Overview
The Lagotto Romagnolo is a small to medium Italian breed with a thick, woolly coat of tight curls. Originally a water retriever in the marshes of Romagna, it is now best known as a truffle-hunting dog.
It is affectionate, lively and eager to please, with a remarkable nose. It does best with active owners who give it plenty of exercise and something to use its brain on.
History
The breed comes from the former marshes and lagoons of the Po Delta around Comacchio and Ravenna in Romagna. It has been known since the sixteenth century, with similar dogs appearing in Italian paintings, and was used to retrieve shot waterfowl.
When the wetlands were drained in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, the dogs found a new role finding truffles. Numbers fell sharply in the 1970s, and dedicated breeders rescued the type. A breed club was founded in 1988, a standard approved in 1992, and the FCI gave full recognition in 2005.
Appearance
A sturdy, roughly square dog of rustic look, rarely over 50 cm tall. The head is broad with a strong muzzle, and the eyes are expressive, framed by thick eyebrows and a beard.
The woolly, waterproof coat forms tight ringlets all over the body and does not shed much.
Temperament
Affectionate, devoted and happiest in the company of its family. It is intelligent, eager to learn and very good at scent work.
It is energetic and can become bored or destructive without enough activity. It is generally friendly with children and other dogs, and may dig or bark if left idle.
Care and exercise
Needs daily exercise and real mental work, such as scent games, nose work or truffle training. It enjoys swimming.
The coat should be clipped regularly, about every few months, and brushed to prevent matting. Ears need regular checking and cleaning.
Health
Generally long-lived. Cerebellar abiotrophy and idiopathic epilepsy have been identified, and hip dysplasia and juvenile epilepsy are also reported. Responsible breeders test for the known genetic conditions.
