Lagotto Romagnolo health: what owners should know

The 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. Responsible breeders score hips and elbows and DNA test breeding dogs, and can show you the results for both parents.

Keeping weight in check and building fitness gradually supports joint health, while drying the ears after swimming reduces irritation. Watch what your dog picks up on walks, because scavenging can cause stomach problems. Get your dog checked by a vet if you see wobbliness, a change in how it walks, a seizure, head shaking that lasts more than a day, or unusual restlessness and behavior changes.