Sicilian Cirneco dell'Etna on the piazza in Taormina

by Silva Wischeropp

I surprisingly discovered this fascinating pair of dogs on 26 October 2024 during my autumn photography trip in the breathtaking city of Taormina. The photo was taken with the NIKON D800 (lens: NIKKOR 24.0-70.0 mm f/2.8).

The Cirneco dell'Etna is a sporting hunting dog from Italy that stands out not only for its elegant appearance but also for its unconventional character.
Grace and elegance characterise the medium-sized, graceful Cirneco dell'Etna, which is also known as the Sicilian Greyhound. His stature is correspondingly athletic.

The upright, high-set and large ears are reminiscent of images of the ancient Egyptian god Anubis.
The coat of the Cirneco is fine, around 2.5 centimetres long and fawn or reddish in colour.

White patches on the head, chest, belly, paws and tip of the tail as well as tan-coloured dogs are permitted. Eye colours are ochre, amber and light brown.
Males reach a height at the withers of 46 to 50 centimetres with a maximum weight of 13 kilograms. Females are 44 to 48 centimetres tall and weigh between eight and eleven kilograms.

As delicate as the four-legged friend may look, the Cirneco is a free spirit with a great hunting instinct.

This petite dog has an impressive personality - and is a passionate rabbit hunter. Accordingly, representatives of the breed are still keen to move and hunt today.

The Cirneco dell'Etna is friendly and attentive towards its two-legged friend. The intelligent four-legged friend learns quickly, but critically tests what it has learnt before putting it into practice in everyday life.
The Cirneco dell'Etna is a fascinating dog personality. However, due to its passion for hunting, the breed is only suitable for dog lovers who allow the sporty four-legged friend to exercise mentally and physically even when not running free and who appreciate its unconventional character.