Lagotto Romagnolo

[ruffiangirl]

So in my search for next dog I have been reading a lot about them, but have never met or seen one. I am hoping to visit a couple breeders this summer or next (it will be 2-3 years before I get another dog most likely) but I'm wondering if any of you guys have any experience with them?

I am also looking at standard poodles but the health issues are daunting, and bouviers but I don't want a dog that big just yet, maybe later.

 

[Omnomivore]

I've been mooning over Lagotto for years. The major reason they weren't my first dog was the price - because getting quality dogs so often means importing them, and because there's so few shows in the states where they can be finished, the price tag is often around 2k for a pet quality dog. I absolutely could've saved up, but when we found Sam on Craigslist for a small rehoming fee instead, well, that was 2k we could put into our emergency budget instead.

I have had the pleasure of meeting several in person. It was in a show environment, not a one-on-one, but they all were lovely! The ones present seemed very level-headed, and responsive and affectionate with their owners. Athletic, too. I bet these guys could do any dog sport you asked of them, though they probably wouldn't be as drivey as the top performing breeds. Not big on soliciting attention from strangers, though. And one spent most of the meet-the-breed trying to dig his way out of the tent, haha! Big diggers, those guys.

I also had a lovely long phone conversation with a breeder in CT. She'd switched to Lagotto from mpoos, and said that on average they were lower maintenance and less high strung than the poodles. Very perspective and keyed into their owners, though. She told me a story about one of her buyers coming home after a bad day and finding dog toys strewn all over, and when she sat down all upset and overwhelmed, the pup decided to start putting all their toys away, apparently without being asked or trained to! Can't vouch for how true that story really is, but clearly the people involved in the breed have a strong bond with the dogs.

For health, definitely hips and BFJE tests are a must. I'd like to see yearly eye tests myself, but as far as I know there's not many genetic disorders in the breed. In the states, finding breeders with dogs titled in conformation in the ring can be tricky. I'm pretty sure they're in the AKC now, but, like with many rare breeds, it can be hard to find a show where there's more than one or two Lagotto entered.

I'm still really hoping for one as my second dog. Things just need to settle down for me, first!

 

[ruffiangirl]

There are three breeders in the province next to me, all show and do health testing, and are up front about the results. They are CKC and that ch title is, well, pretty easy to get, being that you don't need majors, just ten points under three different judges. But I learned in Shibas 20 years ago that it doesn't mean much if the judges don't know the standard and are putting up dogs with obvious colour faults lmao.

It looks like the cost is about $1500 for pet quality, I have a few years to save for it so, but I really want a dog I can do conformation with then move on too obedience and agility with afterwards. So that means purebred lol.

 

[Omnomivore]

Yeah, I'm in the states and was last seriously looking a couple years ago (we've had Samwise over a year now, goodness!), before/during when Lagotto were accepted into the AKC, so some of my info could definitely be out of date or irrelevant to the CKC dogs. I know that one of the major breeders in the US flies to Italy regularly to show their dogs, and imports frequently, but the prices are probable dropping some as more judges on this side of the pond get familiar with the breed.

I'm mostly a lurker here, but if you do visit a breeder (or get a puppy a couple years down the line!) I'd love pictures! I'm moving to Europe myself in a few months' time, if things go as planned, and once we're settled I'm hoping to go back to looking at Lagotto. Samwise can't compete at all where we're going due to his docked tail, and I so want to get into more dog sports, so CLEARLY I'll need another puppy.

I'm lucky my fiancee's so tolerant, haha!

 

[ruffiangirl]

That's awesome! What a wonderful adventure. I will defiantly be sharing pics when/if I get a puppy.

 

[Omnomivore]

I'm swooning over these puppies right now:

http://www.digndogs.com/available-puppies.html

Carmela and Meadow are my favorites! <3 Their dogs are Swedish stock, too, and since I'll be in Norway... well, who knows?

 

[ruffiangirl]

OMG I want Micheal!

 

[Omnomivore]

He's probably my favorite male! I'm a sucker for the browns and dark roans.

 

[ruffiangirl]

I'm having serious puppy wants, but am going to step up my diesel and Gage agility training instead lol. I can't have 4 dogs, especially 3 with heavy grooming needs lol.

 

[Omnomivore]

Haha, tell me about it! Based on the paperwork his last owner gave us, Sam's originally from a 'professional' BYB... and it shows. At least his breeder was paying SOME attention to temperament, but his coat's a nightmare! He'll be two in the summer, and I'm afraid I'll be stuck with this soft, fluffy, halfway-through-coat-change fur forever. It's lovely for cuddling, but mats if you breathe on it wrong

I do not regret answering the Craigslist ad, but next dog's going to be from a reputable breeder, definitely.

 

[ruffiangirl]

Bristol is the worst for matting I have to be so careful, harnesses are the worst! She is kept in a modified cocker spaniel clip, short all over but her legs, ears and tail lol.

Diesel wasn't clipped very much as a pup so he had wonderful coat, it hardly matts at all!

If you can get your hands on a Matt Zapper I highly recommend one they are awesome!

 

[Omnomivore]

Yeah, I keep Sam in at about 1/2 in of hair on his body most of the time because I won't give up the harness. He chokes himself too easily, the doofus. I've drooled over the Les Poochs brushes forever, but it hasn't been in the budget lately.

A little more back on topic - I know some of the coat advice for Lagotto is to leave it alone except for some scissoring - letting it felt, basically - and shaving them down 2-3 times a year. I think that'd drive me crazy... I guess a 'correct' coat on them must not mat to the skin, huh? I'd be more comfortable keeping mine combed out and then wetted to get the curls back.

 

[ruffiangirl]

Ya me too, I like to bath them and do different clips it's fun lol.

 

[Sparrow]

This breed is one of my top possibles for Next Dog. There's one that does nosework up here, and I was able to meet her at an ORT. She seemed calm and was just doing her thing, but after I got permission to meet her, she was all about me. So stranger friendly, but not initiating contact with strangers. My kinda dog.

Her owner said she is very cuddly, and more active than she is used to (I think she has Rots.)

They are really great dogs from what I can see. Good size, high activity and trainability, good health, long lifespans, etc.

 

[ruffiangirl]

This is what I have been reading about them as well. Over all they don't have as many health issues as poodles, they are a great size and versatile. I would love to get one to show then do agility with, maybe obedience and rally as well.