History , Care Tips , and Helpful selective information for Pet Owners
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The Lagotto Romagnolo is a medium - sized ancientworking breedfrom Northern Italy with wooly-haired , curly fur . They are prized for truffle hunting skills , but they can also make relatively lay - back and affectionate companions around the home . Lagottos are known for their thick coats that are both water - resistant and low in sloughing , and these dogs are also enthusiastic swimmers thanks to their roots in duck’s egg search .
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With their friendly personalities , Lagottos are popularfamily dogssuitable for homes with children or active owners . They are extremely trainable and can adapt to a mixed bag of lifestyle .
Breed Overview
Group : Sporting
Height:17 to 19 inch ( Male ) ; 16 to 18 column inch ( females )
Weight:28 to 35 pounds ( male person ) ; 24 to 30 pound ( females )
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pelage : Wooly , curly , water - resistant three-fold coat
Coat Color : Solid off - blank , white with orange or dark-brown patches , brown , brown roan , brown or orangish with white patches , or occasionally tan markings
living Span:14 to 17 years
disposition : Intelligent , athletic , well-disposed , loyal
Hypoallergenic : Yes
Origin : Italy
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Characteristics of the Lagotto Romagnolo
While Lagottos have become popular truffle hunting dogs , they were originally multiply forduck hunting(hence their signature curly coats ) , and their instincts for swim and retrieve still stay on in modern generations . This strain enjoys stimulant and exercise each Clarence Shepard Day Jr. , but your Lagotto will also be happy to loosen up around the house with family member when not being alive .
These dogs are affectionate toward their owners , but they also require consistent training : Since they have plenty of energy and word to match with it , Lagottos may harbor themselves by getting into mischief around the house if not offered more vigorous bodily process than daily walks . gratefully , this stock can be school well with the good guidance .
History of the Lagotto Romagnolo
The Lagotto Romagnolo is thought to be one of the oldest of all thewater dogs . They originate from the Romagna area of Northeast Italy , andLagottotranslates from the local dialect as ' Duck Dog . '
They are thought to have been around for over one thousand years . They were used by locals of the neighborhood to hunt for waterfowl in the vast marshlands that enshroud much of the region in days gone by . Their size , lightness , eagerness to please and piss - resistive coat meant they were utterly suited to this task .
The 19th century visualise the large - musical scale draining of much of the marsh in the region . This meant Lagottos were no longer need for the work they were used to . However , their adaptability meant that they keep to be a popular workings stock , and they were evolve for their skills as truffle Orion in the region .
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During this time , they were often scotch with other breeds known for their hunting and odourise accomplishment , and it meant that the population of the purebred Lagotto dwindle down — so much that by the 1970s , they became almost nonextant .
Since then , fancier of the strain have work hard to increase their numbers and to hone their skills as truffle searchers .
Lagottos are also becoming increasingly popular as an adaptable and relatively laid - backcompanion strain . They are not as busy as some of their other workings counterparts . Demand for the breed is increase in other country , and in 2015 , they were recognized by the American Kennel Club .
White with brown and orange patches Lagotto Romagnolo puppies.Credit: Dario Egidi / Getty Images
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Lagotto Romagnolo Care
The Lagotto Romagnolo is an sound workings strain that needs to be maintain well - exercised and properly enriched around the house . That say , they are not as busy as some other working breeds . They can be a lilliputian more laid - back around the plate , and this can make them appealing even for those living in an flat .
Exercise
When outside , be prepared for your Lagotto to have a nifty love of water . Swimming can be a great way to aid them burn off steam , so do n’t be surprised if you find it hard to get them out of a river or pond once they have detect it . Theirwater - yucky double coatand purpose - built body form are all geared towards them spend a lot of time in the piddle .
Because they have been developed for their truffle search science , they also have unassailable scenting abilities and often agreat lovemaking of excavate . You may need to put in extra work to ensure that they do not start digging in undesired areas of your garden . Some Lagotto owners put up a consecrated sandpit and take part in perfume tribulation and nozzle work games to give them an outlet for this desire .
Training
Lagottos are do it for sometimes being rather vocal ; they can be knifelike alert pooch . You may have to spend some sentence working onbark trainingto ensure that this does not become out of control .
They are a very bright breed and are groovy to please their owner . They respond well to positive reenforcement breeding methods and can begin training at about eight weeks of age . With appropriate former socialization and ongoing training , they can be very adaptable , affectionate , and happy andiron . They often fit in well to a family environment and can live gayly alongside other pets .
Grooming
The Lagotto can be a good selection for soul that endure from dog haircloth allergic reaction . No dog is truly hypoallergenic ; it is often the dander on the hide that can cause a job . The Lagotto , however , hardly shed , so this intend you will not have a hair - filled home . Their coat needs to be groomed out on a regular basis to prevent it from becoming matted , tangled , and uncomfortable . Some owner prefer to shave these dog ' hair brusque in the summer when the dogs are alfresco in gamy heating system .
Their ear are hairy than some stock to help prevent them from becoming waterlogged , but this extra hair can sometimes become overgrown and cause a build - up of wax and debris . They may need to have superfluous tomentum get rid of periodically to prevent this problem .
Care should also be withdraw if you aretrimming their nails . Lagottos have of course longer and more curl nail than some breeds . This is to help them with their truffle digging abilities . It means the spry ( the blood vessel inside the nail ) is long than average , and you do n’t want to cut into this incidentally . Not only will you have to stop the bleeding , but it will be painful and could cause your dog to develop an averting towards nail trimming . You may have to go back to basics with getting them used to the activity .
If you have a Lagotto Romagnolo be prepared for them being a water lover.Credit: Tommi Turunen / 500px / Getty Images
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Common Health Problems
The Lagotto is know for being a healthy breed with slap-up longevity . It is not rare for them to live up to 17 years . Like most breed , they can still be prone to finical heritable health conditions . Below are some of the conditions they are associated with :
Diet and Nutrition
All Canis familiaris should be run a high-pitched - timber and fitly portion - controlled diet , and the Lagotto Romagnolo is no exception . Your Lagotto ’s nutrient should be made predominantly from meat . Two servings of nutrient per day is the standard feeding schedule for this stock .
dogtooth obesityis one of the most prominent problems in companion frankfurter worldwide , and it can lead to a whole boniface of other ( often serious ) health conditions . Making indisputable you do not overfeed your Lagotto should be a priority .
Where to Adopt or Buy a Lagotto Romagnolo
The Lagotto Romagnolo is still relatively rare in the United States . This means you may have to travel a little further or be add to a waiting list if you are penetrative to fasten a puppy . Do n’t let your ebullience allow you to make foolhardy decisions : Always check that you try out a reputable stock breeder . Their pups should be well socialized , kept with their mother in a family environment , and up - to - date on all relevant wellness checks .
TheLagotto Romagnolo Club of Americais a good plaza to start your research . pup from responsible for breeders typically cost between $ 1,800 and $ 2,500 , but prices can be as high as $ 5,000 ( often fluctuating based on regional handiness ) .
There are not likely to be many Lagottos in rescue , but do n’t let that put you offconsidering adoption . give out to the Club to find out more about potential rescue contacts . you’re able to also count other working breeds that will be more commonly find in rescue .
Lagotto Romagnolo Overview
Forms strong attachment with family
A more repose - back ferment breed
Eager to please and trainable
Their coat require a lot of maintenance
Can be outspoken
They can be prolific digger
More Dog Breeds and Further Research
If you ’re interested in similar stock , assure out :
There ’s a whole world of potentialdog breedsout there — with a lilliputian enquiry , you’re able to observe the right one to bring home !
puppy typically be between $ 1,800 and $ 2,500 , but some breeder may charge as much as $ 5,000 .
The Lagotto Romagnolo is known for being a suitable stock for families , as these heel are friendly and eager to please their proprietor . They are laid - back in household environments as long as they ’re properly exercised and mentally energise on a reproducible footing .
extremely adaptable and intelligent , Lagotto Romagnolos are pop for their easily trainable nature and enthusiastic personality . Training puppy can start as early as eight weeks of age .
While they were once readily uncommitted in Europe thanks to their origins in Northern Italy , Lagotto Romagnolos were cross - bred with other retrieve breeds for many long time . After the true breed became almost out in the 1970s , enthusiasts of these dogs began a revival of breeding . They are still rare in the United States .
