Dog Breed

Lagotto Romagnolo

RareAdventure DrivenHypoallergenic
Primary image of Lagotto Romagnolo dog breed
Full Name
Lagotto Romagnolo
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Life Span
14 - 16 years
Weight
24 - 35 pounds
Description

Keen, Loyal, Companionable, Loving, Active, Trainable

Origin
Italy
Bred For
Water retrieval dog in the marshes of Romagna, and for truffle hunting
Attachments
    Family Considerations
    Child Friendly

    Is the Lagotto Romagnolo good with children?

    Yes! The Lagotto Romagnolo is naturally friendly with children. As always, socialization is always important, but the Lagotto Romagnolo is an excellent dog for anyone with small children.
    Stranger Friendly

    Is the Lagotto Romagnolo friendly with strangers?

    The Lagotto Romagnolo is about average in how friendly they are with strangers. They can be timid or protective, but with proper training and socialization can be fine for any household.
    Dog Friendly

    Is the Lagotto Romagnolo friendly with other dogs?

    Yes, the Lagotto Romagnolo is very friendly with other dogs. We still recommend early socialization while the Lagotto Romagnolo is a puppy to introduce them to various new dogs, but in general they are friendly with dogs as soon as they meet them.
    Likes to Cuddle

    Does the Lagotto Romagnolo like to cuddle?

    The Lagotto Romagnolo loves physical affection and cuddles. If you're looking for a cuddle partner you may have found the one!
    Playfulness

    Does the Lagotto Romagnolo like to play?

    The Lagotto Romagnolo is always ready for play! It's important to keep in mind, as they need to be stimulated with games and affection throughout the day.
    Service Dog Ability

    Does the Lagotto Romagnolo make a good service dog?

    The Lagotto Romagnolo can be a service dog with the proper training. Lagotto Romagnolos are not the most common service dog, but they certainly can be if their personality matches- smart, patient, and extremely dedicated to their owner.
    Overall Ease of Breed
    Ease for Novice

    Is the Lagotto Romagnolo good for first-time owners?

    The Lagotto Romagnolo is an excellent breed for first-time owners. They love pleasing their owner, and rarely are aggressive or over-dominant.
    Training Potential

    How well can the Lagotto Romagnolo be trained?

    The Lagotto Romagnolo can be trained to the highest level and is oftentimes seen in various competitions. The Lagotto Romagnolo is not only intelligent, but it wants to please its owner and is motivated with competition, especially if it feels like it has a job assigned to it.
    Amount of Shedding

    Does the Lagotto Romagnolo shed a lot?

    The Lagotto Romagnolo does shed, but less than average.
    Ease of Grooming

    Is the Lagotto Romagnolo easy to groom?

    The Lagotto Romagnolo requires an average amount of grooming. Taking your Lagotto Romagnolo to the pet salon will make your life easier, but its possible to groom a Lagotto Romagnolo on your own as well.
    Exercise Need

    Does the Lagotto Romagnolo need a lot of exercise?

    The Lagotto Romagnolo has a lot of energy and getting daily exercise is very important, both for their well-being and for their focus, which is important when you train them.
    Personality
    Intelligence

    How smart is the Lagotto Romagnolo?

    The Lagotto Romagnolo is very smart. Above-average intelligence means they can pick up on cues and signals quickly when it comes to training. But it also means that they need to be challenged mentally, in addition to their standard exercise needs.
    Amount of Barking

    How much does the Lagotto Romagnolo bark? Does the Lagotto Romagnolo bark too much?

    The Lagotto Romagnolo barks a lot. This is important to consider with your living situation- will it be ok when you leave them at home alone or will they disrupt the neighbors? The Lagotto Romagnolo will oftentimes bark just to express their thoughts... even just to be heard!
    Guard Dog Ability

    Is the Lagotto Romagnolo a good guard dog?

    The Lagotto Romagnolo is not typically used as a guard dog, although they can be alert and oftentimes notify you if there is a stranger at the door or otherwise something to be concerned over.
    Tolerates Being Alone

    Is the Lagotto Romagnolo good at staying alone? Is the Lagotto Romagnolo independent?

    The Lagotto Romagnolo is not very independent and does not do great when left behind for longer than a couple of hours. This is one of the most important things to consider when getting a new dog.
    Home and Environment Considerations
    Good for Apartment Living

    Is the Lagotto Romagnolo a good apartment dog?

    The Lagotto Romagnolo is not a good dog for apartment living for several reasons. It is still possible to make it work if the owner is dedicated to plenty of training and daily exercise, but it may be challenging.
    Size

    How big is the Lagotto Romagnolo?

    The Lagotto Romagnolo is a medium sized dog breed. They can range in size depending on genetics, and males are larger on average than females.
    Tolerates Heat

    How much does the Lagotto Romagnolo tolerate hot weather? When is it too hot for a Lagotto Romagnolo?

    The Lagotto Romagnolo can tolerate some heat, but should not be over-exposed to hot weather. In general, they can live in hot weather climates, but would do best with air conditioning or at least a fan in their home, especially where they sleep.
    Tolerates Cold

    How much does the Lagotto Romagnolo tolerate cold weather? When is it too cold for a Lagotto Romagnolo?

    The Lagotto Romagnolo can tolerate cold weather well. Play time in the snow or on particularly cold evenings may need to be limited, but overall they can do well in cold climates.
    Potential to Run Away

    Does the Lagotto Romagnolo try to run away?

    It is natural for the Lagotto Romagnolo to run away. They are easily distracted and excited, so the urge to run away should be expected and prepared for- a fenced yard is important.
    Physical Characteristics
    General Health

    Is the Lagotto Romagnolo a healthy dog? The health of a Lagotto Romagnolo should be measured not just by how many years they live, but also by how many health issues they've had. It is important to know which health conditions your breed is prone to- hip problems, eye problems, bloating, and arthritis are all common dog health problems.

    The Lagotto Romagnolo is very healthy, but it is still important to feed the Lagotto Romagnolo high-quality food and to live a healthy lifestyle.
    Energy Level

    How energetic is the Lagotto Romagnolo?

    The Lagotto Romagnolo has a lot of energy and this needs to be considered before bringing the Lagotto Romagnolo into your home. Can you give your Lagotto Romagnolo enough exercise? They will need several small daily walks, or a large dog park trip to get all of the energy out.
    Amount of Drooling

    How much does the Lagotto Romagnolo drool?

    The Lagotto Romagnolo drools an average amount- typically only after heavy exercise or if you are eating their favorite human food in front of them.
    Prey Drive

    Does the Lagotto Romagnolo have a large prey drive? Does the Lagotto Romagnolo like to chase birds, cats, and other small animals?

    The Lagotto Romagnolo has average prey drive. They will probably enjoy chasing after birds and other small animals at the park, and it may be an issue at the home if you have small animals, but with some training and introduction can usually learn to live with them.
    Athleticism

    Is the Lagotto Romagnolo atheltic?

    The Lagotto Romagnolo is very athletic and would be well suited for a family that frequently works out or goes on adventures.
  1. Sporting
  2. Water Dog
  3. Lagotto Romagnolo
The Lagotto Romagnolo is a purebred dog that belongs to the Water Dog sub group, which falls under the larger Sporting dog breed group.
Sporting group: Sporting dogs are the natural athletes of the dog world. They have high energy, and always look to be stimulated with some activity or challenge. These dogs thrive in the outdoors- particularly the woods and the water. Sporting dogs include the best swimming dogs, retrieving dogs, and other field activities. They have traditionally been bred to assist hunters find and retrieve birds and other smaller hunting game. Sporting dogs are not known as guard dogs, but because of their alertness and loyalty to their family, with proper training they can be good home protectors as well. Over the years they have become extremely well-rounded, so with plenty of exercise can make excellent home companions. They are willing to please their owners, so if you put the time into training and exercise you will be rewarded with an amazing dog.
Water Dog sub-group: Water dogs are athletic dogs that have been bred to retrieve and serve their owners under conditions that require swimming. They have thick coats that keep them warm but dry easily, and their feet are thick with webbed toes. They are happy, and always ready to make their owners happy. They are intelligent, want to make their owners happy, and are healthy dogs, truly making them excellent pets. They require frequent exercise and stimulation, but in return you will get an excellent dog. They would make an excellent alternative to the Golden Retriever- with similar personalities and upsides, just not as well known.

Lagotto Romagnolos for adoption

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