The Cirneco dell’Etna

This breed is very old and some of their origins can be worked out through their name.

Cirneco is derived from a Greek word meaning “dog of Cyrene (Libya).” It is likely that the breed has existed in Sicily since its ancestors arrived on its craggy shores some 3,000 years ago in the holds of ships piloted by those master traders of the ancient world, the Phoenicians. As far back as 500 b.c., dogs resembling Cirnechi appeared on Sicilian coins. -AKC.org 

Etna is the name of a mountain in Italy. 

These dogs were bred as sighthounds and their athletic build and trainability make them the ideal breed for many different sports including agility, flyball, and of course, lure-coursing. They also make great family pets and are very loyal to their families. They thrive on attention and enjoy getting to spend time with you.

Their short sleek coats make for easy maintenance and their moderate energy requirements make them pretty easy keepers. Overall, these dogs make great companions for people who live an active lifestyle or want to be competitive in the world of dog sports.