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Hound Handbook
Insurance guide
Breed profile

Cirneco dell’Etna

A slim, rabbit-hunting hound from the slopes of Mount Etna. Affectionate, clean and quick to bolt after anything furry.

Tan Cirneco dell'Etna trotting through grass with ears erect
A Cirneco on the move.Photo: Vignazzi / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Weight
8–13 kg18–29 lb
Height
42–50 cm17–20 in
Lifespan
12–16 yrs
Group
Hound
Origin
Italy (Sicily)
Popularity
#184 US#191 UK · 2025

Known for: Low groomingWarm climates

Energy
Shedding
Trainability
Barking
Good with kids
Flat-friendly

Temperament

Gentle, Alert, Independent, Playful.

Health problems to know about

  • Muscle and toe injuries from sprinting
  • Obesity
  • Little breed health data (rare breed): ask breeders about screening

Ask breeders for the parents' health test results, and check what your national breed club recommends screening for.

Daily care

Daily walks on lead plus regular safe off-lead sprints in a fenced area. A rubber mitt once a week keeps the coat tidy.

A good fit for

Active owners, people who like a quiet, easy-care hound.

Probably not ideal for

Homes with cats or small pets, gardens with low fences, owners wanting off-lead reliability.

Sources

  1. American Kennel Club: Cirneco dell’Etna
  2. Vetstreet: Cirneco dell’Etna
  3. Cirneco dell’Etna Club of America
  4. Wikipedia: Cirneco dell'Etna

Popularity: AKC 2025 registration rankings (US); Royal Kennel Club 2025 registrations (UK, ranked by us). Breed traits are tendencies, not guarantees. Individual dogs vary, and mixed breeds and rescues can be wonderful fits too.

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