CIRNECO DELL'ETNA

COUNTRY: Italy

WEIGHT: 18-26 pounds

HEIGHT: 16 Vz-191/2 inches

COAT: Short and smooth

COLOR: Fawn in all shades, white markings allowed

OTHER NAME: Sicilian Greyhound

GROUP: Southern

This Pharaoh Hound look-alike was brought to Sicily in the Phoenician heyday; when dogs of this type were a hot item. He has been kept and bred in the shadow of Mount Etna for 3,000 years.

The large island of Sicily, located at the toe of Italy, is the major home of the Cirneco. In more ancient times the breed also was known further north on Corsica, and the Greek name for that latter island, Cyrnecos, may have contributed to his name. Mount Etna, the 10,000-foot active volcano on Sicily's eastern side, provides the other portion of his name. The roots and history of this breed are the same as the Pharaoh's and the Ibizan's, repeated on a different island. In fact, in times past the Cirneco was also called the Pharaoh Dog, due to its identical taproots in Egypt.

Even before recorded history, a temple dedicated to the local divinity has existed at Ardano on Sicily. This holy place was supposedly guarded by the Cirneco dogs who had "a supernatural instinct to attack the sacreligious and thief but to welcome enthusiastically the devout."

The breed is prevalent around Ardano, and it is now the only breed which hunts on the slopes of Mount Etna. They were officially recognized by the ENCI (the Italian Kennel Club) about 1940, due mainly to the efforts of Professor Giuseppe Solaro. The FCI has also recognized the breed as distinct from the Pharaoh Hound.

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. He is a lively and friendly companion not known outside of his localized area in Italy. Unfortunately, he is becoming extremely rare at home as well.