Lagotto Romagnolo
The Lagotto Romagnolo is a medium-sized Italian breed with a dense, curly, wool-like coat that was originally developed as a water retriever in the marshlands of Romagna before being repurposed as the world premiere truffle-hunting dog. This dual heritage gives the Lagotto an unusual combination of water dog athleticism and scent hound focus. They are intelligent, eager to learn, and generally more biddable than many other curly-coated breeds, making them a good choice for motivated first-time owners willing to invest in training. Their curly coat is often marketed as hypoallergenic — while no dog is truly hypoallergenic, the Lagotto does produce less dander than many breeds and sheds minimally. However, the coat requires significant maintenance to prevent matting, and many owners keep it trimmed short for practicality. Lagottos have moderate to high energy levels and need both physical exercise and mental work to stay content. Their exceptional nose makes nosework, tracking, and scent games particularly rewarding activities. They tend to be affectionate and social with their families but can be initially reserved with strangers. Some Lagottos develop excessive digging behavior, likely connected to their truffle-hunting instincts, which should be redirected rather than punished. They get along well with other dogs and can coexist with cats if properly introduced, though their retrieving instinct may lead to enthusiastic chasing.
History
The Lagotto Romagnolo traces its origins to the lowland marshes of Romagna in northeastern Italy, where it worked as a water retriever for duck hunters as far back as the Renaissance period. When the marshlands were drained for agriculture in the late 19th century, the breed lost its primary vocation but found a new one: truffle hunting. The Lagotto dense coat protected it from thorny underbrush, and its exceptional nose made it a natural at locating the prized subterranean fungi. Italian breed enthusiasts formalized the standard in the 1990s, and the FCI recognized the breed in 2005. The AKC granted full recognition in 2015, and interest in the breed has grown steadily since.
Characteristics
Compatibility
Care Guide
The dense curly coat must be brushed thoroughly at least twice weekly to prevent matting, with many owners opting for a practical clip every six to eight weeks rather than maintaining the full rustic coat. Exercise requirements run about 60 minutes daily, ideally incorporating nosework or scent games that engage the Lagotto exceptional olfactory abilities. Swimming is a natural activity for this breed, and access to safe water provides excellent physical and mental exercise. Training is generally straightforward with positive methods, but the breed can become obsessive about digging — providing a designated digging area or redirecting into structured nosework prevents yard destruction. Puppies should be tested for Lagotto Storage Disease before purchase, as this fatal neurological condition is present in the breed gene pool.
Common Health Issues
- Hip dysplasiaAbnormal hip joint development causing pain and reduced mobility. Screening breeding stock with OFA or similar protocols and keeping growing dogs at lean body weight are the primary prevention strategies.
- Lagotto Storage Disease (LSD)A fatal autosomal recessive neurological condition that causes progressive cerebellar ataxia, typically becoming apparent between four months and four years. A definitive DNA test exists, and both parents must be tested to ensure puppies are not affected.
- Benign Juvenile EpilepsyA hereditary form of epilepsy unique to Lagottos, with seizures typically beginning between five and nine weeks of age and resolving spontaneously by eight to thirteen weeks. While self-limiting, affected puppies should be monitored closely and the condition reported to breeders for tracking.