Lagotto Romagnolo

The history of the Lagotto Romagnolo dates back centuries, making it one of the oldest known water dog breeds. The name “Lagotto Romagnolo” literally translates from Italian as “lake dog from Romagna”. The first mentions of curly-coated water dogs in Italy date back to the Renaissance. It is believed they are the ancestors of many modern water dog breeds, including the Portuguese and Spanish Water Dogs.

Initially, these dogs were used to retrieve shot game, mainly waterfowl, from the marshlands of Comacchio and Ravenna. Their thick, oily coat provided excellent protection from the icy water, allowing them to work for hours. However, in the 19th century, large-scale draining of the marshes in this region meant the need for water-hunting dogs disappeared.

It was at this moment that the breed found its new, and now world-famous, calling. Thanks to their phenomenal sense of smell and natural inclination for searching, Lagottos were retrained to become the only breed in the world specialising in finding precious truffles. Their sharp minds and lack of a hunting instinct for game (which gradually faded) made them ideal for this work—the dog was not distracted by the scents of animals in the forest.

By the 1970s, the breed was on the verge of extinction due to uncontrolled crossbreeding with other dogs. A group of Italian enthusiasts, including Quintino Tosetti, Francesco Ballotta, and Antonio Morsiani, took on the task of its revival. In 1988, the Club Italiano Lagotto was founded, and in 1995 the breed received provisional recognition from the FCI, with full recognition following in 2005.

The Lagotto Romagnolo is a medium-sized dog of a strong, proportional build, giving the impression of an agile and hardy animal. Their appearance is often described as “rustic,” which emphasises their working origins.

• Body: Compact, with the body length being approximately equal to the height at the withers, creating a square profile. The back is straight, and the chest is well-developed.
• Head: When viewed from above, it has a trapezoidal shape and is moderately broad. The stop (the transition from forehead to muzzle) is not too pronounced. The muzzle is quite broad and slightly shorter than the skull.
• Eyes: Large and round, the colour varies from ochre to dark brown, depending on the coat colour. The expression is attentive, lively, and intelligent.
• Ears: Medium-sized, triangular with rounded tips, and pendant (hanging). They are set slightly above the brow ridges.
• Tail: Sabre-shaped, does not curl over, and is covered in curly hair. It hangs at rest and is raised during movement, but not above the line of the back.
• Coat: The breed’s most defining feature. It has a woolly texture, forming tight, ring-shaped curls all over the body, except on the head where the curls are less tight. There is a thick, waterproof undercoat. The coat feels slightly harsh to the touch. Importantly, this coat does not shed like most dogs’ but grows continuously, much like human hair.

The Lagotto’s character is one of the main reasons for its growing popularity. They are exceptionally devoted and people-oriented dogs. They thrive on being full members of the family and do not cope well with long periods of solitude.

Intelligence and Trainability: Lagotto Romagnolos are very intelligent dogs. They quickly grasp new commands and enthusiastically perform tasks, making the training process enjoyable and effective. Their sharp minds need constant stimulation, so they require not only physical but also mental challenges—puzzle toys, obedience exercises, and nose work.

Energy and Playfulness: This is an active breed that loves walks, games, and especially swimming. They have retained their love for water and will gladly retrieve toys from a lake or river. Although they are energetic, they are calm and well-behaved at home, provided they get enough exercise.

Attitude Towards Children and Other Animals: Lagottos generally get along wonderfully with children, being patient and fun-loving companions for them. They also coexist well with other dogs and cats, especially if raised together. Early socialisation is key to developing these positive traits.

Watchdog Qualities: They make good watchdogs, always barking to announce the arrival of strangers. However, aggression is not characteristic of them. They are reserved with strangers but quickly warm up to family friends.

Owning a Lagotto brings a great deal of joy but requires a responsible approach, especially regarding coat care and providing sufficient activity.

Caring for the Unique Coat

The Lagotto’s coat is their pride and the owner’s main challenge. As it does not shed but grows continuously, it is prone to matting, which can cause discomfort and skin problems.

• Brushing: Despite advice to brush daily, this is not always right for a Lagotto. Frequent brushing can break up the natural curl. It is recommended to thoroughly comb the coat with a wide-toothed metal comb every 1-2 weeks to prevent mats from forming near the skin.
• Clipping: This is a mandatory procedure. A Lagotto needs to be clipped 2-4 times a year. The clip should be utilitarian, not a show style. The coat all over the body is trimmed to a length of about 1-1.5 inches (2.5-4 cm), maintaining a natural, slightly scruffy look. The dog should not be shaved bare, as the coat protects it from both cold and sun.
• Bathing: Bathe the dog as needed, but not too frequently, to avoid stripping the natural protective oils from the skin. Use a mild shampoo for curly coats.

Exercise and Activity

A Lagotto Romagnolo needs about 1-1.5 hours of active walks daily. This can include:

• Long walks or jogs.
• Games with a ball or frisbee.
• Swimming—a favourite pastime for most of the breed.
• Participating in dog sports: agility, obedience, flyball, and, of course, nose work.

It is important to remember that due to their strong digging instinct, the area where the dog plays should be securely fenced. Don’t be surprised if your pet tries to “help” you in the garden by digging holes.

Training a Lagotto is a pleasure. Their intelligence and desire to please their owner make them excellent students. They respond wonderfully to positive reinforcement methods—praise, treats, and games. Harshness and punishment are unacceptable, as these sensitive dogs can become withdrawn.

Early socialisation is critically important. From puppyhood, introduce your Lagotto to different people, sounds, places, and other animals. This will help raise a confident and well-balanced dog. A basic obedience course is recommended to establish the right bond between owner and dog.

Lagotto Romagnolos are not usually fussy eaters. The basis of their diet can be either high-quality dry food or a natural diet. The main thing is that it should be balanced and appropriate for the dog’s age, weight, and activity level.

When choosing dry food, opt for super-premium brands for active, medium-sized dogs. If you choose a natural diet, the menu should consist of high-quality ingredients.

Important: monitor your dog’s weight. Lagottos can be prone to weight gain, which puts extra strain on their joints. Always ensure access to fresh drinking water.

Thanks to the efforts of responsible breeders, the Lagotto Romagnolo is a fairly healthy breed. However, like many purebred dogs, they have a predisposition to certain genetic diseases. The key is to choose a puppy from tested parents who have clear genetic tests.

• Hip and Elbow Dysplasia: A common problem in medium and large breeds. Responsible breeders have their dogs x-rayed before breeding.
• Benign Juvenile Epilepsy (BJE): A neurological condition that appears in puppies aged 5-9 weeks and usually resolves on its own by 4 months. A genetic test is available.
• Lagotto Storage Disease (LSD): A fatal neurodegenerative disease that leads to progressive ataxia (coordination problems). The availability of a genetic test allows for the complete avoidance of producing affected puppies.
• Eye Diseases: Cataracts and Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) can occur.

Regular vet visits, vaccinations, parasite treatments, and proper care will help your pet live a long and healthy life, which for a Lagotto often reaches 15-17 years.

The Lagotto Romagnolo belongs to the large family of European water dogs that share common ancestors. However, each of these breeds has developed in its own direction. For example, the Spanish Water Dog has a similar corded coat but was traditionally used as a herder and fisherman’s assistant. The Irish Water Spaniel is considerably larger than the Lagotto, has a distinctive “rat tail,” and is still primarily a hunting dog. Other relatives, such as the Portuguese Water Dog and the Barbet, are also excellent swimmers and retrievers. But it is the Lagotto that is unique, as it is the only breed to have officially “changed profession” from a bird hunter to a truffle hunter.

1. One of a kind: It is the only breed in the world officially recognised as a specialised truffle hunter.
2. Selective nose: Through selective breeding, the Lagotto’s hunting instinct for game has been virtually eliminated. This allows them to concentrate fully on the scent of mushrooms and not be distracted by the trail of a hare or bird in the woods.
3. Colour change: Many Lagotto puppies are born with a darker coat (especially the brown ones), which lightens significantly with age, sometimes to the colour of milky coffee.
4. Lack of “doggy” smell: Due to their coat structure and lack of heavy shedding, Lagottos have almost no characteristic dog odour.
5. Historical heritage: Depictions of dogs very similar to the Lagotto can be found in frescoes and paintings by Italian artists, notably in the Bridal Chamber of the Palazzo Ducale in Mantua, painted by Andrea Mantegna in the 15th century.

Do Lagotto Romagnolos shed a lot?
No, they shed very little. Their coat is hair-like and grows continuously. Dead hairs get trapped in the curls rather than falling on the furniture, so they need to be brushed out and clipped regularly to avoid matting. This makes them a good choice for people with allergies.

Are Lagottos suitable for living in a flat?
Yes, they can live comfortably in a flat, provided they receive enough daily physical and mental exercise. Without proper activity, they can become bored and destructive.

Are they easy to train?
Yes, they are one of the most intelligent and obedient breeds. They learn quickly and are eager to please, which makes training an enjoyable process. They respond best to positive reinforcement.

How much does a Lagotto Romagnolo puppy cost?
The cost of a puppy from a responsible breeder can be high. In the UK, prices typically range from £1,500 to £2,500, and sometimes more. The price reflects the costs of quality care, veterinary services, and, most importantly, the expensive genetic tests for the parents for hereditary diseases.

Do they get along with cats and other pets?
Usually, yes. With proper and early socialisation, Lagottos coexist peacefully with cats and other animals. Their weak hunting instinct is a big advantage in this regard.