Seeing your dog grow up from a puppy to an adult can be bittersweet.
On one hand, you are happy to see your fur baby grow into a more mature and loyal companion, but on the other, you miss that curious little pup who was running around your home, barking at everything they saw.
Luckily, most of us made sure to document their transition so that we may never forget how adorable they were as little baby pups. Alyssa did the exact same thing; however, after sharing her all-grown-up pup on her social media, she left the internet shocked.
Meet Lupin
Lupin is not your average dog.
He is a five-year-old pup whose breed isn’t really as straightforward as you may think. He is a rare mix of breeds that you don’t typically see on a daily basis.
Talking to Newsweek, Alyssa, Lupin’s owner, revealed that he is a mix of a German Shepherd, Alaskan Malamute, and Irish Wolfhound. However, that’s not all! She stated that there are also other giant breeds mixed “far back” in his genetics, such as the English Mastiff, Anatolian Shepherd, and Great Pyrenees.
As soon as she posted a video of just how much Lupin had changed in the last five years, the entire internet was taken aback – and it wasn’t just because of his orange beard.
“When he was a baby, he only had a few gray whiskers on his chin that we thought may fall out eventually. Ironically, they multiplied and grew into the patchy featherings you see on him today,” Lupin’s owner stated.
Even though Lupin might seem like a wise wizard, he is actually a big softy who loves hanging out with hoomans just like any other pup.
“It is fun to see people smile when they meet him; he gets excited and rubs his face all over their legs just like a giant cat. Our most-common comment is how he looks like a werewolf, which is quite true,” Alyssa said.
About The Dire Wolf Project
Lupin is actually a part of the Dire Wolf Project (DWP) breeding program.
The DWP was initiated by Lous Elaine Denny, back in 1967, who aimed to create a breed that would resemble the prehistoric Dire Wolf.
Incorporating genes from the German Shepherd, Alaskan Malamute, Akita, Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever, Anatolian Shepherd, Pyrenees, and English Mastiff, it took several decades for Denny to achieve the specific physical and temperamental traits of the Dire Wolf.
The physical traits included up ears, yellow eyes, and large eyes, as well as a long, choppy coat with wild patterns and the temperamental traits of a loving, kind pup who is well-suited for companionship.
Each generation of these pups was closely monitored and selected in order to retain these desired traits, ensuring the breed’s consistency and quality.
And thus, the American Alsatian breed, and ultimately Lupin, was born!
Now, Lupin is not only generously teaching the internet about the history of his breed, but he is also charming everyone around with his beauty.
Alyssa explained that the fact that her video went viral wasn’t really planned, but she added that it is a “joyful experience to see how many people’s days can be just a little bit brighter because they stumbled upon us.”