How do you pronounce Lagotto Romagnolo?

Lagotto Romagnolo, which is Italian, is pronounced Lah-GOH-toe Ro-man-YO-lo.

Are Lagotti Romagnoli hypoallergenic?

Yes, Lagotti Romagnoli are considered hypoallergenic dogs , though no dog is 100% hypoallergenic. They are a nonshedding, low-dander breed, making them a great choice for people with allergies.

How big do Lagotti Romagnoli get?

As a medium-sized dog , Lagotti Romagnoli are no bigger than 19 inches tall and weigh no more than 35 pounds.

Do Lagotti Romagnoli bark a lot?

No, these pups don’t bark a lot. While they may be a little chatty when a visitor comes to the door or another dog is around, they can learn to keep their voices down with positive reinforcement training.

Are Lagotti Romagnoli good family dogs?

Yes, Lagotti Romagnoli are excellent family dogs : affectionate, friendly, and loving. They have an energy and zest for life that will make even the rainiest day cheerier.

Lagotto Romagnolo

Updated September 15, 2026

The Lagotto Romagnolo is a curly-haired cutie who lives to be your best friend—truly, they think you’re just the best thing ever. Cheerful and fun-loving, these pups appreciate outdoor adventure and a day capped off with snuggles.

Temperament

Big-Hearted, Energetic, Friendly

Weight

24–35 pounds

Height

16–19 inches

Life Expectancy

15–17 years

Maintenance Level

Friendliness

Coat Color

Brown, Brown Roan, Orange, Orange Roan, White, Sable, Off-White

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The Lagotto Romagnolo is an affectionate pup with excellent culinary tastes, including an impeccable nose for truffles. The dogs were first bred to sniff out truffles in Italy, but now they’re known as joyous and buoyant pups who will make fast friends wherever they go.

They’re particularly fond of the water, too, so they’ll also adore beach adventures with their family.

Lagotto Romagnolo Characteristics

Remember: Dogs are individuals and not all dogs, even those of the same breed, will exhibit all the same qualities.

Exercise Needs

Health Issues

Grooming Needs

Training Needs

Shedding Level

Friendliness

Playfulness

Energy Level

Barking Tendencies

Good for Apartments and Small Homes

Sensitive to Cold Weather

Sensitive to Warm Weather

Good for First-Time Pet Parents

Lagotto Romagnolo Appearance

With their signature wooly coat, bushy beard, and pronounced eyebrows, the Lagotto Romagnolo is a distinctive-looking pup with a pert, carrot-shaped tail. It’s common for the coat color to fade as these dogs age, but a brown Lagotto Romagnolo may retain their color even after they’re full-grown.

Ears
The Lagotto Romagnolo dog breed has triangular ears with a rounded tip that folds over to settle around the face.
Eyes
These pups have large, round eyes that are known for looking quite human. Their eye color varies from dark brown to hazel.
Nose
Their noses—famous for sniffing out truffles—can be peach, dark brown, or anything in between.
Coat Length
You'll know a Lagotto Romagnolo by their curly, waterproof double coat, which is no longer than 1.5 inches long.
Coat Color
The Lagotto Romagnolo breed can be dark brown or brown roan (an even mix of white and other colors that don't fade as the dog ages) with tan markings, various shades of white with brown or orange markings, sable, or solid orange or orange roan.
Tail
The Lagotto Romagnolo dog’s tail looks a lot like a carrot.

Lagotto Romagnolo Temperament

Bright and spirited, the Lagotto Romagnolo has a zest for life. They love to meet new people and go to new places.

Sure, they can be a little anxious at first—just like us humans. They’ll bark when something seems amiss in the world, but overall they’re easygoing, loving pups who thrive in a family.

This sensitive breed tends to be in tune with their people’s feelings, so if you’re having a bad day, expect your pup to know—and be there to cheer you. The Lagotto Romagnolo lives to make you happy, so consider yourself lucky.

Though energetic and a big fan of dog sports, these pups are just as happy to snuggle with you at the end of the day.

Similar in size and pet care needs as the Lagotto Romagnolo

Find Lagotto Romagnolos to Adopt Near You

How to Care for a Lagotto Romagnolo

These pups need a decent amount of grooming and exercise, but training is usually a cinch with these people-pleasing canines.

These pups need a solid grooming routine for all that lovely fur.

Bathing: Bathe your dog every four to six weeks (unless they happen to kick up a lot of dust at the dog park).
Brushing: These pups might not need as much brushing as you think. They need a trim at the groomer every two to three months, but in between, you can use a pin brush or metal comb to gently remove tangles without pulling too much on the coat. A dog detangling spray can help too.
Dental care: Help keep your pup’s teeth in shape by brushing them daily with a dog toothpaste. It’s a good idea to start when they’re a puppy so they get used to the experience. Get a pro cleaning at your vet once a year.
Ear care: Check their ears every day. If there’s redness, swelling, debris, or an odor, your pup may have an ear infection. Talk to your vet about how to clean your dog’s ears if they’re prone to irritation or infections.
Nail care: Trim your pup’s nails once a month. If you can hear the nails clacking on hard surfaces when they walk, it’s time.

These pups are fairly eager to please, so training is usually a cinch. Start training your Lagotto Romagnolo puppy early, or start as soon as you bring them home if they’re an adult. It’s never too late for them to learn new tricks!

You can begin with some basic cues like sit, stay, and come. To help them, lay it on thick with positive reinforcement, aka praise and rewards, so they know how proud you are of their efforts.

Heads up: These pups like to dig, so you might have to teach them to direct their efforts elsewhere—or make a sandpit in the backyard so they have somewhere to practice their favorite hobby.

Investing in proper socialization—exposing them to new people, places, and things—is a worthy pursuit. This helps them learn the world is a safe place full of kind people and interesting places to explore.

There’s no one-size-fits-all nutrition plan for your Lagotto Romagnolo, but every dog needs a complete and balanced diet that meets AAFCO standards. Choose a diet for your dog’s life stage (puppy, adult, or senior). Your vet can help you pick the best dog food.

Remember that treat calories count, too. While they’re important for motivating your Lagotto Romagnolo during training, don’t go overboard. Treats should never be more than 10% of a dog’s daily calories. Things like interactive toys that don’t involve treats are also great rewards!

The Lagotto Romagnolo could spend a whole day hunting truffles across the Italian countryside, but they’ll settle for some good exercise near home, too. These smart dogs also need to challenge their minds, so they love interactive toys and games.

Dog sports like agility, flyball, or dock diving are great options as well. They are also inclined to love nose work and leisurely scent walks.

Another one of their happy places is in the water, so they’ll likely love a nice swim. Before you choose a spot to splash, make sure the water’s safe for your pup. Never force your dog to go in the water; let them choose whether to go in themselves.

One fun fact about your Lagotto Romagnolo: They’re probably going to prefer people to dogs. This doesn’t mean they’ll dislike having a pet sibling, but it’s also not No. 1 on their list of must-haves.

They’d much prefer children to another animal, as long as those young humans know how to interact safely with them. Generally, it’s the more the merrier when it comes to people to give these dogs all the love they deserve.

Lagotti Romagnoli are social butterflies, so they want and need you around. Consider doggy daycare or a sitter if you’re away during the day and can’t take them with you.

They’re OK with apartment living if they get a ton of walks and playtime, but a fenced yard is a bonus. Have a house with a pool or body of water nearby? This is your pup’s dream—they couldn’t be more thrilled to splash. (If not, consider a beach vacation in the summer!)

Lagotto Romagnolo Health

The Lagotto Romagnolo life expectancy is 15–17 years. Here are some health issues to be aware of.

Cerebellar abiotrophy: This is an inherited, degenerative condition that causes trouble with balance coordination, so pups have difficulty walking. Unfortunately, there is currently no treatment, but dogs with mild cases can still live a very full life.
Epilepsy: Lagotti Romagnoli are prone to seizures caused by epilepsy, which typically begins between 6 months and 5 years old. It’s usually treated with medication.
Hip dysplasia: Hip dysplasia occurs when the ball and socket of the hip and thigh bones doesn’t properly fit; it can be an inherited condition. It often results in pain, limping, and arthritis. Treatment options include weight management, physical therapy, joint supplements, pain medication, and, in severe cases, surgery. 
Hyperuricosuria: Lagotti Romagnoli are prone to a genetic condition called hyperuricosuria, which means there is elevated uric acid in the urine. This can lead to bladder and kidney stones that may require a special diet and surgery to treat. Straining to urinate, accidents in the house, or blood in the urine may all be symptoms of a bladder or kidney stone.
Lagotto storage disease (LSD): LSD is a severe neurodegenerative condition. Symptoms include failure to thrive, restlessness, and behavioral changes such as depression or aggression. While the outcome is generally not positive, it’s important to be aware of possible signs to make sure your dog is comfortable.

Lagotto Romagnolo History

Michelangelo’s David and da Vinci’s Mona Lisa weren’t the only good things to come out of Renaissance Italy. The Lagotto Romagnolo may not be quite as famous, but they were highly valued in their time—and are just as much today.

This dog’s origins can be traced to the marshy lagoons around Northern Italy’s Ravenna, in the region of Emilia-Romagna, where they retrieved waterfowl for hunters around 1474. When the area was developed and their birding days came to an end, the Lagotto Romagnolo’s phenomenal nose was put to use hunting truffles, a rare delicacy even then. This is why you may also hear them referred to as the Lagotto Romagnolo truffle dog.

While the Lagotto Romagnolo isn’t the only dog who can hunt truffles, they were first bred for this purpose and are still considered the best in the business.

The Lagotto Romagnolo was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 2015.

Lagotto Romagnolo dogs tend to cost thousands of dollars. If you choose this route, pick a responsible breeder.

Adoption is another option, and there are many dogs waiting for forever homes. Look at the Lagotto Romagnolo Rescue or keep an eye out at your local shelter.

FAQs

This content was medically reviewed by Barri Morrison, DVM, Chewy veterinarian.

Similar in size and pet care needs as the Lagotto Romagnolo

Lagotto Romagnolo