Lagotto Romagnolo

by Amy Tokic

Published: May 7th, 2014

About Lagotto Romagnolo

Weight

24-35 lb

Lifespan

14-16 years

Group

AKC Foundation Stock Service

Best Suited For

Families with children, active singles, houses with yards, farms and rural areas

Temperament

Loyal, loving, active, eager to please

Comparable Breeds

Portuguese Water Dog, Poodle

Height

17-18 inches

Lagotto Romagnolo Basics

Don’t let their curly, clown-like appearance fool you. The Lagotto Romagnolo (pronounced La-go-toh Roman-yolo) is a dog with a rich history behind it and is one of Italy’s oldest known dog breeds. First used as a water-dog, the Lagotto has since been used as a specialized truffle-hunter. A profession that has helped keep the breed alive and given Lagottos a treasured place in Italian culture.

Lagotto Romagnolos are mediums sized yet robust dogs. Their long legs are well-boned and muscular, as are their chests and shoulders. These characteristics make them excellent swimmers as well as diggers. The Lagotto’s body is covered in a thick, waterproof coat made up of soft, curly hairs. They come in a variety of shades ranging from brown, white to grey.

Lagottos are one of the rarest breeds in the world and there are only around 500 registered Lagottos in the U.S today. However, they are rapidly gaining popularity as an excellent companion dog. They are loving, devoted and playful and make excellent family pets.

The Lagotto Romagnolo (pronounced La-go-toh Roman-yolo) is a dog with a rich history behind it and is one of Italy’s oldest known dog breeds.

Origin

The story of the Lagotto Romagnolo begins in the 16th century Italian marshlands. First used as a water-dog, Lagottos are in fact believed to be part of the foundation stock that all other modern water dog breeds are descended from. Which means that the Lagotto is the great grandfather of breeds like the Golden Retriever, Portuguese Water Dog and the Poodle.

Around the 19th century, Italy’s Lagotto population faced a severe decline in numbers when the Italian marshlands were claimed for farming. However, their excellent sense of smell helped them garner interest from Italian truffle collectors. Lagottos have been used almost exclusively for this purpose ever since.

Pedigree

The Lagotto Romagnolo is a very ancient of breed that has been unchanged through the centuries. It is believed that the breed originated from a distinctive breed of duck retriever that existed in the 7th century B.C in the marshlands of Romagna, Italy.

Food/Diet

Lagottos should be fed two daily meals of high quality dog food.

Lagottos are an extremely intelligent breed and are always eager to please.

Training

Lagottos are an extremely intelligent breed and are always eager to please. This makes training them a pleasure. They’re also an extremely strong and agile breed and excel in agility contests. Lagottos also have extremely strong retrieving and searching instincts and this should be taken into consideration when developing a training plan.

Weight

Laggottos weigh around 24-35 pounds when fully grown.

Temperament and Behavior

The Lagotto Romagnolo is a very loving dog that is devoted to its owner. They are also extremely affectionate and gentle with children and make excellent family pets. Lagottos have excellent eyesight and are extremely alert. They will quickly alert their owners to any intrusions into the family property and often make excellent guard dogs.

Lagottos get along fairly well with other dogs and pets, provided that they are socialized from an early age. They do have fairly strong hunting instincts, especially when it comes to birds and fowl, so owners might want to walk their Lagottos on a leash.

Lagottos are an extremely intelligent breed and were bred as a working dog. Therefore they require a great deal of mental stimulation to lead a happy and balanced life. They also love to dig and owners should ideally provide their Lagottos with a sandbox or designated digging area where they can indulge in this tendency.

Common Health Problems

Lagottos are a generally healthy breed and do not suffer from any major hereditary health issues. Some breeding lines are known to have problems with hip dysplasia and epilepsy.

Life Expectancy

Lagottos have fairly long life spans and can often live up to 16 years.

Exercise Requirements

Lagottos are born to work hard and require rigorous, daily exercise. They make excellent hiking and jogging partners. Lagottos also love to swim and often take to the water naturally given the opportunity. It is also important to remember that as a working breed, Lagottos require a “meaningful” and mentally stimulating task that they can engage in each day to live happy and fulfilled lives. This can be something as simple as a game of fetch or a session of hide and seek.

The Lagotto Romagnolo is a very loving dog that is devoted to its owner.

AKC

The Lagotto Romagnolo is currently being recorded in the AKC’s Foundation Stock Service.

The club has this to say about the breed: “A small to medium-sized breed, the Lagotto Ramagnolo is the only purebred dog in the world recognized as a specialized searcher of truffles, which are forms of edible fungi found in its homeland of Italy. Lagotti also possess striking coats, made up of thick, waterproof curls that cover their entire body. Coat colors include brown, brown road, off-white, orange, white and brown, or white and orange. The breed has been a part of AKC’s Foundation Stock Service since 2001 under the Sporting group designation.”

Coat

The Lagotto’s coat consists of a thick layer of curly hair. This hair does not shed and Lagottos need to be trimmed occasionally to prevent their coat from matting. They also make great pets for dog owners with mild allergies.

Puppies

As with all breeds, socialization is an important part of the Lagotto Romangolo’s puppyhood. Training too should start early on in the dog’s life.

Photo credit: Entheta/Wikimedia; Canecorsodog/Wikimedia; Pleple2000/Wikimedia

Amy Tokic

Amy Tokic, Editor of PetGuide.com, is a passionate animal lover and proud pet parent of Oscar, a Shih Tzu/Chihuahua cross, and Zed, a Japanese Chin. Her love of animals began in kindergarten, when she brought her stuffed dog Snoopy into class with her every day. Now, she writes about her adventures in pet ownership and tirelessly researches products, news and health related issues she can share with other animal enthusiasts. In her free time, Amy loves perusing used book and record stores, obsessing over the latest pet products available and chasing squirrels with wild abandon (a habit attributed to spending too much time with her pooches).

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Keeping aquarium fish is such a rewarding experience, but that doesn’t mean it’s always easy to do so – there are many things to know about these wonderful creatures, and caring for them can require a lot of patience and plenty of learning. Of course, it all starts with the basic stuff, and it doesn’t get more basic than feeding your pet! A common question by pet fish owners is related to feeding frequency, as their aquatic friends can’t really let them know when they are hungry. So, without further ado, here’s how often should you feed your fish depending on their unique characteristics.How Often Should I Feed My Fish?There are a lot of factors that will determine the feeding schedule you have for the inhabitants of your saltwater or freshwater aquarium. The frequency of feeding your fish depends on the type of fish, their age, and the specific conditions of your tank. Adult tropical fish are most commonly fed once or twice a day. You can feed them a small amount of food that they can consume within a few minutes. Cold-water adult fish, on the other hand, such as  goldfish, can be fed two or three times a day. In any case, be cautious not to overfeed as it can lead to water quality issues.Young fish, however, may require more frequent feeding, at least three times a day, because they are still growing rapidly. Of course, some specific types of fish have equally specific dietary requirements. Research the particular needs of the species you are keeping to ensure you are providing the right type and amount of food. Your local pet fish store can also provide guidelines, as can your vet. When you are feeding your fish, it is important to stick around and observe them, at least initially. Paying attention to your fish during feeding can provide you with plenty of information. If they consume all the food quickly, you can consider increasing the amount slightly. If there is uneaten food after a few minutes, you may be overfeeding. Try to find that perfect balance. Another thing to consider is the so-called “fasting day”. This means not giving your fish any food for a period of 24 hours – and don’t worry, this won’t harm them. It's a good idea to incorporate a fasting day into the weekly routine. This helps mimic their natural feeding patterns and allows their digestive systems to rest. Most aquarists fast their fish for one day of the week, which is more than enough for your fish to reap the benefits.How Much Food Should I Give My Fish?A good rule of thumb is to always give less food than you think your fish need – and add more additionally throughout multiple feedings during the day if needed. Remember that overfeeding can lead to poor water quality as uneaten food breaks down and produces waste. It's crucial to maintain a balance and not exceed the recommended amount. In such cases, it is good to have a  special aquarium water quality monitor, which can tell you the key information about the water in the tank. Additionally, some fish species are more active during certain times of the day, so adjusting feeding times to coincide with their natural behavior can be beneficial.

Why Is My Dog Licking and Chewing His Paws?

You might think it’s gross, but your pooch certainly doesn’t – canines are known to lick themselves as a way of grooming. While your dog might lick their body thoroughly to keep it clean, sometimes, their self-grooming can be abnormal. If you notice that your pet is licking or even chewing their paws obsessively, it should raise concern. This type of behavior might indicate an underlying medical issue, so here’s what you need to know before you phone your vet.Is It Normal for Dogs to Lick and Chew Their Paws?While some licking of their paws after they get dirty can be perfectly normal, constant licking or chewing of the paws is certainly not usual behavior. There could be several reasons behind this, and it could indicate that your attention and even intervention are needed. Here are some of the most common reasons why dogs lick and chew their paws.Allergies:  Allergies, including food allergies, environmental allergies (such as pollen or dust mites), and contact allergies (for example, from cleaning products or lawn chemicals), can lead to itching and discomfort in dogs. Paw licking and chewing can be a response to this itching. If you suspect that an allergy might be in question, don’t hesitate to visit your vet.Skin irritation or infection: If your dog's paws are red, swollen, or have an unpleasant odor, it may indicate a  skin infection or irritation. Bacterial or fungal infections, as well as foreign objects like splinters or thorns, can lead to serious issues down the road. Again, if you notice any of the above, it’s time to visit the vet.Dry or cracked paw pads: Dry or cracked paw pads can be uncomfortable for dogs. Licking and chewing may be their way of trying to soothe the discomfort. This happens to many dogs, and can be caused by their environment, the surface on which they walk, and many other things. Luckily, you can prevent this with paw wax that will create a barrier between the pads and the walking surface, or treat existing issues with paw butter that soothes and repairs the pads. This particular  2-in-1 paw butter and wax is a favorite of mine because it is made from all-natural ingredients and heals cracked paws in no time – while simultaneously preventing future irritation and dryness. 

A New Four-Legged Robot May Soon Replace Guide Dogs

Robots aren’t only taking human jobs! Our four-legged colleagues may soon need new jobs because there’s a new AI-powered robot guide dog in town. Named RoboGuide, the four-legged robot guide dog was born and bred at the University of Glasgow. The research team that created the robotic pooch, says that RoboGuide could help blind and visually impaired people move more freely in indoor spaces. Their new design solves some of the most common problems in assistive tech.“One significant drawback of many current four-legged, two-legged, and wheeled robots is that the technology which allows them to find their way around can limit their usefulness for the visually impaired,” said Olaoluwa Popoola, the project’s principal investigator. “Robots which use GPS to navigate, for example, can perform well outdoors but often struggle in indoor settings, where signal coverage can weaken. Others, which use cameras to ‘see’, are limited by the line of sight, which makes it harder for them to safely guide people around objects or around bends.”To overcome these limitations, the RoboGuide uses a series of sensors that analyze its surroundings. Software created by the team allows the robotic pooch to find optimal routes between locations and interpret sensor data in real-time, so it can avoid hitting obstacles while guiding a blind or visually impaired person.This robotic pooch also obeys its owner. Thanks to large models, RoboGuide understands speech, and can even talk to its handler. The RoboGuide was showcased at the university’s Mazumdar-Shaw Advanced Research Center. The team working on the prototype said that the robotic pooch uses several innovative technologies and that their goal is to release a complete version in the following years.Professor Muhammad Imran, dean of graduate studies at the James Watt School of Engineering and co-investigator on the project said: “Our assistive technology project for the visually impaired embodies innovation, fostering inclusivity.”“In Glasgow, we’re pioneering world-changing technologies that hold the potential to transform lives and reshape societal norms. This achievement was made possible through collaboration with industry and charity partners and co-creating the design with the invaluable input of end users.”The prototype was tested for the first time with volunteers at the Hunterian, Scotland’s oldest museum, in December. During the trial,  the robotic pooch guided the volunteers around the museum and provided interactive speeches on six different exhibits. With an estimated 2.2 billion people in the world living with some form of vision loss, the team hopes to create a commercial product to help guide visually impaired people indoors.“Ultimately, our aim is to develop a complete system which can be adapted for use with robots of all shapes and sizes to help blind and partially sighted people in a wide range of indoor situations,” said Wasim Ahmed, who’s also a co-investigator on the study.  The RoboGuide project is backed by two leading charities. Both the Forth Valley Sensory Centre Trust (FVSC) and the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) are supporting the development of RoboGuide. “Mobility is a big issue for the blind and partially sighted community,” said Jacquie Winning, the chief executive of FVSC. “RoboGuide is a wonderful solution to that problem, and we are delighted to help test this innovative and creative robot.”James Adams, the director of RNIB Scotland, added: “We’re delighted to be supporting the research and development of technology that could be part of making the world more accessible and empowering blind and partially sighted people to live their lives confidently.”Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

BARK Air Introduces a New Flight Tailored for Dogs

Onboard, they have carefully considered every aspect of air travel for dogs. For example, they serve all canine passengers their beverage of choice during ascent and descent to help prevent the discomfort often caused by cabin pressure changes. Of course, during the flight, your pup will be treated to a bit of pampering with dog-friendly snacks. “When we started BARK in 2011, we were on a mission to disrupt the dog space and create products designed for dogs and their humans. We are excited to take the insights we’ve learned over the years to create an experience that is truly dog-first, which is drastically different from just accepting dogs – from the ground to the skies,” explained BARK’s Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Matt Meeker. “We believe this initiative will elevate awareness of our brand’s mission and values, introduce more dog lovers to the BARK family, and help enrich the lives of dogs and their people around the world.” BARK Air will launch with limited routes from New York City’s Westchester County Airport (HPN) to Los Angeles’ Van Nuys Airport (VNY) and London, England’s Stansted Airport (STN). Dog parents are taking to social media, where the news is going viral, to express their excitement about the announcement. The first flights will take off on Thursday, May 23. Visit DogsFlyFirst.com for more information about BARK Air, available flights, and booking. Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

Why Is My Bird Biting Me?

If you’re a bird parent, you love and cherish your feathered friend – but what do you do when your bird nips or bites? This is a behavior that can be both surprising and concerning, especially for first-time bird parents. But know, you’re not alone!If you’re wondering, “Why is my bird biting me?” This article is for you!We will explore the different factors and explanations for your pet bird’s newly developed biting tendencies, helping you understand the motivations, identify when there is a deeper problem requiring your attention, and learn how to address the behavior appropriately.Let’s look at how to set you and your bird up for a long, happy relationship by addressing problem biting today.Do Bird Bites Hurt?The short answer to this is – Maybe? Whether or not your bird’s bite will hurt depends on a few factors, including how the bird bites, their overall intention, your bird’s size, and your level of pain tolerance.Bird bites can range from a light little nibble that merely tickles to bites that have the capability of causing serious damage, especially to vulnerable areas like the eyes, ears, nose, lips, fingers, and toes.The potential for a bird bite to cause severe or lasting injuries highlights the importance of understanding your bird, why they may bite, and how to prevent this situation from happening. It’s also one of the most important reasons to consider when deciding if a bird is right for your child, elderly, or special needs family member.Even smaller birds can cause a surprising amount of pain. Often, it’s not the initial bite that causes the most pain. Instead, it’s the way that they will dig in or even grind their beaks that will lead to discomfort, stinging, and soreness.

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