Cirneco dell'Etna

FCI:

Cirneco dell'Etna - Group V. - Spitz and primitive types, Section 7 - Primitive type Hunting Dogs. Recognized in 1947.

General Appearance:

This is a very neat and elegant dog noble outlines. Character is reserved, but always immensely proud and introverted based. In no case can be aggressive. As a hunting dog is active vivid and passionate, full of energy. If it can see a potential prey, e.g. hare, it does not hesitate and follow with a short intermittent barking with uncommon effort and perseverance. As a companion it is calm, quiet and open-minded, never obtrusive or even intrusive.

Temperament/Behaviour:

Definitely it is not a suitable dog for everyone. On one side it suits for an owner who loves peace at home, on the other hand, that person must be physically fit, able to pass long walks. Regarding education, however, it requires the owner not only consistent, but also calm, judicious and patient. Its education is not so easy for beginners who are not well informed it is the most suitable breed. While it is undeniably clever, sometimes it does not want to respect, it behaves as it did not understand what owner wants. The owner must handle the situation amicably.

It ignores strangers. It tends to be dominant in behaviour, but when owner can handle with the right approach in the context of early socialization. Its socialization reflected to its relationship with pets.

It needs plenty of exercise, which means regular, long walks and hearty as possible to nature, but it must be on a leash, as it releases when in pursuit of game, it cannot be call back. Also it suits for agility training and obedience.

Because at home is in spite of its curiosity it is perfectly calm, while the total mid-size and short hair suited to the urban apartment. It loves its owner, and therefore person must proceed in critical situations so as not to avoid disruption of emotional ties. It loves the heat and it cannot tolerate the winter, dog must be prevented against frostbite. For these and the psychological reasons it is not suitable breed for outdoor pens.

Body:

It's a dog overall lightweight body structure, almost square body frame, at first sight noble, alert and agile, adapted for fast running shorter distances. Although some strength and lacks robustness, never to be bulky or coarse. Height at withers, male is from 46 to 50 (max. 52) cm for females 42 to 46 (max. 50) cm, weight of body is 10-12 kg male and 8-10 kg female.

The head is long, the skull is slightly above domed, brows are not prominent front longitudinal furrow is only indicated, occipital part may be only weakly developed. The frontal slope is obvious. The muzzle is pointed through the bottom line, consisting of the lower jaw one must not be too severe. The nose is smooth finish equal muzzle should be large enough, matching the coat colour, but they should never be black.

Lips are narrow, thin and tight close to the jaw and teeth. Jaws must be developed normally. The bottom may not be very noticeable. Teeth consist of a complete continuous arcs, the bite should be scissors.

Cheeks flat, the eyes have to be fairly small, fairly wide apart imposed oval shape. It must never be round iris has a light tan or amber colour can be grey, but must never be maroon or dark hazel. The edges of the eyelids colour match the colour of the nose.

Ears are erect, triangular fairly high and relatively close to each other, neatly turned forward, pointed at the tops. They should be shorter.

Neck merges smoothly into the shoulders, muscular and in the neck arched. Topline of body straight and slightly decreases from the withers to the rear. Withers should be visible, but not significantly interfere with the smooth transition to the back of the neck. The back should be straight and muscular. Loin slightly arched, tightly muscled. Croup must be steep.

The tail should be set low, fairly strong and fairly long. Down carried reaches just below the hock. At rest the sickle, in the heat of passion is carried high, curved sickle over the back.

Forechest should be narrow, dryly muscled. The chest is considered quite narrow. Abdomen should be tucked up dry. The forelegs are straight and parallel, the blades are long, parallel and oblique, dryly muscled. Forearms are straight, parallel to each other pasterns are dry, slightly angled, straight. Feet should be elongated oval shape, tight, arched toes and solid pads, which should be coloured like claws, they are strong, curved, brown or flesh colour, may never be black.

The hindquarters must be straight and parallel. Thighs should be long, wide, dryly muscled, legs are slightly shorter than the thigh, and the dry bones must be lightweight, but strong. The Achilles tendon is clearly evident. Hocks wide insteps are cylindrical, vertical to ground, without dewclaws.

The skin on the entire body is soft and perfectly adjacent to the skeletal muscle and subcutaneous tissue, matching the coat colour. Never be black spots. The hair is his head including the earlobes and smooth legs, trunk and tail somewhat longer (about 3 cm) but always short, adjacent, similar to the coat of the horse.

Colouration can be uniformly blond, bolder (light red) or lighter (isabella, sable, etc.). It can also be blond different hue with a larger or smaller number of white markings on the head (i.e. bald), chest ( "bib"), abdomen, feet and tail tip. White "collar" is not very desirable, but it is permissible. Tolerated and colour white or white with orange patches and blond with a very rich shade. Dark stripes on a lighter background formed by mixing darker and lighter coloured top coat.

All faults from the requirements of the standard shall be considered as defects and evaluate exactly according to the seriousness with regard to the health and welfare of the male or female.