Breeds / Medium
Cirneco dell’Etna puppies
A light, elegant Sicilian hunting hound, inquisitive and affectionate at home but single minded once they pick up a scent or see something move.
The facts
- Size class Medium
- Country of origin Italy
- Adult weight 8.6 to 12.7 kg
- Adult weight in pounds 19 to 28 lb
- Adult height 43 to 51 cm
- Energy level Moderate
- Grooming Low
- Coat type Short smooth
- Shedding Low
- Typical lifespan 15 to 16 years
- Good with children Usually good
- Good with other dogs Usually good
About the Cirneco dell’Etna
The Cirneco dell'Etna is a Sicilian hunting dog from the volcanic slopes of Mount Etna, where they worked rabbit across broken lava using scent, sight and hearing together, often for hours in the heat. They belong to the ancient Mediterranean hound family and are built light: 8.6 to 12.7 kg on a leggy frame, with a short smooth coat, a narrow head and large upright ears. At home they are affectionate and easy company. Out hunting they work independently and pay little attention to instructions.
Exercise needs are moderate in volume but the mind wants occupying, so scent games and training sessions matter as much as walks. The coat needs almost nothing beyond a weekly rub with a hound glove, though the thin coat means they feel the cold. They suit an owner who wants an athletic, tidy, low maintenance dog and has a secure garden. Off lead recall is never something to count on, because a moving rabbit outranks any owner.
What to expect at eight weeks
At eight weeks a Cirneco dell’Etna puppy is sleeping around 18 to 20 hours a day, is not house trained, and cannot hold on for more than an hour or two at a stretch. A medium breed puppy at eight weeks is a manageable armful that will not stay that way. Most of the growth happens between now and six months, so buy for the adult dog where you can. Expect moderate energy, in short bursts separated by long naps. Grooming is straightforward, but start handling the coat, feet and ears in week one anyway so it is never a fight later. The socialisation window is open and closing: everything they meet calmly now, from vacuum cleaners to men in hats, is easier for the rest of their life.
Health worth knowing about
Conditions this breed is reported to be predisposed to. Predisposed does not mean inevitable, it means ask about it.
- Hip dysplasia, screened by hip evaluation of breeding stock
- Inherited eye disease, screened by an ophthalmologist evaluation
- Patellar luxation, a slipping kneecap, found on a patella evaluation
Your Cirneco dell’Etna puppy's first six months
- Vaccination schedule, dated for your country.
- Worming and parasite schedule.
- Feeding calculator. Set expected adult size to Medium for a Cirneco dell’Etna.
- Adult size predictor, to check growth against the 8.6 to 12.7 kg adult range.
- Puppy names and the first week checklist.
Kit sizes: crate 30 inch (30 x 20 x 23 in, 76 x 51 x 58 cm) for an adult of up to 12.7 kg; chew toys made for medium breeds. Worked out the same way as the crate size calculator. PetMD bases a crate on the dog's own measurements, not weight or breed alone, so measure once the puppy is home.
Buying guides for this
Other medium breeds
American Cocker Spaniel
American Pit Bull Terrier
American Staffordshire Terrier
American Water Spaniel
Aussiedoodle
Australian Cattle Dog
More on the Cirneco dell’Etna
Previous: Chug · Next: Clumber Spaniel
Not veterinary advice. Breed information is general. Your own dog, and your own vet, always win.
Sources
- akc.org for adult weight and height, life expectancy, energy, grooming, shedding and the temperament ratings, coat type and health notes
- fci.be for country of origin
- Health notes from Cirneco dell’Etna breed information at https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/cirneco-delletna/. Discuss any of these with your own vet.
Photo: Jan Eduard, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons, cropped. All photographers are listed on the photo credits page.