GROUP 3 - GUNDOGS

Brief History
This is an ancient breed of retrieving water dogs from the lowlands of Comacchio and the marshlands of Ravenna (Italy). Over the centuries, the great marshlands were drained and turned into arable land. Subsequently, the Lagotto changed from being a water dog, to one that excelled in searching for truffles in the flat, open country and in the hills of Romagna (Northern Italy). Lagotto Romagnolo means “lake dog from Romagna”.

Average Life Span
When considering a dog, please realise that you are taking it on for its lifetime.

The average life span is 12 to 14 years

Temperament
Lagottos are intelligent, easy going and affectionate dogs. They are very devoted to their owners, are eager to please and easily trained, which makes them excellent companion dogs.

General Breed Description

A small to medium-sized dog, the Lagotto is well proportioned, powerfully built, of rustic appearance, with a dense, curly coat of woolly texture. His agile nature and willingness to please makes the Lagotto Romagnolo a strong competitor in dog sports such as Obedience, Agility, Tracking, Scent Work and Conformation dog shows.

The coat of the Lagotto comes in every shade of brown, as well as solid coloured off-white, solid coloured orange, brown roan, and white with brown or orange patches.

Coat and Care Requirements
The Lagotto has a continuously growing, non-shedding, curly coat, that requires either scissoring or clipping regularly. The dead hair remains in the coat and will matt if not combed out. It will not shed on furniture or clothing.

The coat of the pet Lagotto can be kept short to keep maintenance low. Use of a wide toothed comb twice a week will keep the knots under control.

At least once a year, usually as summer approaches, the coat should be clipped off completely, to remove the old coat and any felting that may have occurred.

Size
Height: Males: 43 to 48cms, Females 41 to 46cms.

Weight: Males 13 to 16kgs, Females 11 to 14kgs.

Health
All breeds have individual health issues. When speaking to breeders it is recommended you enquire about the breed’s health and what health testing the breeder does. The Lagotto Romagnolo is generally a healthy breed, however health conditions do occur occasionally. These may include Hip Dysplasia (HD) and Juvenile Epilepsy.

Suitability
The Lagotto Romagnolo is naturally obedient and relaxed, making for a low-maintenance companion. As working dogs, they require a variety of activities to stimulate their minds and also need regular physical exercise. They like to engage with their families in walking, boating, swimming and just playing around. They especially enjoy being near the water. A social, playful animal by nature, the breed gets along well with other animals.

In Conclusion
Now you know a little more about this breed. If you have decided this is the dog for you and wish to investigate further, please contact the Breed Club or Dogs Victoria. They will be able to give you information about available puppies and also suggest dog events where you can see the breed and speak to breeders. In this way you will gain a better perspective of the breed and its needs. With any breed of dog, it is important to research and determine suitability for your lifestyle before committing to a puppy which will be a part of your family for many years to come.

Whilst many breeds are recommended for families, it is imperative that when children are with dogs they are supervised at all times. Basic obedience training is a vital part of dog ownership.

Dogs Victoria is about the responsible ownership of all dogs and in particular the preservation of pure breeds.

Link to Dogs Australia Breed Standard: https://dogsaustralia.org.au/breed/detail/119