Interim Standard Cirneco dell’Etna

General Appearance
Medium sized hunting dog. Elegant, slender build but strong and robust. Long limbed, of light construction and square outline.

Characteristics
A keen hunter. Adaptable to difficult terrain. Hunts by scent, sight and hearing.

Temperament
Strong, lively, independent temperament. Gentle and affectionate.

Head and Skull
Skull moderately narrow, in profile almost flat. Top of skull and foreface parallel or slightly divergent. Lean and well chiselled. Slight stop. Flat cheeks. Length of muzzle equal to or only slightly less than length of skull. Bridge of nose straight. Nose rather large, flesh coloured, blending with coat.

Eyes
Relatively small, oval in shape, semi-lateral position.  Amber or ochre blending with coat.

Ears
Set very high and close together, erect and rigid, almost parallel when alert. Triangular shape with narrow tip. Length not more than half the head.

Mouth
Lower jaw lightly developed with receding chin.  Perfect, regular and complete scissor bite i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws. Thin, taut lips. Full dentition desirable.

Neck
Strong, clean, well arched and muscular. Set well into shoulders.

Forequarters
Shoulders strong, long, moderately laid back. Length of upper arm slightly less than length of shoulder. Forelegs straight and parallel when viewed from the front. Elbows well tucked in. Pasterns strong and slightly sloping.

Body
Length from point of shoulder to point of buttock equal to height at withers. Straight topline sloping from withers towards croup. Croup has flat profile, sloping steeply downwards to root of tail. Chest reaches to, or nearly to, the elbow, without going beyond. Ribs slightly sprung, rather narrow without being flat. Clean, gently rising underline, without excessive tuck up.

Hindquarters
Strong and muscular. Moderate bend of stifle. Broad, long, upper thigh with flat muscles. Well developed second thigh. Limbs parallel when viewed from behind.

Feet
Strong, well knuckled, firm, slightly oval, turning neither in nor out. Well padded. Nails brown or flesh coloured.

Tail
Low set, fairly thick at base, reaching to point of hock. Of equal thickness for most of its length. Carried high and curved when dog is in action; sabre fashion when in repose. Hair on tail is semi-long.

Gait/Movement
Springy trot without excessive extension. Viewed from behind, hind legs track the forelegs. Tendency to throw feet sideways or hackney action undesirable.

Coat
Short on head, ears and legs. Short to semi-long (about 3cms) on body, but sleek and close, ranging from fine to slightly harsh. No feathering.

Colour
Self coloured. Light sand, Isabella, light to dark tan. Tan with a mixture of slightly lighter and darker hairs allowed. White markings allowed on chest, toes, head, foreface and tip of tail.

Size
Ideal height at shoulder: Dogs 46-50cms (18 ¼ -19 ½ ins); Bitches 42-46 cms (16 ½ - 18 ¼ ins).

Faults Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.

Note
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

Last Updated - December 2007