The Cirneco dell'Etna is a breed that has recently been classified as "primitive" and included in the Vth Group. Its specialisation is hunting wild rabbit.

The search

The search for scent is always meticulous, detailed, attentive and thoughtful. These characteristics are typical on the walls of volcanic rock. The search must be incisive and detailed, covering all the ground.

Method

When the Cirneco becomes aware of the presence of wild rabbit, it leaps forward and follows the scent left by the rabbit on the ground. If it realises that the scent has disappeared, is less intense, or does not lead to game, it returns to its previous activity and starts searching again exploring the terrain. Otherwise as it follows the scent, if it realises that it will lead to game, it continues behaving in the same way with total commitment to following and interpreting rapidly the quality of the scent leading to the game. The dog becomes more expressive and the action increases in impetus as the distance between itself and the rabbit diminishes. When the rabbit is just ahead, the Cirneco occasionally barks shrilly, with increasing frequency, almost becoming furious when it thinks it has reached the hiding place or the right entrance to the warren the rabbit has entered. Here the Cirneco digs with its front paws, it sniffs, violently inhaling inside the hole, it snorts and the barking becomes louder, vibrant, howling, then at times quietly whining, full of anger and impotence as it persists in its attempt to dig. Its voice resumes, resonant and vibrant, indicating that the rabbit is moving inside the burrow.While exploring, the dog's gait changes from a trot to canter with a sprightly pace depending on the unevenness of the ground.