This is a small,short haired half-sighthound from Italy, to be precise, from Sisilia. F.C.I. classifies also this breed to the group Walking Dogs The origin of Cirneco goes back to the ancient sighthounds whon were brought to Southern Europe by Phoeniciers, were they settled and the present Cirneco was born. In its present form the breed is native to Sicilia. Many archaeological findings testify the fact that this breed from time immemorial appears in Sicilia. They are used for hunting hares, rabbits and feathered game. They work slowly with the nose on the ground and follow the track silently, patiently and attentively. They are only heard when they are digging or very near the prey. The structure of the dog is square, the height for dogs 46 to 50 cm, for bitches 42 to 46 cm. The small skull and snout are equally long. The big nose lies in one line with the stright noseback. The colour of the nose depends on the colour of the coat. The lines on the lips and the eyes must be brown, never black. The eyes are deep-set, the colour is amber, ochre or grey.The ears are high-set, three-cornered, pointed and stand straight up. The back is long and stright, the shoulderparts high and rising. The belly is not pulled up. The tail is low set and will be carried as as sabre, when in action over the croupe. The coat is very hard. On the skull, the ears and the legs the coat is very short, on the body and tail longer and smooth. The colours are plain fawn-colour, fawn-colour with white spots on the head, brest, feet, the point of the tail and belly, plainwhite or white with orange spots. A white collar is not advisable. The movement is a long step with an elastic trot. The character is observant, lively, playful and devoted. They have a very strong instinct for hunting. Against foreigners they are very reserved and they are not everybody's friend.