Lagotto Romagnolo (Italian water dog): description and characteristics, maintenance and care

brief information

Country: Italy.
ICF class: Group 8 - retrievers, spaniels and water dogs.
Use: hunting and working dog, truffle search, companion.
Color: white, dark brown, white with spots.
Life expectancy: 15-17 years.
Average weight: 11-16 kg.
Height: 41-46 cm.
Price: from 80,000 rub.

Photo: wikimedia.org

Amazing and unusual

The Lagotto Romagnolo dog breed, due to its unusual appearance and excellent qualities, is quite popular among dog breeders and is highly valued among them.

About the purpose of the breed

The Italian Water Dog was originally bred as a working breed for hunting purposes . Since she can swim well and has a very keen sense of smell, she was used to bring shot game to hunters from the water.

Learn more about hunting dog breeds: part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4, part 5.

Over time, the specialization of dogs has changed dramatically, and today this breed of dog is mainly used to search for truffles in the ground. Thanks to their hypersensitive sense of smell, they find them even at a depth of 60 cm. Lagotto Romagnolos have also proven themselves well as assistants in the police, where their duties include searching for narcotic substances and working on the trail.

Did you know? Initially, female pigs were used to search for truffles. But the difficulty of working with such assistants was that they themselves were not averse to eating the mushrooms they found.

Appearance and photo

Standard requirements:

International name: Lagotto Romagnolo;
Country: Italy;
Height: 41-48 cm;
Weight: 11-16 kg;
Lifespan: 12-15 years;
Color: off-white, white with coffee or red spots, plain red or brown, or with white spots;
Size: medium;
Coat: thick, curly, dense, medium long;
Breed recognized by: FCI, ENCI, AKC/FSS, NKC, CKC, ACR, APRI, DRA, NAPR, LCA;
IFF code: 298.

Water dog character

The character of the Italian Water Dog can be considered one of its strengths without hesitation. Because she is an excellent companion, a devoted and affectionate friend for all family members. This breed is characterized by a close relationship with its owners and a great need for communication. Loneliness is unbearable for dogs.

They love children very much and can even be excellent nannies for them. They show caution and wariness towards strangers, but without aggression. The Lagotto Romagnolo is characterized by a friendly attitude not only towards people, but also towards other pets living with them in the same house.

Find out which dog breeds can become children's best friends.

These are very smart, hardworking dogs and are easy to train.

History of the origin of the breed

There are two versions of the origin of the breed. According to various researchers, the ancestor of the Lagotto Romagnolo can be either an ash dog or a peaty dog. The first mention of the characteristic appearance dates back to the 16th century. Initially, animals were used to guard sailboats. During the 16th to 18th centuries they were used for hunting in the swamps. Due to the massive drainage of reservoirs, the breed has lost its relevance.

Lagotto Romagnolo is known as a truffle finder. Has a unique sense of smell and learning ability. In some areas of Italy it is used by the police to detect drugs. The second official name of the breed is Italian Water Dog.

History of the breed

According to some documents, Lagotto Romagnolo have been known since the 14th century . According to legend, Turkish sailors brought them to Italy on their ships, where these dogs served as guards. Although no one knows exactly when this happened. These dogs were especially valued by sailors. They were excellent swimmers, and so smart that they could carry out a wide variety of tasks.

And in their new homeland, their love for water did not go unnoticed, so the dogs became indispensable participants in aquatic duck hunting. The Italians did not have to regret this, because such a dog rushed into any swamp without any fear. And his fur protected him so much that even thin ice did not frighten them.

They became indispensable assistants for travelers, since they could unmistakably find water sources anywhere, even in the mountains.

Lagotto began to be trained to search for truffles later. The results were amazing. The mushroom was even 60 centimeters underground.

Only in the 70s of the last century did they begin to standardize the breed. It took almost two decades for the breed standard to be finally adopted.

Today, these dogs have become real family dogs far beyond the borders of Italy, their homeland, and they make excellent companions and mushroom pickers.

Description of the breed

The Lagotto Romagnolo is a dog of medium height and strong build. There are pronounced gender differences, males are larger than females. One of the characteristic features of the breed is its thick and curly coat. Curls form throughout the body, giving it an attractive, peaceful appearance.

It is distinguished by friendliness and love for people. Quickly learns commands and tolerates upbringing. Gets along with children and other animals. Thanks to the combination of an excellent scent and performance, the breed is considered one of the best for detecting drugs. Able to immerse deeply in this activity without being distracted by external stimuli.

Standard

Official recognition of the IFF occurred in 1991. Main characteristics according to the standard:

Frame. The Lagotto is a strong and muscular dog of medium height. Males should not be more than 46 cm. The height of females is 41-46 cm. Weight is from 11 to 16 kg, there are gender differences.
Limbs. They have a correct anatomical structure and characteristic parallelism. The paws are slightly rounded and powerful, arched. The claws are strong, pigmentation is allowed on the paws. There are formed membranes, which allows you to swim for a long time and quickly.
Head. It has a trapezoidal shape with moderate width. Usually it is slightly smaller than the muzzle, the bend from the forehead is almost invisible. Nose with a straight back. The color depends on the coat color (black or brown). The lips are covered with dense whiskers, tightly fitting to a strong scissor-shaped or straight jaw. The look is curious, active. The ears are medium-sized, triangular.
Wool. Very thick, curly and tough. There is a dense waterproof undercoat. The strands are of moderate length, with curls throughout the body. Vegetation is expressed on the muzzle (beard and eyebrows). Solid white color (or with spots), shades of brown are allowed. Dogs with dark fur have a mask on their face.
Tail. It does not form very high. It has a characteristic narrowing and should normally reach the hock joints. When calm, it takes the shape of a saber, twisting is not allowed.

Lagotto has an organic physique. Despite her rather powerful body, she can run fast and be active in endurance exercises.

Description of the Lagotto Romagnolo breed: features of the Italian water dog

The Lagotto Romagnolo is an ancient and unique breed of dog, a loyal friend and affectionate pet with an easy-going character and completely unpretentious care.

History of the origin of the breed

Lagotto is known by another name - Italian water dog, the literal translation of "lagotto-romagnolo" - "lake dog from Romagna". There is no exact information about where the breed came from. One of the unconfirmed versions says that the ancestors of the Lagotto were ancient peat dogs that lived about 10 thousand years ago.

Lagotto is a dog with an incredibly cute appearance, like a plush toy

The first mentions of the breed are found in Italy in the 16th century, where the dogs were brought by Turkish sailors. Initially, lagotto was used by hunters to catch shot game from the water. Over time, the breed has radically changed its purpose.

For your information! Lagottos are unique in that they are not at all afraid of water and can safely climb into it even at sub-zero temperatures.

Interesting facts about the Lagotto Romagnolo breed

Portuguese Water Dog: description of the breed

The Lagotto breed has been little studied, but that makes it very interesting:

there is evidence that the first representatives of the breed appeared in the vicinity of Comacchio;
the ancestors of dogs were highly respected and loved by both aristocrats and peasants;
in Italian museums in many paintings you can find images of dogs very similar to Lagotto;
dogs were originally used to catch game shot by hunters from the water. When all the swamps and small lakes were dried up, the animals began to be used to search for rare mushrooms - truffles.

The breed appeared in Russia recently, about 5-7 years ago, and very quickly gained wide popularity.

Lagotto is not only not afraid of water, but also enjoys swimming

Description of the breed

Italian greyhound (dog): Italian greyhound breed

The breed has the following standard:

medium build, proportional and strong;
the muzzle is wide, the ears are erect;
medium-sized brown eyes;
height from 41 to 48 cm;
weight from 11 to 16 kg;
croup with a slight slope, saber-shaped tail, wide at the base, curled at the end;
the color is white with a grayish, dirty tint, white with coffee or red splashes, can be plain - brown or red, or with the presence of a white spot;
The coat is thick, curly, medium length.

Note! The coat is equipped with a waterproof undercoat, which allows the dog to stay in cold water for a long time and easily tolerate low temperatures.

Character traits

Romagnolo-Lagotto dogs have a calm, friendly character. They very quickly and firmly become attached to their household, demanding maximum attention, affection and care from them.

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The dog of this breed is very active and active, he is hardworking and people-oriented. Main character traits:

bravery;
emotional stability;
communication skills;
kindness;
absence of any aggression.

Even if the pet is left alone in the room for a long time, it is not in his habit to spoil things and furniture. For a dog, the owner’s return home is a real holiday with a strong display of emotions.

On the street, animals behave actively and like to explore the territory for a long time.

Note! The Lagotto is very wary of strangers, but if there is no threat to him or his owner, he will quickly make contact.

Purpose

The Romanesque dog is used to search for truffle mushrooms. Thanks to its excellent sense of smell, the dog is able to find rare mushrooms at a depth of up to 60 cm.

Italians use the breed for police service, Americans use it for canistherapy.

Dogs have an excellent, sharp sense of smell to find truffles.

Education and training

Thanks to intelligence and ingenuity, raising and training a puppy or an already formed dog is not difficult at all. Wanting to please its owner, the Lagotto quickly makes contact, understands what they want from it, and happily learns new commands.

Important! When raising and training new teams with representatives of this breed, you need to act calmly and affectionately. You should not shout, scold, or even use physical punishment.

An important rule of training is not to allow the animal to be lazy. If you often give in to slack, preferring games, it will be difficult for the dog to return to training.

Pet care

Caring for the dog is easy. Representatives of the breed require regular washing and grooming. Basic rules of care:

a haircut. Cardinal nakedness is carried out 2 times a year: in the first month of summer and with the onset of spring;
bathing once a month or if necessary if the dog’s fur is very dirty. When bathing, you need to make sure that water does not get into your pet’s ears, as this can cause inflammatory processes;
claws are trimmed as they grow;
ears and eyes are examined regularly for inflammation or discharge;
Teeth are brushed every few days with dog toothpaste.

Note! During shedding, dead hairs do not fall out, but remain on the fur without falling to the floor. The fur cannot be combed, otherwise the curls will disappear.

The dog has a very developed hunting instinct. The pet lives comfortably both in an apartment and in an enclosure. But given the active behavior of the animal, it will be best for him to be in the fresh air. The dog will feel equally comfortable in the cold and in the summer heat.

Nutrition

The Lagotto dog is unpretentious in nutrition. The menu can be made from natural products or use industrial feed. From natural products, the animal is allowed to give:

lean meats;
fish;
cereals boiled in water;
soups and broths;
vegetables.

Important! If the pet is on a natural diet, it must be regularly given vitamin-mineral complexes, since products cannot provide enough vitamins and minerals for the animal.

It is important to monitor the balance of fats, proteins and carbohydrates. In the dog's menu, food enriched with protein should predominate, and fats should be kept to a minimum. The source of carbohydrates are cereals and vegetables, herbs.

There should always be clean water in the bowl. It is very important to ensure that the animal consumes enough water, especially in cases where the diet consists of industrial feed.

Note! Representatives of the breed are prone to obesity, especially if the owner does not provide them with sufficient physical activity. To avoid your pet being overweight, you need to monitor your caloric intake. It is strictly forbidden to feed an animal from a human table.

Health and life expectancy

The average lifespan of a Lagotto is 12 to 15 years with proper care. Dogs have a fairly strong immune system, but there is still a genetic predisposition to certain diseases.

The owner of a Lagotto needs to be attentive to the joints and musculoskeletal system of the animal, and regularly check the ears, as problems often arise with them.

Dogs at a young age should not be overloaded with physical activities.

Choosing a Lagotto Romagnolo puppy

The optimal age of a dog when purchasing it is at least 2.5 months. At this time, it can already be safely separated from its mother, the immune system is well formed, and the animal is ready for upbringing and training. It is necessary to pay attention to the external characteristics and behavior of the animal.

Lagotto is an active dog that needs exercise.

A healthy dog should be active and curious, quickly and easily make contact. It is important to evaluate the animal's olfactory skills. To test vision, which many representatives of the breed may have problems with, a treat with a distinct odor is passed in front of the dog.

The pedigree of the animal and its metrics are necessarily studied.

Important! It is not recommended to purchase a dog if it is passive, does not show interest in surrounding events and objects, and if the parents’ pedigree indicates diseases that with a high degree of probability can pass along the genetic line.

Price and where to buy a puppy

Due to the fact that the breed appeared in Russia recently, finding Lagotto in nurseries is extremely problematic, almost impossible. The breed is also rare among private breeders. The main part is delivered from the USA and European countries, but it is not always possible to place an order there, because breeding of the breed is not on a mass scale.

The cost of a dog varies between 80,000 - 100,000 rubles*

Nicknames for dogs

When choosing a nickname for a pet, you need to take into account that the name for such a dog should be clear and short.

Not every name is suitable for such a dog

Recommended nicknames that are very suitable for representatives of the breed:

Boys	Girls
Denchik	Multa
Larsen	Bambi
Eremey	Jaina
Bonya	Netley

Character and behavioral characteristics

The Italian Water Dog is energetic, sociable and hardworking. She becomes attached to her owner and tries to please him in everything. He has a balanced psyche and does not show cowardice or aggression towards other people or animals. At home, the animal behaves calmly, left alone, and does not exhibit atypical behavior.

Lagotto loves physical activity. Regular exercise is required to stay healthy. They were bred as hunters, so the dog still has pronounced instincts. It can be trained to hunt waterfowl; thanks to its sense of smell, dogs are often used to search for truffles, which they can smell at a depth of up to 60 cm. It does not have guarding qualities, but is wary of new people.

Choosing a mushroom picker puppy

To purchase a Lagotto Romagnolo puppy, it is best to contact a professional nursery . Since the dog pups in such kennels most likely correspond to the breed exterior, maximum attention is paid to their health. Most breeders give up puppies for raising no earlier than when they reach three months of age. Having purchased a Lagotto baby from a professional breeder, you can always turn to him for advice or advice on care and education.

Due to its natural qualities, the breed is highly valued among dog breeders, which determines its fairly high cost. On average, a Lagotto Romagnolo puppy costs $1000-1500 . The cost may also fluctuate depending on the distance the nursery is located, as well as delivery times.

Did you know? Italian water dogs can truly be considered treasure hunters. Since the price for 100 g of truffles is, on average, 50-80 euros. It was also recorded that a truffle weighing 1.5 kg was sold at auction for a fabulous 160 thousand euros.

Education and training

The Lagotto is an easy breed to train and train. He socializes quickly and masters even complex commands. Thanks to its people-oriented nature, it tries to please its owner in everything. However, the education process must be gentle and consistent; the Lagotto cannot tolerate aggression towards itself. Lagotto loves fetch, which can be used during training as physical exercise.

The breed was bred as a hunting breed. From puppyhood, teach your pet to listen and follow commands unquestioningly, otherwise he may run off the leash in pursuit of birds and small animals during a walk. Regular physical activity is required. You need to spend at least 1.5 hours outside every day; it is recommended to alternate intellectual exercises and endurance exercises.

Photo: pxhere.com

Pet care

Caring for the dog is easy. Representatives of the breed require regular washing and grooming. Basic rules of care:

a haircut. Cardinal nakedness is carried out 2 times a year: in the first month of summer and with the onset of spring;
bathing once a month or if necessary if the dog’s fur is very dirty. When bathing, you need to make sure that water does not get into your pet’s ears, as this can cause inflammatory processes;
claws are trimmed as they grow;
ears and eyes are examined regularly for inflammation or discharge;
Teeth are brushed every few days with dog toothpaste.

Note! During shedding, dead hairs do not fall out, but remain on the fur without falling to the floor. The fur cannot be combed, otherwise the curls will disappear.

Care

The Lagotto is a relatively easy dog to care for. To maintain health and a beautiful appearance, the following procedures are required:

systematically clean the ears;
trim nails in winter, the optimal frequency is once a month;
cleanse eyes;
Have your teeth cleaned by a veterinarian every year and give your dog special treats to prevent stones;
when eating natural food, it is advisable to wipe the beard after eating, as food particles remain on it;
Lagotto loves water treatments; in the summer, going to a pond where the dog will swim. Wash no more than 2 times a year.

Particular attention should be paid to grooming your pet. Due to the thick and curly fur, large tangles may appear on the body.

A haircut

The most difficult part of caring for a Lagotto Romagnolo. The coat sheds, but overripe hair remains on the dog. Requires weekly brushing. Haircuts should be regular, up to 4 cm is left for exhibition representatives, and the length is maintained throughout the year. This is convenient and for hygienic purposes - short wool is less likely to get dirty and does not roll into tangles.

In Italy it is believed that combing is not required. Dogs are clippered up to 2 times a year, which avoids matting and contamination. With this method, it is impossible to expose them for 3-4 months after the procedure.

Content Features

Lagotto Romagnolos are very suitable for keeping in a house or apartment. They practically do not shed and have no specific odor. Puppies, as a rule, do not cause any inconvenience while growing up, quickly learn the rules of behavior, and are not prone to damaging things or being excessively fussy. In principle, Lagotto can be kept in the courtyard of a private house. These dogs tolerate the cold well and adapt to the summer heat, but psychologically they will suffer greatly when alone, need constant company, and must be part of the family.

The Italian Water Dog is athletic, active and playful, it needs good physical exercise and will require many hours of walking from its owner. As befits water dogs, Lagottos love to swim. With the first warming and until the frosts, they jump into the water with excitement. Swimming should be an integral part of their life. In addition, it is important to provide them with good mental exercise. This can be various activities, games, a search task, anything that will help to use a keen sense of smell and innate hunting talents. Lagotto may be difficult for people with a very calm disposition, the elderly, or those with health problems.

Care

Caring for a Lagotto Romagnolo includes: combing, washing, cutting and basic hygiene procedures. Like other dogs, their fur sheds, but the overmature hair does not fall out on the floor, but remains on the dog. With regular combing, it can be removed with a comb and does not fall off at all. Combing is also necessary to prevent tangles from forming. Bathing is indicated as needed, usually once a month. Other mandatory hygiene procedures include regular cleaning of ears, teeth and nail trimming. If a dog eats natural food, it is advisable to wash it after eating. Lagotto Romagnolo shows regular haircuts. If the wool is not cut, it becomes felt (it grows constantly).

If the lagotto is not exposed, the coat can be cut very short, literally 1-2 cm. The short coat will not get tangled, dirty or shed, which will make caring for the dog even easier. For show dogs, the hair is left long, about 4 cm. A rounded cap is formed on the head, the eyes should be clearly visible.

Italians have a special approach to grooming a water dog. They believe that, in principle, it is not necessary to comb them, but 1-2 times a year the dog needs to be cut with a clipper and then grow a new coat, which, until it reaches a certain length, does not get tangled and does not shed. In this case, the dog cannot participate in exhibitions for about 3-4 months after the haircut.

Nutrition

The dog’s appearance and health depend on the quality of the Lagotto Romagnolo’s diet, so you shouldn’t skimp on food. The owner chooses the type of feeding himself. This can be home-cooked food or industrial feed. Both options work equally well if all feeding rules are followed. Lagotto is suitable for super-premium and higher class food for medium-sized dog breeds that lead a normal or active lifestyle.

Lagotto Romagnolos rarely suffer from food allergies, but they are prone to gaining excess weight, especially if they lead a sedentary lifestyle. You need to follow a feeding schedule, provide the dog with free access to clean drinking water and monitor the total calorie content of the diet, which is often greatly increased by the presence of treats. If the owners do not start pampering their Italian, problems with nutrition usually do not arise.

Tips for choosing puppies

It is recommended to separate puppies from their mother no earlier than 2.5 months to allow immunity to develop. When choosing a pet, pay attention to its appearance and behavior. A healthy puppy should be active, curious and eager to get to know each other. You should evaluate his olfactory skills and vision - move a treat with a strong smell nearby, play. Carefully study the pedigree and metrics. It is not recommended to purchase an animal that does not show interest in what is happening, activity and signs of illness.

Owner reviews

Irina A. “We were looking for a puppy for a very long time, and in the end we brought him from France. This is a smart and affectionate dog. Loves active games with a stick and disk. He gets along well with children, but often climbs into their bed at night. We don’t know how to wean ourselves off this.”

Victor G. “My wife gave me a puppy for my birthday. It took me a long time to choose a hunting companion. I often take my dog with me into nature, she quickly learned commands and listens well. His character reminds me of my spaniel.”

Briefly about the main thing

The Lagotto Romagnolo is an old breed developed in Italy. Initially it was used for hunting, today the main activity is searching for truffles and serving in the police.
It has an excellent sense of smell, ability to learn and loyalty. It is an excellent companion and family pet.
Lagotto does not require complex care; the main procedure is regular work with the wool. Has no hereditary diseases.
The main drawback is that it is rare for Russia. This will make it difficult to find a partner for breeding.

Photo

Photo: pxhere.com

Photo: wikimedia.org