Cirneco dell’Etna: Sicily’s Ancient Volcanic Hound and Loyal Guardian

June 26, 2025, 11:58 am EDT

The Cirneco dell’Etna, one of the Mediterranean’s oldest dog breeds, traces its origins back 3,000 years to ancient Egypt. Genetic evidence suggests their ancestors arrived in Sicily via Phoenician traders from North Africa, adapting over millennia to the rugged terrain around Mount Etna1. This medium-sized hound stands 40-50 cm tall and weighs 8-15 kg, characterized by a short, smooth coat in shades of red or wheat, and distinctive upright ears resembling a miniature Pharaoh Hound28.