BREED NOTES FOR CIRNECO DELL'ETNA

Firstly I would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

2009 has been a great move forward for the Cirneco in the UK and with the exposure given to the breed from some positive feed back regarding Discover Dogs at both Crufts and London. Also the establishment of a Club which provides a central reference for interested people to make contact, with over 80 people making the effort to join the Club and show support for this breed it has proved that the Cirneco dell'Etna is a dog that the general public and enthusiasts believe has a place in homes across the UK.

The formation of a working group to help establish the Club and the decision to open a subscribed "membership" has given the Club some funds. This "membership" I hope will grow during 2010. The more members the best chance the breed will have to set itself and expand the activities for the breed and Club Members.

Promoting the Cirneco through the hosting of a web site for the Club during 2009 has been very successful obtaining an average of 35 visitors a week with approximately 25% having never visited the site before. 7 people are seeing the Cirneco dell'Etna for the first time and many have made return visits coming back to find out more about the breed. The site is getting a lot of interest from Europe and USA. This web site is there for the BREED, the CLUB and the MEMBERS so if you can offer suggestions on how it could be developed please let me know.

The Cirneco dell'Etna has also taken the Kennel Club show scene Import Register by storm winning the puppy classes and at least 17 Best Import Register at Championship Shows. Ok, they can then only make a guest appearance in the main ring for a lap of honour (when the show remembers they have an Import Register winner) but at least they are being seen. Again they are generating interest from other fellow exhibitors. Since the KC allowed the breed to compete in the import classes in 2008, a Cirneco dell'Etna has become Top Import Hound Puppy and Top Import Hound both in 2008 and 2009. A fantastic start for the breed.

There has also been an appearance in the Agility scene and a Cirneco is receiving Gun dog training, not forgetting a Bronze and Silver Citizens Award. All these activities should be very interesting to follow during 2010.

We have not had any results from the UK of a Cirneco taking part in an Official lure course event but the enthusiasm shown from the dogs (and handlers) at the fun day in June 2009 makes this an ideal activity that could be well worth following.

In Europe and the USA it is fast becoming one of the main events in the Cirneco owners calendar.

As I mentioned, the Fun day in June was also very positive for the Breed and an opportunity for dogs and owners to get together, with some very welcome friends coming along for a general look at the Breed.

During 2009 the Kennel Club received 10 registrations for the Cirneco dell'Etna which takes the Breed to approx 65 listed at the KC.

So moving on to 2010.

The Club will be holding it's first AGM in June. (you will need to be a "member" to participate at the AGM)

After the AGM, the Club will have its first Committee (hopefully a positive group who will join together to work for the breed)

The breed will be represented at Discover Dogs for the 8th year in 2010.

The Club will be making it's application to be registered at the Kennel Club.

From information received, their will be 4 litters during 2010 (2 in England/Wales, 2 Ireland).

The breed should be well represented at Kennel Club shows attending the Import Register Classes.

A Cirneco dell'Etna Breed seminar is being planned by a Hound Club during spring 2010.

The Newsletters will continue during 2010 with information on all the above as it becomes available and any new news reported.

If YOU have any news/information you would like to share please e-mail the details.