The Lagotto Romagnolo dog breed originated in Italy. Its origins are in the marshes of the Italian subregion of Romagna’s eastern Delta del Po. The word “water dog” is derived from the Romagnol language’s can lagt.
In this ultimate guide to Lagotto Romagnolo, we’ll cover everything you need to know about this breed, from their appearance to their personality, training, and health.
Contents Overview
What is a Lagotto Romagnolo?
Lagotto Romagnolo, which translates to “lake dog from Romagna,” is a fitting name for this breed given that it was initially used to assist in waterfowl hunting through the marshy marshes of Romagna, Italy.
They are also referred to as Romagna Water Dogs and Italian Water Dogs. Since many of the breed’s native marshes have been drained, these dogs now serve a new purpose in truffle hunting. Their extraordinary noses can be easily trained to be used for smell work by humans. In the autumn and winter, lagottos’ thick coats keep them warm while shielding them from thorns and other debris as they sprint through woodlands.
In the present era, they are the only canines bred specifically for the hunt for truffles. They are experts at the job thanks to their keen sense of smell and innate digging behaviour. Lagotto Romagnolos make loving, engaging, easygoing dogs for homes with little requirements. Their hypoallergenic coats are beneficial for allergy patients, but they need a lot of upkeep. Therefore, this dog may fit in with your family if you can maintain proper grooming and brushing habits and you want a devoted, trainable companion — or someone to assist you in searching for delectable truffles.
Origin and History of Lagotto Romagnolo
The Lagotto Romagnolo’s history dates back at least as far as the Italian Renaissance, and maybe even farther. These dogs were initially bred as hunting partners to assist in the retrieval of waterfowl in the marshlands of Romagna. They were well adapted for plunging into chilly waters thanks to their water-resistant clothing. But as the marshlands in the area began to be drained in the late 1800s, these dogs may have been out of a job if it weren’t for the fact that their exceptional noses made them superb truffle hunters. Lagotto Romagnolos began to be repurposed for this function, which they continue to perform superbly. They are the only breed currently existing that was created exclusively to hunt truffles. If not for enthusiasts in the late 1980s who became interested in preserving the breed, the Lagotto Romagnolo breed might have completely gone by the 1970s. Since then, Lagotto Romagnolos have gained popularity in many nations, and the American Kennel Club officially recognised the breed as a sporting dog in July 2015. Although Lagotto Romagnolos are still used for truffle hunting, their loyal family companionship and hypoallergenic coats may increase their popularity with allergy sufferers.
Appearance and Size
The Lagotto Romagnolo (plural: Lagotti Romagnoli) is distinguished by its dense body hair, which is covered from head to tail by a thick beard, brows, and whiskers. Lagotti weigh no more than 35 pounds and are under 20 inches tall.
In general, male Lagotto Romagnolos are larger than females. Males typically weigh 28 to 35 pounds and stand 17 to 19 inches tall. Females typically range in height from 14 to 18 inches and weigh 24 to 32 pounds. Breed members can range in size from smaller to larger.
Coat and Grooming Needs
Lagotto Romagnolos have double coats comprised of hair rather than fur that are water-resistant. As a result, their hair grows more slowly, sheds less, and has a tendency to trap dander and allergies close to the body rather than release them into the air. Lagotto Romagnolos are frequently regarded to as a hypoallergenic breed because of this. However, their coats have a propensity to mat more readily, thus this characteristic comes as a cost. When Lagotto Romagnolos are not maintained, their hair can become thick around their eyes and ears, making it difficult for them to see, and they risk getting infections or trapping debris in their ears. To prevent these issues, Lagotto Romagnolos must be combed and maintained frequently. It is advised to keep the coat’s length between one and one and half inches. For this breed, more frequent grooming is required.
Having said that, Lagotto Romagnolos coats are gorgeous and come in a variety of colours. They can be plain cream, brown, orange, or golden colours, or they can have patches and markings that combine any of these colours. Additionally, they could have a brown “mask” mark around their face.
Personality and Temperament
Lagotto Romagnolos were raised to be hunting companions, and they still have the ability to retrieve, even if it requires jumping gleefully into bodies of water. A lot of Lagotto Romagnolos are water dogs by nature, and even if you don’t intend to go hunting, they’ll still like chasing after a toy in a game of fetch. With their boundless energy and vivacious spirits, they will undoubtedly value the mental and physical stimulus. Lagotto Romagnolos must exercise regularly or, like many dogs, they may become bored and find other amusements by digging and gnawing inappropriate objects. They have keen senses, particularly when utilizing their noses to detect things. They are currently bred as truffle hunting dogs as a result. Although they can also excel at other duties like agility and obedience training, they are simple to train for nose work. So long as exercise is given in the form of at least one decent, long walk per day, and preferably a game of fetch, the Lagotto Romagnolo is a loving and laid-back dog when it comes to being a family pet. Lagotto Romagnolos are often content even in an apartment setting as long as those needs are addressed. Taking care of a Lagotto Romagnolo’s coat, which requires frequent grooming, will take up the most of their maintenance requirements. Although they do have a tendency to bark at strangers who enter their domain, they are affectionate dogs who are devoted to their families, including children and other pets. They can be effective watchdogs as a result, but it’s crucial to divert and manage their natural tendencies to bark in order to teach them when to do so. Otherwise, they might start to bark more frequently than you or your neighbours would like. Lagotto Romagnolos require company, therefore it’s crucial to avoid leaving them alone at home for an extended period of time. Additionally, no dog should ever be left alone for the majority of the day. As with any breed, you can anticipate plenty of undesirable behaviours in the absence of human interaction. In general, the Lagotto Romagnolo is a calm yet energetic dog that is a suitable choice for families with at least some prior dog owning experience. To ensure that they are well-behaved among unfamiliar people and animals that they may meet, socialisation training should start as early as feasible.
Training and Exercise Needs
Lagottos are perceptive, clever, and animated. They thrive in dog sports like agility and obedience as well as other activities like dock diving (they naturally enjoy water), and they love to learn and delight their owners. They are ideal for scent work, search and rescue, and the detection of medical issues because to their exceptional sense of smell. The Lagotto needs to be socialized and trained from a young age in order to develop into a well-behaved pet.
The Lagotto, like the majority of sporting breeds, thrives on activity and engagement in life. They don’t have hyperactivity and don’t need a lot of exercise, but they do demand both mental and physical stimulation. A Lagotto will appreciate being outside and will profit from it, but the breed cannot survive in the wild by itself. For the Lagotto to be happy and well adjusted, he needs to spend time with his family.
Lagotto Romagnolo Puppies for Sale
If you’re ready to start your search for a Lagotto Romagnolo puppy, there are several places you can look.
Breeders
A breeder is one of the most well-liked places to look for a Pomeranian-poodle mix puppy for sale. Do your research and locate a reputable breeder who is concerned about the health and welfare of their puppies. A reputable breeder will let you meet the puppy’s parents and will provide you copies of any certifications and health documents.
Pet Stores
Lagotto Romagnolo puppies may be available for purchase in some pet stores, but it’s important to exercise caution when doing so. Puppies are frequently purchased by pet shops from puppy mills, where the animals are frequently mistreated and maintained in subpar conditions. If you decide to purchase from a pet shop, be sure to enquire about the puppy’s lineage and medical history.
Adoption
A wonderful approach to offer a furry buddy a second chance in life is to adopt a Lagotto Romagnolo puppy. Ask if there are any Lagotto Romagnolo pups up for adoption at your neighborhood animal shelter or rescue group.
Training Tips for Lagotto Romagnolo
They are intelligent and eager to please, making them easy to train with positive reinforcement techniques. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when training your Lagotto Romagnolo:
- As soon as you bring your Lagotto Romagnolo home, begin training them. The key is consistency, and early norms and boundary setting are crucial. Use positive reinforcement techniques, such as praise and treats, to encourage good behavior. Avoid using punishment or negative reinforcement, which can cause fear and anxiety in your dog.
- Training sessions should be brief, frequent, and singularly focused on one instruction or behavior. This will lessen the likelihood of your Lagotto Romagnolo getting overwhelmed or bored.
- Expose your Pomeranian poodle mix to a range of people, environments, and situations to help socialize them. They will feel more at ease and certain in unfamiliar circumstances as a result.
- Practice consistency and patience, and keep in mind that training is a lifelong process. Your Lagotto Romagnolo can learn to be a well-mannered and obedient pet with practise and patience.
Common Health Problems
Although there are a few illnesses to which the Lagotto Romagnolo breed is prone, overall they are a healthy breed. Breeders typically test for these problems and steer clear of breeding animals that can pass them on to their puppies, but it’s always vital to watch out for health issues and keep up with routine doctor appointments to stay watchful. Lagotto Romagnolos suffers from a number of medical conditions, including elbow and hip dysplasia, storage disease, juvenile epilepsy, cerebral ataxia, and neuroaxonal dystrophy.
Choosing the Right Lagotto Romagnolo for You
If you’re interested in getting a Lagotto Romagnolo, it’s important to choose the right dog for your lifestyle and personality. Here are a few things to keep in mind when choosing a Lagotto Romagnolo:
• Take into account your living situation: They may adapt and thrive in smaller homes or apartments, but they do need daily exercise and mental stimulation.
• Consider your degree of activity: They have moderate exercise requirements and love going for walks and playing. A Lagotto Romagnolo might not be the greatest choice if you’re searching for a dog to go on walks with you or runs with you.
• Pick a trustworthy breeder: Doing business with a trustworthy breeder can help to ensure that your Lagotto Romagnolo is healthy and socialized. Avoid purchasing from pet shops or internet marketplaces as these places frequently use subpar breeding techniques.
• Spend time with the puppy before adopting: By getting to know the puppy in advance of taking them home, you can decide whether they are a suitable fit for your family and way of life.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do Lagotto Romagnolo bark a lot?
Lagotto Romagnolos are quite vocal and can bark a lot. To work on this to at least control the behavior, you’ll have to dedicate quality time to do bark training. Working with Lagottos is not tiresome as they are natural human pleasers. As such, your dog will respond well to reinforcement training.
Is a Lagotto a good first dog?
Overall, the Lagotto Romagnolo is an easy-going yet active dog that is a good choice for families with at least a moderate level of previous experience in dog ownership. Socialization training should begin as early as possible to make sure that they are well-behaved around new people and pets that they may meet.
Why not to get a Lagotto Romagnolo?
Remember, they are a working breed, so they need a job, otherwise they get troublesome and because of this, they are often not recommended to first time dog owners. They need a lot of training (every day) and consistency. While Lagotto Romagnolo don’t shed, they require a lot of grooming.
What is the cost of a Lagotto Romagnolo?
The average price of a Lagotto Romagnolo puppy appears to be be around $3000-$4000 based upon our research. However, the price can vary depending on the breeder, the coat color and the heritage of the puppy..
Can Lagotto be aggressive?
researching the prevalence, comorbidity, and breed differences in canine anxiety in 13,700 dogs found that, compared with other breeds, the Lagotto displayed high levels of noise sensitivity, social fear, and aggression, saying: “Behavior problems are common in our companion canines.