Lagotto Romagnolo, the Italian Water Dog

This breed represents an ancient class of water retriever native to the lowlands of Comacchio and the marshes of Ravenna, in Italy's Romagna region. Small to medium in size, they have an extraordinary sense of smell and a strong retrieving instinct. Their loyal, affectionate temperament makes them excellent companion dogs.

Their build is square and muscular, but what stands out most about these lovable dogs is their woolly, curly coat, which protects them from the cold and outside hazards. Want to know more about this breed? Keep reading, because we'll explain it all.

Characteristics of the Lagotto Romagnolo

Despite their medium size, these dogs have historically been used as working dogs, since they're very hardy, active, and agile. Their head is rectangular with a flat skull, while their eyes are large and round. Eye color can range from dark yellow to brown. Their ears are triangular and carried dropped.

Height: males stand between 43 and 48 cm at the withers, females between 41 and 46 cm.

Weight: males reach 13-16 kg, while females run around 11-14 kg.

Coat: medium length, very curly, and soft to the touch. It has a double coat, with both layers thick and curly. The tail hair is especially curly. Predominant colors are white, beige, and brown, and dogs may show brown or orange patches.

Temperament: very lively, intelligent, and affectionate. They're easy to train and get along well with the youngest members of the household, as well as with other dogs and cats. That said, early socialization is necessary to ensure harmonious cohabitation. They tend to be wary with strangers, but not aggressive.

Health: this breed is prone to neurological and genetic conditions. Notable ones include benign juvenile epilepsy, juvenile cataracts, and neuroaxonal dystrophy. The latter was discovered in 2016, and although it more commonly affects the Spanish Water Dog, there's evidence of it in this breed too. Hip dysplasia is also common among Lagottos.

Life expectancy: on average they reach 15-17 years.

Temperament of the Lagotto Romagnolo

As mentioned, these dogs are extremely loyal, affectionate, and playful. They enjoy human company and can suffer from separation anxiety if left alone for a stretch. Shared play is therefore essential for their wellbeing. Their retrieving instinct runs deep.

As a result, it's a good idea to build training around routines involving running, digging, and searching. Sessions should be short and intense to get their full engagement. Without that stimulation and without daily physical activity, they can become destructive and disobedient.

They'll alert you to strangers with their loud barking and will appreciate being taken somewhere with a river or pond where they can swim, since they thoroughly enjoy this kind of outdoor activity.

What Care Does the Lagotto Romagnolo Need?

Its distinctive coat needs daily brushing, along with regular baths using a highly nourishing shampoo. Never comb it while wet, since you could damage the hair fibers and the coat would lose its shape. An annual haircut works great for keeping it in shape. Trim the hair around the edges of the ears periodically to prevent wax buildup.

The hair around the eyes should also be trimmed periodically, since hair buildup can reduce vision. Given its predisposition to genetic diseases, experts recommend scheduling twice-yearly vet visits to run the relevant tests and catch any issues early if they do appear.

A minimum of 2 hours of daily exercise helps burn off all its energy. Following a quality diet that includes all the macronutrients it needs rounds out the care required to keep it healthy and balanced.

History of the Breed

These dogs are the oldest existing water dog breed. Its Italian name can be translated as "dog of the Romagna lake," since they're native to this region of northern Italy. For thousands of years they've been used to retrieve waterfowl in the marshes and wetlands of this land.

However, by the early 19th century barely 12 purebred dogs remained in Romagna, as a result of these wetland ecosystems being drained. Thanks to measures adopted in the 1970s and 80s, the breed was successfully revived and expanded outside Italy. It arrived in the United Kingdom in 1997, brought over by Ann Kemp and Gael Stenton.

The Italian Kennel Club officially recognized the breed standard in 1993.

Fun Facts About the Lagotto Romagnolo

Did you know they sleep with one ear raised? It's an unmistakable sign of their protective instinct. Given their extraordinary sense of smell, they're used today as truffle hunters. Another fun fact worth your attention: in Mantegna's 1474 painting, The Meeting, the artist included a dog of this breed in his work.

The Lagotto Romagnolo remains a fairly little-known breed outside its home country, and few dogs are bred, which drives up its price. Without a doubt, it's an ideal breed for people with no prior dog experience and for families with children, since these dogs offer wonderful companionship in exchange for a little daily attention.