Cirneco dell’Etna
Cirneco dell’Etna is an ancient breed raised to hunt small animals in Italy’s Mount Etna region.
They weigh between 17-28 pounds and stand between 43 to 51 cm at the shoulder.
Cirneco dell’Etna Breed overview
Cirneco dell'Etna is an affectionate and intelligent breed. They are great with children but may have a strong prey drive, so they should be supervised around small children. They have moderate grooming needs and are a low-drooling and low-shedding breed, making them well-suited for allergy sufferers. They are not the best breed for being left alone and may develop separation anxiety. They have a strong prey drive and should be socialized and trained from a young age. Overall, they are an adaptable and versatile breed that excel in activities like hunting, tracking, and obedience competitions.
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What To Expect When Caring For a Cirneco dell’Etna
Training
Cirneco dell’Etna is an independent breed of dog and will need a strong hand in training. Training must begin early and consistently reinforced throughout the dog's life. They have a naturally high prey drive, and this must be managed carefully to prevent them from chasing after small animals or other prey which might present a danger to them.
Health
Cirneco dell’Etna is a generally healthy breed with a lifespan averaging 12 to 15 years. They are prone to developing eye issues like cataracts, as well as hip dysplasia. Owners should ensure a healthy, well-balanced diet to keep the breed at its best.
Grooming
Cirneco dell’Etna has a sleek and shiny coat that only needs occasional grooming. A regular brushing with a soft bristle brush or grooming mitt will help to keep their coat in good condition. Owners may also want to clip their dogs’ nails regularly, clean their ears, and examine their teeth frequently for any signs of decay or tartar buildup.
Exercise
As a breed used for hunting, Cirneco dell’Etna require plenty of exercise to stay healthy and happy. They enjoy long walks and time to run outside and play. They enjoy having outdoor adventures and staying active alongside their owner.
Nutrition
Cirneco dell’Etna does not have any unusual nutritional needs and should do well on a commercial dog food diet that is high in protein and low in grains, supplemented by occasional fresh food like meat or vegetables. Owners should avoid feeding them too many treats but can give them as an occasional reward.
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Cirneco dell’Etna Traits & Characteristics
Cirneco dell’Etnas have short, sleek fawn coats, with a confident and alert expression. Their almond-shaped eyes come in shades of amber, which complement the gold, chestnut, cinnamon, or grey coloring of their coats. They have long, lean legs and a slender body, which keeps them nimble and quick on their feet. The tail is carried high and has a brush-like appearance.
The breed standard calls for a height of between 43 to 51 cm and a weight between 17 to 28 pounds.
Affection
The degree to which a breed shows love and affection towards its human family members.
Cirneco dell'Etna is an affectionate breed that loves to be close to its human companions. They crave physical touch, and prefer to be in close proximity to their family.
Children
How well a breed interacts with children, including tolerance for play and energy level.
Cirneco dell'Etna is a great breed for kids. They are patient with children and they love to play. However, due to their hunting instinct, they should be supervised around smaller children as they may mistake them for prey.
Dogs
The breed's friendliness and sociability towards other dogs.
Cirneco dell'Etna is moderately friendly with other dogs. They can get along with other dogs, but it is important to socialize them early and supervise them during playtime due to their strong prey drive.
Strangers
The breed's reaction to unfamiliar people, including whether they tend to be wary or friendly.
Cirneco dell'Etna is reserved with strangers. They can be shy and take time to warm up to new people. Early socialization can help improve their confidence in social situations.
Playfulness
The breed's activity level and tendency to engage in play and games.
Cirneco dell'Etna are playful breed. They enjoy engaging in games, and they are moderately active. They love to be outdoors and go for walks or runs.
Alertness
The breed's level of awareness and vigilance, which can affect their ability to perform certain tasks or jobs
Cirneco dell'Etna is an alert and focused breed. They can be trained for various activities and jobs. They have been used for hunting and are excellent at tracking.
Adaptability
The breed's ability to adjust to new environments and situations, including whether they are adaptable or may become stressed.
Cirneco dell'Etna is a moderately adaptable breed. They can live in urban or rural areas, but they do best in a home with a yard or access to outdoor space.
Shedding
The amount of hair a breed sheds, which can affect allergies and cleanliness.
Cirneco dell'Etna is a low-shedding breed. They have short fur and require minimal grooming. They are a great choice for people with allergies.
Grooming
The amount of maintenance required to keep a breed's coat healthy and clean.
Cirneco dell'Etna is a low maintenance breed. They have short fur and require minimal grooming. However, they do shed a small amount, especially during seasonal changes.
Drooling
The amount of saliva a breed produces, which can affect cleanliness and potential drool-related issues.
Cirneco dell'Etna is a low-drooling breed. They are not prone to excessive drooling or slobbering.
Size
The breed's overall size, including their weight and height.
Cirneco dell'Etna is a medium-sized breed. They weigh between 19 and 26 pounds and stand between 16 and 20 inches tall at the shoulder.
Energy
The breed's overall activity level, including their need for exercise and play.
Cirneco dell'Etna is moderately active breed. They enjoy playing and going for daily walks, but they are not high energy dogs. They are content with moderate exercise.
Exercise
The breed's need for physical activity and exercise to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Cirneco dell'Etna is a moderately active breed. They enjoy daily walks and outdoor play, but they are not overly energy-intensive. They are adaptable to various types of exercise and activities.
Working
The breed's suitability for working and performing certain tasks or jobs.
Cirneco dell'Etna is a great working breed. They are intelligent, trainable, and have a strong prey drive. They have been used for hunting and tracking for many years.
Hunting
The breed's natural hunting abilities, including their prey drive, scenting abilities, and tracking skills.
Cirneco dell'Etna is an excellent hunting breed. They have a strong prey drive and are used to hunt rabbits and small game. They are fast and agile, and their keen sense of smell makes them excellent at tracking.
Vigor
The breed's physical stamina and endurance, including their ability to maintain high levels of activity and energy.
Cirneco dell'Etna is a moderately vigorous breed. They have high energy levels but are not an overly active breed. Their stamina and endurance make them well-suited to hunting and tracking activities.
Health
The breed's overall health and potential health issues, including whether they may be prone to certain illnesses or conditions.
Cirneco dell'Etna is a generally healthy breed, but they are prone to certain health issues including hip dysplasia, patellar luxation, and ear infections. Regular veterinary visits are recommended.
Obesity
The breed's tendency to gain weight and become overweight or obese, including whether they require extra monitoring and exercise.
Cirneco dell'Etna is not prone to obesity, but they should be monitored for weight gain. They are a moderately active breed and require daily exercise to stay healthy.
Cold
The breed's ability to tolerate cold weather conditions, including whether they require extra warmth and protection.
Cirneco dell'Etna is not cold-tolerant. They have a short coat and should wear a sweater or jacket in cold weather. They prefer warm and sunny climates.
Heat
The breed's ability to tolerate hot weather conditions, including whether they require extra cooling and protection.
Cirneco dell'Etna is heat-tolerant breed. Their short coat and low body fat make them well-suited to hot climates. They should have access to shade and water during outdoor activities.
Apartment
The breed's suitability for new or inexperienced dog owners, including their trainability and temperament.
Cirneco dell'Etna is a suitable breed for apartment living, but they do best with access to outdoor space. They are a moderately active breed and need daily exercise.
Wanderlust
The breed's tendency to wander or roam, including whether they may become lost or require a lot of supervision.
Cirneco dell'Etna is a moderate wanderlust breed. They have a strong prey drive and may wander off if they catch a scent or see something interesting. They should be supervised during outdoor activities.
Sensitivity
The breed's sensitivity to criticism or negative reinforcement, including whether they may become stressed or anxious.
Cirneco dell'Etna is a moderately sensitive breed. They may become stressed or anxious with negative reinforcement or harsh training techniques.
Separation
The breed's tolerance for being left alone, including whether they may become anxious or destructive.
Cirneco dell'Etna is not great at being alone for extended periods. They are a social breed and require daily interaction with their family. They may develop separation anxiety if left alone for too long.
Barking
The amount of barking a breed tends to do, including whether they may be vocal or prone to excessive barking.
Cirneco dell'Etna is a moderate barking breed. They will bark to alert their family of potential danger, but they are not excessive barkers overall.
Mental
The breed's need for mental stimulation and engagement, including whether they are intelligent and require challenging activities.
Cirneco dell'Etna are intelligent and curious breed. They need mental stimulation, regular training, and socialization from a young age to prevent disobedience and destructive behaviors.
Novice_owners
Some dogs are simply easier than others; they take to training better and are fairly easygoing. They're also resilient enough to bounce back from your mistakes or inconsistencies.
Cirneco dell'Etna is a great choice for novice dog owners. They are intelligent and trainable, and they have a friendly disposition. However, they have a strong prey drive and need early socialization and training.
Trainability
The ease of training a breed, including whether they are intelligent, obedient, and willing to learn.
Cirneco dell'Etna is intelligent and trainable breed. They respond well to positive reinforcement training methods and enjoy learning new tricks and commands.
Affection
The degree to which a breed shows love and affection towards its human family members.
Cirneco dell'Etna is an affectionate breed that loves to be close to its human companions. They crave physical touch, and prefer to be in close proximity to their family.
Children
How well a breed interacts with children, including tolerance for play and energy level.
Cirneco dell'Etna is a great breed for kids. They are patient with children and they love to play. However, due to their hunting instinct, they should be supervised around smaller children as they may mistake them for prey.
Dogs
The breed's friendliness and sociability towards other dogs.
Cirneco dell'Etna is moderately friendly with other dogs. They can get along with other dogs, but it is important to socialize them early and supervise them during playtime due to their strong prey drive.
Strangers
The breed's reaction to unfamiliar people, including whether they tend to be wary or friendly.
Cirneco dell'Etna is reserved with strangers. They can be shy and take time to warm up to new people. Early socialization can help improve their confidence in social situations.
Playfulness
The breed's activity level and tendency to engage in play and games.
Cirneco dell'Etna are playful breed. They enjoy engaging in games, and they are moderately active. They love to be outdoors and go for walks or runs.
Alertness
The breed's level of awareness and vigilance, which can affect their ability to perform certain tasks or jobs
Cirneco dell'Etna is an alert and focused breed. They can be trained for various activities and jobs. They have been used for hunting and are excellent at tracking.
Adaptability
The breed's ability to adjust to new environments and situations, including whether they are adaptable or may become stressed.
Cirneco dell'Etna is a moderately adaptable breed. They can live in urban or rural areas, but they do best in a home with a yard or access to outdoor space.
Shedding
The amount of hair a breed sheds, which can affect allergies and cleanliness.
Cirneco dell'Etna is a low-shedding breed. They have short fur and require minimal grooming. They are a great choice for people with allergies.
Grooming
The amount of maintenance required to keep a breed's coat healthy and clean.
Cirneco dell'Etna is a low maintenance breed. They have short fur and require minimal grooming. However, they do shed a small amount, especially during seasonal changes.
Drooling
The amount of saliva a breed produces, which can affect cleanliness and potential drool-related issues.
Cirneco dell'Etna is a low-drooling breed. They are not prone to excessive drooling or slobbering.
Size
The breed's overall size, including their weight and height.
Cirneco dell'Etna is a medium-sized breed. They weigh between 19 and 26 pounds and stand between 16 and 20 inches tall at the shoulder.
Energy
The breed's overall activity level, including their need for exercise and play.
Cirneco dell'Etna is moderately active breed. They enjoy playing and going for daily walks, but they are not high energy dogs. They are content with moderate exercise.
Exercise
The breed's need for physical activity and exercise to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Cirneco dell'Etna is a moderately active breed. They enjoy daily walks and outdoor play, but they are not overly energy-intensive. They are adaptable to various types of exercise and activities.
Working
The breed's suitability for working and performing certain tasks or jobs.
Cirneco dell'Etna is a great working breed. They are intelligent, trainable, and have a strong prey drive. They have been used for hunting and tracking for many years.
Hunting
The breed's natural hunting abilities, including their prey drive, scenting abilities, and tracking skills.
Cirneco dell'Etna is an excellent hunting breed. They have a strong prey drive and are used to hunt rabbits and small game. They are fast and agile, and their keen sense of smell makes them excellent at tracking.
Vigor
The breed's physical stamina and endurance, including their ability to maintain high levels of activity and energy.
Cirneco dell'Etna is a moderately vigorous breed. They have high energy levels but are not an overly active breed. Their stamina and endurance make them well-suited to hunting and tracking activities.
Health
The breed's overall health and potential health issues, including whether they may be prone to certain illnesses or conditions.
Cirneco dell'Etna is a generally healthy breed, but they are prone to certain health issues including hip dysplasia, patellar luxation, and ear infections. Regular veterinary visits are recommended.
Obesity
The breed's tendency to gain weight and become overweight or obese, including whether they require extra monitoring and exercise.
Cirneco dell'Etna is not prone to obesity, but they should be monitored for weight gain. They are a moderately active breed and require daily exercise to stay healthy.
Cold
The breed's ability to tolerate cold weather conditions, including whether they require extra warmth and protection.
Cirneco dell'Etna is not cold-tolerant. They have a short coat and should wear a sweater or jacket in cold weather. They prefer warm and sunny climates.
Heat
The breed's ability to tolerate hot weather conditions, including whether they require extra cooling and protection.
Cirneco dell'Etna is heat-tolerant breed. Their short coat and low body fat make them well-suited to hot climates. They should have access to shade and water during outdoor activities.
Apartment
The breed's suitability for new or inexperienced dog owners, including their trainability and temperament.
Cirneco dell'Etna is a suitable breed for apartment living, but they do best with access to outdoor space. They are a moderately active breed and need daily exercise.
Wanderlust
The breed's tendency to wander or roam, including whether they may become lost or require a lot of supervision.
Cirneco dell'Etna is a moderate wanderlust breed. They have a strong prey drive and may wander off if they catch a scent or see something interesting. They should be supervised during outdoor activities.
Sensitivity
The breed's sensitivity to criticism or negative reinforcement, including whether they may become stressed or anxious.
Cirneco dell'Etna is a moderately sensitive breed. They may become stressed or anxious with negative reinforcement or harsh training techniques.
Separation
The breed's tolerance for being left alone, including whether they may become anxious or destructive.
Cirneco dell'Etna is not great at being alone for extended periods. They are a social breed and require daily interaction with their family. They may develop separation anxiety if left alone for too long.
Barking
The amount of barking a breed tends to do, including whether they may be vocal or prone to excessive barking.
Cirneco dell'Etna is a moderate barking breed. They will bark to alert their family of potential danger, but they are not excessive barkers overall.
Mental
The breed's need for mental stimulation and engagement, including whether they are intelligent and require challenging activities.
Cirneco dell'Etna are intelligent and curious breed. They need mental stimulation, regular training, and socialization from a young age to prevent disobedience and destructive behaviors.
Novice_owners
Some dogs are simply easier than others; they take to training better and are fairly easygoing. They're also resilient enough to bounce back from your mistakes or inconsistencies.
Cirneco dell'Etna is a great choice for novice dog owners. They are intelligent and trainable, and they have a friendly disposition. However, they have a strong prey drive and need early socialization and training.
Trainability
The ease of training a breed, including whether they are intelligent, obedient, and willing to learn.
Cirneco dell'Etna is intelligent and trainable breed. They respond well to positive reinforcement training methods and enjoy learning new tricks and commands.
Similar breeds
History of the Cirneco dell’Etna
The Cirneco dell’Etna is an ancient breed dating back to the Phoenician era over 2,500 years ago, then over the years crossbred with many hunting breeds has developed into it’s own unique breed.
They were historically known for their swift prey-catching ability and could hunt on any terrain, proving themselves to be an asset to the region's hunters.
Cirneco dell’Etna Puppies
Cirneco dell’Etnas are smaller breeds and hence their litters are also small. These pups are known to be independent thinkers from birth and may not be as enthusiastic about obedience training as some of their canine counterparts. Like all dogs, they benefit from early socialization efforts.