Lupo Italiano

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; 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.