Dog breed · Sporting / Gundog
Lagotto Romagnolo
The world's specialist truffle dog — a former water retriever repurposed for scent work. Low-shedding, trainable and happiest with its nose busy.
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Breed characteristics
- Group
- Sporting / Gundog
- Origin
- Romagna, Italy
- Size
- Medium
- Weight
- 11–16 kg
- Height
- 41–48 cm
- Lifespan
- 12–15 years
- Coat
- Dense, woolly, waterproof curls
- Temperament
- KeenAffectionateFocusedGentle
History
A Romagna marshland retriever since at least the 16th century; as marshes were drained it became the truffle-hunting breed.
Appearance
Rustic, square, woolly dog in off-white, brown or orange, with a teddy-bear face.
Exercise and activity
An hour-plus daily with scent games; truffle-style hide-and-seek is perfect enrichment.
Care and grooming
Curls need regular clipping and combing to the skin to prevent matting; beard stays wet and needs rinsing.
Health considerations
- Generally healthy
- Hip dysplasia
- Benign familial juvenile epilepsy (tested)
- Lagotto storage disease (tested)
Honest challenges
Before choosing a Lagotto Romagnolo
- Treat the breed profile as a starting point, not a guarantee of temperament. Meet the individual and discuss its history, needs and behaviour with the rescue or responsible breeder.
- Check your routine can support the activity described here: An hour-plus daily with scent games; truffle-style hide-and-seek is perfect enrichment. Allow for age, weather, health and recovery rather than imposing a fixed target.
- Ask the breeder or rescue and your vet about problems reported in this breed (such as Hip dysplasia, Benign familial juvenile epilepsy (tested), Lagotto storage disease (tested)), which of them have recognised screening tests, and the parents' results where relevant. Screening reduces some uncertainty but cannot promise a healthy lifetime.
- Plan grooming, veterinary costs and care during holidays. Children and other pets still need careful introductions and supervision whatever a breed's typical rating.
Educational reference, not an individual diagnosis or a verified professional review. Read our editorial policy.
Sources on this topic
Pages on this specific subject from recognised organisations. They are cited for further reading and do not mean the organisation has reviewed this page.
- Lagotto Romagnolo Dog Breed Information — American Kennel Club
Guidance libraries and further reading
These organisations publish relevant guidance. Their links are further reading, not evidence that they have reviewed this page.
- RSPCA — animal care and welfare advice across species
- PDSA — veterinary charity pet health advice
- Dogs Trust — dog care, behaviour and welfare advice