Are Lagotto Romagnolos Hypoallergenic?
Yes! The Lagotto Romagnolo is a medium sized hypoallergenic dog breed that hardly sheds or drools.
The versatile Lagotto Romagnolo is a gem among dogbreeds. Intelligent, curious, and very affectionate – this dog is an efficient partner and a loving pet. The Lagotto Romagnolo, sometimes known as the Romagna Water Dog, was originally bred as a waterfowl retriever. The breed faced near extinction when Italy’s changing terrain rendered their original purpose unnecessary, but it made a comeback when it was discovered that the Lagotto’s keen nose was ideal for truffle hunting. These dogs are surprisingly hearty, with very few health problems. However, they have been known to suffer from epilepsy. As a result, this breed is a key component to epilepsy research. These non-shedding dogs drool very little and are known to be hypoallergenic.
For a quick summary of the Lagotto Romagnolo, skip to our Lagotto Romagnolo dog breed summary further down the page.
Are Lagotto Romagnolos Hypoallergenic Dogs? Contents
Lagotto Romagnolo Quick Facts
About the Breed
Lagotto Romagnolo Training and Exercise
Lagotto Romagnolo Grooming and Care
Lagotto Romagnolo Health Issues and Care
Conclusion
Lagotto Romagnolo FAQ
Lagotto Romagnolo Facts Summary
Lagotto Romagnolo Quick Facts
Hypoallergenic Dog: | Yes! |
Shedding: | Low shedding |
Drooling: | Low |
Size: | Medium |
Breed Group: | Sporting Group |
Lifespan: | 14 – 16 years |
Energy Level: | High |
Trainability: | Highly Trainability |
Family Dog: | Yes |
About the Breed
The Lagotto Romagnolo Physical Characteristics and Coat
The Lagotto Romagnolo is an ancient dog breed that was bred in Italy in the 16th century, mostly to retrieve waterfowl. When the marshlands dried up, the Lagotto usefulness was lost and the breed faced near extinction. However, this dog’s keen sense of smell made it an ideal candidate for searching for truffles, a rare and valuable mushroom. Due to their versatility, this breed was able to make a comeback, and although they remain rare today, they are still available as pets and working dogs alike.
The “Romagna Water Dog”, as it’s sometimes called, has a dense coat of tight curls that is non-shedding and produces little dander. As a result, the Lagotto Romagnolo is known to be a hypoallergenic dog, so they are a great option for those who suffer from dog allergies. They also don’t drool very much. This medium sized dog is 16-19″ tall and weighs 24-31 lbs.
Lagotto Romagnolo Temperament
The Lagotto Romagnolo is an enchanting breed with an excess of energy and a charming personality. They are highly inquisitive and very much need to be mentally challenged in order to be healthy. These dogs love doggy puzzle toys and are very much attached to their owners. Although they can be great with kids, they may have issues with aggression – so socialization is key! Due to the fact that the Lagotto is intelligent, energetic, and versatile, these dogs will be up for most anything and are a sheer joy to play with.
Lagotto Romagnolo Training and Exercise
Encouraging Good Behavior In Your Lagotto Romagnolo
The Lagotto Romagnolo has a very keen sense of smell and is known to be a very agile dog. Due to their qualities, these dogs are excellent candidates for a wide variety of sports and dog-related tasks.
These dogs are excellent with kids and are relatively good with other dogs as well, but as with all dogs, it is important to start socializing the Lagotto with other dogs and children from an early age.
Some Lagottos may struggle with territorial or aggressive behavior. Lagotto dogs are avid diggers, and they have a lot of energy. It’s important to start training with this breed the moment they enter the household. There’s no such thing as a Lagotto that is too young to train! Most importantly, these dogs need to be broken of possessive behaviors from an early age and socialized with other dogs and children as soon as possible.
You can find dog training tips and strategies in our training article here!
Exercise Needs
The Lagotto is an energetic, curious dog. They need at least a half hour of moderate exercise a day, as well as plenty of mental stimulation and socialization. Lagottos that are under-exercised, not challenged to use their intelligent, or are left alone for long periods of time may become destructive and ill-mannered. Since they are very versatile dogs, these pups take readily to new games and sports.
Lagotto Romagnolo Grooming and Care
Maintaining Your Lagotto Romagnolo’s Coat
The Lagotto Romagnolo does not require as much upkeep as many dogs. Their curly, non-shedding, hypoallergenic coat does require regular brushing to avoid matted hair and maintain their anti-allergy qualities. Generally speaking, it’s good to brush these dogs at least once a week. However, Lagottos that spend a lot of time enjoying the great outdoors may need more frequent brushing. Like all non-shedding dogs, the Lagotto will need regular trimming to maintain their coat, but taking these dogs to the groomers won’t break the bank as much as it might with other breeds.
Teeth, Ears and Nails
As with all breeds, be sure to trim this dog’s nails regularly (about once every two weeks) and brush their teeth twice a week. Be sure to check the Lagotto’s ears on a regular basis. Floppy dog ears are known to develop yeast and bacteria and should always be checked regularly for red, irritated ear canals, or foul odor. If necessary, you can clean your Lagotto’s ears with a cotton ball dampened with a solution that is half water, and half hydrogen peroxide. Avoid using undiluted rubbing alcohol to clean your dog’s ears, because it dries out the ear canal and may cause your dog to damage their ears more by excessively scratching.
Health
Lagotto Romagnolo Health Issues and Care
The Lagotto Romagnolo is a surprisingly healthy breed! These dogs suffer few documented health concerns, likely due to the fact that they have not been overbred and are generally bred as working animals. When a dog breed is popular, they are often bred by careless breeders that allow poor genetics to prevail. The Lagotto is a relatively rare breed, and dogs that are generally bred to work are usually bred with more care.
That being said, there are a few health problems that you should be aware of if you’re looking to own one of these dogs. These include: Hip or elbow dysplasia, benign familial juvenile epilepsy, and Lagotto Storage Disease. They may also develop thyroid problems or cataracts.
Many of the health concerns that this breed faces are inherited genetically, so it’s important to be sure that you get your dog from a reputable breeder that can prove that the dog’s parents are genetically healthy.
Common Health Issues for Lagotto Romagnolo
It is important to purchase your Lagotto Romagnolo from a good breeder who has tested the dog’s parents for genetic health. A Lagotto who is properly exercised and isn’t overweight has less of a risk of developing hip dysplasia. Like all dogs, dental hygiene is important, so brush your dog’s teeth 2-3 times a week. Check this breed’s ears regularly for odor, irritation, or discolored ear wax. Overall, these dogs are a healthy, hearty breed that suffers from very few health problems, most of which can be easily prevented. With proper care, your pup is sure to enjoy a happy, long life!
Conclusion
The Lagotto Romagnolo is a charming dog that was originally bred in Italy. Their intelligence, eagerness, and great versatility make them a wonderful choice for most dog related work. This breed is medium-sized with a dense, curly coat that is relatively low maintenance. Not only are they low shedding, low dander, hypoallergenic dogs – these pups can make great apartment pets when properly exercised, and are excellent with children. Although they faced near extinction, today the Lagotto Romagnolo is the only dog that is bred specifically for truffle hunting. Due to the fact that youngsters of this breed may suffer from Benign Juvenile Epilepsy, these dogs have been a crucial study for epilepsy research. This breed is very rare and difficult to find, but the price of Lagotto puppies is not nearly as high as other rare breeds, ranging from $1,800 – $2,500 per puppy.
Lagotto Romagnolo FAQ
Does the Lagotto Romagnolo shed?
No, the Lagotto Romagnolo is a non-shedding dog that is hypoallergenic.
Is the Lagotto Romagnolo good with children?
The Lagotto Romagnolo is an excellent dog for children! This gentle and affectionate breed is very tolerant and much more durable than smaller dogs. However, care should be taken to socialize these dogs early to prevent possessive or aggressive behavior.
Is the Lagotto Romagnolo intelligent?
Yes, the Lagotto Romagnolo is very intelligent. These dogs are also quite people-pleasing and very eager to learn.
How big is the Lagotto Romagnolo?
The Lagotto Romagnolo is a medium sized dog that stands between 16 and 19 inches, and weighs 24 to 35 lbs.
Is the Lagotto Romagnolo good for apartments?
When properly exercised, the Lagotto’s trainability, the fact that it doesn’t shed, and its medium size build make it a good apartment pet.
Is the Lagotto Romagnolo easy to train?
Yes! The Lagotto Romagnolo is intelligent, people-pleasing, and highly trainable. Not only does this breed shine in obedience, they are also very versatile and are therefore excellent contenders for dog sports.
How much does a Lagotto Romagnolo cost?
The Lagotto Romagnolo averages $1,800 – $2,500 per puppy, but they are a rare breed and are therefore very difficult to find.
Is the Lagotto Romagnolo hypoallergenic?
Yes! The Lagotto Romagnolo is a non-shedding, low dander dog that drools very little, and is therefore hypoallergenic.
Does the Lagotto Romagnolo bark a lot?
These dogs bark when necessary. These dogs may be a bit territorial if not socialized from a young age. However, they’re not yappy like some dog breeds are.
Lagotto Romagnolo Facts Summary
Breed | Lagotto Romagnolo |
Other Names? | Romagna Water Dog, Lagotto, Water Dog of Romagna, Lagotti Romagnoli |
Hypoallergenic? | Yes |
Height | Male : 17-19″ (43-48 cm) Female : 16 – 18″ (41-46 cm) |
Weight | Male: 29 – 25 lbs (13 – 15 kg) Female : 24 – 31 lbs (11 – 14 kg) |
Lifespan | 14 – 16 years |
Temperament | Happy, keen, intelligent, loyal, “velcro dog”, eager to learn, people-pleasing, affectionate |
Colours | Solid: off-white, golden, or brown Patched : White with brown spots or orange patches Other: “roan” |
Coat – describe the coat | Thick and usually curly, some coats may be flat and these may shed more |
How much grooming? | Low, occasional trims |
How much shedding | Non-Shedding |
Dander levels | Low dander level |
Saliva – Do they Drool or Lick much? | Low |
Energy levels | High |
How much exercise do they need? | About a half hour of moderate exercise daily |
Health problems | Hearty breed, health problems include: Hip dysplasia, benign juvenile epilepsy, lagotto storage disease |
Good for apartment? | Only when exercised on a daily basis |
Suitable for kids? | Excellent |
How much do they bark? | Occasionally |
Can they be left alone? | Not suitable to be left alone for long periods of time |
Intelligent? | Yes |
Trainable? | Yes, generally people-pleasing |
How popular as a pet? | Very rare |
Any other important facts? | This breed is hailed as one of the most versatile breeds that was originally bred as a water retriever in Italy, but is used as a truffle hunter in modern times. The hypoallergenic Lagotto Romagnolo is crucial in research regarding epilepsy. |