Originally bred as waterfowl retrievers, Lagotto Romagnolo today are best known as the world’s best truffle sniffing dog. These teddy-bear looking dogs are perhaps deceptively athletic. Personality-wise, they are alert, intelligent workers who excel in scent work, search-and-rescue, and even detecting medical conditions. As water dogs, they often love sports like dock-diving; they also do well in standard agility and obedience.
Lagotto Romagnolos weigh 24-35 pounds and stand 16-19 inches tall, with females being lighter and about an inch shorter. Their life expectancy is 15-17 years. Their coats are dense and curly with a woolly texture. Coat color varies from off-white, orange, to brown, and can be solid or mixed.
Lagottis are affectionate and devoted to their owners, tolerate small animals and other pets well, and with training also serve as excellent watchdogs.
Each AKC approved purebred breed has its own national club. The mission of these “parent breed clubs” is to improve and preserve a particular breed by advancing knowledge about its history, its health and care requirements and by assuring that the breed’s form and function remain true to its historical physical type and character: A Dalmatian, for instance, should be athletic and have a natural affinity for working with horses. A Fox Terrier should have the right body size and shape, and a drive to go after vermin.
Pet owners, breeders, trainers, veterinarians, and others with a special love for a breed, join the parent breed club to meet like-minded enthusiasts and to support the club’s mission.
The national parent breed club is the first place for the public to go to learn about a breed or find a knowledgeable, experienced breeder.
Discover Animals is a web-based educational resource offered by the NAIA
