Lagotto Romagnolo
Temperament:
The Lagotto Romagnolo - also known as the Romagna Water Dog - is probably the oldest water dog in the world. Its keen sense of smell makes it the ideal truffle dog. Characteristics such as obedience, intelligence and loyalty distinguish this reliable companion and guard dog. Friendly, affectionate and always in a good mood, he is the ideal family dog. Allergy sufferers will be pleased to know that he does not shed.
Characteristics
The Lagotto Romagnolo originates from Italy. It is recognized by the FCI in group 8. It is of medium size. Its build is strong and rustic, yet it is considered well proportioned.
The Lagotto Romagnolo's coat is dense, curly and woolly in texture. It feels somewhat rougher on the surface due to the ring-shaped curls. The undercoat is visible. Eyebrows, upper lips, cheeks and chin are abundantly coated. The fact that the top coat and undercoat are completely impermeable to water is a great advantage for the water dog.
The hair color ranges from pure white to brown to solid brown. Variations are different colored spots or masks.
As a truffle dog, the Lagotto Romagnolo has an excellent sense of smell. Its character is characterized by obedience and frugality. It is a friendly, alert and watchful dog that is loyal to its owner. The perfect prerequisites for a reliable companion and guard dog.
In dangerous situations, he will make himself known. However, a well-socialized Lagotto Romagnolo will never react aggressively or sharply.
The Lagotto Romagnolo needs plenty of exercise. It needs to run for at least two hours a day, and its mind also needs to be challenged. As a water dog, it loves to swim. You should bear that in mind. Not everyone likes a dog in their home that has just bathed in mud puddles and garden ponds.
A great advantage of these dogs is their adaptability to their environment. An older lady will feel at home with her cozy Lagotto Romagnolo. Joggers and cyclists will find him an enduring companion. Always in a good mood and very people-oriented, he is also ideal for families. He loves to be close to his humans and is happy to receive praise. He is cuddly and enjoys being stroked extensively.
The training of a Lagotto Romagnolo must be consistent and sensitive. However, never with severity or harshness. He gets on very well with other dogs.
In general, it can be said that the Lagotto Romagnolo is endowed with robust health. Serious breeders with pedigree proof also exclude all genetic diseases as far as possible in advance. The risk of a corresponding disease (e.g. epilepsy) is therefore very low.
Coat care:
Shedding:
Energy level:
Trainability:
Children suitable:
The right food
When choosing food, make sure that it contains high-quality ingredients, is balanced and meets your dog's requirements. Age, size or weight, activity and health status play an important role. You should follow the manufacturer's recommendations for the amount of food.
Treats should only be fed in moderation and deducted from the basic diet to avoid obesity.
Puppies can be fed 4-6 times a day. The number of meals should be gradually reduced to 2 per day until the dog is fully grown. A rest period should be observed after meals.
Fresh drinking water should be available at all times.
Health & Care
The Lagotto Romagnolo requires a relatively high level of grooming, as the correct care of the coat is very important for this dog. It does not shed and is therefore suitable for allergy sufferers.
On the other hand, this means that his hair needs to be shortened. To avoid matting, the coat should be completely clipped at least once or twice a year. Matted topcoat and undercoat should always be removed immediately.
When clipping, the dog's natural silhouette should be preserved. Under no circumstances should the coat be shaped or brushed. But be careful! If the coat is cut too short, it loses its curls and thus its breed-specific structure.
The coat must be brushed several times a week. After each walk, a quick check should be made to see if anything has become entangled in the coat.
If hair grows into the inner ear or eyes, it must be removed. They can cause irritation and inflammation. Please do not pull them out! Otherwise, fine injuries can occur into which bacteria can penetrate. If you have any questions, your vet is the right person to ask.
In winter, you should remember to trim the fur on your dog's paws. This will prevent the formation of annoying and possibly painful lumps of snow.
Suitable accessories
If you choose a Lagotto Romagnolo, you will be outside for at least two hours a day in all weathers. He is a very active dog, so a sturdy lead and a collar or harness are essential. Make sure it is long enough.
A fetch ball or a tug rope are good ways of keeping him busy and exercised outside. Dog slingshots are inexpensive and have the advantage that you don't have to touch the wet ball directly when retrieving it.
You can also encourage your clever dog indoors with so-called intelligence toys. Here he has to cleverly find out how to get his treat. Lids, drawers, windows and buttons block his way and challenge his intelligence.
Grooming also plays an important role for your dog. A comb and brush are therefore important components of your grooming kit. As the Lagotto Romagnolo's coat has a strong tendency to become matted, suitable sprays and shampoos can make grooming easier.
Other accessories that are part of every dog's basic equipment: dog basket or dog mat as a place to retreat, water and food bowl, tick tweezers, claw clippers, dog toothbrush and cream, transport box for transportation in the car and a first aid kit. It's best to ask your vet what should be in the first aid kit.
Origin & History
The Lagotto Romagnolo originally comes from the northern Italian region of Romagna. There, from the 16th century onwards, it assisted hunters in hunting coots in the marshes. The dogs could stay in the water for hours and were less susceptible to disease. They retrieved the prey reliably.
When they were not hunting, they faithfully and reliably guarded their owners' houses and boats. When the marshes were drained at the end of the 19th century, the demand for the valuable truffle mushrooms increased. Here too, the Lagotto Romagnolo successfully guided its masters to their destination. Its thick coat proved to be a great advantage, especially in the mountains. The thorny vegetation could not harm him.
In order to refine the sense of smell, breeds known for their good nose (e.g. setters or poodles) were crossed for a long time. It was only at the end of the last century that enthusiasts decided to rebuild the original Lagotto.
In the meantime, pure breeding has been recognized by the FCI. The breeding goal was also to eliminate the hunting instinct. This means that the dogs are not distracted by anything and can search for the valuable mushrooms with great concentration over long distances. Once they have found a truffle, they wait patiently until their master arrives. In Italy, entire families live off their Lagotto Romagnolo's excellent nose.
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