With the diversity of dog breeds all around the globe, we can see dogs of different appearance, behavior, and expertise. Modern breeds have distinct features that give them a unique characteristic. One of the factors that are easily recognizable in a dog is its coat; some coats are long, some are short, while others are curly, and so on. Just looking at their coat could showcase a lot about the breed’s characteristics and origins.
One breed that is widely known for its coat is the Italian breed: Lagotto Romagnolo. It is a medium-sized breed that showcases the appearance of a toy dog, mainly because of its wooly curls covering its whole body. This dog’s appearance is sure to make heads turn when walking down the street.
Interestingly, the Lagotto Romagnolo is not only known for its beautiful appearance. This dog also built a reputation as a tough working dog; underneath its coat is a strong body that is equipped with unmatched stamina. A true hard worker, the Lagotto Romagnolo is a breed admired by several dog lovers and sports enthusiasts.
Origins of the Lagotto Romagnolo
It might be apparent from its name; the Lagotto Romagnolo is a substantial breed that originated from Italy. We can trace back its origins to Renaissance Italy hundreds of years ago, wherein they already earned a reputation as an effective waterfowl retriever. They helped hunters in the marshland of Ravenna retrieve their targets in the area. This early employment of the Lagotto Romagnolo pretty much explains how this dog got the name ‘Lagotto,’ which is derived from ‘Lago,’ which means lake.
Over the years, people learned to use the Lagotto not only in retrieving waterfowls; they realized that the breed is gifted with a keen sense of smell, which could be a great help when it comes to other canine tasks. That is the time when the Lagotto was introduced to its new job: sniffing out truffles. Breeders trained the Lagotto’s exceptional nose to sniff and track down truffles, which is a tasty and expensive delicacy in Italy. The Lagottos were deployed in the Italian countryside for a long time, helping breeders and workers find truffles.
The incredible skillset of the Lagotto became widespread in various places, gaining recognition as a useful truffle dog. Many breeders say that many dogs are also capable of working as a truffle sniffer; however, breeders consider the Lagotto as the best truffle dog among all breeds.
Characteristics of the Lagotto Romagnolo
Height: 16 – 19 inches
Weight: 24 – 35 pounds
Life Expectancy: 15 – 17 years
Hypoallergenic: Yes
As mentioned earlier, the Lagotto Romagnolo is an Italian breed that boasts its incredible sense of smell. Furthermore, this breed is known for its beautiful appearance, accompanied by a medium-sized body. It could stand up to nineteen inches tall and weighs up to thirty-five pounds, allowing it to move with ease and quickly on the field.
Moreover, one thing that makes the Lagotto Romagnolo unique is its elegant coat covering its athletic and muscular body. It has a curly coat that stands out from other breeds, giving it a fluffy appearance. From head to tail, its wooly curled coat is what makes it interesting, catching the attention of dog lovers. Other than its coat, this breed also flaunts its charming face, mainly its beard, eyebrows, and whiskers. Its eyes express its affectionate nature, along with its keen instincts on the field.
In terms of its expertise, we already know that it is a skilled working dog. This breed is capable of working in various types of canine tasks, making it a rather versatile breed. However, search-and-rescues, retrieving, and hunting is where the Lagotto excels, thanks to its keen sense of nose. In addition to hunting, the Lagotto is also a credible sports dog.
The Lagotto Romagnolo indeed proves its worth as a reputable working dog. Along with its finesse, the Lagotto is packed with many other features, which makes it more suitable in the field. Despite its medium-sized body, this dog is mighty and tough; it has excellent stamina, allowing it to work on the field for hours. Don’t get deceived by its looks; the Lagotto Romagnolo is a substantial breed that is a clear definition of a working dog.