Water dog Medium size 11-16 kg

Lagotto Romagnolo

A clever, low-shedding Italian truffle dog that suits active, engaged owners - the trade-off is a curly coat that needs regular clipping and a nose that loves to dig.

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Find out how this breed matches your household

Quick overview

Medium
Size
11-16 kg, 41-48 cm tall
Moderate-high
Activity
Working dog; needs daily exercise and tasks
Moderate
Alone-time tolerance
Prefers company but copes with routine
Good
Trainability
Very trainable and eager to work
High
Coat care
Curly coat needs clipping and mat control
Good
Fit with kids
Friendly, playful family dog
Good
Other pets
Sociable with other pets
Light
Health burden
Long-lived; some inherited conditions

The Lagotto Romagnolo typically weighs 11-16 kg, stands 41-48 cm, and lives 14-17 years.

Consider this breed if…

you want a clever, trainable dog that thrives on jobs and nosework,
you like a low-shedding coat and prefer a dog that isn't hyperactive,
you can give daily exercise plus mental work, not just walks,
you can keep up with regular clipping and mat control.

Do not consider this breed if…

you want a wash-and-go coat with no grooming commitment,
digging in the yard or garden would frustrate you,
you cannot provide daily mental stimulation and activity,
you want an aloof, independent dog rather than a velcro companion.

A typical day with a Lagotto Romagnolo

  1. 6:30 · Morning
    40 min walk with sniffing and some off-leash time
  2. 9:00 · Midmorning
    Puzzle feeder or scent game, then rest
  3. 12:30 · Noon
    Short walk and a bit of training
  4. 16:00 · Afternoon
    Nosework, retrieve, or a swim if possible
  5. 18:30 · Evening
    Longer walk or play with the family
  6. 21:00 · Night
    Settles calmly indoors once its mind is tired

Temperament and training

Trainability High
Affection Very high
Search and dig drive High
Energy High
Sensitivity High
Vocality Moderate
Common owner mistakes
Letting the curly coat mat instead of routine clipping and combing · Skipping mental work, so the digging drive turns on your garden · Treating a working nose dog as a low-effort couch companion

Family and environment

Kids Good
Friendly and playful; supervise with small children.
Dogs Good
Sociable and generally friendly with other dogs.
Cats Good
Usually fine, especially when raised together.
Apartment Conditional
Workable with enough daily exercise and mental work.
House with a yard Suitable
A yard suits it, but expect some digging.
City Manages
Adapts well with daily activity and training.
Countryside Ideal
Space, water, and scent work match its heritage.
Health data provided by RealVetCost
Overall health burden Light

Detailed health data - inheritance, prevalence, course, and typical treatment costs - lives in a separate expert database. This is general guidance, not veterinary advice - confirm any decision with your vet.

View the full health profile
Top health concerns
Dental disease Routine brushing and cleanings reduce risk
Hip dysplasia Screened in breeding stock
Chronic ear infections Hairy ears trap moisture; check often
Progressive retinal atrophy Inherited; DNA testing available

Similar breeds - by reason

Not visually similar - similar in what they mean for you.

Another low-shedding, digging-prone working dog
Lakeland Terrier
A bold, confident little terrier with plenty of spirit for active owners - the trade-off is a strong prey drive, a stubborn streak, and a coat that needs hand-stripping.
View profile →
Similar-sized active, people-focused working dog
Welsh Springer Spaniel
An affectionate, hard-working spaniel that suits active families - loyal and gentle but needs real exercise.
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Trainable, low-shedding worker with strong drive
Airedale Terrier
The clever, bold king of terriers suits an active owner, but its prey drive and stubborn streak are not beginner material.
View profile →

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Lagotto Romagnolo cost in the US?
The Lagotto is still fairly uncommon in the US, so reputable breeders often have waitlists and prices commonly run about $2,000-$4,000. Over a long 14-17 year life, food, regular professional grooming, and routine vet care typically add well past $18,000, with grooming a notable ongoing expense for this breed.
Does the Lagotto Romagnolo shed?
Very little. The wool-like curly coat sheds minimally, which some allergy sufferers tolerate better, though no dog is truly hypoallergenic. The trade-off is grooming: the coat does not shed out on its own, so it needs regular clipping and combing every few weeks to prevent matting.
Are Lagotto Romagnolos easy to train?
Generally yes. They are intelligent, eager to please, and bred to work closely with people searching for truffles, so they take well to reward-based training, nosework, and dog sports. The flip side is that a bored, under-stimulated Lagotto will invent its own jobs, often digging.
Do Lagottos dig a lot?
Many do. The same instinct that makes them superb truffle hunters gives them a strong urge to dig, and a bored one may excavate the garden. Channeling it into scent games, sanctioned digging spots, or nosework, plus enough daily activity, keeps the behavior in check.