country and use a secure field for free running.
- Recall: Reasonable for a hound, especially with food, but not reliable with a rabbit in view. A long line is a sensible middle ground.
- Other dogs: Sociable and playful, happy to join a group walk with dogs of similar size and energy.
- Jumping: They climb and jump well. Check fences before assuming a field is secure.
Tips for professional walkers
- Walk the dog on a harness or wide sighthound collar; the slim neck slips a normal collar.
- Bring a coat on cold or wet days and keep the dog moving rather than standing about.
- Carry high-value treats and reward check-ins; this breed is more food-driven than most sighthounds.
- Check ears and feet after rough ground walks.
What to ask the owner
- How strong is the dog's reaction to rabbits, cats and squirrels, and has it ever caught anything?
- Which fields or spaces does the owner trust for off-lead running?
- Does the dog wear a coat in winter and how does it cope with rain?