In 2018, a genetic study found that just prior to 1859 a broadly distributed European herding dog had given rise to the German Shepherd Dog, the French Berger Picard, and the five Italian herding breeds: the Bergamasco Shepherd, Cane Paratore, Lupino del Gigante, Pastore d'Oropa, and the Pastore della Lessinia e del Lagorai.

Still used for the same purpose, natural selection has made it a rustic and healthy working dog.

The Pastore della Lessinia e del Lagorai is a medium-sized, agile sheepdog of the "lupine" type.

Typical colours include fawn, merle (blue or red), brown, and black.

[2] The breed is lively, active, docile, and curious, requiring plenty of exercise.