Lupo Italiano
The Lupo Italiano is an ancient Italian dog breed originating from Italy. The Lupo Italiano comes from Italy. Individual Lupo Italianos vary, so treat this as a general guide rather than a guarantee.
Breed at a glance
- Origin
- Italy
- Height
- Males
About the Lupo Italiano
The Lupo Italiano is an ancient Italian dog breed originating from Italy. It stands approximately 22-24 inches tall at the shoulder.
Overview
The Lupo Italiano is a dog breed from Italy . According to its creator, the breed''s foundation was a wolf hybrid produced from crossing a German Shepherd and an Italian wolf , though a number of genetic studies put this in doubt. As it is not recognised by the ENCI , selection and rearing of the Lupo Italiano is carried out by the Associazione degli Affidatari Allevatori del Lupo Italiano (AAALI; translation</span>"}]],"parts":[{"template":{"target":{"wt":"translation","href":"./Template:Translation"},"params":{"1":{"wt":"Lupo Italiano Caregivers Association"}},"i":0}}]}'' id="mwGQ">transl. Lupo Italiano Caregivers Association ), a state-funded nonprofit organisation which prohibits its sale and only allows specimens to be leased to volunteers, police and search and rescue organisations. According to the breed standard established by the AAALI, the Lupo Italiano has a wolf-like muzzle, powerful jaws, and pointed medium-length ears. The eyes should ideally be gold colour and oblique in shape. The adult should be 58 to 68 cm (23 to 27 inches) at the shoulder, have a robust chest and a back that is not too low. Its tread is light, even in large specimens. The breed''s creator claimed that it can run at speeds of 70 km/h (43 mph) . The coat is grey with shades of fulvous or beige , but the standard allows for full black or a white patch on the chest. The tail is long and pendulous when relaxed, but takes on a slight curve when raised.
History
According to the breed''s creator, former banker Mario Messi, the Lupo Italiano originated in 1966 after he was given a wolf hybrid born from a female Italian wolf , captured in the Province of Rieti by a hunter in his employ, and a male German Shepherd specialised in rescue operations. The hybrid, named "Zorro", was then mated to German Shepherds and their resulting female offspring. The specimens were originally kept in a 19th century villa in Cumiana until Messi was ordered to relocate by the mayor of the comune after residents of Borgata Porta complained about the dogs'' howls. The dogs were moved to a modern facility capable of housing 200 specimens, and included enclosures modeled after the wolf''s natural habitat. In 1980, Messi founded the Associazione Selezione Originale di Lupi Italiani (ASOLI; translation</span>"}]],"parts":[{"template":{"target":{"wt":"translation","href":"./Template:Translation"},"params":{"1":{"wt":"Original Association for the Selection of Lupo Italianos"}},"i":0}}]}'' id="mwXg">transl. Original Association for the Selection of Lupo Italianos ), a nonprofit organisation dedicated to preserving the breed''s purity. The organisation was funded by volunteer contributions, and Messi declared that the Lupo Italiano could only be leased for public utility. Official recognition of the Lupo Italiano by the ENCI was slated for 4 July 1982 during the Italian dog breed expo, but this did not materialise due to Messi''s refusal to commercialise the breed. In February 1984, the experimental phase of the breeding project was declared concluded, with the Lupo Italiano''s phenotype having been stabilised. Nevertheless, Messi expressed concern that he would have to close the breeding facility, despite the patronage of the Ministry of Public Education and the Ministry of Ecology in Piedmont . The next year, lack of funds made providing food and vaccines to the dogs difficult, resulting in the deaths of several pups from disease and malnutrition. In 1987, despite being warned of the possible euthanisation of all 200 dogs in the facility, Messi continued to oppose selling them, even to cover costs. On 13 July 1987, president Francesco Cossiga signed a decree recognising the ASOLI. The Official Registry of the Lupo Italiano was established later by Filippo Maria Pandolfi , which granted the ASOLI exclusive control over the breed''s care and breeding. In 1989, the ASOLI was renamed Ente per la Tutela del Lupo Italiano (ETLI; translation</span>"}]],"parts":[{"template":{"target":{"wt":"translation","href":"./Template:Translation"},"params":{"1":{"wt":"Lupo Italiano Management Institution"}},"i":0}}]}'' id="mwmg">transl. Lupo Italiano Management Institution ) and private ownership of the Lupo Italiano was prohibited by presidential decree. Nevertheless, the breeding facility''s financial situation
Genetics
In 1982, Mario Messi described the Lupo Italiano as 62.5% German Shepherd and 37.5% Italian wolf . In a 2002 interview, he declared that the breed was "more wolf than dog: 60% wolf and 40% dog". The AAALI gives an average percentage of wolf content at around 30-35%. In 2007, ecologists backed by the Lega Anti Vivisezione (LAV; translation</span>"}]],"parts":[{"template":{"target":{"wt":"translation","href":"./Template:Translation"},"params":{"1":{"wt":"Anti-Vivisection League"}},"i":0}}]}'' id="mw8w">transl. Anti-Vivisection League ) commissioned the Turin chamber of commerce to start an investigation into the genetic profile of the Lupo Italiano. The resulting analyses indicated that there was no wolf content in the breed, prompting the LAV to request the Prodi administration to suspend all funds to the ETLI. Apart from the breed''s lack of wolf content, the regional councillor of the ecologists cited Messi''s exclusive access to the breed''s official registry, which apparently contained irregularities on the number of matings and births. In 2017, a further genetic study undertaken by the universities of Milan , Messina , Sassari and Bologna , in collaboration with the Human Genome Project , analysed 142,840 single-nucleotide polymorphisms of 1,609 canids , among which were seven Italian wolves and 24 samples of Lupo Italiano provided by the AAALI. Although the study confirmed that the Lupo Italiano is closely related to the German Shepherd, it could not find any significant haplotype sharing between it and the Italian wolf.
Frequently asked questions
What are the key characteristics of the Lupo Italiano?
The Lupo Italiano is a large to giant-sized dog breed. It has a muscular build, a broad chest, and a distinctive wolf-like appearance. Its coat can be various colors, including gray, brown, and white. The breed is known for its intelligence, strength, and loyalty, but its exact characteristics are not well-documented due to its limited recognition and lack of breed standard.
Is the Lupo Italiano a good family dog?
Due to the breed's large size and potential strength, it may not be suitable for families with small children. However, with proper training and socialization, the Lupo Italiano can make a loyal companion for families who are experienced in handling large, powerful breeds. Its loyalty and protective nature make it a good watchdog.
What health problems do Lupo Italianos have?
The Lupo Italiano's health is not well-documented, and there is limited information available on specific health issues. However, as a large breed, it may be prone to health problems common in German Shepherds, such as hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia. Regular veterinary check-ups and genetic testing can help identify potential health issues.
How much does a Lupo Italiano puppy cost?
The cost of a Lupo Italiano puppy can vary depending on factors such as breeder reputation, bloodline, and location. As the breed is not recognized by the ENCI, there is no official breed standard or pricing guide. However, expect to pay a premium price for a Lupo Italiano puppy, potentially ranging from €1,000 to €5,000 or more.
Where do Lupo Italianos come from?
The Lupo Italiano comes from Italy. The breed developed there before spreading to dog fanciers worldwide.
Related breeds
Breed information on this page is based on the Wikipedia article on the Lupo Italiano, supplemented with additional research. Reviewed for accuracy.