The lagotto Romagnolo, an Italian dog with a mop of curly hair, is a real trooper and fun to hang out with when the workday is done.
This dog breed originated in the Italian region of Romagna, where its watertight coat served it well as a retriever of waterfowl for hunters. Later, these dogs were put to service sniffing out truffles, the pricey fungi used in gourmet cuisine in Italy’s forested regions.
The lagotto Romagnolo is considered medium-sized dogs, although their voluminous coats make them appear larger than they are. They have the grit and strength to last the long haul as sporting dogs.
When properly trained, these dogs present as confident and calm, and they are incredibly responsive to their owners. However, due to their stubborn nature, training requires constancy and patience.
The lagotti (plural) are devoted to their people and like being active alongside them. While they may appear cold at first, once they establish friendship, they become much more approachable.
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Lagotto Romagnolo: The Italian Truffle Hunting Dog
The lagotto Romagnolo is known by many other names, including Romagna Water Dog, Water Dog of Romagna, and simply Lagotto. For some, these are called “truffle dogs.” “Lagotti Romagnoli” refers to the plural form.
Read on to find out more about this adorable Italian truffle hunting dog breed.
Breed Overview
- Origin: Italy
- Average Height: 16-19 inches
- Weight: Male – 28-35 lbs / Female – 24-31 lbs
- Breed Category: Sporting
- Temperament: Intelligent, athletic, friendly, loyal
- Hypoallergenic: Yes
- Life Expectancy: 15-17 years
Breed History
The lowlands of Comacchio and the marshlands of Ravenna in the Delta del Po, located in the eastern portion of the Romagna sub-region of Italy, are the birthplace of the lagotto.
The name means “lake dog from Romagna.” It is derived from the Italian word lago, which means “lake.” In the Romagnolo dialect, the name comes from can lagòt, which translates to “water dog.” Its original purpose was that of a gun dog, more specifically, a water retriever.specifically, a water retriever.
But ever since significant portions of the wetland habitat in its region of origin have been drained, the lagotto Romagnolo is now more commonly used for truffle hunting.
Although the breed has been known since the 16th century, it was not until the 19th century that it gained great popularity.
Appearance
The lagotto Romagnolo is a water retriever and truffle hunter that ranges in size from tiny to medium, has curly hair and has a friendly and outgoing personality. The corners of the triangular ears are rounded, and the wide, round eyes can either be a dark yellow or a brown tint, depending on the color of the coat.
The hair on the waterproof double coat is coarse and curly, and it sheds very little. A lot of people agree that this breed is hypoallergenic. Lagotti coats are usually in shades of brown, roan, off-white, white, and orange.
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Personality
Even though they are inherently obedient, these dogs are easy to train because of their agility, adaptability, and intelligence – thing that make them a pleasure to work with.
Since they are working dogs, they have the instinct to track. They also enjoy digging, so you should watch out for your flower beds.
These friendly canines may be hesitant to interact with unfamiliar people, but they form strong bonds with their families. If they are left alone for an extended time, they may develop separation anxiety.
Lagotti Romagnoli adore socializing with the younger generation. If properly associated, they can coexist peacefully with other dogs and animals.
Suitability
Lagotto’s excellent sense of scent makes him a natural for dog sports like nose work and tracking; he also tends to excel in other canine competitive events, including agility, flyball, obedience, and rally.
That he also enjoys swimming is not surprising. This high-energy dog needs a vigorous daily walk or other forms of exercise to flourish.
Bright and cheerful lagotti thrive in homes where they are given lots of attention and playtime, as well as opportunities to learn and grow. While lagotti are known for their loyalty and preference for family over outsiders, they are neither timid nor overly assertive.
Diet and Nutrition
The lagotto Romagnolo is no different from any other breed; they also need high-quality, portion-controlled dog food. Meat is an excellent choice for your lagotto’s diet. The ideal feeding pattern for this breed is in the morning and late afternoon or twice daily.
Obesity in dogs is a widespread problem that can cause a variety of illnesses, some of which can be pretty dangerous. Overfeeding your lagotto is something you should avoid.
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Grooming
This breed has a low-maintenance coat since it seldom ever sheds. Although your lagotto’s tight curls won’t require frequent brushing, they must be trimmed.
To avoid matting, the coats of these dogs can be brushed on occasion. A well-maintained coat results from regular grooming with a brush and a bath.
The hair on a lagotto presented in a dog show must be natural, with tight curls, and not matted or brushed out.
Remember to keep the hair around the lagotto’s ears trimmed. Remove hair growth within the ear canal to keep it clean and free of debris and wax.
Brushing teeth and maintaining an appropriate length for the nails are also part of a routine maintenance routine.
Training
Lagottos have a reputation for being vigilant barkers and can be rather boisterous at times. To keep this under control, you might need some time bark training.
They are highly intelligent and eager to do what their master asks them. Training can begin at around eight weeks of age, and they react well to positive reinforcement.
Dogs of this breed can be highly flexible, loving companions with the right kind of early socialization and consistent training. Their friendly demeanor and ability to coexist with different pets in the home make them great companions.
Others
• Indoors
Lagotti Romagnoli kept indoors have strong ties to their family and suffer from separation anxiety when forced to spend extended periods apart. They need to join their people in the comfort of their homes. Because of how little fur they lose, they don’t require frequent grooming unless they’ve been foraging for truffles or running amok in a swamp.
• Outdoors
Lagotti have coats that are both warm and waterproof, so you won’t have to worry about them being cold or wet. A fenced-in yard is ideal for playing catch and hide-and-seek with your lagotto, but it’s not required. Even if you live in an apartment, prepare your dog’s favorite leash, collar, or harness and take him for long walks often.
• Playtime
Lagotti Romagnoli should spend at least an hour and a half daily engaging in high-intensity physical activity. They get a kick out of using their keen sense of smell in games of hide-and-seek.
• Endurance
In between vigorous outings and games, lagotto Romagnoli tend to relax and take things easy.
Common Health Issues
In general, the breed enjoys a long and healthy lifespan. However, it is mostly your responsibility to make sure a dog has been checked out medically before you adopt or buy one for truffle hunting or a pet.
Common canine parasites such as heartworms, should be avoided at all costs. Owners should also be aware of the following health concerns that may occur among lagotti:
• Childhood Epilepsy
Puppies with this illness often experience seizures between the ages of 5 and 9 weeks old. However, in some cases, the seizures clear up on their own between the ages of 8 and 13 weeks. There may be evidence of additional neurological abnormalities in between seizures for certain dogs with severe epilepsy.
• Storage Disease
The lagotto Romagnolo is the only breed known to be affected by this condition. The effects of this neurological illness are fatal. Coordination issues, abnormal behavior, and face or eye twitching are just some of the symptoms you could see in your dog. Your dog’s aggression may be exacerbated by this condition.
• Hip Dysplasia
Hip dysplasia is a concern in lagotto Romagnoli, as it is in many other dog breeds. In dogs, degenerative hip dysplasia occurs when abnormal development occurs in one or both hip joints. In severe cases of hip dysplasia, surgery may be required to help the dog feel better.
• Elbow Dysplasia
In this condition, a dog’s elbow joint does not mature normally. The ulna, radius, and humerus are the three bones that come together to form an elbow. The discomfort, arthritis, and loss of function that can result from a misalignment of any of these bones can be debilitating.
Quick Facts About Lagotto Romagnolo
• This truffle dog breed is featured in the 2020 documentary film The Truffle Hunters which highlights the capabilities of the lagotto Romagnolo and other canines who dig for truffles, including the lagotto Romagnolo’s truffle-hunting ability.
• In 2014, a lagotto Romagnolo in Italy was responsible for the discovery of the world’s largest white truffle, which weighed in at 4.16 pounds. During an auction, the highly valued fungi brought in a total of $61,250.
• The lagotto Romagnolo is the only breed of dog that was purposefully developed to search for truffles.
• Dogs that appear to be lagotti were featured in artworks that date back to the 15th century.