Jericho

Pharaoh Hounds & Pointer

d'Lea

Cirneco dell'Etna

This delightful "little" breed is a native of Sicily, an island off the southern tip of Italy, where it is still used for hunting.  They are avid hunters of small game, particularly rabbits, and are required to pass their hunting trial test before they are allowed to achieve the title of Italian Champion.

It is believed the Cirneco shares the same roots as the Pharaoh Hound and Ibizan.  When the Phoenician traders took goods from Ancient Egypt, including the ancient dog seen on the tombs, and traded these good these goods throughout the Mediterranean.  The dogs were dispersed through the different islands where they developed into the breeds we know today....the Pharaoh Hound on the islands of Malta and Gozo, the Ibizan on the island of Ibiza off the coast of Spain, and the Cirneco in Sicily.

Although very similar to the Pharaoh Hound, there are many differences.  Most noticeable is the size.  Males can be 18 1/4 to 20 2/3 inches, and females 16 to 20 inches.  These dogs should be square, rather than slightly longer than tall, like the Pharaoh Hound.  Their color is listed as fawn, equivalent to the Pharaoh Hound tan, with white markings allowed.

Temperament is generally outgoing though they can be diffident with strangers entering their home areas.  They enjoy the company of other dogs, and are loving and playful with their owners and children.  The breed has been shown in Italy and at FCI shows throughout Europe for some time, and are currently being exhibited at most rare breed shows in the U.S.  The correct pronunciation of this breed is "Cheer-neck-oh" or for plural "Cheer-neck-ee".

The Cirneco is an excellent courser and loves to chase the lure.  The current goals of the Parent Club are to work toward American Kennel Club (AKC) recognition, and full recognition with the American Sighthound Field Association (ASFA), where the Cirneco was accepted to run as provisional at events as of 01/01/2000.

There are currently somewhere around 200  Cirnechi in the U.S. which have FCI registration.  The figures for the rest of the world, mainly throughout Italy and Europe, reach between 800 to 1000 dogs.  This breed is slowly being brought back from near extinction through the efforts of breeders world wide.