Cirneco dell’Etna Dog Info And Characteristics

Posted on December 1, 2015 by Primitivedogs Team

The Cirneco dell Etna or Sicilian Hound is a primitive Sighthound originating from Sicily, Italy. He is of the same ancestry like Pharaoh Hound, Podenco Canario, and all other hounds originating from the Old World. The breed was brought by the Phoenicians from the ancient Cyrenaica to Sicily, some 3.000 years ago. There, limited by space, it left isolated for centuries, with the biggest population around the volcanic Mount Etna, hence such name. The breed is included in the Primitive Types – Hunting Dogs group in the class of primitive dogs, and it’s very rare outside its native island. Cirneco dell Etna is an agile, medium-sized hunting dog, who is, in his native country, primarily used in hunting rabbits. It is the smallest of all Mediterranean hounds with whom he shares so many common qualities. Sicilian Hound life expectancy is somewhere between 12 and 15 years. Continue Reading →

Podenco Canario Dog Information And Characteristics

Posted on November 18, 2015 by Primitivedogs Team

The Podenco Canario or Canary Islands Hound (translated from Spanish) is a primitive Greyhound originating from, as its name suggests, Canary Islands, Spain. It is a Spitz-type dog, quite similar to other Mediterranean hounds – the Podenco Ibicenco of Balearic Islands, Podengo Português of Portugal, Pharaoh Hound of Malta, and Cirneco dell Etna in Sicily. He is included in the Primitive Types – Hunting Dogs section in the class of primitive dogs. It is one of the oldest primitive breeds. This Canarian Hound descends from a very ancient Pariah-type dogs brought from Egypt and Northern Africa to the Canary Islands by Greeks, Phoenicians, Carthaginians, and the Egyptians themselves in antiquity, several thousand years ago. Here, the breed remained isolated until the recent years. This dog is actually very rare outside his home country. Continue Reading →

Thai Ridgeback Breed Info And Characteristics

Posted on August 11, 2015 by Primitivedogs Team

The Thai Ridgeback or Thai Lang-An is an ancient dog breed from Thailand, which belongs to a hound group of primitive dogs known as the Primitive Types – Hunting Dogs. He is the one of three types of Ridgeback dogs – the other two are the Phu Quoc Ridgeback and the Rhodesian Ridgeback. This is a medium-sized dog, ideal for hunting and guarding. It possesses a strong prey drive, which makes him particularly dangerous for all smaller animals, including cats. In their native country, Thai Lang-An is often used to hunt Cobras, which can inhabit suburban homes. Also, Ridgebacks are good carting dogs. These dogs rarely bark. Their lifespan is up from 13 to 16 years. Main characteristics of Thai Ridgeback breed are intelligence, alertness, independence, courage, stubbornness, agility, strength, and free will. Continue Reading →