Sporting group
Lagotto Romagnolo
Italy’s curly truffle hunter — affectionate, clever and nose-first.
The Lagotto Romagnolo is a medium-sized curly-coated dog famous for hunting truffles. It is loving, trainable and adaptable, with a powerful nose and a low-shedding coat that needs regular care.
- Height
- 16–19 in41–48 cm
- Weight
- 24–35 lb11–16 kg
- Life expectancy
- 15–17 years
- Size
- Medium
- Group
- Sporting
- Origin
- Romagna, Italy
Coat: Dense, woolly curls; low shedding. Colours: Off-white, White with brown or orange, Brown roan, Brown, Orange.
At a glance
Ratings describe typical dogs of the breed on a 1–5 scale. Individual dogs vary with lines, upbringing and training.
Temperament
Lagotti are affectionate, keen and eager to work with their people. They are usually good with children and other dogs and enjoy being part of family life.
They are intelligent and need mental work — scent games are ideal. Some are sensitive or noise-reactive, and bored Lagotti may dig or bark. Early socialisation helps them stay confident.
Living with a Lagotto Romagnolo
Exercise
Around an hour of walks and play daily, plus scent work to satisfy their nose.
Grooming
Brush through the curls weekly and clip the coat every few months. Low shedding, but mats form without care.
Training
Quick learners who enjoy reward-based training. Scent games and nosework are excellent outlets.
Kids & other pets
Good with children and other pets when socialised. They may dig in gardens — it is the truffle instinct.
Time alone
Tolerates moderate alone time but prefers company; may bark or dig when bored.
Home fit
Can manage in an apartment with committed daily exercise; a house with outdoor space is easier.
Is a Lagotto Romagnolo right for you?
Take the Breed Fit quiz to see how a Lagotto Romagnolo matches your home, schedule and tolerance for shedding, barking and exercise — or find out which breed matches your personality with Dogsona.
Health
With good breeding and care, a Lagotto Romagnolo typically lives 15–17 years. These are the conditions most associated with the breed — not a prediction for any individual dog.
Hip dysplasia
Screened parents reduce the risk of joint disease.
Juvenile epilepsy
An inherited form of seizures in puppies that usually resolves; a DNA test is available.
Lysosomal storage disease
A fatal inherited neurological disease; DNA testing identifies carriers.
Eye disease
Cataracts occur; annual eye exams are recommended.
Ask a breeder for
- Hip and elbow evaluation
- Eye examination
- Patella evaluation
- DNA tests: juvenile epilepsy and lysosomal storage disease
Sources: OFA CHIC breed requirements: Lagotto Romagnolo; Lagotto Romagnolo Club of America. This is general information, not veterinary advice — talk to your vet about your own dog.
Cost to own
After the first year, expect roughly $1,200–$2,500 a year for food, routine vet care, preventives, insurance and supplies (US estimate).
- Professional grooming every 6–8 weeks adds roughly $500–$900 a year.
- Pet insurance for a puppy typically runs $30–$60 a month; premiums rise with age and breed risk.
History
Lagotti were water retrievers in the marshes of Romagna, in northeastern Italy, for centuries. The name comes from a dialect word for “lake dog”.
When the marshes were drained in the 1800s, the dogs’ noses found a new job: hunting truffles. The breed is still the only one recognised specifically as a truffle searcher. The AKC recognised it in 2015.
Did you know?
- The Lagotto is the only breed recognised as a specialist truffle hunter.
- Lagotti are often born with a darker coat that lightens with age.
- “Lagotto” comes from the Romagnolo dialect for “lake dog”.
Library guides for Lagotto Romagnolo owners
Grooming
Brushing
Lagotto Romagnolo coats mat without regular brushing.
Grooming
Bathing
How to bath a Lagotto Romagnolo without drying out the coat.
Exercise & Play
Hide and Seek
Brain work that tires busy minds.
Grooming
Ear Cleaning
Ear care matters for this coat and ear type.
Exercise & Play
Dog Walking
Getting daily walks right for a Lagotto Romagnolo.
Grooming
Nail Clipping
Every dog needs regular nail care.
Similar breeds
Frequently asked questions
- Are Lagotti hypoallergenic?
- No dog is truly hypoallergenic, but Lagotti shed very little.
- Are Lagotti good family dogs?
- Yes — they are affectionate, adaptable and generally good with children.
- Do Lagotti need a lot of exercise?
- Moderate exercise plus mental work, especially scent games.