Originating in the mountains of Romagnolo in Italy, the Lagotto Romagnolo were at first used as a water retriever and hunter. This ancient, rare breed has DNA Tested to be the foundation from which all water dogs/poodles have descended. Their most notable distinction, however, is for being the only purebred dog in the world selected to search for Truffles which is a highly priced edible fungi. They are known globally as "the Truffle Dog". Their "scent to search" capabilities are beyond any other breed known. Owned by nobility in the early 1600's - 1800's Lagotto have proven their patient, compassionate, gentle will to please.
The Lagotto Romagnolo breed is small to medium in size. They are well-built, robust, and vivacious. The Lagotto Romagnolo possesses extraordinary scenting abilities. They exhibit an attentive, alert, intelligent, and gentle, happy expression. Lagotto display an air of peacefulness with the world, with a will to please. Their patience is extra-ordinary, a testament to their survival through hundreds of years of living wild in the mountains of Romagnolo. These years have eliminated health issues by selection, now providing one of the world’s naturally healthy breeds. The onus is on selecting a breeder that breeds only top health genetics to retain these outstanding health genetics.
A loyal and affectionate breed, the Lagotto Romagnolo is an excellent family companion. They get along well with dogs and other pets they have been socialized with. They do well with children and form close attachments to their home and family. This breed is highly adept at alerting and warning their family to visitors and danger, though do not make disturbances without cause.
Being the Lagotto Romagnolo is known for being robust, ancient, rare survivors, we must recognize they are very near their wild ancestors of the Romagnolo Mountains in Italy. This gives them stamina, tenacity, resilence, caution, alertness, and all the attributes required to sustain themselves in the wild - including a warm- wool-like curly coat. Their coat sustains them in all climates of the mountains seasons - should they be brought into a house presence, then 3 month clipping is advised for a tight neat coat; however, should they be required to be a working dog as they are known, outdoors all seasons, clipping every 6 months is advised. Lagotto coats should always remain, clean whatever and whereever their service may be.
The coat of the Lagotto Romagnolo is thick, curly, and wool-like. This breed is considered to be hypoallergenic and non-shedding.
Lagotto Romagnolo's are highly intelligent and eager to learn. Early socialization and obedience are recommended. They will not respond to harsh or heavy-handed methods, they are a gentle breed that wishes to please. Training must be done with positive reinforcement, fairness, patience, and consistency, and is best done with the owners that they have bonded with and wish to please.
The Lagotto Romagnolo is not recommended for apartment living or sedentary owners. They require a moderate amount of exercise and mental stimulation. This breed enjoys a job to do in a rural setting. If they become lonely or bored they wait, making them wait for their exercise is not recommended or humane. They love to climb, run and dig as they did for centuries in the Romagnolo Mountains during their survival. They excel in tracking, agility, and obedience. Our Lagotto today are very few generations from this breed that naturally survived in the mountains, give them an opportunity for nature walks/runs for a happy Lagotto, and they give back.
Male: 28-35; Female: 24-32 lbs
Male: 17-19; Female: 14-16 inches
brown and white, off-white, orange, brown, brown roan. They may have a brown mask, but never black in their coat.
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