Lupo Italiano

Aliases Italian Wolf, canis lupus italicus familiaris Height (Males) 60 to 70 cm Height (Females) 58 to 65 cm

The history of the Lupo Italiano (Italian Wolf) begins in 1966 when a puppy from an Alsatian wolf (or a German Shepherd) was crossbred with a female wild wolf from Northern Latium Apennines (Northern Lazio). This puppy, named Zorro, is to be considered the founder of the Italian wolf. Then through a strict genetic program, the characteristics have been fixed steadily and have been transmitted in a homogenous and constant way in thirty years' time. Unlike most wolf-dog hybrids this canine displayed a propensity to be used as a working dog, and its breeding was taken over by the Italian Government. A breeding facility was created in Cumana (Piedmont) and the number of dogs gradually increased to about 700 specimens. The breed was officially recognized by the Italian Government and laws were passed to provide financial resources for its breeding. Nowadays numerous Alpine rescue teams utilize these dogs to search for avalanche victims. Over time, it has proven superior to the german shepherd in locating persons buried under snow. It has also been used as a rescue dog to locate persons trapped under the rubble of collapsed buildings in the aftermath of an earthquake. It has performed exceptionally well in this role.

As this breed was created from relevant genetic contributions of the wolf it is important that, apart from the morphological identity, there exists a balance in the psychological characteristics and, first of all, that there is compatibility with man.

The Italian wolf, a protected breed, of which either reproduction or marketing are forbidden outside the safeguard of the authority, is bred non-profit by ETLI the Authority for the safeguard of the Italian Wolf and it is given free to associations or people who are engaged to apply it in civil defence or public interest.

Forest rangers mainly apply this dog, although some of them still apply the Alsatian. The Italian wolf is always very reliable when he is on patrol with forest rangers: he is distinctly able to rescue people from avalanches, earthquake ruins, and is particularly suited for people and animal searches.

These incorruptible and courageous dogs with a strong sense of balance and outstanding olfactive sense, excel as disaster search dogs. They are not available for sale and are reproduced only following strict regulations. In Italy, they are used by disaster and emergency services and assist forest guards in their duties. For over 15 years the Italian State Forestry Corps has used this wolf-dog hybrid as their main working dog.

General appearance The breed Italian Wolf appears strong, is resistant to fatigue, and has a high sensory acuteness, all qualities that make him similar to the wolf as well as suitable for his job.

Behaviour and temperament Extremely lively, endowed with a fierce and independent temperament, he obeys with firm conviction, never with servility. He is very loving with the people he lives with, that he loves in an exclusive way. Suspicious with strangers, he distinctly feels it is his duty to guard his property and people relying on him. It is loyal and fearless. Extremely strong and powerful in seizing objects; because of his characteristics of originality, homogeneity, constancy, and balance on the genetic morphological psychological levels, he is a unique example in the history of breeds and in the relationship between man and environment.

Appearance

Strong body, not too long, well-built and descended chest which forms a supple harmonious profile with the line of the throat, the chest, the sternum, the abdomen; upright back-lumbar line; not too low rump. Head and muzzle: slender well designed, typical wolf muzzle, a bit thin in the edge; strong jaws; black nose; teeth: pincer teeth, robust and very white. Ears: medium size, perfectly parallel ears, when the attention is awake, very mobile according to the moods and movements of the animal. Eyes: medium size, rather oblique, non prominent, never too dark, golden in the deep; intense and loyal glance. Legs: perfectly perpendicular, very strong but lean, they never look heavy; not too angled hind legs. Tail: quite long and thick, not exaggerated though, low and leaning when resting and on the alert, it raises with a harmonious not excessive curved line when the animal is agitated, although his main line is never vertical: it must look graceful and smoothly. Gait: smooth and easy, even in the case of a large sized animal, maximum weight, this dog must give the impression of elegant strength either in the pace, trot or gallop, which is steady and fast, like the wild wolf’s gait. It is quite interesting to point out the aligned footprints when trot is fast; oval paw. The body and the legs together highlight both the smoothness and the strength of the joints as well as connections, thus showing a great functioning in the shoulder and hip. Coat: medium long and tough, straight or somehow wavy in the trunk and thigh, finer and shorter on the head and legs, with dense under hair in dogs living in the open. Color: grey, changing dark base shading off differently from subject to subject to tawny or beige; also dark back, well defined collar; in the abdomen, in the lower part of legs, internal and rear part of thighs: grey or rusty grey, pale tawny or beige; in every kind of coat a small white spot on the chest is accepted, though. Seasonal variations.

This breed has no FCI standard.

Appearance
Resembling a German Shepherd in appearance, its snout resembles that of a wolf. The head and its expression defines the sex of the animal. The lips should be black. The jaw is strong, and there is a full complement of 42 teeth: the bite is scissors-shaped. The eyes give an intense and loyal expression,and range from amber to yellow in color, blue color is an unwanted trait. The body is sturdy, not too elongated. The abdomen is strong and tucked in. The spine is straight, and very well built. The rump is slightly lower set than the shoulders. The Lupo Italiano should always move quickly and gracefully, despite its size. Its trot should give the impression of 'elegant force', reminiscent of the wild wolf. the limbs are long, muscular, slightly angled. Its coat is of medium length and hardness, shorter and finer on the thighs, head and limbs. The color ranges from gray, with various markings, to cream, with a dark saddleback. The tail, without exaggeration, hangs low up to the hackles, and should not show any excessive curve (example: Siberian husky).

Use
The Lupo Italiano is well adapted for work in a mountain environment, as an avalanche dog and as a rescue dog. It is resistant to adverse atmospheric conditions and bad weather. It is not affected by snow-glare. With its keen sense of smell, it is ideally suited to search for missing people or wounded animals. It therefore proves to be an ideal aid for park rangers, or game wardens. It can also be trained as a police dog and possesses great physical strength and incredible agility. It can also be trained as a flock guard to protect livestock.