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The Canine Chronicles Directory
Lagotto Romagnolo
The Lagotto Romagnolo (pronounced Lag-oh-toe Roman-yolo) is a small to medium-sized
dog with thick curly fur and a bright and pleasant demeanor. The coat has a woolly
texture and forms tight curls. Similar to the Poodle, the Lagotto's fur is hypoallergenic
and rarely sheds. Coat colors include off-white and white with brown or orange patches,
brown roan, solid brown or solid orange. The nose is large and ranges from light
to dark brown. The muzzle is fairly broad and a little shorter than the skull. The
lips are covered with a long and rather bristly moustache. The teeth should meet
in a scissor or pincer bite. The eyes are large, round and range from ochre to hazel
and dark brown. The medium-sized ears are triangular in shape with rounded tips
and a wide base. The neck is strong, muscular and lean and the chest is well-developed
and reaches down to the elbows. The tail tapers towards the end. When working, it
is carried over the back, but is never curled.
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Temperament
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The Lagotto Romagnolo is friendly, affectionate and enjoys being with their owners.
This energetic breed is very good at tracking scents. They make good watchdogs because
of their alert nature. They are easy to train and are very eager to please. They
get along well with other animals due to their "pack" background. They get along
well with children if they are properly trained.
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Height, Weight
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Male Height: 17-19" ; Weight: 25-29 lbs.
Female Height: 14-18" ; Weight: 24-32 lbs.
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Health Problems
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Although a hardy breed, minor health concerns include cerebral anomaly and hip dysplasia.
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Living Conditions
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The Lagotto Romagnolo is well suited for any living environment. Their small size
makes them good for apartment living, if they are given enough exercise. They will
also do well with country or suburban living. Owners should keep in mind that this
breed LOVES TO DIG! They can dig a big hole very quickly.
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Exercise
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This breed needs lots of regular exercise including long walks or a run in a secure
area. Regular exercise will keep this breed from becoming overweight.
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Life Expectancy
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About 11-16 years
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Grooming
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The Lagotto Romagnolo should never be brushed. Combing the coat and separating without
tearing should help the breed from becoming matted. Some believe that the coat should
be trimmed once a year while others believe that it should be left natural.
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Origin
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The Lagotto Romagnolo is the only purebred dog in the world recognized as a specialized
truffle searcher. The Lagotto is an ancient breed of water retriever from the lowlands
of Comacchio and the marshlands of Ravenna, Italy. They are believed to be the founding
breed from which all water dogs descended. The breed's name comes from the Italian
word "logo" which means "lake". The Lagotto is recognized by the UKC, the FCI and
have been accepted for recording in the AKC Foundation Stock Service®.
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Group
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AKC/FSS Sporting, UKC Gun Dog
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