The Lagotto Romagnolo is known for being affectionate with their families and are attached to them. They also tend to have bright, uplifting demeanors and playful personalities. Provided they are well-socialized, they get along with children and other dogs.

Despite their earlier retriever background, the modern Lagotto is more of a finder than a hunter, so they also tend to do well with other pets. Well-socialized, they also tend to be open and friendly with strangers. They may be initially watchful at first and may bark to alert you, but they tend to warm up quickly once introduced.

The Lagotto Romagnolo is a highly adaptable dog breed. They tend to do well in apartments as well as larger homes where they can run. As long as they get enough daily exercise and mental stimulation, along with plenty of affection, they tend to be happy.

They also do well in many climates. As with any dog, they are sensitive to heat. Their double, water-resistant coat gives them some insulation against the cold. Although it’s not a bad idea to have some winter dog products on hand, the Lagotto can handle the cold better than thinner-coated breeds.

Because these dogs bond so closely with their families, they do not like to be left alone for long periods of time. A bit of a “velcro dog”, the Lagotto prefers to be near their favorite humans and involved in whatever they are doing. Highly intelligent and with a lot of energy, these dogs also get bored easily, so it is important to prioritize mental stimulation as well.

Potential health concerns to be aware of in Lagotti Romagnoli can include hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, luxating patella, storage disease, and juvenile epilepsy. Good breeding practices and the health of the parents make a big difference in the health of Lagotto Romagnolo puppies.

Reputable breeders will screen their dogs to ensure they are not passing preventable issues to puppies. Make sure you ask the breeder about the health of both parents. You can also ask about any health tests or clearances that have been done.

The Lagotto Romagnolo Club of America, Inc. recommends DNA tests for Benign Familial Juvenile Epilepsy (BFJE) and Lagotto Storage Disease (LSD), a hip evaluation, an ophthalmologic evaluation, and a patella evaluation.

Lagotti Romagnoli are highly intelligent and highly trainable dogs that pick up on things quickly. They are also eager to please and strive to meet their people’s expectations. This makes them a great fit for owners of all experience levels.

Even if you don’t necessarily need them for training, there are several benefits of puppy training classes. Not only can they help you strengthen the bond you have with your Lagotto puppy, but the classes can also offer socialization opportunities.

These dogs also love to learn. So, once they master basic commands, they are likely to enjoy learning more complicated things and trying new activities. With their athleticism, they often enjoy learning and training for a variety of dog sports.

The Lagotto Romagnolo has a curly dog coat type that is meant to have a rustic style, not a smooth, fluffy, or blown-out one. They have a double coat of hair, not fur, that insulates them and is water-resistant. The top coat is thick and covers them in wooly, tight curls, except for their head, which has looser curls and thick hair that often give a Lagotto eyebrows, whiskers, and a beard. Straight or smooth coats are considered disqualifications for the Lagotto breeding standards.

Although these dogs may leave a little tuft of hair occasionally, they are minimal shedders and do not shed regularly. However, their coats are prone to matting; some more than others. So, it is essential to comb and brush their coat every day to remove tangles and prevent mats. Bathing is about once a month and their hair needs to be trimmed occasionally. The Lagotto coat is at its best when it is about 1-1.5” long.

In addition to coat care, you will also need to take care of your Lagotto Romagnolo’s nails, ears, and teeth. Nail trim once or twice monthly is usually enough to keep nails from growing too long. Weekly ear checks, in addition to careful cleanings as needed, can help prevent ear infections. Brushing teeth every day, in addition to cleanings at the vet when needed, is a good start for dental care for dogs and can help prevent painful dental diseases later in life.

Although the Lagotto is a high-energy working dog, they aren’t hyper and do come down into the moderate range at points. These dogs are sporting dogs, so they do require a lot of daily exercise, but they won’t run you ragged if you already live an active lifestyle.

Daily walks plus some playtime and time to run are usually enough for these dogs to be happy and healthy. Because they love spending time with you, they will likely always be up for more if you are. They also need both mental stimulation and exercise, which makes training for dog sports and learning new activities a great fit for these smart, athletic dogs.

They excel at scent work and obedience trials. They also tend to enjoy agility. Their love for water makes them a great candidate for swimming and dock diving. Just make sure puppies are finished growing and the vet has cleared them before taking on high-impact activities to avoid damaging bones and joints that are still developing.

Fully-grown Lagotti Romagnoli usually stand 16-19 inches tall and weigh 24-35 pounds. On average, females stand 16-18 inches tall and weigh 24-31 pounds while males stand 17-19 inches tall and weigh 28-35 pounds. The general breed standard guideline is that these dogs should be under 20 inches tall and should not weigh more than 35 pounds.

A Lagotto Romagnolo generally lives for 15-17 years on average.

The Lagotto Romagnolo is also known as the Romagna Water Dog. This breed also has special recognition as a specialized truffle searcher. Their excellent scent skills also make them great working dogs that are well-suited for search-and-rescue, medical condition detection, and more.