It is strictly regulated.
Italy classifies wolfdog hybrids (Canis lupus × Canis familiaris) under regional wildlife protection laws, requiring permits from the Istituto Superiore per la Protezione e la Ricerca Ambientale (ISPRA) and local Regioni. Since 2023, hybrids are treated as “specially protected fauna,” mandating microchipping, sterilization, and liability insurance. The 2026 Decreto Legislativo 190/2025 further tightens ownership, banning hybrids in urban zones and imposing mandatory behavioral assessments by certified veterinarians.
Key Regulations for Owning a Wolfdog Hybrid in Italy
- Permit Requirements: Ownership necessitates an ISPRA-issued Certificato di Detenzione (holding certificate), renewable annually, with proof of secure containment (e.g., reinforced enclosures ≥ 200 m² per animal).
- Regional Variability: Regioni like Lombardy and Tuscany enforce stricter quotas (max 2 hybrids per owner) and mandatory training courses for handlers, while southern regions (e.g., Sicily) impose seasonal bans during hunting periods.
- Prohibited Practices: Breeding hybrids is illegal without a Decreto di Autorizzazione from the Ministry of Ecological Transition, and hybrids cannot be sold or gifted without prior ISPRA notification. Non-compliance risks confiscation under Legge 157/1992.