Breed Guide

Origins & Truffle-Hunting Heritage

The Lagotto Romagnolo originated in the marshlands of Comacchio, in Italy's Romagna region, where it worked as a water retriever for hunters. When the marshes were drained in the 19th century, the breed's keen nose and drive were redirected toward a new job: hunting truffles in the forests of Emilia-Romagna. Today it's recognized as the only breed developed specifically for truffle hunting, and that scenting instinct is still very much intact — it's why Lagotti are such food- and scent-motivated dogs in everyday life, not just in a working role. The AKC recognized the Lagotto Romagnolo in the Sporting Group in 2015.

Temperament & Family Fit

Lagotto Romagnolos are intelligent, affectionate, and eager to please — traits that made them easy to train for scent work and that translate well to family life. They bond closely with their people and do well in homes with children when properly socialized from puppyhood. Like many working breeds bred for a specific job, they can be sensitive to loud or sudden noises and reserved with strangers until they've warmed up; early, consistent socialization makes a real difference. They're also a genuinely smart breed that needs a job to do — a bored Lagotto Romagnolo will find its own entertainment, which isn't always what you'd choose for it.

Coat, Grooming & Allergies

The Lagotto Romagnolo has a dense, curly, wool-like coat — one of its most distinctive features and unlike almost any other breed. The coat doesn't shed the way a typical double coat does, which is why many people with mild allergies tolerate the breed well. No dog is truly 100% hypoallergenic, so if allergies are a real concern in your household, we'd recommend spending time with an adult Lagotto before committing to a puppy. The coat isn't low-maintenance, though: it needs regular brushing to prevent matting and a professional clip roughly every 6 to 8 weeks.

Size, Exercise & Mental Stimulation

Lagotto Romagnolos are a medium-small breed: males typically stand 17 to 19 inches at the shoulder, females slightly smaller, with most adults weighing between 24 and 35 pounds. Despite the size, they were bred for hours of fieldwork and have real stamina — daily exercise matters, but mental stimulation matters just as much. Scent games, puzzle toys, and structured training sessions tend to satisfy this breed more than a long walk alone. Given enough of both, a Lagotto Romagnolo can adapt well to apartment life; without it, that same intelligence tends to show up as unwanted habits.

Health & Genetics

Responsible breeding matters enormously for this breed. Every dog in our own program is OFA-evaluated for hip and elbow health, eye-certified, and DNA-screened for breed-specific conditions including Lagotto Storage Disease (LSD), a juvenile-onset neurological condition, and progressive retinal atrophy (PRA). These aren't formalities — they're the reason well-bred Lagotto Romagnolos tend to be a genuinely healthy, long-lived breed, often living 15 to 17 years. Whichever breeder you're considering, ask to see actual documentation for these tests; our breeder's guide covers what that should look like in more detail.

Our Program

At Ancient City Lagotto, we've built our breeding program around exactly these standards. We bred and own GCHS Ancient City Queen of Rock N' Roll ("Tina"), the #1 AKC-ranked Lagotto Romagnolo in 2026, and every litter we place comes from health-tested, carefully selected foundation lines chosen for structure, temperament, and true breed type. If you'd like to see what that looks like in practice, visit our current and upcoming litters.