Description

The Lagotto Romagnolo is a breed with a rustic appearance and a strong build. Although not large, this medium-sized dog looks tough and enduring. The teeth meet in a scissor bite, and the head is large. The floppy ears have triangular tips, and the eyes are dark and round. The breed has a strong and compact build, supported by strong legs.

Origin: Italy

Look

The Lagotto has a gorgeous curly coat, though occasionally some individuals are born with “flat” (non-curly) fur. As a rule, this breed is good for people with allergies.
The dog’s entire body is covered in dense ringlets, with a visible fuzzy undercoat. The curls are looser on the Lagotto Romagnolo’s head, and they form large, luxurious eyebrows, whiskers, and beard. The rough woolly topcoat and undercoat are waterproof: an important feature for a water-retriever breed. They are typically golden, off-white, or brown, though roan, spotted, and patchy individuals can also be found.
There is some debate as to how to correctly groom this breed. Some prefer to brush the Lagotto Romagnolo regularly, while others prefer to let the dog’s coat grow long and fluffy. The curls tend to tangle and mat easily, and should be carefully pulled apart without tearing the coat. An annual trim is a must for this breed if you choose to keep the Lagotto Romagnolo’s coat long. You can opt to keep your dog clipped, which will be easier to maintain.

Health

The Lagotto Romagnolo is generally a healthy breed; however they are prone to a few health conditions:

• Hip dysplasia
• Benign Juvenile Epilepsy
• Cerebral Anomaly
• Lagotto Storage Disease

At Newdoggy.com, we recommend that you buy your dog from reputable breeders, who use genetic testing and good breeding practices to remove genetic conditions from their breeding lines.

Learning

Originally bred as a water-retriever and truffle hunter, the Lagotto Romagnolo is an excellent working dog. Their senses are excellent, and they tend to be easy to train due to their intelligence and eagerness to work. The Lagotto Romagnolo can also excel at canine sports such as tracking and agility.

Temperament

Originally bred as a working dog, the Lagotto Romagnolo is a very affectionate and loyal dog. They get on well with just about everyone, and after some socialisation they should also get on with other animals.

Living with

They make excellent family pets, but it is important to give your Lagotto Romagnolo something to do. A bored Lagotto Romagnolo may become destructive. These dogs are intelligent and athletic, and need the opportunity to use these strengths. You can compete in canine sports, but you could also think of fun games to play at home, such as hide and seek. Give your Lagotto Romagnolo plenty of exercise and attention, and they will reward you with all their loyalty and love.