25-30 lbs
14-18"
Italy
With its cute, wooly coat, the Lagotto Romagnolo may look a little like a bundle of fluff, but don’t underestimate its personality and ability. While this is a friendly and highly affectionate breed that can fit perfectly into cozy family life, Lagotto Romagnolos are a sporting and working dog that love to be physically active and are at their happiest when swimming.
In our must-know guide to the Lagotto Romagnolo, you’ll learn:
The Lagotto Romagnolo is a medium-sized dog that originates from Italy. Originally bred to help hunt and retrieve waterfowl, it’s been classed as a member of the sporting group and is now mainly used — in a working capacity, that is — to seek out truffles. In fact, the Lagotto Romagnolo is believed to be the only dog bred for the specific task of hunting truffles and so, much like the culinary delicacy it sniffs out, it’s highly valued and sought after.
So, if you’re hoping to welcome this Italian water dog into your home on a permanent basis, be aware that it won’t come cheap. The American Kennel Club carries a list of reputable breeders of Lagotto Romagnolo puppies, so this is your best starting point. Because they’re a relatively rare breed, the Lagotto Romagnolo price tag can be higher than other dogs; some pet parents have paid up to $5,000 for theirs.
An increasingly popular breed, interest in Lagottis grew further after Orca became the first ever Lagotto Romagnolo to win the coveted Best in Show at the world-famous Crufts in 2023.
A Lagotto Romagnolo is a popular breed, so if you’re lucky enough to be a pet parent of one, make sure it’s properly looked after with a comprehensive pet insurance policy. Compare the best pet insurance plans in seconds and find one that fits your pup perfectly.
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The history of the Lagotto Romagnolo is a fascinating one — with the breed teetering on the brink of extinction at one point. One of the earliest known breeds of Italian water dogs, the Lagotto Romagnolo’s name originates from a combination of its main role and the region it came from. Lagotto translates as ‘duck dog’ or ‘lake dog’ in the dialect of Emilia-Romagna, which is in the north of Italy.
While the exact date that the Lagotto Romagnolo was established isn’t known, there’s historical evidence to suggest it was part of Italian life as far back as the 1400s. What’s beyond doubt is that the breed dates back thousands of years, becoming valued for its ability to retrieve birds from marshlands and even diving underwater. It later evolved into an excellent truffle hunter – skills the Lagotto Romagnolo retains today.
Cross-breeding practices meant that, by the 1970s, there were rumored to be only around a dozen pure-bred Lagotto Romagnolos in existence. With extinction a very real possibility, it took the actions of a group of breeders and dog lovers in Italy to oversee a dedicated program to revive this ancient breed. Numbers steadily increased – not just in Italy – and in 2015, the Lagotto Romagnolo was officially recognised by the American Kennel Club.
This is a beautiful-looking dog. The Lagotto Romagnolo size is small to medium (a full grown Lagotto Romagnolo male will get to around 19 inches in height) and is stocky and powerfully built, with an almost square profile. Their coat is dense, wooly and curly — it’s also thick, and water-resistant, as you’d expect with an Italian water dog.
Another hint as to the breed’s affinity to water can be seen by the webbing between their toes, and the hair inside their ears. A Lagotto Romagnolo has thick hair covering the inside flaps of their ears, which helps to prevent water from penetrating the inner ear when diving or swimming underwater.
The coat can come in several different colors. Classic Lagotto Romagnolo colors are white, cream, brown, orange and sable; the coat can be of one solid color, or feature patches and combinations of more than one. Its ears are triangular, and of medium length, ideally hanging down to around the jawline. Lagottos have a cute, friendly face that often has a tufty beard, which only adds to their charm.
This is a fit, hardy and intelligent dog that loves to be physically and mentally active. While a Lagotto Romagnolo doesn’t need to be tasked with diving to retrieve ducks or snaffling out half-buried truffles to be content, its characteristics mean that it likes to be busy, and engaged with its pet parents.
Your Lagotto Romagnolo won’t need a lot of maintenance. Because its coat is dense and wiry, rather than smooth, long and silky, it really doesn’t need a lot of grooming. If your Lagotti loves running in a rural area, and gets to swim regularly, do keep an eye out for any matting of the coat; it may pick up twigs, sticks, burrs and other debris. It probably needs its coat clipped or trimmed three or four times a year.
If your Lagotto Romagnolo is a frequent swimmer, you also need to check the condition of his or her ears regularly. It has thick hair in there to prevent water from getting into the inner canal but this means that hair can get dirty and smelly. The ears may need cleaning every so often, and any excess hair should be trimmed. This can also help to prevent potential ear infections.
Is a Lagotto Romagnolo hypoallergenic? Yes, because shedding from its coat is minimal, it’s considered to be one of the more hypoallergenic breeds, although we should emphasize that no dog is completely hypoallergenic. But it doesn’t tend to molt, and if you’re a potential pet parent who suffers with allergies, a Lagotto Romagnolo is a sensible choice.
Generally seen as a healthy breed, this is a durable and hardy dog; the average Lagotto Romagnolo lifespan can be between 14 and 17 years. Of course, like all breeds, there are some health issues to be aware of — including those that may be inherited.
If you have a Lagotto Romagnolo, or are hoping to get one, look out for these health conditions:
Lysosomal Storage Disease
Lagotto Romagnolos are particularly prone to this condition — so much so that it’s frequently called Lagotto Storage Disease (LSD) instead of Lysosomal Storage Disease.
The only course of action, sadly, is palliative care or euthanasia, if the dog has a poor quality of life. Responsible and reputable Lagotto Romagnolo should test their dogs to check for the condition, and, if present, avoid breeding with another dog who has the LSD gene. It’s a question to ask any breeder, if you’re thinking of buying a Lagotto from them.
Dogs can get sick, and it’s your job as a loving pet parent to look after them if they do. Give your pup the best chance of good health by having a pet insurance policy. Explore and compare the best deals here — our comparison tool makes it so simple.
Diet plays an important part in the health of a breed, so it’s important Lagotto Romagnolo is fed well, and fed properly. As an active dog, it needs the right type of nutrients in its food.
The ideal dog food for a Lagotto Romagnolo will be a recipe formulated for its breed type and size, and also age appropriate (puppy, adult, senior life stages). Lagotto Romagnolos who are especially active and used in a working capacity will need a good that meets their high-energy demands; we have recommendations for the best dog food for working breeds here. A diet with meat as the primary ingredient is often advised — you can see some of the best high protein dog food here.
Whatever you choose, don’t overfeed your Lagotti — like many breeds, it can easily become overweight.
Looking for the best dog food for your Lagotto Romagnolo? Head to our online partners, Dog Food Advisor, to find recommended foods by breed type, size and age — and read in-depth brand reviews, too.
The Lagotto Romagnolo’s temperament is a naturally happy and exuberant one — providing the dog gets the mental and physical stimulation, and the love and attention, it craves. That old Italian water dog spirit still lives strong in the heart and soul of every Lagotto Romagnolo, and while it doesn’t have to be used as a working dog to thrive, it still needs ways of expending its high energy levels.
They need proper exercise. While at least one good, long walk every day will keep them happy, if you really want to see a Lagotti at its joyous best, take it somewhere it can run, and chase (throw a ball for it to retrieve) and tap into its instincts. Off-lead walks in the countryside will be received with bright eyes and a wagging tail, and if there’s the opportunity to swim, your Lagotto Romagnolo will be delighted.
If you neglect its exercise needs, be warned — a Lagotto will entertain itself, which could mean digging up your yard (even if there are no truffles in there).
Providing it gets the activity it needs, Lagotto Romagnolos will be relatively relaxed around the home. They’re generally gentle and calm, and laidback. They’re also highly affectionate with their pet parents, so expect them to stay close to you and follow you around, somewhat. They love to be part of the family, a cherished member of it, at that.
However, Lagotti can be a little shy so it’s important to start socialization and training with Lagotto romagnolo puppies early on. Exposing puppies to children and other dogs is recommended, as are obedience classes; they’ll love the training and the interaction, and such activity will help them as they mature. If they respond especially well to training, you might consider agility classes, scent work and problem-solving games to keep them alert and stimulated.
They do have a tendency to get a bit vocal when training or over-excited, and may bark at strangers who call at your home. Curbing that behavior should be a part of any training routine.
Written by Kevin Hughes
Published: 08/30/2006, edited: 01/03/2024
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I have a Lagotto Romagnolo (small-medium dog) he is 3 months old. We live on the 3rd floor (EU) (4th floor US). When should it be safe for him to walk up the stairs? When would it be safe for him to walk down the stairs?
Hi! What should I expect if I want to get a lagotto romagnolo? I’m a first time dog owner!
