Lagotto Romagnolo
Overview
An ancient Italian breed from the wetlands of Romagna, originally a water retriever and now the world's specialist truffle-hunting dog, the Lagotto is intelligent, affectionate and very low-shedding beneath its woolly curls. It suits active owners who'll provide exercise and mental work and keep up with the regular grooming a curly, non-shedding coat requires.
Temperament & family fit
In general, a Lagotto Romagnolo is good with children and sociable with other dogs. They tend to be a quiet, and as a guide they are manageable for committed beginners. As with any dog, early socialisation, reward-based training and supervision around young children make all the difference.
Exercise needs
A healthy adult Lagotto Romagnolo typically needs 90 minutes to 2 hours of exercise a day (roughly 90–120 minutes), split across walks plus play. Higher-energy dogs also need their brains tired — sniffy walks, short training games and puzzle or scatter feeding go a long way towards a calm, settled dog. Puppies, seniors and dogs with health conditions need adjusted amounts — check with your vet.
Grooming & coat
Coat upkeep is high upkeep and shedding is minimal. Plan on frequent brushing — often several times a week — plus regular trips to a professional groomer to keep the coat free of mats. Whatever the coat, check ears, nails and teeth as part of a regular routine.
Feeding considerations
Like any dog, a Lagotto Romagnolo should get most of its nutrition from a complete, balanced dog food appropriate for its size and life stage. Portions scale with body weight and activity, so a medium breed will eat a moderate amount compared with other breeds — follow the food’s feeding guide and your vet’s advice, and weigh portions to avoid creeping weight gain. Treats — including fruit and veg — should make up no more than about 10% of daily calories.
Pros & cons
Pros
- +Intelligent, affectionate and very low-shedding
- +Keen, trainable and good with families
Things to consider
- –Curly coat needs regular grooming
- –An active working dog that needs exercise and a job
Is a Lagotto Romagnolo right for you?
On space, a Lagotto Romagnolo is best with a garden — they do best with access to a secure garden and regular outdoor exercise. For experience level, they are manageable for committed beginners. First-time owners can absolutely succeed, but should be ready for consistent training, exercise and (ideally) some support.
Kit that suits a Lagotto Romagnolo
Size-appropriate everyday essentials:
Helpful tools
Similar breeds
Frequently asked questions
Are Lagotto Romagnolos good with children?
Good with children. As a general guide, Lagotto Romagnolos tend to be patient and tolerant. Whatever the breed, always supervise dogs and young children and teach kids to interact gently.
How much exercise does a Lagotto Romagnolo need?
As a healthy adult, a typical Lagotto Romagnolo needs 90 minutes to 2 hours of exercise a day (90–120 minutes), split across walks plus play. Higher-energy dogs also need mental stimulation — sniffing, training games and puzzle feeders — to stay settled. Puppies, seniors and dogs with health conditions need less — ask your vet.
Do Lagotto Romagnolos shed a lot?
Minimal shedding. Coat upkeep is high upkeep — plan on frequent brushing and regular trips to a groomer.
Are Lagotto Romagnolos easy to train and good for first-time owners?
Manageable for committed beginners. Lagotto Romagnolos are best for owners ready to commit to consistent training and plenty of activity. Reward-based training and early socialisation help any dog.
Do Lagotto Romagnolos bark a lot?
Quiet. They are usually fairly easy-going about barking, though any dog will bark if bored or under-exercised.
Are Lagotto Romagnolos good with other dogs?
Sociable with other dogs. Early, positive socialisation with other dogs from a young age makes a big difference.
Do Lagotto Romagnolos suit flats or smaller homes?
Best with a garden. A Lagotto Romagnolo is happiest with access to a secure garden and regular outdoor exercise.