About the Lagotto Romagnolo

Temperament: Affectionate, Keen, Undemanding

Height: 17-19 inches (male), 16-18 inches (female)

Weight: 28.5-35 pounds (male), 24-31 pounds (female)

Life Expectancy: 15-17 years

The Lagotto Romagnolo is a medium-sized ancient working breed from Northern Italy with wooly, curly fur. They are prized for truffle hunting skills, but they can also make relatively laid-back and affectionate companions around the home. Lagottos are known for their thick coats that are both water-resistant and low in shedding, and these dogs are also enthusiastic swimmers thanks to their roots in duck hunting.

With their friendly personalities, Lagottos are popular family dogs suitable for homes with children or active owners. They are highly trainable and can adapt to a variety of lifestyles.

Nutrition: The Lagotto should do well on a high-quality dog food, whether commercially manufactured or home-prepared with your veterinarian’s supervision and approval. Any diet should be appropriate to the dog’s age (puppy, adult, or senior). Some dogs are prone to getting overweight, so watch your dog’s calorie consumption and weight level. Treats can be an important aid in training, but giving too many can cause obesity. Learn about which human foods are safe for dogs, and which are not. Check with your vet if you have any concerns about your dog’s weight or diet. Clean, fresh water should be available at all times.

Grooming: The Lagotto’s rough-looking, waterproof coat forms thick, tight curls that cover the entire body except for the head. They have a double coat of hair rather than fur and shed only minimally, although they may leave little tufts of hair once in a while. The coat needs to be trimmed on a regular basis. Some Lagotto coats mat more than others, and it is important to groom regularly to prevent this. The ears should be checked weekly for buildup of wax or debris, or any signs of infection.

Exercise: As with most sporting breeds, the Lagotto requires an active, engaged lifestyle to keep him happy. They are not hyper and do not require a great amount of exercise, but they do need both mental stimulation and physical activity. While a Lagotto will enjoy and benefit from time outside, the breed will not do well if left to live outdoors without family interaction. The Lagotto needs to spend time with his family in order to be well adjusted and content.

Training: Lagottos are alert, intelligent, and lively. They love to learn and please their owners and excel in canine events such as agility and obedience, as well as other pursuits like dock diving (they naturally love water). With their excellent nose, they are perfect candidates for scent work, search-and-rescue, and detection of medical conditions. Early socialization and training are vital and help to ensure that the Lagotto grows into a well-adjusted, well-mannered companion.

Health: The breed is generally very healthy, and a responsible breeder screens breeding stock for health conditions such as juvenile epilepsy, storage disease, hip dysplasia, and patellas. DNA testing aids breeding decisions aimed at avoiding the occurrence of disease.

Recommended Health Tests from the National Breed Club:

Hip Evaluation

Ophthalmologist Evaluation

Patellas

Benign Familial Juvenile Epilepsy DNA Test

Lagotto Storage Disease DNA Test

“With its steadfast devotion and unwavering faithfulness, the dog exemplifies the true meaning of loyalty. The spiritual medicine of the dog encourages us to cultivate loyalty in our relationships, to stand by those we care for, and to be true to our commitments. Beyond loyalty, the dog epitomizes companionship.”