Lagotto Romagnolo
Photo Credit: Lagotto CurlsRoc

Lagotto Romagnolo


Group: Sporting Group

Origin: Italy

Height:
– Males: 17 to 19 inches (43-48 cm).
– Females: 16 to 18 inches (41-46 cm).

Weight:
– Males: 29 to 35 lbs (13-16 kgs).
– Females: 24 to 32 lbs. (11-14 kgs).

CLICK HERE to View Breeder Listings

Breed Profile

The Lagotto Romagnolo (also known as the Truffle Dog) is an ancient breed of water retrieving dogs from Italy used in the marshlands to hunt waterfowl. The Lagotto is thought to possibly be the ancestor to all the water dog breeds. When the marshlands dried up, at the end of the 19th century, the Lagotto was used to search and retrieve truffles (much prized and very valuable underground tubers). He is an excellent retriever with an exceptional sense of smell. The Italian Lagotto Romagnolo Club was founded in 1988 with a population of approximately 3500 dogs. The ENCI, the Italian Kennel Club, officially recognized the breed in October 1991 and the FCI followed suit in 1995. In October 1999, the Kennel Club (U.K.) granted recognition to the breed.

Today, the Lagotto is unique in the fact that he is the only pure bred dog in the world recognized as a specialized truffle searcher. With the breed being imported to countries where truffling does not exist, the question of the breed’s working function was raised. The Romagnolo consider working capabilities of the Lagotto of paramount importance and, with the founding of the World Union of Lagotto in Italy in 1998, the decision was made that the function of the Lagotto Romagnolo in countries where there is no truffling would be to remain as he was originally bred — a Water Retriever.

He is an affectionate, undemanding and devoted dog. Easily trained and always eager to please, he makes an excellent companion and good watchdog. The Lagotto gets along well with other dogs and pets and he is also known to be very good with children.

He has a wooly textured, rough-surfaced coat of thick, ring-shaped curls evenly distributed all over his body except his head where the curls are less tight and form eyebrows, whiskers and a beard. Both the outer and under coats are waterproof. He may be either solid off-white, white with brown or orange markings, brown roan, solid brown, or solid orange.

Lagotto Romagnalo
Multi-Champion Romakome Holda Hind
Photo credit: Romakome Lagotti Romagnolo

Health Issues

If you are considering the adoption of a Lagotto Romagnolo puppy, or any breed, it is very important to be selective in choosing a responsible and reputable breeder. Ensure that the prospective puppy’s parents have all health clearances. Breeding of any dog should not be done until after they have been proven to be free of evidence of significant hereditary diseases. (For more information on selecting a breeder, see the articles on the General Information page.)

Additional Health Resources:

Breed Listing


Lagotto Romagnolo Bible
Your Perfect Lagotto Romagnolo Guide.

Breed Standards

Lagotto Romagnolo
Champion Caio and Truffle Searcher Champion
Photo: Romakome Lagotti Romagnolo

Grooming Information

  • Grooming — This section of the Canada’s Guide to Dogs website includes tips, articles and information covering all aspects of dog grooming along with a listing of Groomers from across Canada.

 

Training Resources

  • Training — For training information, see this growing section of the Canada’s Guide to Dogs website for tips, articles, as well as listings of training centres across Canada.

 

Additional Information

  • Clubs, Sports & Activities — For information on the many sports and activities you can get involved in with your dog.
  • Working Dogs — The Working Dogs section of the Canada’s Guide to Dogs website provides information and listings of organizations that are involved in various dog jobs, such as Guide Dogs, Therapy Dogs, Police Dogs, Protection Dogs, and much more.

*NOTE 1: CHIC – The Canine Health Information Center “is a database of consolidated health screening results from multiple sources. Co-sponsored by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) and the American Kennel Club (AKC) Canine Health Foundation, CHIC works with parent clubs to identify health screening protocols appropriate for individual breeds. Dogs tested in accordance with the parent club established requirements, that have their results registered and made available in the public domain are issued CHIC numbers.” To learn more, visit: www.caninehealthinfo.org


*NOTE 2: The Fédération Cynologique International (FCI) is the World Canine Organization, which includes 91 members and contract partners (one member per country) that each issue their own pedigrees and train their own judges. The FCI recognizes 344 breeds, with each being the “property” of a specific country. The “owner” countries write the standards of these breeds in co-operation with the Standards and Scientific Commissions of the FCI, and the translation and updating are carried out by the FCI. The FCI is not a breed registry nor does it issue pedigrees.

Quick Links

Get In Touch

— CanadasGuideToDogs.com is an Amazon Associate as well as a participant in various affiliate programs, as such fees are earned from qualifying purchases.