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AKC: Lagotto Romagnolo breed overview

Sporting group · Italy

Lagotto Romagnolo

Also called Lagotto, Romagna Water Dog

An Italian marsh retriever turned truffle hunter, with a curly coat and a nose that loves to dig.

The Lagotto Romagnolo started as a retriever in the wetlands of northeast Italy and became a specialist truffle dog when those marshes were drained. It is affectionate, busy and clever, with a dense curly coat that sheds little but needs careful management.

Original AI-generated breed illustration

Weight

11 to 16 kg

24 to 35 lb

Height

41 to 48 cm

at the shoulder

Life expectancy

14 to 16 yrs

Activity estimate

90 to 120 min

editorial daily planning range

Adult-size estimate

15 months

approximate model input

Life with a Lagotto Romagnolo

Several centuries ago, in the lagoons around Comacchio and the lowlands near Ravenna, hunters used curly-coated dogs to fetch coot and duck from cold, reedy water. Those dogs are the ancestors of the Lagotto Romagnolo. When the marshes were drained for farmland during the 1800s, the dogs lost their job, and their owners found them a new one in the hills of Romagna: searching for truffles.

Truffle work shaped the modern breed. A good truffle dog has to search steadily for hours, ignore game and other distractions, and dig only enough to show the handler where the truffle lies without damaging it. Concentration, cooperation and an exceptional nose are the qualities breeders still select for. By the 1970s the breed had drifted and mixed with other types, and Italian enthusiasts set out to rebuild it from the best remaining dogs; it has since spread worldwide.

In family life the Lagotto is loving, lively and curious. It likes being involved, is usually good with children and other pets, and is watchful without being sharp. Expect a dog that investigates every smell on a walk, carries objects around the house and may try to rearrange the flowerbeds. Its medium size makes it easy to take along, while its brain needs more occupation than its teddy bear look suggests.

A great match for

active families
nosework, tracking and truffle hunting fans
people with mild allergies who accept regular grooming
homes with a garden that can spare a digging corner

Think twice if

strong urge to dig
coat mats and felts if neglected
can be sensitive to loud noises
scavenges on walks

Personality and needs at a glance

Living together

Good with children

Good with other dogs

Open with strangers

Apartment friendly

Copes with alone time

Energy and character

Energy level

Playfulness

Easy to train

Barking

5 means very vocal

Care and climate

Grooming needs

Shedding

Drooling

Handles cold

Handles heat

How much a Lagotto Romagnolo eats

Illustrative calculations for neutered adults at midpoint breed weights, with food at 370 kcal per 100 g and 100 g per cup. These are not measured breed requirements. Use actual weight, the food label and veterinary body-condition advice.

Dog	Weight	Calories	Dry food
Female, relaxed lifestyle	13 kg	650 kcal	175 g (1.8 cups)
Female, typical pet	13 kg	740 kcal	200 g (2 cups)
Male, typical pet	15 kg	830 kcal	225 g (2.3 cups)
Male, very active	15 kg	1040 kcal	280 g (2.8 cups)

Full Lagotto Romagnolo feeding guide Calculate for my dog

Care guides for the Lagotto Romagnolo

Feeding5 cups, over two meals. Working truffle dogs and very active pets need more.Read more Puppy growthPuppies grow steadily and reach adult height at about 10 to 12 months, then fill out until around 15 to 18 months. During the first year the coat changes from soft puppy fluff to adult curls, and this is the stage when mats can form almost overnight, so short daily combing sessions are worth building into the routine early.Read more ExercisePlan for 60 to 90 minutes of activity a day, with a good share of it involving the nose. Lagotti love swimming, retrieving and above all searching games.Read more GroomingThe curly coat sheds very little but needs steady care. Comb through every week or so with a slicker and a metal comb, gently opening the curls down to the skin and removing tangles.Read more TrainingLagotti are intelligent and responsive, and they enjoy learning new tasks. Reward-based training with food and play suits them, and they pick up household routines quickly.Read more HealthThe breed is generally healthy, but it has some known issues. These include hip and elbow dysplasia, the benign juvenile epilepsy mentioned above, and lysosomal storage disease, a rare inherited neurological condition for which a DNA test exists.Read more

Things owners are often surprised by

1The name comes from the dialect of Romagna and roughly means water dog from Romagna.
2Truffle hunters value the breed because it digs lightly and leaves the find for the handler instead of eating it.
3Its coat is clipped to around 4 cm (1.5 in) all over, following the shape of the body.
4Italian enthusiasts began a formal recovery of the breed in the 1970s, and the American Kennel Club recognized it in 2015.
5A DNA test exists for a form of juvenile epilepsy seen in the breed.

Lagotto Romagnolo questions

Can a Lagotto Romagnolo really find truffles?

Yes, and many still work in Italy, France and elsewhere. Truffle dogs are trained by pairing truffle scent with rewards, starting with scented toys and moving on to buried samples. Pet Lagotti often love the same training as a game, even if they never find a real truffle, and the skills carry straight over to nosework sports.

Do Lagotti shed?

Very little. Loose hair tends to stay caught in the curls rather than dropping on the floor, which is why combing and regular clipping matter. Some people with mild allergies tolerate the breed well, though no dog is truly allergen-free. The trade-off is maintenance: a neglected coat mats and felts against the skin.

Why does my Lagotto dig so much?

Digging is part of the truffle job, so it is deeply ingrained. You are unlikely to stop it completely, but you can redirect it. Give your dog a sandpit or corner where digging is allowed, bury toys and treats there to reward using it, and calmly interrupt digging elsewhere. More nosework and mental exercise usually reduce digging in the wrong places.

How is a Lagotto different from a Spanish Water Dog or a Poodle?

All three are curly-coated water dogs, but they differ in build and purpose. The Lagotto is a compact, square dog with ring-shaped curls and a strong searching drive. The Spanish Water Dog is a herding and working breed whose coat can grow into cords. Poodles come in several sizes and have a denser, more uniform curl. Temperaments overlap but are not identical.

Is a Lagotto good with children?

Generally yes. Lagotti are affectionate and playful, and their medium size makes them sturdy enough for family life without overwhelming small children. Early socialization and gentle handling rules for kids help things go smoothly. Because they are sensitive, they do best in homes that are lively but not chaotic, with a quiet place to retreat.

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