Newly recognized to the AKC, the Lagotto Romagnolo has actually been around since the 1600’s. First bred to hunt waterfowl, it was later used to search and dig for truffles.
Because it is an active breed, it requires an owner willing to give the dog both the physical and mental exercise that it needs! Without an outlet for their energy, they can become destructive. There are many fun and varied ways that you can exercise your Lagotto. Avid swimmers are often happy to find out that this breed loves water! Swimming is a great activity that both owner and dog can enjoy, whether it be in a structured way such as water-retrieval, or just splashing around. Either way, make sure that any water play is supervised.
Lagottos get along just fine with children, other dogs, and cats. They are very devoted, affectionate and loyal to their entire family. They crave “their” people so much that they do not do well in homes where the owners are at work all day. Lagottos need to be inside-dogs with plenty of attention and interaction. It is important to note that some members of the breed can be shy so they need to be socialized them from puppyhood to as many new situations, people and animals as possible. Even when properly socialized, they will always take a while to warm up when a stranger comes to the house.
While not aggressive in the least, Lagottos will bark to sound the alarm when someone comes to the door, and as such make great watchdogs. Otherwise they are generally quiet dogs in the house.
Smart and generally easy to train, Lagottos work well for first-time dog owners. In general, their cheerful attitudes help to make training fun for both owner and dog. Since they were bred to work in several different jobs, obedience training is more than just a game or a chore to them, it is a way of life. A Lagotto without a job can become unhappy, therefore it is vital that you work with them. This can be done most easily through obedience, but you can also train them to do therapy work, hunting, agility, nose work, rally, tracking , dock diving, barn hunting, freestyle, CGC, or treibball. You could even teach them how to hunt truffles! The number of tasks that Lagottos excel in is quite large!
The Lagotto does not shed, which means he might be a good fit for an allergy sufferer. However, many people are actually allergic to dog saliva rather than dog hair, so it would be vital to spend some time around the breed to discover whether or not an allergy flares up. As far as grooming the coat, regular inspection to pull out brush and burrs, as well as separating forming-knots, will be required. Traditionally the coat is shaved down once a year and then allowed to grow back out.
Because the breed was bred partially for digging, you will find that they take their digging duties very seriously. This could include your garden or your yard. Sometimes providing them with their own digging spot, such as a sandbox or just a designated digging area, will keep them from tearing up the rest of your yard. Success varies with this tactic.
