Watching your dog transition from a playful puppy to a mature companion can evoke mixed emotions.
On one side, there’s joy in witnessing your furry friend evolve into a devoted companion, but on the flip side, you may find yourself reminiscing about that little bundle of energy that once filled your home with excitement.
Fortunately, many of us capture this journey with photos and videos, ensuring those endearing puppy moments are never forgotten. Alyssa was no exception; she documented her dog’s growth and later left everyone astonished when she shared her fully grown pup on social media.
Introducing Lupin
Lupin stands out from the crowd.
At five years old, he is a unique blend of breeds not commonly seen together.
In an interview with Newsweek, Alyssa shared that Lupin is a mix of German Shepherd, Alaskan Malamute, and Irish Wolfhound. And that’s not all! She explained that other large breeds, including the English Mastiff, Anatolian Shepherd, and Great Pyrenees, are also part of his ancestry.
When Alyssa shared a video showing Lupin’s transformation over five years, it astonished the online community – and it wasn’t solely due to his distinctive orange beard.
“When he was a pup, he had only a few gray whiskers on his chin that we figured would fall out. Ironically, they multiplied into the patchy feathering on his face today,” remarked Lupin’s owner.
Despite his wizard-like appearance, Lupin is a gentle giant who enjoys spending time with humans, just like any other dog.
“It’s delightful to see people’s smiles when they meet him; he gets so excited and rubs his face against their legs like a big cat. The most common remark we receive is how he resembles a werewolf, which is quite accurate,” Alyssa mentioned.
About The Dire Wolf Project
Lupin is actually participating in the Dire Wolf Project (DWP) breeding program.
The project was started by Lous Elaine Denny in 1967, with the objective of producing a breed that mimicks the prehistoric Dire Wolf.
To form this breed, Denny carefully mixed genes from the German Shepherd, Alaskan Malamute, Akita, Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever, Anatolian Shepherd, Pyrenees, and English Mastiff, working for decades to achieve the ideal physical and temperamental characteristics of the Dire Wolf.
The desired physical features included upright ears, yellow and large eyes, along with a long, shaggy coat with wild patterns, combined with the temperament of a loving and friendly dog suited for companionship.
Every generation of these dogs was meticulously monitored and selected to maintain these appealing traits, ensuring quality and consistency in the breed.
Hence, the American Alsatian breed was created, leading directly to Lupin!
Now, Lupin is not only imparting knowledge about his breed’s history online, but he is also captivating everyone with his stunning appearance.
Alyssa noted that the virality of her video was unexpected, but she expressed that it’s a “joyful experience to witness how many people’s days can be brightened just by encountering us.”
