Lagotto Romagnolo
Complete Breed Guide
"Don't worry; swimming won't mess up these pretty ringlets!"
Quick Facts About Lagotto Romagnolos
Sporting
24–35 lbs
16–19"
Yes
Based on current listing prices on Puppies.com. Results may vary.
Overview
Lagotto Romagnolos are skilled in the water, and there is nothing they love more than swimming. Originally used for hunting waterfowl in their native Italy, they are known for being experts at sniffing out truffles. Lagotto Romagnolos are also known for being curly-headed lovebugs. There’s no such thing as too much attention for these sweet dogs!
Lagotto Romagnolos were born in the water. Well, not literally, but they really, really love being in the water above anything else. In fact, their fun-to-say name actually means “lake” in their native Italy. Not to mention, all water dogs share an ancestry with Lagotto Romagnolos. Around for hundreds of years, they first worked as retrievers of waterfowl, but moved on to being known as “truffle” dogs. You know, those really expensive mushrooms? Lagotto Romagnolos are experts at sniffing out – and digging out - these smelly delicacies. These happy-go-lucky dogs are very soft and hard not to hug. Don’t worry, though, they will soak up any affection you throw their way – especially if you are a small child!
Temperament and Behavior
If Lagotto Romagnolos aren’t kept busy, it’s likely you’ll find a large hole in your backyard. These goofy dogs would dig from here to China, if you let them. The good news is Lagotto Romagnolos are smart dogs who aim to please their owners and are easy to train. These affectionate dogs love their families and new people and get along with most other pets. Lagotto Romagnolos really are the ideal family dog!
Coat & Grooming
Although Lagotto Romagnolos might look like they just got a perm and do have a lot of fur, they are actually hypoallergenic, which makes them excellent companions for people with allergies. Their dense coat is very soft and requires some grooming to keep it that way. Lagotto Romagnolos usually need to get a haircut twice a year and look best with weekly brushing to keep their pretty tendrils from matting.
Lifestyle & Living Conditions
Lagotto Romagnolos are affectionate family dogs who love to be around children. They have a lot of patience and don’t mind little kids rolling around on them and, well, acting like kids. They also don’t mind have other four-legged friends in the house – especially if raised together. Lagotto Romagnolos are active dogs that love the country life. The happiest Lagotto Romagnolos have access to water to splash around in and maybe a designated “dig” area. These dogs can also be content living in a smaller space with a large backyard. Just be sure to give them plenty of exercise so they don’t start “landscaping” back there.
Exercise & Activity
A dream day for the Lagotto Romagnolo would be to go swimming and retrieve a ball out of a lake. There’s honestly nothing these dogs would rather do. Also, if you’re a foodie, a fun activity for these dogs is to find prized truffles in the forest. Lagotto Romagnolos enjoy tracking, which keeps them active both mentally and physically in the pursuit of this smelly culinary treasure.
Characteristics at-a-glance
Ratings are on a scale of 1–10, based on breed standards and typical temperament.
Lagotto Romagnolo FAQs
Common questions about the Lagotto Romagnolo breed, answered by our editorial team.
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