Discover the fascinating world of the Lagotto Romagnolo, an ancient working breed hailing from Northern Italy. Renowned for their exceptional truffle hunting skills, these medium-sized dogs seamlessly blend their historical prowess with a laid-back and affectionate temperament, making them ideal companions for families and active individuals alike. This guide provides valuable insights into the unique characteristics of the Lagotto Romagnolo, shedding light on their distinctive wooly, curly coat, water-resistant qualities, and versatile adaptability. Join us on a journey to understand this remarkable breed and uncover essential tips for their proper care.

Fast Facts

  • Originating from Italy, the Lagotto Romagnolo is believed to be an ancient breed with roots dating back to the time of the Etruscans.
  • It falls into the category of medium-sized dogs, with males typically weighing between 28-35 pounds and females ranging from 24-31 pounds. In terms of height, males stand at 17-19 inches, while females measure 16-18 inches.
  • With a lifespan of 15-17 years, Lagotto Romagnolos boast a distinctive coat that is dense, curly, and resistant to water. Their color palette includes various shades of brown, white, and black.
  • In terms of temperament, these dogs are known for their intelligence, playfulness, affectionate nature, and high trainability. Remarkably, Lagotto Romagnolos hold the unique distinction of being the only dogs specifically bred for truffle hunting.
  • The breed’s historical presence is evident in paintings as far back as the 1400s, with perfectly conformed Lagotto Romagnolos captured in artworks such as “Guercino e la sorella” by Paolo Antonio Barbieri and “The Meeting” by Andrea Mantegna.
  • A distinctive feature of Lagottos is their curly beards and eyebrows, contributing to their charming, teddy bear-like appearance.

History of the Lagotto Romagnolo dog

The Lagotto Romagnolo, which comes from the Romagna area of northeastern Italy, is said to be one of the earliest water dogs. The word “Lagotto” means “Duck Dog” in the local dialect.

These canines, who have been there for more than a thousand years, were first employed by the residents to hunt ducks in the vast wetlands that once surrounded the area. They were perfect for this because of their size, agility, enthusiasm to please, and water-resistant coat.

The original purpose of the Lagottos was superseded by massive drainage projects carried out in the marshlands throughout the 19th century. But because of their versatility, they have remained popular as a working breed in the area, where they are particularly well-suited for truffle hunting.

During this time, the purebred Lagotto population decreased as a consequence of crossbreeding with other breeds recognized for their hunting and scenting ability. Their population had decreased to the verge of extinction by the 1970s.

Devoted devotees of the breed assumed responsibility for reviving Lagotto populations and honing their truffle-finding abilities. Lagottos are becoming more and more well-liked as versatile and generally easygoing companion breeds, despite their past labor vocations. They are in demand worldwide, in contrast to their more active working peers. Notably, the Lagotto Romagnolo received formal recognition from the American Kennel Club in 2015.

Highlights of Lagotto Romagnolo

Exceptional Truffle Hunters: Lagotto Romagnolos are distinguished as the exclusive dog breed specifically bred for truffle hunting. Their remarkable sense of smell and natural digging instincts make them expert trackers of these coveted fungi.

Hypoallergenic Coats: Lagottos boast dense, curly coats that shed very little, making them an ideal choice for individuals with allergies. Their hypoallergenic fur contributes to a cleaner and allergy-friendly environment.

Intelligent and Trainable: Displaying high intelligence, Lagotto Romagnolos are easily trainable dogs. Their eagerness to learn and please their owners makes them a joy to train for various tasks and commands.

Playful and Affectionate Nature: Lagottos exhibit a playful and affectionate demeanor, establishing them as wonderful companions for families with children and other pets. Their loving nature fosters strong bonds with their human and animal counterparts.

Versatile Companions: Lagottos adapt well to diverse lifestyles. While they are inherently active, they are equally content to enjoy quiet moments, making them versatile companions suitable for a variety of living situations.

Easygoing Temperament: Lagotto Romagnolos are known for their easygoing temperament, making them generally good with children and other animals. Their calm demeanor contributes to harmonious living in multi-pet households.

Low-Maintenance Grooming: Although Lagottos require regular grooming to prevent matting, their coats are generally low-maintenance. This feature adds to the overall ease of care for these charming dogs.

Appearance

The Lagotto Romagnolo is a medium-sized dog with a balanced physique. Males weigh 28-35 pounds, and females 24-31 pounds, standing at 17-19 inches (males) and 16-18 inches (females). Their defining feature is a dense, curly, water-resistant coat, coming in various shades of brown, white, and black. Notably, Lagottos are recognized for their distinctive curly beards and eyebrows, contributing to their teddy bear-like charm. Historical depictions in artworks from the 1400s showcase their visually striking and well-conformed appearance.

Personality

Lagotto Romagnolos are lively and energetic creatures with a keen sense of retrieval, particularly in the water. Given their high energy levels, regular exercise is essential to their happiness. They are quite trainable and skilled in many things, such as agility and nose work.

They make great family pets and, with the right exercise, are even more suited to apartment life. Lagotto Romagnolos are devoted and watchful dogs who may growl at strangers to show how protective they are. Their coats need frequent care because of their density.

These dogs need company to flourish, therefore long stretches of time spent alone should be avoided. Early socialization guarantees favorable encounters, making it a good fit for families with intermediate dog ownership experience. Lagotto Romagnolos, in essence, provide to the appropriate households a happy blend of fun and devotion.

The lifespan of Lagotto Romagnolo

Lagotto Romagnolos typically enjoy a lifespan of 15 to 17 years. This breed, known for its affectionate nature and versatile skills, tends to offer long-lasting companionship to its owners. Regular veterinary care, a balanced diet, and a healthy lifestyle contribute to ensuring their well-being throughout their extended lifespan.

Romagnolo Lagotto Care

The Lagotto Romagnolo is a smart working dog breed that needs mental stimulation and frequent exercise. When it comes to their home lives, they are more relaxed than some other working breeds. This quality makes them desirable companions, even for apartment dwellers.

Diet and Nutrition

Similar to other canines, the Lagotto Romagnolo needs a premium diet with sensible portion sizes. Meat makes up the majority of their diet, and they should be fed in two pieces daily in accordance with the breed’s recommended feeding regimen.

Canine obesity is a serious problem that affects companion dogs all around the world and may result in very serious health issues. For the sake of your Lagotto’s wellbeing, moderation and avoiding overfeeding are crucial behaviors.

Exercise

When your Lagotto is outside, it is likely to show a great interest in water. They may let off a lot of steam swimming, and once they’ve discovered rivers or ponds, it may be difficult to get them to leave. Their unique body shape and water-repellent double layer are designed for extended aquatic sports.

Lagottos are known for their strong sense of smell and their fondness for digging, which comes from their heritage as truffle hunters. It can take more work to keep people from digging in your garden than you think. To fulfill this natural need, some Lagotto owners build special sandpits and participate in activities like smell trials and nose training.

Training

Lagottos are known for their sporadic vocalizations, which usually consist of vigilant barking. It can be essential to provide effective bark training to stop this behavior from becoming out of control.

This clever breed has a strong desire to please its owner, and as early as eight weeks old, it responds well to positive reinforcement training. Lagottos are able to demonstrate flexibility, love, and general contentment with the right early socialization and ongoing training. They usually fit in well with families and get along well with other animals.

Grooming

The Lagotto may be a good option for those who are allergic to dog hair. Although no dog is completely hypoallergenic, the Lagotto’s low shedding contributes to less hair in the house. In order to avoid matting and tangling, regular brushing is necessary. Some owners choose to cut their coat short in the months with intense heat.

Because their ears are designed to keep out water, they might grow too much hair, which could lead to a buildup of wax and dirt. It is recommended to periodically remove this additional hair.

Because Lagottos naturally have longer, more curved nails, care must be used while cutting them. This modification facilitates their ability to dig truffles. To avoid wounds, guarantee a painless procedure, and avoid any aversions to nail cutting, it is important to be aware of the longer quick, which is a blood artery located within the nail. To get them used to this activity, they may need some basic training.

Lagotto Romagnolo dogs’ health issues

Lagotto Romagnolos are renowned for having strong health and long lifespans—often up to 17 years. They could, however, be susceptible, like many breeds, to some inherited medical disorders, such as:

  • Hip Dysplasia: A condition in which the development of the hip joints is incorrect, hip dysplasia may cause degenerative problems in some Lagottos. In severe circumstances, surgery can be required.
  • Disease of Lagotto Storage (LSD): LSD is a serious neurodegenerative illness linked to neurological symptoms like as behavioral abnormalities, coordination problems, and eye and face tics. It is a breed-specific syndrome that requires testing.
  • Benign Familial Juvenile Epilepsy (BFJE): This condition affects extremely young pups and causes seizures, which usually go away by the time they reach adulthood. For those who are impacted, early identification and treatment are crucial.

Is Lagotto Romagnolo friendly with other animals?

Lagotto Romagnolos are amiable with other animals as long as they have the right socialization, ideally from an early age. When Lagottos are exposed to and habituated to other pets, they usually get along well.

To avoid any inadvertent mishaps, it is important to keep an eye on interactions between Lagotto Romagnolos and young children when they are playing. Even though these dogs are lively and active, they should play in a regulated and reasonable manner to prevent frightening extremely young children.

Lagotto Romagnolos have a moderately active prey drive, which may cause them to exhibit a propensity to hunt small animals. Nevertheless, these inclinations may be lessened with successful socializing training. All things considered, Lagotto Romagnolos are renowned for their sociability and versatility, which makes them ideal for homes with many pets.

Where Can I Purchase or Adopt a Lagotto Romagnolo?

Because Lagotto Romagnolo are somewhat uncommon in the United States, obtaining one may take some work. The following are important things to remember:

Reputable Breeders: Locating a trustworthy breeder is essential since Lagotto Romagnolos are not commonly accessible. Make sure breeders emphasize well-socialized pups and keep up with necessary health checks by doing extensive research on them.

Lagotto Romagnolo Club of America: For helpful advice and suggestions for possible breeders, begin your search with the Lagotto Romagnolo Club of America.

Cost: Puppies from ethical breeders usually cost between $1,800 and $2,500, although availability in a particular area may drive up costs to $5,000.

Adoption: The Lagotto Romagnolo Club of America offers adoption opportunities, albeit there may not be many Lagottos available for adoption. If you would want information about possible rescue connections, think about contacting the Club. As an alternative, look at other working breeds that are more often discovered in rescue.

Conclusion

The Lagotto Romagnolo stands out as an intelligent, affectionate, and versatile breed, originally bred for truffle hunting. With their unique curly coats, distinctive features, and friendly nature, they make excellent family pets. Proper care involves meeting their exercise needs, addressing potential health concerns, and selecting a reputable source for acquisition. Whether through responsible breeding or adoption, providing a Lagotto Romagnolo with a loving home and essential care ensures a rewarding companionship with this charming and rare breed.