• The origins of the Lagotto Romagnolo
• Morphology of the Lagotto
• Psychology of Lagotto
• Care of the Lagotto

The origins of the Lagotto Romagnolo

As already reported, the Lagotto is a species specialized in the search for truffles . It is thought to have very ancient origins, also considering its somewhat archaic and rustic morphology. 

In some Etruscan necropolis there are depictions of dogs very similar to the Lagotto. This breed comes from eastern lands and through travels and exchanges has reached Italy, along the Adriatic coast. Originally it was a water dog, small, with bristly and curly hair.

With the disappearance of the Etruscans, those dogs remained and spread throughout the Roman and medieval times in the Comacchio and Friuli valleys. Pictorial representations are found in the frescoes of the Palazzo Ducale in Mantua , in which these dogs flanked the “lagotti or vallaroli” characters who accompanied the lords of the time hunting for game in the lagoons, or in the search for truffles. 

These little dogs protected the house, the boat and brought back the game’s prey, even by diving into the water at freezing temperatures . From this derives their name, Lagotto. 

With the reclamation of the Comacchio swamps their aquatic activity has been reduced more and more over time, leaving room for the search for truffles . Over time this breed has risked genetic degeneration due to the selective neglect of the vallaroli. In the 1970s, a group of dog experts did their utmost to recover the selection of Lagottis and reconstitute their genetic profile.

Morphology of the Lagotto

It is a small dog , it can weigh around 16 kg for a height at the withers of up to 48 cm, with a massive, well-proportioned, almost square-shaped structure, it is as tall as it is long. 

The coat is woolly, semi-rough with tight curls, and dense undercoat, the coat of the Lagotto is hypoallergenic , it does not undergo moulting. The allowed colors are single-colored white, white with brown or orange spots, single-colored brown, roan and tan. Some specimens have a darker or lighter mask than the color of the body mantle. 

The shape of the head is trapezoidal, the eyes are dark and lively. The nose is voluminous, with open nostrils of a more or less dark brown color. The ears are triangular with rounded tips, generally lowered, slightly erect if in condition of attention. The tail is covered with bristly hair, broad at the base and tapering at the tip.

Psychology of Lagotto

The Lagotto has a reserved character . He is mild and sensitive, he does not like to be reprimanded with high tones of his voice, in case he closes and isolates. He is very balanced and knows how to recognize different situations and modulate his behavior from playful, lively to quiet, affectionate. 

The Lagotto is very fond of its owner and loves being close to him. It is suitable for family living with children. It is very intelligent and easy to train. It no longer has hunting instincts, it does not tend to bite and is moved only by curiosity if caught chasing a mouse.

Care of the Lagotto

The Lagotto does not require special care, but a weekly brushing to keep its coat in order is necessary. Constant hygiene of the ears is also recommended because the curly hair on the head could be a vehicle for dirt and infections. 

The Lagotto tends to be a resistant breed with a life expectancy of 13 to 16 years. You may be prone to hip and elbow dysplasia .