Ava Williams
Shoulder height: 41 – 48 cm
Weight: 11 – 16 kg
Age: 14 – 16 years
Color: white, brown, orange, also spotted
Use: Companion dog, the family dog
The Lagotto Romagnolo is a medieval water dog that is mainly used today in its native Italy for truffle hunting. It is considered intelligent, friendly, docile, affectionate, and easy to train. With enough species-appropriate exercise and activity outdoors, the Lagotto is an ideal companion and family dog and is also suitable for dog beginners.
Origin and history
The Lagotto Romagnolo – also known as the Romagna water dog – was used in the Middle Ages in the Po Valley area (Romagna) to locate and retrieve waterfowl that had been shot. The dense, curly fur made it ideal for working in the water – even at low temperatures.
After the marshland was drained, the Lagotto became a truffle-sniffing dog at the end of the 19th century. With its excellent sense of smell, its compact physique, and coating structure, it was and is made for truffle hunting in dense undergrowth. When doing this work in the woods, he doesn’t allow himself to be distracted by the game either.
The Lagotto Romagnolo was only recognized as an official dog breed by the World Cynological Organization (FCI) in 2005. In the meantime, however, the Lagotto has not only spread in Europe, there is even a Lagotto in America.
Appearance
The Lagotto is a medium-sized (up to 48 cm shoulder height up to 16 kg weight), well-proportioned, powerfully built dog of approximately square stature. Its coat is woolly, somewhat rough on the surface, with tightly curled ring-shaped curls.
The coat color of the Lagotto Romagnolo can be varied: plain dirty white, dirty white with brown or orange spots, plain brown in different shades, and plain orange or brown roan.
The curly coat is kept short and requires little grooming. A plus for allergy sufferers: the Lagotto does not shed!
Nature
The Lagotto Romagnolo is an intelligent, docile, and obedient dog. It is obedient, alert, and kind, alert but not aggressive. It bonds closely to its caregiver and, with loving, consistent training, is an uncomplicated companion dog that makes every dog beginner happy, provided he has enough exercise and a lot of activity outdoors.
It loves long walks in the great outdoors and all kinds of hidden object games – preferably the search for truffles. Like all breeds in this group, it also loves water. The temperamental, playful, and docile Lagotto is enthusiastic about every kind of dog sport. It is also ideal as a rescue or detection dog. However, a Lagotto Romagnolo must also be challenged, because, without a meaningful task, it quickly gets boring.