Lagotto Romagnolo

The Lagotto Romagnolo is an Italian dog from the Romagna region, where its ancestors worked as water retrievers in marsh country before the breed became closely associated with truffle hunting. It is a medium-sized, rustic dog with a square outline, strong nose, and dense curly coat that should look woolly rather than blown out or silky. Common coat colors include off-white, brown, orange, and roan patterns, often fading or changing as the dog matures.

People are often drawn to the Lagotto for its size and low-shedding coat, but the coat still mats if it is not kept clipped and combed. Regular ear checks are sensible because hair and moisture can build up in the ear canal. The breed usually does well with scent games, thoughtful training, and steady contact with its people, while harsh handling can make sensitive dogs shut down. Breeders commonly screen for hips, eyes, benign familial juvenile epilepsy, and Lagotto storage disease.

Colors: Apricot, Bicolor, Black, Black and Tan, Black and White, Black Mask, Blue, Blue and Tan, Blue Merle, Blue Roan, Blue Tick, Brindle, Brown, Brown and Tan, Brown and White, Brown Roan, Chocolate, Cream, Dapple, Domino, Fawn, Fawn and White, Gold, Gray, Harlequin, Irish Marked, Liver, Liver Mask, Mantle, Mask, Merle, Mottled, Orange Brown, Parti-Color, Piebald, Red, Red and White, Red Merle, Red Roan, Red Tick, Reverse Brindle, Roan, Sable, Saddle, Silver, Speckled, Spotted, Tan, Ticked, Tricolor, Tuxedo, White, White and Brown, Yellow