With its laid back, playful and affectionate nature, the Lagotto is almost a walking teddy bear that loves to please. It’s also good with other animals, pets and young children - especially when trained well.

The Lagotto is super smart, obedient and highly social as well. Its alertness and heightened intelligence make it a great guard dog that tends to bark only when necessary. However, it may bark more if left alone too long. That’s because it doesn’t like being cooped up by itself – so if you get too busy to provide adequate exercise and mental stimulation, you should consider another breed.

Despite their high exercise needs, these dogs are happy to live in apartments – especially with a daily romp in the park. While outside, however, beware of the Logotto’s heightened sense of smell – and urge to to track down animals that have long vacated. Good early training can correct this issue.

On the flip side, training may not stop these ‘Water Dogs of Romagna’ from diving into the nearest bay or river: they absolutely love water. And because they also enjoy a good dig (being bred as ‘Truffle Dogs’), they won’t be the best pet for proud gardeners.

Recommended Diet:

The Logotto Romagnolo is prone to putting on weight if it overindulges with treats. Lots of water and a highly nutritious diet are recommended for optimum health:

Puppy: Hill's Science Diet Puppy Medium Breed Dry Dog Food

Adult: Hill's Science Diet Adult Medium Breed Dry Dog Food

Mature: Hill's Science Diet Adult 6+ Senior Medium Breed Senior Dry Dog Food

The Lagotto Romagnolo dates back to the 1300s. Originally, these dogs were bred for hunting and retrieving waterfowl from the marshes in Romagna, Italy. (‘Lago’ means Lake in Italian.) They excelled in this task – thanks to their exceptional sense of smell; thick woolly, water resistant/protective coats; agility and endurance to work long hours; unusual obedience; and outstanding powers of concentration.

By the 1800s, however, the marshlands were drained and hunting had stopped. But luckily, with the Lagotto’s advanced sense of smell, the breed was given a new job: Truffle hunting – which they still do today. Since the 1980s interest in ‘Water Dogs of Romagna/Truffle Dogs’ began to spread around the world – albeit, more as family companions and cherished pets than working dogs.

Health Concerns:

The Lagotto is a generally healthy breed, however, it is prone to a few inheritable conditions:

- Hip Dysplasia - a common orthopaedic condition which involves the abnormal formation of the hip joint, leading to mobility issues and arthritis. Breeding from tested parents with good hip scores can help reduce the risk of this condition.

Finding a breeder who provides history of their breed lines with examination by a veterinarian will give you the best chance of finding out about any potential genetic issues when choosing your dog.

It is advised that any prospective pet parents are aware of potential health challenges faced with this breed and that you do your own research before ownership.