| Breed Description
- Lagotto Romagnolo |
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| Kennel Club Group |
Gundog |
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| General Size |
Medium |
Exercise requirements |
High |
| Adult Height |
14" - 19" (36 - 48 cms) |
Suitability for Children |
Medium |
| Adult Weight |
25 - 35 lb (11 - 16 kgs) |
Compatibility other pets |
Medium |
| Average Lifespan |
12 - 15 years |
Grooming Requirements |
Medium |
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| The Lagotto Romagnolo is a medium sized dog, well proportioned, square of built and hardy used to search for truffles in it's native Italy. The head is relatively big in comparison with the body and supported by a powerful neck. The eyes are large and round, they can be any colour between dark yellow and dark brown depending on the colour of the coat, the ears are dropped and triangular. Their wooly coat is dense and curly, this dense hair protecting them from thorns encountered in the bushes while searching for truffles. Colouring can be solid off white, solid white, solid rust or white with brown or rust patches. |
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| The Lagotto Romagnolo has been developed to search for truffles on all kinds of terrain and it is the only dog breed recognised for this purpose (this task mainly being carried out by pigs). The Lagotto Romagnolo is an old breed used in Italy as a water retriever since the 16th century in the lowlands of Comacchio and the marshlands of Ravenna. Over the centuries, the marshlands were drained and turned into arable land and since the 19th century this intelligent breed has instead been utilised as an excellent dog for searching out truffles in the flat open country and hills of Romagna. |
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| The Lagotto Romagnolo is primarily a working dog. It's very good nose and natural gift for searching has been exploited whilst it's hunting instinct has been eliminated making it perfect for truffle hunting, not being distracted by the scent of wild animals or other dogs. They are an affectionate dog, very loyal to their owner(s) and easy to train. They do well with other dogs and other pets, provided they are sufficiently socialised from an early age, and are generally good with children. They need plenty of stimulation both physical and mental to prevent them from becoming bored and inventing their own 'work' which is not likely to be something you'd approve of. They are habitual and very efficient diggers, they love to dig a deep hole and stick their heads in it and can dig a sizeable hole in seconds. |
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| Taking on one of these dogs is a major commitment due to the amount of exercise and mental stimulation they need, they'll need 3 or 4 regular walks per day or a good long hike to take the edge off of their natural energy plus something to challenge their mind. Grooming is moderate, they will need a daily comb / brush to prevent matts forming in the wooly coat. |
| Potential
Health Problems |
| There are no known major inherited problems for this breed. |
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