Sicilian Hound
About the Sicilian Hound
Temperament
Physical Characteristics
| Size Category | Medium (25-50 lbs) |
|---|---|
| Height | 17-20" |
| Weight | 17-26 lbs |
| Coat Type | Smooth |
| Coat Length | Short |
| Colors | |
| Hypoallergenic | No |
Care Requirements
Exercise Needs
High (60-90 min/day)
60 minutes per day recommended
Grooming
Moderate - Weekly
Mental Stimulation
★★★★★Moderate mental stimulation needed
Drooling
★★★★★Living Conditions
Cost of Ownership
| Purchase Price | $600-$1,200 |
|---|---|
| Annual Cost | $1,000/year |
Costs vary based on location, breeder, and individual needs. Annual costs include food, veterinary care, grooming, and supplies.
Health Considerations
Like all breeds, Sicilian Hounds may be prone to certain health conditions:
Regular veterinary check-ups and proper care can help prevent or manage many health issues.
Best For
- Families with Children
- Active Owners
May Not Be Ideal For
- Sedentary Lifestyles
Guides for your Sicilian Hound
The story behind the Sicilian Hound
The Cirneco dell'Etna is an ancient hunting hound of Sicily, part of the family of pricked-eared Mediterranean rabbit dogs that also includes the Pharaoh Hound and the Podencos of Iberia; dogs of strikingly similar type appear on Sicilian coins from antiquity, and the breed is traditionally linked to hounds spread by seafaring traders. For centuries Sicilian hunters used the Cirneco on rabbit and hare across lava fields and scrub, valuing scent, sight, and hearing together with endurance in heat. An Italian standard was established in the 1930s after advocacy by Sicilian fanciers, FCI recognition followed, and the American Kennel Club recognized the breed in 2015. It remains rare but stable.
Originally bred for: Rabbit hunting, Small-game coursing, Companion. You can trace how working roles shaped today’s breeds across our dog guides.
Feeding a Sicilian Hound
This ancient Mediterranean hunting dog is famously thrifty, holding hard condition on plain, digestible fare in modest amounts. Feed twice daily, raise the ration only for heavy field days, and never allow the fine dry frame to soften.
Watch for: No characteristic intolerance has been documented and the type is regarded as robust. A lean dog with thin skin can look reactive when heat, insects or rough terrain is the real trigger. Have a veterinarian confirm before diets change.
Mealtime extras: training treats worth keeping in your pocket. Everything else lives in our dog nutrition and feeding hub.
Living with a Sicilian Hound
Day to day, the basics matter most: how much exercise your dog needs, how often to get out for a walk, and how much sleep is normal.
For play and enrichment, browse our favorite dog toys and interactive toys for rainy days.
Gear that fits the breed makes life easier: a well-sized dog bed, a properly sized crate.
Raising a puppy? Work through crate training and the teething timeline — or see how old your dog is in human years with our dog age calculator.