About the Breed

History

Dating back to the 1850’s, these dogs were primarily used to track and hunt the wolves of Switzerland. Although not much is known about the original breeds that contributed to this breed, it is believed that they have Bernese Mountain Dog, Bucovina Shepherd, Norwegian Elkhound, and even Thai Ridgeback lineage. While these were most likely not the only breeds that were originally bred to create the modern Ticinese Wolfhound, the breeds above are where a majority of their genes and traits came from.

After the almost extinction of these wolves, Ticinese Wolfhounds started becoming more scarce, almost completely disappearing. Then in 1971, a man named Antonio Capello started breeding and repopulating the Swiss countryside with these canines. Over time as the breed started gaining in popularity once again, two distinct lines started to form: the Lepotine line and the Capello line. While some preferred the slightly smaller, more agile Capello for their hunting, others looked to the stronger, more bulky Lepotine line to help them take down bigger prey while being able to withstand lower temperatures.

Breed Standard

Ticinese Wolfhounds are powerful, yet graceful dogs that command attention. The Capello Line is sleek and light on it's feet while the Lepotine is more muscular and sturdy. The wolfhound is best known for it's signature curly tail, even though a straight tail is genetically possible. Most working Lepotine's will have a docked tail, mainly to prevent any injuries while in the field.

Purpose

Ticinese Wolfhounds were originally bred to hunt wolves, and hunting still remains their primary purpose to this day, although it is no longer wolves that they hunt. While hunting is not the only activity they excel at, their other secondary purposes are mainly split between the two lines.

Capello Line: Hounding (Smaller Prey unless in pack), Agility, FastCAT, Disc Dog, etc.
Lepotine Line: Hounding (Larger Prey), Carting/Sledding, Weight Pulling, etc.

Temperament

While bold and alert, Ticinese Wolfhounds are very good-natured. They are quick learners and often make good companion dogs, should they not be used to hunt. They are lively and high-spirited, making them very willing workers.

However, on the other hand, Wolfhounds can be very stubborn without the correct training and should not be an owner's first dog due to their high energy level.

Capello Line: 75-89 lbs

Lepotine Line: 83-94 lbs

Weight

Capello Line: 23-26 in

Lepotine Line: 25-29 in

Height

Life Span

Litter Size

10-13 years

Typically 2-6 pups

Coat Colors

They are almost always tri-color; their primary base coats including black and red. Through breeding, dilutes were eventually introduced, producing the possibility for fawn and blue ground colors.

Markings

Clear, white markings are very common if not an absolute, consisting of Irish spotting, white trim, psuedo-irish, piebald, and rarely extreme white.

Body Structure

Head

Eyes // The eyes are almond shaped and can be any shade of brown, amber or blue (which is extrememly rare), medium-sized, neither deep set nor protruding. Blue eyes are most desirable but extremely rare.

Ears // The wolfhounds ears are triangular-shaped, and are rounded at the tips. They are set on high and hang down against the cheek when the dog is at rest.

Muzzle and Head // The muzzle of the wolfhound should be strong with a straight bridge, while being propotional in length to the skull. The top of the skull should be relatively flat, with rounded edges.

Nose // The nose can be any of the following colors depending on the dogs coat: pink, brown, black, and grey.

There are minimal head structure differences between the two lines.

Body

Topline // A wolfhound's back should be straight, with minimal sloping. It should be level.

Chest // Should be deep and broad while reaching the elbows. The chest region of a Lepotine should be larger, and in turn bulkier do to their size.

Tail // Ticinese Wolfhounds can possess either straight or curly tails. Lepotine may have their tails docked if they are working dogs, but a docked tail on a Capello line is a major fault in conformation events.

Coat // Capello line should have a short, smooth coat with tufts of fur on their tail, ears, and rump. Lepotine should have a short to medium length coat with the longest parts being the stomach and legs.

While there are differences mentioned here, it should be easy to differentiate between a Lepotine and a Capello due to the size and muscular difference. Capello should be slim and light on the feet while Lepotine should be sturdy.

Movement

Stack

Similar to the gait, the dogs head should be held high or parallel to the ground. Any sideway angle or tilt of the head is acceptable as long as it is not extreme. Both genders should have a forward lean along with evenly spaced front legs. The back should be minimally sloped, but is acceptable due to the nature of the stack. Docked tails should be held parallel with the back while natural tails should be held high.

Male // The males back legs should be staggered.

Female // The females legs should be evenly set in the back.

Gait

The wolfhound's head should be held high or at the least parallel to the ground while the dog keeps a trotting pace. Any sideway angle or tilt of the head is acceptable as long as it is not extreme. The gait should present a sense of elegance and strength. Docked tails should be held parallel with the back while natural tails should be held high.

Faults and Disqualifications

Disqualifications

Any other eye color than brown, amber, or blue, including wall-eye.
Any ground color other than those specified.
Snow nose and Dudley-nose.
A long or curly coat.

Faults

A complete absence of rust or tan on chest, unless the dog posesses a high amount of white. In this case, tan points should still be clear through facial markings.
An absence of any white on the body.
Overshot or undershot bite.
Capello Line Specific: A short dock or any other tail than straight or curly.