Country of OriginItaly
Nicknames and Other NamesLagotto
Scientific NameCanis lupus familiaris
Breed TypePurebred
GroupGundogs
Sporting Group
Bred Forwater retrieving
SizeMedium-sized
Recognized ByAKC, FCI, NZKC, UKC, KC, ANKC
Life Span15-17 years
Ideal WeightMale: 28.5-35 inches
Female: 24-31 inches
Ideal HeightMale: 17-19 inches
Female: 16-18 inches
Fur TypeWolly texture
tight, ring-shaped curls
Common ColorsBrown, White and Brown, Orange,
Off-White, White and Orange,
Brown Roan
MarkingsBrown Mask
AvailabilityCommonly available
AchievementsAppears in many painting from the
Renaissance-era
Suitable for ApartmentsNo
Used in World WarNo
Most Similar ToSpanish Water Dog

Lagotto Romagnolo means “lake dog from Romagnolo”, these dogs were bred to hunt waterfowl through the wet marshlands of Romagna in Italy. They are also called Italian Water dogs and Romagna Water dogs.

Owners can easily train Lagotto Romagnolo dogs to use their super noses for scent work and Lagotto Romagnolo’s’ thick coats help them stay warm in fall and winter while protecting them from thrones and debris as they run through forests.

Origin and History

Lagotto Romagnolo dates back to the Renaissance in Italy and goes even farther back than that. These dogs were originally bred as hunting dogs to help retrieve waterfowl in the marshlands of Romagna.

In the 1970s, these breeds were almost extinct. However, Italian dog lovers have a huge hand in preserving the Lagotto Romagnolo breed. In the year, 1988, the Club of Lagotto was founded and was officially recognized by the American Kennel Club in 2001.

Is Lagotto Romagnolo Child-Friendly?

Yes, Lagotto Romagnolo is good with children and are capable of living peacefully both with children and with other animals. However, these pooches love the company of children and drooling with them.

facts of Lagotto Romagnolo
Lagotto Romagnolo dog playing comfortably with a kid. Image source: a-fotografy.co.uk.

Lagotto Romagnolo is playful and have high exercise needs, but it is important to make sure they don’t play with much excitement or they may risk knocking small children.

Behavior, Temperament And Personality

The behavior of Lagotto Romagnolo is known for being smart and lively They are agile, intelligent and playful which makes training easy as well as suitable for all types of homes. It enjoys the company of its family and sticks close to them.

Lagotto Romagnolo makes it suitable for families because they are sturdy, active and typically loving towards children. Their temperament can be described as happy, gentle and lively. They are usually not aggressive to anybody whether people or other animals.

facts of Lagotto Romagnolo
Picture of Lagotto Romagnolo in bed. I’m Sleepy Mom. Image Source: Instagram @lagottostagram.

The Lagotto may look like a plush toy, but it is actually a robust athlete. This breed needs plenty of exercises and mental stimulation to remain healthy both physically and mentally. They are energetic but not overly hyper and bond deeply with families. These breeds have sweet and affectionate nature for everyone and are not always suspicious of strangers until they sense any unusual.

Trainability

The desire to please their owners and high intelligence make them easy to train. They are not stubborn or strong headed. However, they will reply only on the soft tone of the voice while training. They are sensitive dogs and will not rely on the harsh tone.

Video of training Training Lagotto Romagnolo dog.

Facts About Lagotto Romagnolo

  • Lagotto Romagnolo was bred as a hunting dogs. But they lost their job when the marshes were removed during the 1800’s.
  • There are numbers of paintings, which depicts these breeds from the Renaissance.

Health Issues

General HealthHealthy
Common Health IssuesHip Dysplasia, Epilepsy, Juvenile Cataracts,
Elbow Dysplasia, Lens Luxation
HypoallergenicYes
Vaccination RequiredRabies, Leptospirosis, Canine Distemper,
Kennel Cough, Canine Parvovirus,
Canine Parainfluenza, Canine Coronavirus
SheddingLow Shedder
DroolingLow Drooler
GroomingProfessional Grooming Required
Weight Gain PotentialLow to Average
Separation AnxietyHigh Chance
AllergiesNone
Diets and SupplementsProtein: 23%
Fat: 8%
Glucosamine
Multivitamins
Digestive Enzymes

Lagotto Romagnolo is prone to certain health issues which are given below:

  • Hip Dysplasia: It is a condition in which hip socket does not fully cover the ball portion of the upper thighbone.
  • Elbow Dysplasia: It is a condition involving multiple developmental abnormalities of the elbow joint in a dog.
  • Juvenile Epilepsy: It is characterized by myoclonic jerks, generalized tonic-clinic seizures and sometimes absence seizures.
  • Cataracts: It is a clouding of the lens which leads to a decrease in vision

Colors

Lagotto Romagnolo is found in following different colors:

  • Brown Roan
  • Off-white
  • Orange & White
  • Brown and White
  • Brown
  • Orange

Puppies

Lagotto Romagnolo dogs can give birth to 4 to 6 puppies.

Cost of Puppies

The average cost of the Lagotto Romagnolo puppy is about $1800 to $2500 USD.

Size

The male Lagotto Romagnolo’s height is from 43 to 48 cm and the females will stand relatively lesser, from 41 to 46 cm.

The average weight of the Lagotto Romagnolo dog breed is 13-16 kg.

Which Dogs Breed Are They Similar To?

Some of the breeds similar to Lagotto Romagnolo dogs are as follows:

  • Spanish Waterdog
  • Portuguese Water dog
  • Bracco Italiano
  • Spinone Italiano
  • Segugio Italiano

Visit Doglime to know more about different dogs breed.