Cirneco dell’Etna are primitive type dogs, sighthound type, of elegant and slender shapes, medium size, not cumbersome, robust and strong, with characterisitic erect and rigid ears, opened towards the front.

There’s no agreement between the specialists regarding origins of cirnecos. According to some historical studies of dogs living in Mediterranean region are leading to conclusion that cirneco dell’Etna are coming from an ancient breed of hunting dogs living in the valley of Nile at the Pharaohs times. These dogs came to Sicily most probably with Phoenicians or from Crete. Nevertheless according to most recent studies cirneco’s origins might be Sicily, more precisely Etna region. Coins, mosaics and engravings found by the archeologists in that region proves that cirnecos were living in there many centuries B.C.

There’s no agreement regarding the origins of „cirneco” name. According to one of the theories cirneco name is coming from Cyrenaica – city and region in North Africa, currently on Libyan territory. The name used at the time by ancient Greeks living on Sicily – „Kyon Kyrenaikos” seems to confirm that theory. Nevertheless there are other theories where the name came from French „charnique” or even Spanish word „nocharniego”.

Although current name – „cirneco dell’Etna” is to confirm that the dogs used to live in Sicily in Etna surroundings, it is known that these dogs were living in continental Italy as well.

Before the end of XIX and at the beginning of XX century cirnecos weren’t numerous already and all breed was close to perishing. Despite that and despite lack of breeders in Italy actively involved in well-keeping and development of this breed, cirnecos survived in relatively clean form till 1947 when cirneco dell’Etna were officialy acknowledged by FCI as a breed. That was possible thanks to Mrs Agnatan Paterno from Castello dei Duchi de Carcani who managed to found almost all the cirnecos living in Etna region at the time and had exterior typical to cirneco. In 1939 Angatan Paterno together with Cav. Domeninco Diletti presented to professor Solaro 20 typical representatives of cirneco breed. On that basis professor Solaro created first cirneco dell’Etna standard which was officialy approved by FCI under number 199. After II world war saving the breed was main objective to the breeders. That was successfuly done and first cirnecos started to be shown on the dog shows in 1951.

Currently there are cirneco dell’Etna kennels in Italy, Slovenia, Finland, Sweden, United Kingdom, France and a few other countries, but still it is possible to find cirnecos living wild, unregistered on Sicily. Cirneco dell’Etna remains very rare breed. There’s no more than a few hundreds cirnecos in entire world.