Overview
The Lagotto Romagnolo started as a water retriever in the marshes of Romagna and found a second career hunting truffles when the marshes were drained. It is a compact, woolly, teddy-bearish dog with a wonderful nose and an urge to dig that owners either love or tolerate. Numbers in the UK have grown steadily in recent years.
The breed is friendly, keen and quick to learn, with a softer edge than many gundogs. It bonds closely to its people and does well with other dogs. What it needs from a walker is permission to use its nose and enough variety to stay interested.
Exercise and walking needs
An hour and a quarter a day, in two walks, suits most adults. The pace matters less than the content: woodland, long grass and anywhere with scent will tire a Lagotto far more effectively than a flat path. Hiding treats for the dog to find is the breed's idea of a perfect game.
Most Lagotti love water and swim well. Let them in where the owner allows, and dry the coat afterwards, especially the ears.
On the walk
- Digging: A Lagotto will dig. In a field it is harmless; in a flowerbed or by a fence post it is not. Steer the dog towards places where a hole does not matter.
- Recall: Usually solid, with the standard caveat that a good scent can delay the response. A whistle the owner already uses is worth borrowing.
- Other dogs: Playful and well-mannered as a rule. They enjoy group walks and are rarely the cause of friction.
- Coat: The woolly curls collect burrs, twigs and mud. A quick comb-through of the legs and belly after a walk saves the owner a matting problem later.
- Picking up: A nose-led dog finds things. Watch for discarded food and anything fox-related in long grass.
Tips for professional walkers
- Carry a handful of treats and scatter them in grass for a find-it game. Five minutes of this settles the dog remarkably.
- Choose varied routes with cover. Open parkland bores a Lagotto quickly.
- Keep a towel and a wide-toothed comb in the van for wet days.
- Check ears after swimming, as the dense hair around them holds moisture.
What to ask the owner
- Is the dog allowed to swim and dig, and are there places you should steer it away from?
- Any hip, eye or neurological conditions in the line that you should know about?
- How is the coat kept, and would you like it checked for burrs after each walk?