Lagotto Romagnolo

The Lagotto Romagnolo is an Italian dog breed that is considered to be very rare, despite having quite an extensive history. The direct translation of this dog’s name is ‘Lake dog from Romagna’, and they are also often referred to as ‘Italian Water Dogs’. True to their name, these pups have a strong affinity for water and will love going for a swim. Their beautiful curly coat is waterproof, which allows them to swim in frigid waters and remain warm.

This dog breed has been around since at least the 16th century and was originally bred in Italy to help hunters retrieve waterfowl through wet marshlands. The Lagotto Romagnolo was the ideal companion for a waterfowl hunter, as they have an incredible sense of smell, a strong desire to work and please their owners, and of course, a love for the water. In the 1800s, the majority of these marshlands were drained, making the renowned water dog jobless. Interestingly, people found that their sense of smell made them excellent truffle hunters, and soon enough, the former water dog was being bred specifically for finding and digging up truffles. These dogs are still used for this purpose until this day.

Besides tracking down truffles, these doggos also make wonderful family companions. They are known to be very calm at home and are considered to be relatively easy dogs to take care of. The challenges that come with owning a Lagotto Romagnolo are tending to their thick coats. Their coat will need plenty of grooming and brushing to remain healthy, but on the positive side, they do not shed much and are hypoallergenic. 

The Lagotto Romagnolo adores their family and will want to be a part of every activity. They are very trainable and are the kind of dogs that will be thrilled to stick by your side on an off-leash hiking trail. This medium-sized dog, weighing between 24-35 pounds, is highly intelligent and will need to be stimulated both mentally and physically daily. If this pup gets overly bored, you will see some of their unwanted behaviors come out, such as barking, digging, and chewing…so make sure to give them plenty of exercise!

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