Furry Diary

Lupo Italiano

Rare breedShort profile

From Italy; developed from 1966 at Cumiana, near Turin.1

A friendly guide, not veterinary advice. For anything about your pet's health, ask your vet.

At a glance the quick version

Height, male60 to 70 cm1
Height, female58 to 65 cm1
Sizelarge
capable working dog
strong nose for detection work
athletic and fast
1

Coat and looks how to spot one

wolf-like coat

A large, wolf-like dog with a strong chest, powerful jaws, medium pointed ears and ideally slanted golden eyes. The long tail hangs low at rest and curves a little when raised.1

Coloursgrey with fawn or beige shadingsmall black or white chest patch allowed1

Daily activity how busy a day looks

A large working dog used for search and rescue and detection, so it needs lots of exercise and purposeful work.1

The story where it all began

The line began in 1966 with a cross between a German Shepherd and a wolf from the province of Rieti, and was developed by Mario Messi. Private ownership was not allowed, and the dogs were trained for public roles such as police work, search and rescue and drug detection. Later genetic studies found the dogs to be closely related to German Shepherds.1

Fun facts for the dinner table

  1. 1

    It was chosen as the official assistance dog for the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin.1

  2. 2

    The breed's founder claimed it could reach 70 km/h.1

  3. 3

    The founding dog, born in 1966, was named Zorro.1

Recognised by the official bits

ENCI
Not recognised by the Italian kennel club (ENCI) or any major kennel club.1
Italian state (presidential decree)
A 1987 presidential decree recognised the breed's founding association (ASOLI). The breed is now managed by AAALI.1

The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you

A typical home-care rhythm for a Lupo Italiano. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.

Tell me when it launches

Treats they will love homemade and simple

Lupo Italiano tip

The Lupo Italiano is a large, very active breed that needs a high-quality, large-breed diet to support its energy levels and joint health. Keep treats to 10% of daily calories to avoid weight gain, and ask your vet about the best diet for your dog's specific needs.

Source: vcahospitals.com petmd.com

Simple Carrot Crunchies

Carrots are low in calories and high in fibre, making them a crunchy, satisfying treat that won't pile on the pounds.

You need

  • 1 large carrot, washed and peeled

How

  1. Cut the carrot into thin, bite-sized sticks or rounds.
  2. Steam or boil the carrot pieces for 5–7 minutes until just tender, or serve raw for extra crunch.
  3. Allow to cool completely before offering to your dog.

How much: Give 2–3 small pieces per day for a medium-sized dog, adjusting for your dog's size and daily calorie allowance.

Recipe from The Kennel Club

Pumpkin & Yoghurt Pup-Cup

Pumpkin is packed with fibre and vitamins, helping dogs feel full without extra calories, and low-fat yoghurt keeps it light.

You need

  • 1 cooking pumpkin
  • ½ cup lactose-free, low-fat yoghurt
  • ½ cup lactose-free, low-fat whipping cream
  • Cinnamon, to sprinkle

How

  1. Peel the pumpkin and remove all seeds.
  2. Cut the flesh into small pieces and steam for 15 minutes until soft.
  3. Mash the cooked pumpkin until smooth and let it cool completely.
  4. Mix 1 tablespoon of the mashed pumpkin with the yoghurt.
  5. Spoon the mixture into a small paper cup.
  6. Whip the cream until soft peaks form and spoon it on top of the yoghurt mixture.
  7. Sprinkle a tiny pinch of cinnamon over the cream.

How much: One pup-cup is plenty for a medium-sized dog as an occasional treat. Adjust portion size for smaller or larger dogs.

Recipe from Dogs Trust

Homemade Dog Biscuits (Chicken & Rice)

A simple, tasty treat made from gentle ingredients that are easy on sensitive stomachs, perfect for rewarding without upset.

You need

  • 1 egg
  • 170g boiled chicken breast
  • 100g cooked plain rice
  • 60ml chicken stock (homemade or no added salt)
  • 680g plain flour (adjust as needed for consistency)

How

  1. Preheat oven to 180°C and line a baking tray with baking paper.
  2. Blitz the boiled chicken, cooked rice, and chicken stock in a blender until smooth.
  3. Transfer to a bowl, add the egg and flour, and mix well.
  4. Dust a clean surface with flour, turn out the dough, and knead until no longer sticky.
  5. Roll dough to about 1cm thickness and cut into shapes with a cookie cutter.
  6. Place on the tray and bake for 25–30 minutes until golden.
  7. Cool completely before serving.

How much: 1–2 biscuits as an occasional treat for a medium-sized healthy dog. Adjust for your dog's size, age, and activity level.

Recipe from Blue Cross

Not veterinary advice. Check with your vet first if your pet has allergies, a health condition, is on a special diet or is pregnant. Treats should stay a small part of the daily food. Cut to a safe size and supervise.

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Where this comes from

Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at support@furrydiary.app and we will fix it.

  1. Lupo Italiano - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.orgused for all fields

Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.