Silken Windhound vs Cirneco dell'Etna - Breed Comparison

Silken Windhound vs Cirneco dell'Etna - Breed ComparisonCirneco dell'Etna is originated from Italy but Silken Windhound is originated from United States. Cirneco dell'Etna may grow 8 cm / 3 inches shorter than Silken Windhound. Cirneco dell'Etna may weigh 8 kg / 17 pounds lesser than Silken Windhound. Cirneco dell'Etna may live 6 years less than Silken Windhound. Cirneco dell'Etna may have more litter size than Silken Windhound. Cirneco dell'Etna requires Moderate Maintenance. But Silken Windhound requires Low Maintenance

Basic Information

Group:
Hound dog
Hound dog
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Italy
United States
Height Male:
46 - 52 cm
18 - 21 inches
47 - 60 cm
18 - 24 inches
Height Female:
46 - 50 cm
18 - 20 inches
44 - 55 cm
17 - 22 inches
Weight Male:
10 - 12 kg
22 - 27 pounds
10 - 20 kg
22 - 45 pounds
Weight Female:
8 - 10 kg
17 - 23 pounds
7 - 17 kg
15 - 38 pounds
Life Span:
11 - 12 Years
15 - 18 Years
Litter Size:
8 - 10
1 - 4
Size:
Medium
Medium
Other Names:
Sicilian Hound
Silkens
Colors Available:
light to dark tan , Light sand
tuxedo marked or solid colored , white to black with brilliant brindles and solid red, in between. They can be spotted
Coat:
Short on head, short to semi-long on body
silky coats of middling length longish to very long, with feathers. Some are straight, some are very curly
Shedding:
Moderate
Minimal
Temperament:
Energetic, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loyal
Affectionate, Gentle, Intelligent, Outgoing, Playful, Stubborn
Grooming:
Moderate Maintenance
Low Maintenance
Trainability:
Moderate
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

cirneco dell etnaThe Cirneco dell’Etna comes from the island of Sicily and not mainland Italy, although it is considered an Italian dog. It is a small dog that hunted rabbits and its calling card was its ability to go for hours without water or food. They have terrific endurance and a good sense of smell. They were developed for the harsh terrain they worked around places like Mount Etna. Of all the Mediterranean island hunting dogs, the Cirneco de’Etna is the smallest.

This is a very ancient breed, surviving on its hunting skills alone for thousands of years on Sicily. They then became guard dogs for the peasants. Because they had such speed, sense of smell, alertness and sight, they were great hunters.

Today’s Cirneco de’Etna is highly competitive in confirmation and make terrific pets. They are exceedingly friendly, energetic and low maintenance. Lure coursing is what they really excel at. They are good at agility and pursuit games as well.

silken windhoundThe Silken Windhound is a breed intentionally developed by Borzoi and Deerhound breeder, Francie Stull. Although the first litter of the Windhoud was not born until 1995, their development began in discussions ten years later. Bred as a cross between her beloved Deerhounds and Borzoi, the first Society for the breed formed in 1999 and they were recognized by the UKC in 2011.

Ms. Stull wanted another breed for her kennel and decided on a smaller sighthound than her Borzoi. She wanted a long coat, a good temperament, good health, and possessing the same athletic abilities, grace and poise as the sighthounds that are larger. She developed the Silken Windhound based on this vision.

With this in mind, the kennel purchased the pick of a litter from the American and English Borzoi Champion bitch, Stillwater Virginia Reel. This puppy was eventually bred to Stillwater White Lightning and produced puppy that was a blue brindle. This dog, Stillwater Kristull Peacock, had the coat, personality and structure that Ms. Stull wanted for the new breed. She was bred to Deerhound Windsprite Autumnal Xenon to form the foundation for the Silken Windhound.

Over time champion Borzoi were bred with multi-generation Whippet based dogs and small Whippet from coursing and show lines. Finally, all of this work was rewarded with an incredible little sighthound to fit in the line of sighthounds between the giant and large breeds and the smaller whippet type breeds.

The Silken Windhound lives today in 24 different countries. They take their place in hound competitions all over the world in obedience, lure coursing, and racing. They are a Limited Stake Breed in the ASFA and competed with 40 other dogs in 2010. Then they were accepted by the NOFCA or National Open Filed Coursing Association, also in 2010. Finally, in 2011 they were fully accepted by the UKC.

The Silken Windhound is recognized in addition to the UKC, by the Dog Registry of America, the Rarities Inc., the American Canine Association, the Kennel Club of Slovenia, the American Pet Registry, Inc., the International Silken Windhound Society and the International, All-Breed Canine Association of America.

Description

cirneco dell etna puppy - descriptionThe Cirneco de’Etna is a sleek, muscular sighthound. His ears are close together and high on his head. The head is lean, and the skull is almost flat in profile. The muzzle is about the same length as the skull and the nose is large and its coloring matches the dog’s coat. They have hard pads the same color as their nails, but they are never black.

silken windhound puppy - descriptionThe Silken Windhound is a breed of beautiful, athletic medium sized dogs. They have the long coat, athletic build and classic lines of the sighthound/coursing dog. Just looking at them and you know they have strength, balance and grace in those medium sized bodies. Their running ability is exceptional. They perform well in the confirmation rings.

They are sine boned, balanced with smooth muscles – a sleek hardy looking dog. They have almond-shaped, large, dark eyes with small folded ears. Looking in their faces you see intelligence, friendliness and alertness. The head is long with a well balanced muzzle and a dark, slightly down-turned nose. Her lips are dark and full and her neck long and slender. The Silken Windhound must have a flexible loin because they have a gallop of double suspensions and are amazingly fast. A deep chest is also a must with a flexible, curving tail. Her legs are straight and long, as she is built for speed.

Characteristics

cirneco dell etna dog - characteristicsThe Cirneco de’Enta is an independent and intelligent breed. They are good-natured and love to be with their people. They are more trainable than the usual sighthound. They are loyal and fun loving but they need a job.

Characteristics

silken windhound dog - characteristics1. Children friendliness – they are great with children and would romp with them all day.

2.Special talents – speed and agility.

3.Adaptability Like most sighthounds they can be couch potatoes but being medium sized they can live just about anywhere as long as it is inside.

4.Learning ability - They are smart but their learning ability can be hampered by their stubbornness.

Health Problems

cirneco dell etna puppies - health problemsLike many dogs that come from ancient breeds with little cross breeding over the years, there are not a lot of inherited issues for the Cirneco de’Etna. Also, there are so few dogs remaining that little is known about their health in general and there are no studies to go on. Some breeders will do test despite the fact that none are recommended.

Their most common health issues are acquired such as injuries from running or competitions and obesity. Both can be controlled by the owner.

silken windhound puppies - health problemsMost inherited diseases and conditions are rare. There is some drug related sensitivity, especially to ivermectin, and some dogs carry a MDR1 (multi-drug resistance gene) that is defective. Breeders are attempting to breed this out of the Silkens. A few other rare instances of concern include:

  • Cryptorchidism – a birth defect resulting in undescended testicles.
  • Lotus Syndrome – an occasional birth defect resulting in death.
  • Umbilical hernias – may require surgery.
  • Cataracts - may lead to old age sight problems
  • Deafness

Caring The Pet

Feeding

cirneco dell etna dogs - caringThe Cirneco needs a good quality food since they are such high energy dogs. Be careful not to overfeed them so that they become obese.

Health issues

As previously mentioned, the main concern for owners is injuries acquired while on a running course or in the activities of daily living. They have been known to hurt their feet. They need their ears checked regularly for any signs of infection or irritation. Clean out any excess water or dirt.

Exercise and games

This is an intelligent, hardy breed that needs mental and physical stimulation. They need a job, or they can be a major problem. They love hunting of course but also excel at agility, lure crossing, and competition. He is loyal and loves being with people. Take him for long walks but don’t let him off the leash.

silken windhound dogs - caring1.Feeding the puppy This is a medium sized, active breed. They need high quality dog food with plenty of protein. Feed them 3 times a day from a food made for high energy active medium sized breeds.

2.Feeding the adult - Feed them 2 times a day from a food made for high energy active medium sized breeds.

3.Points for Good - Exceptional agility and speed.

4. Games and Exercises The breed is active, and they love to run. They need daily exercise and they usually excel at flyball, agility, obedience and therapy. Obviously, they are very good at lure coursing and racing. They love to run or jog with you.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Cirneco dell'Etna vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  2. Cirneco dell'Etna vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  3. Cirneco dell'Etna vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  4. Cirneco dell'Etna vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  5. Cirneco dell'Etna vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  6. Cirneco dell'Etna vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  7. Cirneco dell'Etna vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  8. Cirneco dell'Etna vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. Cirneco dell'Etna vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  10. Cirneco dell'Etna vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  11. Cirneco dell'Etna vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  12. Cirneco dell'Etna vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  13. Cirneco dell'Etna vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  14. Cirneco dell'Etna vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  15. Cirneco dell'Etna vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  16. Cirneco dell'Etna vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  17. Cirneco dell'Etna vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  18. Cirneco dell'Etna vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  19. Cirneco dell'Etna vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  20. Cirneco dell'Etna vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  21. Cirneco dell'Etna vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  22. Cirneco dell'Etna vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  23. Cirneco dell'Etna vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  24. Cirneco dell'Etna vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  25. Cirneco dell'Etna vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. Silken Windhound vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. Silken Windhound vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Silken Windhound vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. Silken Windhound vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Silken Windhound vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Silken Windhound vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Silken Windhound vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Silken Windhound vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Silken Windhound vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Silken Windhound vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Silken Windhound vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Silken Windhound vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Silken Windhound vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Silken Windhound vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Silken Windhound vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Silken Windhound vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Silken Windhound vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Silken Windhound vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Silken Windhound vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Silken Windhound vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Silken Windhound vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Silken Windhound vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Silken Windhound vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Silken Windhound vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Silken Windhound vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison