Lagotto Romagnolo

Personality

The Lagotto is a cheerful, devoted worker in a teddy-bear coat. The AKC standard describes a biddable, adaptable, keen and loving dog that bonds tightly to its owner. PetMD adds sweet, attentive and eager to please. Most Lagotti want to be involved in whatever you are doing, whether that is hiking, gardening or sniffing around the yard.

They are active but not frantic, and they tend to be good with children and family life. Early socialization matters because untrained or under-socialized Lagotti can be shy.

Their intelligence is a gift and a challenge. These are problem solvers with a sensitive nose, so a bored Lagotto may dig, chew, escape the yard or find its own entertainment. They thrive when given jobs such as scent games and training. Expect a loyal shadow that is clever enough to learn your routine quickly.

History

The Lagotto Romagnolo comes from the marshlands of the Po River delta in Romagna, in northeastern Italy, where it worked as a water retriever. The breed has been known since the 16th century, but it did not become widespread until the 19th century.

When the marshes were drained, the dogs lost their original job. Their natural talent for searching was redirected to hunting truffles, and the Lagotto became the classic Italian truffle dog.

Numbers fell sharply in the 1970s, and the breed nearly died out before enthusiasts began a recovery. An Italian breed club was formed in Imola in 1988, a standard was approved in 1992, and the international kennel federation (FCI) gave provisional recognition in 1995 and full recognition in 2005. Today the AKC places the Lagotto in the Sporting Group, and the breed is increasingly seen as a family companion and a scent-work star.

Appearance, coat & colors

The Lagotto is a small to medium dog with a sturdy, rustic, square-ish build. The AKC breed profile gives 17 to 19 in (43 to 48 cm) and 28.5 to 35 lb (13 to 16 kg) for males, and 16 to 18 in (41 to 46 cm) and 24 to 31 lb (11 to 14 kg) for females. The written standard allows half an inch more at either end of each height range.

The coat is the breed's trademark. It is woolly and dense, with tight ring-shaped curls rather than frizz, and it covers the body, while looser curls on the head form bushy eyebrows, whiskers and a bristly beard. The coat is also somewhat water-resistant, which suited a marsh retriever. The standard allows off-white, white with brown or orange patches, brown roan, orange roan, solid brown or orange, and sable, with or without white; black or gray is a disqualification.

Under the curls is a powerfully built dog meant to work all day on rough ground. The eyes are large and rounded, in shades from ochre to dark brown, and the triangular ears hang close to the cheeks.

Training

Lagotti are smart, handler-focused and enthusiastic, which makes training a pleasure. PetMD notes that they respond well to positive reinforcement. Short, varied sessions with food and play keep a quick mind interested.

Socialize early with people, dogs, sounds and different places so natural caution does not become shyness. Basic manners such as loose-leash walking, a calm greeting and a solid recall are important, and the digging and escaping instincts mean fences and supervision matter. See our guide to crate training a puppy for a good start.

Because this breed was developed to search for truffles, scent work is a natural fit. Many Lagotti love nose games and tracking, and some owners also try obedience or agility. Give them a job early and often. A Lagotto that is trained, exercised and challenged is a joy; one that is under-stimulated can be inventive in the worst ways.

Exercise

This is an active dog with a working heritage. The AKC says Lagotti are not hyper, but they do need both physical activity and mental stimulation. PetMD lists swimming and hiking as favorite outlets and warns that a Lagotto without one may become bored and destructive. Plan on daily walks, plus off-leash play in a safe place and some structured activity. Our guide to how much exercise a dog needs can help you plan.

Mental exercise is as important as physical. Hide treats in the grass, teach a nose game or set up a scent trail. A tired Lagotto is one that has used its brain as well as its legs.

They are natural swimmers, so access to water is a treat, but dry and clean the ears afterward. Puppies need moderate, controlled exercise while they grow. Avoid repetitive hard running or jumping until your vet says the joints have matured. Adults enjoy a brisk jog or a hike, but also settle at home when their needs are met.

Grooming

The Lagotto sheds very little, which is why the AKC includes it in its list of breeds often suggested for people with allergies. But low shedding does not mean low maintenance. The tight curls trap loose hair and can mat, so brush regularly with a metal comb, working through to the skin, and keep an eye on armpits, behind the ears and the legs.

A bath once a month at most is usually plenty. PetMD advises trimming the hair around the eyes and the ear hair, and many owners have the coat clipped at intervals; ask a groomer who knows curly coats to show you a trim that suits your dog and your lifestyle.

Clean the ears after swimming or bathing, since hair in the ear canal and moisture can lead to infections. Check for ticks and burrs after walks, trim nails regularly and brush the teeth several times a week. Our guide to brushing your dog's teeth explains how. Expect to spend time on grooming each week, and ask your groomer how often the coat should be professionally tidied.

Feeding

Lagotti do well on a complete and balanced diet suited to their life stage and activity level. Most adults eat two meals a day, and puppies usually need three or four on a consistent schedule. As active dogs of moderate size, they burn a lot of energy, but extra pounds are still hard on joints, so measure portions instead of free feeding.

Ask your vet for portion guidance, since the right amount depends on age, weight, activity and body condition. Our dog food calculator can give you a starting point. You should be able to feel the ribs under a thin layer of fat, which can be harder to judge beneath a curly coat, so check by touch.

Puzzle feeders and snuffle mats turn mealtime into a scent game and suit this nose-driven breed. A balanced diet usually means supplements are unnecessary, so talk to your vet before adding any. Keep treats small, especially during training sessions, and count them toward the daily total.

Health

Lagotti are generally healthy, but several inherited conditions deserve attention. Lagotto storage disease (a form of lysosomal storage disease) is a progressive neurological disorder that affects young dogs, usually under four, and causes poor growth, restlessness and behavior changes. Benign familial juvenile epilepsy causes seizures in young puppies, often starting around five weeks, and usually resolves within weeks. DNA tests exist for both.

PetMD also lists hyperuricosuria, which raises the risk of kidney stones, and cerebellar abiotrophy, a degenerative brain disease that affects movement and balance. The breed club also recommends screening hips and kneecaps.

The AKC lists patella, hip and eye evaluations, plus DNA tests for juvenile epilepsy and storage disease, as the breed club's recommended screenings. Ask breeders for results on both parents. If your dog ever has a seizure, collapses or loses coordination, call your vet or an emergency clinic right away.

Health conditions to know about

• Lagotto storage disease — A progressive, inherited neurological disease in young dogs; a DNA test is available.
• Benign familial juvenile epilepsy (BFJE) — Inherited seizures in young puppies that usually resolve; a DNA test can identify carriers.
• Hyperuricosuria — High uric acid in the urine, raising the risk of kidney stones.
• Cerebellar abiotrophy — A degenerative brain disease causing balance and movement problems.
• Hip dysplasia and patellar luxation — Joint problems that breeders should screen for with hip and patella evaluations.

Health tests to ask a breeder about

• Hip evaluation
• Patella evaluation
• Eye exam by a veterinary ophthalmologist
• BFJE DNA test
• Lagotto storage disease (LSD) DNA test

Written from veterinary sources by the Pawsplained editorial team. Not yet reviewed by a veterinarian; this is general information, not a diagnosis or treatment plan. Updated Oct 30, 2026. Editorial policy

Living with a Lagotto Romagnolo

A Lagotto needs an owner with time and energy, but it can adapt to many settings. A home with a securely fenced yard is ideal, though a smaller space can work if the dog has long daily outings and plenty of mental activity. Barking is usually moderate, though PetMD notes that these curious dogs do like to bark and dig, and the standard calls them very good watchdogs.

They bond closely and should not be left alone for long periods. Lonely or bored Lagotti may dig, chew and try to escape the yard, so plan for company, exercise and puzzle toys. PetMD points out that they can dig under fences, so check the fence line regularly.

Most do well with children and other pets, with thoughtful introductions. The curly coat helps keep water from soaking through, but towel your dog dry after rain and swims. In hot weather, exercise early or late and provide shade and water. Because the coat sheds little, hair around the house is minimal, though the occasional leaf and burr may follow your dog indoors.

Puppies, breeders & rescue

Choose a Lagotto breeder who tests for the breed's known genetic problems and shares the results. The AKC lists patella and hip evaluations, an eye exam by a veterinary ophthalmologist, and DNA tests for benign familial juvenile epilepsy and Lagotto storage disease. Ask to see paperwork for both parents and what they are free of.

A responsible breeder raises puppies in the home, socializes them to household sounds and people, lets you meet the mother and offers a written contract. Be wary of sellers who cannot show health results, always have puppies available or are willing to ship a puppy without meeting you. Look for a breeder involved in the national breed club.

Prices vary widely. Be patient, since a good breeder may have a waiting list. Check with breed rescue groups, which sometimes place adult dogs, and make sure you are ready for the grooming, exercise and mental stimulation before welcoming one home.