Lupo Italiano
The Lupo Italiano is an Italian wolf hybrid created in 1966 by Mario Zimen, an ethologist working under the supervision of Italian zoologist Luigi Boitani, who crossed a German Shepherd female (Nekkar) with a wild Italian Wolf (Lupo) as part of a state scientific research programme.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Origin
Italy
Lifespan
11–13 years
Weight
25–40 kg (55–88 lbs)
Height
60–70 cm (24–28 in)
Exercise
40 to 60 min/day
Diet
Omnivore — high-quality large breed food.
Taxonomic Hierarchy
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Mammalia
Order
Carnivora
Family
Canidae
Genus
Canis
The Story
The Lupo Italiano is an Italian wolf hybrid created in 1966 by Mario Zimen, an ethologist working under the supervision of Italian zoologist Luigi Boitani, who crossed a German Shepherd female (Nekkar) with a wild Italian Wolf (Lupo) as part of a state scientific research programme. The programme aimed to study the social behaviour of wolf-dog hybrids and explore their potential as working dogs. Unlike the Czech Wolfdog or Saarloos (which are also wolf hybrids), the Lupo Italiano uses the Apennine subspecies of the grey wolf. The breed is not yet fully standardised and is still under development by ENCI.
Also Known As
Quick Facts
Discover which pets match your lifestyle
Physical Profile
Source: wikimedia
A large, athletic, wolf-like dog with the grey-brown wolf colouration and a dorsal stripe characteristic of the Apennine wolf. Similar to the Czechoslovakian Wolfdog in appearance but with the Italian wolf's slightly different colouration.
Grooming
Moderate
Shedding
High
Brushing
2-3x-Weekly
Bathing
Every-6-8-Weeks
Coat Colors
Recognized By
Source: wikimedia
Temperament & Personality
Alert, intelligent, and loyal to its handler — the Lupo Italiano is a serious working dog bred for police and search-and-rescue functions. Independent decision-making is characteristic. Requires experienced, knowledgeable handling.
Personality Scores
Adaptability
2/5Attention Need
3/5Friendliness
2/5Playfulness
3/5Protectiveness
4/5Living Profile
Ideal Space
House-Large-Garden
Daily Exercise
40 to 60 min/day
Ideal Weather
-10°C to 25°C
Cognitive Benchmarks
Adaptability
20%
Attention
30%
Playfulness
30%
Communication Style
Stress Signals
shyness, avoidance, howling, flight response
Care & Wellness
Professional Care Protocol
- •Experienced handlers ONLY. Significant daily exercise. Requires experienced wolf-hybrid management approach.
Nutrition Notes
Italian state breeding programme (GSD × Apennine Wolf, 1966). Very few health data available — extremely restricted breed. High-protein diet.
Vaccination Schedule
Vaccination Schedule
Senior Care
Very limited health data — government-controlled breed. Hip dysplasia possible. Italian state property — cannot be privately owned or sold. Created for Alpine rescue work. Extremely restricted (Italian government controls all breeding). 11-13 years.
Wellbeing Activities
Nutrition & Sustenance
Daily Calories (Adult)
1300 kcal
Daily Calories (Young)
900 kcal
Recommended Foods
Foods to Avoid
Health Overview
Hip dysplasia. Limited health data — breed still under development. Same general considerations as other wolf hybrids.
Common Conditions
Price Estimates
Pricing Guide
Average estimates as of 2025
Italian government property — cannot be privately purchased. All breeding controlled by state. Prices reflect rare black market/exported specimens. India: completely unavailable.
Purchase Price
$3,000 to $8,000
Adoption Fee
$500 to $1,000
Data from 2025
Fun Facts
The founding cross of the Lupo Italiano was a German Shepherd named Nekkar crossed with a male Italian Apennine Wolf — the first cross occurred in 1966, making the Lupo Italiano one of the oldest formally documented wolf-dog hybrid breed programmes in Europe.
