Lagotto Romagnolo in the UK
A Lagotto Romagnolo's general appearance is rustic, strong, well-proportioned and typical water dog of small-medium size and its ability as a working Gundog dog is obvious. Its ancient origins are as a duck retriever in the Italian marshlands.
The expression is one of attentive, intelligence and vivacity. The Lagotto Romagnolo works enthusiastically and efficiently, making the most of its inherent search-and-find skills and excellent sense of smell. An affectionate animal, it forms a close bond with its owner and also makes a fine, easy-to-train companion if the owner is prepared to commit to structured training.
A medium sized friendly dog, with an appealing face and happy smile, but do not be deceived these are not the easiest of family pets. Bear in mind that you are buying a working dog, whose Italian ancestry is a typical farmyard dog, used only to working and living outside, not a breed with many generations of domestication behind it. Left to their own devices and without purpose, they will become bored and naughty. They need to work or be occupied.
As a consequence of being highly intelligent, they can sometimes be highly strung and many will react like a farmyard collie – shooing visitors away, barking and being fiercely loyal to ‘their people’.
They need exercise, but not mindless rounds of ‘the block’. They need stimulation, 25 minutes of great, interesting places is better than 40 minutes of the same old route, so go the other way round, vary your route, walk with different friends, cross the road, vary the park you use and best of all find them something to do that they love. Then you will have a happy content dog who is quick and lively, learns lessons well and best of all comes home and happily goes to sleep whilst you get on with other things.
Coats are hypo allergenic, but definitely have to be regularly groomed to prevent matting and the occasional clip-out helps to keep a Lagotto Romagnolo comfortable.
Here are some of the other activities that Lagotto Romagnolo's get up to in the UK ...
The expression is one of attentive, intelligence and vivacity. The Lagotto Romagnolo works enthusiastically and efficiently, making the most of its inherent search-and-find skills and excellent sense of smell. An affectionate animal, it forms a close bond with its owner and also makes a fine, easy-to-train companion if the owner is prepared to commit to structured training.
A medium sized friendly dog, with an appealing face and happy smile, but do not be deceived these are not the easiest of family pets. Bear in mind that you are buying a working dog, whose Italian ancestry is a typical farmyard dog, used only to working and living outside, not a breed with many generations of domestication behind it. Left to their own devices and without purpose, they will become bored and naughty. They need to work or be occupied.
As a consequence of being highly intelligent, they can sometimes be highly strung and many will react like a farmyard collie – shooing visitors away, barking and being fiercely loyal to ‘their people’.
They need exercise, but not mindless rounds of ‘the block’. They need stimulation, 25 minutes of great, interesting places is better than 40 minutes of the same old route, so go the other way round, vary your route, walk with different friends, cross the road, vary the park you use and best of all find them something to do that they love. Then you will have a happy content dog who is quick and lively, learns lessons well and best of all comes home and happily goes to sleep whilst you get on with other things.
Coats are hypo allergenic, but definitely have to be regularly groomed to prevent matting and the occasional clip-out helps to keep a Lagotto Romagnolo comfortable.
Here are some of the other activities that Lagotto Romagnolo's get up to in the UK ...