Lagotto Romagnolo

About the breed

The Lagotto Romagnolo is a curly-coated Italian breed and the only dog breed in the world developed specifically for hunting truffles. Its coat doesn't shed the way most breeds' do, but it demands regular professional grooming, and this is a highly intelligent, nose-driven dog that needs daily mental work, not just walks.

From Waterfowl Retriever to Truffle Hunter

The breed originates in the marshlands around Comacchio and Ravenna in Italy's Romagna region, where for centuries it was used to retrieve waterfowl - hence the name "lagotto," from the Romagnol dialect term "càn lagòt," meaning water dog. When the region's wetlands were extensively drained between roughly 1840 and 1890, the breed lost its original working role, but its exceptional nose and intelligence proved just as useful for finding truffles in the wooded foothills of the Apennines. By the early 1920s the Lagotto Romagnolo was already established as the leading truffle-hunting breed in Romagna, and the FCI standard today officially defines its purpose solely as a truffle dog.

A Curly Coat That Needs Real Care

The dense, woolly, tightly curled coat with its thick undercoat protects the Lagotto from cold and damp while working outdoors, and it also means the dog sheds very little around the house. That doesn't mean low-maintenance, though - the coat needs a thorough weekly combing to prevent matting, and bathing about once a month is usually enough. The FCI standard calls for clipping show dogs once or twice a year to a length of around 4 cm, but for everyday pet comfort and to prevent matting, breeders recommend professional scissor-clipping (never a razor down to the skin) every 8 to 10 weeks; it should be done by a groomer experienced with curly-coated breeds such as Poodles or Portuguese Water Dogs.

A Nose That Never Rests

The Lagotto was bred to work with its nose rather than to chase prey, so it has a strong scent drive but not a pronounced predatory instinct - which makes it relatively calm around smaller animals, while still needing regular outlets for nose work. Without enough mental stimulation, such as scent games, object searches, or obedience training, it can become restless or destructive. An adult needs at least an hour of physical exercise a day, plus tasks that engage its mind.

A Known Genetic Health Risk

Two well-documented inherited neurological conditions are known in the Lagotto Romagnolo. Benign familial juvenile epilepsy (BFJE), caused by a mutation in the LGI2 gene, appears in puppies between roughly 5 and 9 weeks of age and resolves in most cases by around four months; it is inherited as an autosomal recessive trait, and testing across thousands of dogs has found roughly 3% affected, 46% carriers, and 51% clear. A separate and more serious disease, Lagotto storage disease (LSD), is linked to a mutation in the ATG4D gene and causes progressive cerebellar ataxia with onset ranging from 4 months to 4 years of age; a study of more than 2,300 dogs found about 1% affected and roughly 11% carriers. Both conditions can be reliably ruled out with a DNA test on breeding parents.

A Family Dog With a Soft Side

Despite its working background, the Lagotto Romagnolo is gentle and family-oriented at home, and by nature neither aggressive nor timid. The official standard describes it as tractable, undemanding, and devoted to its owner, which in practice translates into a good relationship with children when properly raised and socialized, and relatively easy coexistence with other dogs and household pets.

Apartment Living and Daily Life

A Lagotto can do well in an apartment if the owner consistently provides daily exercise and nose-work activities - without that, it can quickly become vocal or restless. Its moderate size and adaptable temperament suit smaller homes, as long as it isn't left to its own devices for long stretches.

Is the Lagotto Right for You?

For first-time owners, the Lagotto Romagnolo works best for those willing to invest time in coat care and regular mental stimulation, and who stay in touch with an experienced breeder; it isn't the right choice for someone wanting a low-maintenance dog. It thrives most with owners who enjoy scent games and training and can offer it a consistent routine.

Pros & cons