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Tips to choose a puppy of Lagotto Romagnolo. Characteristics of the breed. Lagotto Romagnolo suitable for families and children. Lagotto Romagnolo Serious farms.

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How to Adopt a Lagotto Romagnolo Puppy from Italy: The Valle dei Medici Guide

Are you looking for an authentic Lagotto Romagnolo puppy for sale directly from its homeland? Bringing a puppy home from Italy is a unique experience. At Valle dei Medici, located in the beautiful hills of Tuscany near Florence, we make international adoption seamless, safe, and exciting for families across Europe.

The Power of Origins: Why Buy an Italian Breed Directly from Italy?

Adopting a native dog breed directly from its country of origin offers unparalleled advantages.
When you buy an Italian breed like the Lagotto Romagnolo directly in Italy, you are tapping into the primary source of the breed’s standard and its largest, most diverse gene pool. Italy holds the richest genetic diversity for this breed. This variety is essential for avoiding inbreeding, preserving robust health, and ensuring absolute breed purity.
Italian breeders live and breathe the history of these dogs, making Italy the only place where you can truly secure the authentic rustic beauty of a true Lagotto. Choosing a puppy from its motherland means bringing home an unmatched example of breed tipicity and a living piece of Italian history.

The True Italian Heritage & Genetic Preservation

The Lagotto Romagnolo is world-famous as the curly-haired Italian truffle dog. Because the Lagotto is a specialized breed with a relatively limited gene pool worldwide, securing a puppy directly from its country of origin is crucial.
By choosing a puppy from Valle dei Medici in Italy, you access authentic, deep-rooted bloodlines that preserve the breed’s original health, morphology, and balanced temperament. Our puppies are raised in the open air of the Mugello valley, ensuring they grow up happy, highly socialized, and ready to adapt perfectly to your family life abroad. You can learn more about our philosophy and everyday life on our About Us page.

Years of Experience & Happy Families Across Europe

We have extensive, proven experience in international adoptions. Every country in Europe (including Germany, France, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Denmark, Spain, Portgall,Austria, and Lithuania) has specific veterinary and import regulations. We strictly respect and comply with the laws of each country, managing the mandatory vaccinations and official documentation with absolute precision. All our dogs are officially registered with the ENCI (Ente Nazionale Cinofilia Italiana) and come with an official FCI (Fédération Cynologique Internationale) Export Pedigree.
Don’t just take our word for it: our numerous 5-star reviews from international buyers speak for themselves. They highlight our professionalism, communication, and the exceptional balance of our puppies. Check out the stories of our dogs abroad on our dedicated Testimonials and Reviews section.

Safe Travel: Welcoming Your Puppy in Person

To ensure the absolute well-being of our dogs, our puppies must be picked up in person. This allows you to start your bond safely and meet us directly. We make this process incredibly smooth for foreign families:
    • Tuscan Holiday Pickup: Visit our kennel in Tuscany and collect your puppy directly from our hands.
    • Airport Handover: We can meet you directly at Florence (FLR) or Bologna (BLQ) airports for a stress-free handover before your flight back home.
    • Complimentary Puppy Daycare during your Tuscan Holiday: If you decide to turn your pickup trip into a brief vacation, you can explore Tuscany stress-free. We gladly offer a complimentary daycare service at our kennel, keeping your puppy safe and happy whenever you plan excursions or museum visits that are too tiring or unsuitable for a young pup.


Meet Your Puppy Online (Before Arrival)

Distance is not a barrier. We keep you involved in every single step of your puppy’s growth before you come to Italy:
    • Live Video Calls: Meet your puppy and see our environment via WhatsApp or Zoom or Facetime.
    • Weekly Updates: Receive photos and videos as the litter grows.
    • English-Speaking Support: We guide you through the entire process and provide lifelong advice in English.

Please read our detailed Adoption Process Guide to understand how we select the perfect match for your lifestyle.
Contact Valle dei Medici today to check our upcoming litters and find your perfect Lagotto Romagnolo puppy in Italy.

Lifestyle and the Ideal Owner: Meeting the Lagotto’s Needs at Home

The Lagotto Romagnolo is world-famous as the only purebred dog specialized in truffle hunting. Hardy in appearance and robust as a true country dog, it naturally sparks a question: “Can a Lagotto live happily in a city apartment?”
The short answer is yes, absolutely. This is backed by our direct experience and the feedback from our puppies living in major metropolises and European capitals.
However, apartment living with a Lagotto requires an understanding of specific biological and behavioral traits unique to the breed. This article will help you determine if this wonderful breed fits your lifestyle and condo living.

Lagotto Romagnolo in an Apartment: Debunking False Myths

A common myth suggests that working dogs must live in wide-open spaces or the countryside. The reality is quite different. It is rooted in the extraordinary emotional intelligence of the Lagotto Romagnolo—a breed highly capable of reading the context and adapting to various daily situations.
If they receive the right physical and mental stimulation outside, Lagottos transform into discreet, clean, and incredibly relaxed companions once indoors. They do not need large square footage to run around the house; their true necessity is feeling like an integral part of the family pack.
This perfect balance is achieved through a dual process of evaluation and responsibility:
    • Selective Breeding: Serious breeders constantly work on genetic lines to preserve a balanced and flexible temperament, which is ideal for indoor living.
    • Shared Responsibility and Education: A reputable breeder selects the ideal puppy by matching the dog’s temperament with detailed information about the future family’s routine. Once the dog comes home, it is the family’s responsibility to educate and guide the puppy through a smooth integration process.


Is the Lagotto Right for Your Family? Key Considerations

Before welcoming a puppy, reflect on a few fundamental aspects. The size of your home does not matter; the quality of the time you dedicate to them does.
1. Quality Time and Daily Routine
A Lagotto Romagnolo does not care about having a massive private garden where they might just get bored alone; they crave shared time with you.
An adult Lagotto requires at least three daily walks to meet their physiological needs. While a spacious terrace or garden helps handle quick potty breaks during bad weather, outdoor home space never replaces human interaction.
Indoor life with a Lagotto requires dedication through:
    • Mental Stimulation and Scent Work: Engaging their exceptional nose with indoor search games satisfies them deeply. Just 15 minutes of scent work (like hiding treats in the living room or using a snuffle mat) will tire and satisfy them more than two hours of mindlessly chasing a ball.
    • Affection and Physical Contact: Lagottos love physical closeness with their owners; quiet relaxation and affection are pillars of the bond.

2. Managing Solitude and Work Schedules
While the Lagotto Romagnolo develops a deep bond with their family, they also possess a sharp sense of autonomy and curiosity. They are active, resourceful dogs that find ways to entertain themselves during the day.
However, they do not tolerate prolonged isolation. If your routine requires leaving a dog completely alone for 8 to 10 consecutive hours due to work, this is not the breed for you. For an adult Lagotto, the ideal continuous alone-time limit is 4 to 5 hours.
This balance must be carefully built from the very first months. Early-age isolation can trigger:
    • Separation Anxiety: Sudden, prolonged isolation undermines a puppy’s security, creating deep anxiety.
    • An Unstable Adult Dog: A puppy that experiences solitude as a trauma can become a chronically stressed adult that struggles to relax when left alone.

3. Embodying an Outdoor Lifestyle
Living with an apartment Lagotto means being an active city dweller. Rain, wind, cold, or mud cannot stop you; your dog still needs their daily appointment with the outside world. This consistency stimulates their senses and guarantees a balanced, calm behavior inside the home.

The Unexpected Advantages of a Lagotto in a Condo

Living with a Lagotto in an urban environment offers massive advantages that few other breeds can match:
  • Low Shedding: Thanks to a continuously growing curly coat, the Lagotto does not undergo seasonal shedding. This means zero fur on your sofas, carpets, or black clothes—a dream for apartment cleanliness.
  • No “Dog Odor”: Their coat structure does not retain sebum the way other breeds do. Even if they get wet in the rain, the smell vanishes quickly once dried.
  • Perfect Size for Indoor Management: The Lagotto Romagnolo is a medium-sized dog, weighing 11–14 kg (24–30 lbs) for females and 13–16 kg (28–35 lbs) for males. This balanced size means they do not overwhelm your living space and are incredibly easy to manage in any apartment layout.
  • Apartment Living Suitability Test
    Use this self-assessment table to evaluate if your current setup is ideal for a Lagotto Romagnolo or if it presents potential challenges:

    THE LAGOTTO IS RIGHT FOR YOU IF: YOU MIGHT STRUGGLE IF:
    You walk regularly 3 to 4 times a day. The dog would be left alone for more than 6 consecutive hours.
    You want a dog that actively participates in family life. You are looking for an independent, self-managing dog.
    You enjoy doing mental stimulation games at home. You want a “couch potato” dog with zero mental commitment.
    You have a terrace or garden for emergencies and bad weather. You think a garden replaces daily walks and outside stimulation.
    Family members can take turns to break up the dog’s alone time. You manage the dog alone with no help during long work hours.
    The family collaborates in playtime, affection, and potty duties. Household members refuse to share the puppy’s daily routine.


    💡 The Selection Method at Valle dei Medici Breeding

    “At our kennel, Valle dei Medici, when a family requests a puppy for apartment living, we immediately raise our antennas. We firmly believe that time availability is non-negotiable—a factor that easily outweighs and compensates for smaller living spaces.
    For this reason, we always ask for detailed information regarding the family routine and the potential support network available to help with daily management. Previous experience with dogs is also a key element we carefully evaluate.
    Our puppies are monitored from birth, both individually and within the litter dynamics. We constantly perform targeted exercises to assess their cooperativeness, natural aptitudes, and human-interaction styles. Only after this scientific evaluation do we match the right puppy with the ideal future family.”

    Core Challenges You Cannot Ignore

    For honesty and ethics, we must highlight the critical aspects of condo living. Sharing common spaces and having neighbors requires extra attention:
      • The Alert Bark: The Lagotto is a naturally vigilant watchdog, defined as an “alerter” in the breed standard. Without proper puppy training, they may bark at hallway noises or the elevator. Early socialization to building sounds is vital.
      • Early-Month Boredom: A bored Lagotto puppy that has not yet learned to manage its space will look for ways to vent energy, potentially resulting in destructive behavior.
      • Potty Training Hurdles: Living on the fourth floor without a terrace or garden demands extreme consistency during the first few months to teach the puppy to go outside.
      • The Teething Phase: The transition from puppy teeth to permanent teeth happens between 4 and 7 months of age. This biological phase causes gum discomfort, leading the puppy to:
          • Chew on household objects and surfaces.
          • Explore the environment strictly with their mouth.
          • Seek continuous pressure on their gums to find relief.


    FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions about Indoor Lagottos

    Does a Lagotto suffer in an apartment without a garden?

    No, they do not suffer from limited space. A Lagotto suffers from a lack of activity and interaction with the owner. A garden can never replace a mindful, shared walk with you.

    How many times a day should an indoor Lagotto go out?

    An adult Lagotto needs at least 3 to 4 daily outings. These must include stimulating scent walks rather than just a quick, rushed bathroom break on concrete.

    Do Lagottos bark a lot in apartment buildings?

    They can have a natural tendency to alert you when they hear unusual noises. However, if they are socialized from an early age to common condo sounds, they quickly learn to ignore them.

Lagotto Romagnolo puppy booking | Breeder Valle dei Medici.

photo lagotto romagnolo

Reserving one of our puppies, especially made without making a visit with us is definitely an act of mutual trust.

The inability to make a visit is often due to distance. However, a good friendly phone conversation, sometimes a video call allows us to exchange useful information to understand the family’s expectation of the new puppy.

We are able to make clear what we do here and what health and socialization aspects we follow with the highest attention.

The price of one of our puppies is intentionally not listed on this site. We also do not give the price by email or whatsapp.

The reason for this choice is not a marketing operation or an inexplicable strategy.

We fully understand that puppy price is an important piece of information, but it only comes into play after we feel that our contact person is suitable for one of our Lagotto puppies.

We want to have information about our puppy’s new family. We want to be able to have our say and do the best we are allowed for the future well-being of our puppies, the children of our Lagottos.

miglior allevamento lagotto romagnolo

So avoid superficial buyers who by asking themselves few questions about their situation and ability to take in a dog decide they have that budget for the puppy and if the price is right they think “the deal” is done.

well understand what I mean,  the many people who write to us about their family or call us to inquire precisely about the aspects that lead to the adoption of a puppy.

Those who book the puppy will certainly have to wait some time to have it in their home, on the other hand it gives us useful information to evaluate îthe temperament of the puppy for that specific family throughout the growing up period here with us.

 

 

How we make the puppy choice.

Puppy choice occurs around the 50th day of life.Svizzere lagotto Brown marrona

The main goal is to identify dominant and more closed puppies.

Every day we evaluate their behavior. When they are the right age they are taken individually and offered new things.

And then, the puppy who together with his siblings was playing devil’s advocate, taken on his own is very shy.

Testing is not done once. Even for puppies, not every day is the same.

The Lagotto’s natural reserve in facing new situations should never result in fear.

Puppies that require more attention and care will need to receive it here with us in order to be ready when they have to leave us and face placement elsewhere with other people.

fotografie lagotto romagnoloWe are often told that the previous dog was the one who first approached, or we are asked precisely to do this test with our puppies to leave the evaluation to the future owner. We don’t.

This unfortunately takes away some of the romance aspect of the choice, but we know that a puppy who remains somewhat secluded at that time may simply have eaten more than his siblings and be in a moment of digestion. He may simply have played a lot before these people arrived and not feel like doing anything else.

Lagotto romagnolo zurigoIn any case, it often happens that when the puppies are already about 45 days old we agree to do a trial together with the future family. It will be three or four puppies, generally either all male or all female if the family has clear ideas about the sex of the future puppy. With our supervision and choosing puppies that we feel are suitable for the future situation we accommodate preferences and leave the romantic aspect of… “he chose us!”

A more open or more closed temperament can be a plus in one situation and a flaw in another.

lagotto agility dog stella

Lagotto Romagnolo Agility Dog

There are many activities we can do with our Lagotto.

Lagotto Romagnolo truffle dog, very true, but not only!

With such a versatile dog there are many activities we can do with him. Pleasant, carefree moments that strengthen friendship and complicity with one’s Lagotto.

The sport that certainly can be done with the Lagotto is Agility dog.

As early as a few years ago, a lady with one of our Lagottas had sent me a video of her and the Lagottina trying their hand at this sport.

Our Stella started doing this activity with Martina. They both come back overjoyed, relaxed and satisfied. Armed with prizes it will also be an important training session.

Lagotto Romagnolo agility dog

Where join the Agility Dog

sport with lagotto agility dog

You are sure to find dog training and agility dog centers near you. They are indoor and/or outdoor environments. So if you are lucky we can do this almost year round. The staff is usually knowledgeable and they usually combine basic training sessions.

The cost for an hour is low. Definitely worth a trial, usually free to see if we like it.

The center where Stella goes, Sporting Dog Valdisieve ASD, offers various sports, socialization and education activities.

At what age of the dog can you do agility dog.

You can certainly introduce some early exercises and equipment at a young age. However, it is good to do sports activities with a healthy Dog that has already developed its skeletal and muscular structure. Basically after the age of one year.

kennel lagotto romagnolo Italy

A Guide to the Lagotto Romagnolo: Fun Facts, Temperament, and the Truth About the Breed

Since 2020, the number of Lagotto Romagnolo dogs in our cities has grown significantly. Just ten years ago, spotting a Lagotto was a rare sight. Walking down the street, you would often get stopped by curious passersby asking about their distinctive curly coat, usually with the same question: “Is that a Poodle?”.
Today, the Lagotto Romagnolo is easily recognized at first glance and is deeply loved in both urban and rural areas. This booming popularity has led many dog breed websites and social media groups to talk about them. However, the information available online is often conflicting, incomplete, or outright inaccurate.
Here is a clear, practical guide with everything you need to know before welcoming a Lagotto Romagnolo into your family as a companion dog.

Do Lagotto Romagnolos bark a lot?

No, the Lagotto Romagnolo is not a breed prone to constant barking. To get their owner’s attention, they usually prefer other ways of communicating and rarely resort to barking.
However, the breed standard defines them as excellent watchdogs (or alarm dogs). This means that:
    • They react to unusual noises inside or near the property.
    • They can perceive unexpected events as a temporary source of stress.
    • They signal the presence of strangers with a steady bark.

For example, it is quite common for Lagottos to trigger their natural “alarm system” when guests arrive, making the doorbell almost unnecessary. Once they recognize the situation and hear their owner’s voice, they calm down within seconds, running over to greet the visitors and look for affection.

Is it true that Lagotto Romagnolos love to dig up the garden?

This is not entirely accurate. People often associate this breed with compulsive digging simply because they are famous truffle-hunting dogs, but the reality is tied to selective breeding and canine psychology.

Here is the truth about the Lagotto and its digging habits:

    • The truffle-hunting instinct: Many trained dogs do not immediately use their paws to scratch the ground (known as the “raspata”). Some try to grab the truffle using only their mouth; others simply sit on the spot and wait for the handler to do the rest.
    • Curiosity and prey drive: If a Lagotto digs in the garden, it is often because they are attracted to specific scents or are chasing lizards (a behavior common to many other breeds).
    • The stress factor: If a Lagotto digs deep holes obsessively, the cause is almost always loneliness. This breed craves the presence of its human family. When a busy daily routine pushes the dog to the sidelines, they manifest their frustration through digging.


What are the health conditions of the Lagotto Romagnolo?

The Lagotto Romagnolo is a robust, athletic, and generally healthy dog. They have a strong constitution and a good life expectancy.
When it comes to weather tolerance and medical prevention:
    • Climate resilience: They do not mind the cold at all, but they tolerate hot, muggy summer temperatures much less.
    • Genetic diseases: While they are a solid breed, there are typical hereditary pathologies. Responsible breeders must subject their dogs to specific genetic testing before mating.
    • Dysplasia: Their joints (hips and elbows) must be officially screened via X-rays to prevent passing hip or elbow dysplasia down to their puppies.


How much time do you need to dedicate to a Lagotto Romagnolo?

The Lagotto is a gentle-natured dog that absolutely loves being an active part of family life. They are wonderful with children and enjoy sharing every moment with their owners.
Let’s debunk a common myth about daily walks:
    • Mental stimulation: As a working breed, they have a strong need for mental exercise and love feeling helpful.
    • Physical activity: They do not strictly need to be walked for hours on end every single day.
    • Quality time: The quality of the time spent together matters much more than the length of the walk. A Lagotto is perfectly happy just keeping you company while you do some gardening.


Is the Lagotto Romagnolo intelligent and easy to train?

Yes, they have an exceptional temperament and are highly intelligent. They show a strong desire to please their owner (a trait known as will to please), which makes them very obedient when properly motivated.
Thanks to their extraordinary sense of smell and versatility, they excel in several disciplines:
    • Agility Dog
    • Pet Therapy
    • Search and Rescue (disaster relief and civil protection)
    • Scent games and mental stimulation puzzles


Do Lagotto Romagnolos shed hair?

It is absolutely true: the Lagotto Romagnolo does not shed and does not go through seasonal blowouts. This characteristic makes them ideal for apartment living and for people who suffer from mild dog allergies.
However, a non-shedding coat requires careful maintenance:
    • The hair grows continuously and tends to mat or felt if neglected.
    • They require regular grooming and clipping sessions throughout the year.
    • Coat care must be adapted to the changing seasons to avoid tight knots close to the skin.


Is it true that Lagotto Romagnolos love water?

Yes, their attraction to water is a true ancestral calling. The historical roots of the breed trace back to their role as water retrievers in the marshlands of Ravenna, Italy.
Even today, the outside temperature does not matter to a Lagotto: any puddle, river, lake, or body of water is the perfect excuse to take a dip. Taking them out for a swim is an exceptional alternative activity that will make them far happier than a standard walk on asphalt.

 

Why sterilise your dog

Neutering a dog mainly protects him from tumours. For the female these are tumours of the uterus and udder, for the male tumours of the testicles and prostate.

Mother Nature takes her course and would like females with puppies twice a year. This, however, is very bad. It would soon debilitate the females and shorten their lives.

The dog is not a wolf.

The Lagotto does not even resemble the Wolf. The Lagotto Romagnolo, and the dog in general, is a domestic animal that lives in a family and does not have the rules and hierarchies of a pack. Hierarchies that also regulate mating within the pack and which consequently determine the selection of the species.

Man’s intervention on a domestic animal such as the dog is necessary to try to prevent certain pathologies deriving from the lack of reproduction of the female in particular, but also of the male.

This remains the main and perhaps only reason, sorry if it is not enough, to convince people to sterilise their dogs.

When to sterilise your dog

I have searched for information and I have also consulted directly or indirectly with some vets. Unfortunately there are no univocal lines of thought on when to sterilise the dog and each one has its advantages and disadvantages.

For the male the operation is very simple and requires little time to recover. The operation can be done at any time, there is no reproductive cycle to take into account.

In general, early castration in males is not recommended.

But from 3-4 years of age it is worthwhile.

For the female after the operation it takes a few days to recover and overcome the pain in the abdomen. Early sterilisation of females significantly reduces the risk of tumours in later life.

But how early?

I believe that the evaluation must also take into account the breed. For the Lagotto Romagnolo I would avoid surgery before one year of age. The first year of age is fundamental for physical development in a breed exposed to dysplasia. It can also be a traumatic experience from a character point of view, which in my opinion should be postponed until after one year of age.

Sterilisation of the female takes place 2-3 months after the last heat.

Our females, once the reproductive activity is over, after the 5th litter, are sterilised.

The breeder’s code of ethics requires that females should not be reproduced after 5 litters.

Contraindications to sterilisation

If we exclude the minimum risk due to a surgical intervention, even if it is trivial, there are no contraindications to sterilisation.

The tendency to put on weight after sterilisation is not something that I have seen in my females, although obviously we always pay a lot of attention to this aspect.

Taboos and rumours

There are some taboos to overcome on this subject. That of going against nature. Briefly, I would say that nature is quite ruthless with regard to reproduction, two litters a year means exhausting the females to the point of shortening their lives. Overcome this taboo considering that the dog is a domestic animal.

The idea of having the female breed at least once to protect her from tumours is a widespread but unfounded consideration. Neutering certainly has benefits, one pregnancy in a lifetime, it is not clear why it should mark the female against tumours if the poor thing continues to have two heats a year for the rest of her life.

first journey with lagotto pup

Preparing to Welcome Your Lagotto Puppy

The arrival of a puppy at home is a subject we have already covered in the past. Several years have passed since that article, although it is obviously still valid.

However, there are many families who ask us for more precise details about the size of the carrier and how to organise the first trip with the puppy. What to expect, what the puppy’s reaction will be, and other information that we will try to give in this article.

What items are needed for the journey and on arrival

The travel bag or carrier

The best way for your puppy to travel by car is on the back seat in a cloth travel bag.

The bag or carrier should be openable at the sides and top.

This allows the second passenger to comfortably comfort the puppy. If a car journey is followed by a flight, the bag will be indispensable.

The measurements of the bag are for a 70-day-old puppy weighing 5-7 kg. In the case of a puppy for some foreign countries, i.e. at least 15 weeks old, the bag will be for a puppy weighing around 7-9 kg.

As it is often the case that some people also want to equip themselves with a kennel for an adult Lagotto, the measurements of the carrier will be about 60×40 cm and 50 cm high. Larger sizes are not convenient as they perform worse in protecting the dog during turns or other events.

The blanket

Using a blanket with mum’s scent can help give your puppy peace of mind. Useful in puppies as young as 70 days old that are less open to new things.

The blanket will be passed over the mother on the day the puppy is picked up.

Games

The puppy will certainly not play on its first car journey, but as we will need to buy toys for its arrival home, we remain convinced that the tennis ball and a Kong are more than enough. For more details see the article on toys for Lagotto puppies.

Leash

We have also written an article on this subject, but our suggestion is to take a Retriever leash.

A harness is not recommended up to a year old. If the puppy proves, as is often the case, that it can keep up with the pace without any major jerking, an exception can be made and the harness can be used.

Water

For particularly long journeys, it is advisable to carry a bowl and a bottle of water.

Feeding during the journey

When handing over the puppy, try to leave it on an empty stomach for at least 6-7 hours. The agitation and stress of the journey will undoubtedly lead to regurgitation. For the same reason, even if the journey is particularly long, it is wise not to feed the puppy during the journey:

do not give the puppy any food during the journey.

The fact that when the puppy arrives at its new home it wants to eat and finds it is positive in many ways.

We always give a one-kilo sack on the day the kitten is picked up. Now that I am writing this article, it is included in the Puppy Kit, but if things change in the future, we will continue with this good habit.

1 kg of kibble is enough for 4-5 days. In other words, there is no urgent need to buy a large bag for the puppy. If possible we will continue with the trend that we are using at the moment, vice versa we will use the feed taken from the kennel to make a gradual transition to the new brand.

Conclusion

I believe and hope I have not forgotten anything. The last recommendation is to stay calm, even if the moment has been so long awaited and it will not be easy to control the strong emotion.

I only remember one puppy that got confused during the return trip, Snoopy, actually took a while to accept the separation. For the rest, Lagotto puppies like children let themselves sleep in the car and after a few minutes of bewilderment and great stress they let themselves go. They spend most of the journey sleeping or being pampered.

  • Travel bag or carrier
  • Retriever leash
  • Cover
  • Kong and tennis ball
  • Bowl and water bottle
tools to groom lagotto romagnolo

Tools to Groom the Lagotto

Lagotto dog grooming is an activity that every owner can do on his own. The reasons can be many, from pastime, to the desire to try this practice or to keep your dog aesthetically in order with greater flexibility and frequency, compared to having to take him to a groomer when you just can’t take him anymore.

Many of the owners of our Lagotto want to try and do some retouching and gaining confidence and seeing their dog’s results and behaviour improve, they often continue.

If you are reading this article you are certainly interested in understanding what a good grooming equipment is, a compromise with professional equipment but sufficient to care for the curly hair of your Lagottino with excellent results.

Before going into the actual equipment, trying to give references both as brands and prices, remember that it will be necessary to wash the dog.

A bath based on shampoo for dogs and a conditioner to make the hair clean and easy to cut. It can also be easily done in the bathtub at home.

The comb will slide more easily and we will not risk to remove the sharpening of the cutting tools due also to light dirt.

Grooming tools: table

tavolo per toelettare

The Grooming Table

The Grooming Table is certainly indispensable to work in a certain harmony. The main feature is to be able to hold the dog firmly enough to cut. The first few times the dog will not be completely at ease but he will soon get used to it, making the operations much easier and more effective.

A table with an arm and lockable table like the one in the picture has a price around 80 euros or a little more.

It is a basic table, but it allows you to do your work very well and is easily transportable. Going up in price there are pneumatic tables. These are raised and lowered, but cannot be transported. Instead, they can rotate to position the dog quickly to one side or the other to simplify the process.

As for the laces, the ones supplied are made of fabric and can be inadvertently cut with scissors. Soon it will be necessary to switch to hard plastic ones with rubber head support.

Grooming tools: Comb and brush

cardatore toelettare

Brush

pettine toelettare

Steel tooth comb

The brush or carder is not necessary to keep the hair of the pond tidy. On the contrary, they are to be avoided in order not to smooth the hair and lose the typical hedgehog of the breed. However, when grooming, the carder can be useful for thinning the hair in certain critical points. It is also useful to raise the hair of the tail and give it a uniform shape. The comb like the one in the photo remains the main tool to manage the coat of the Lagotto Romagnolo.

The prices of both the carder and the comb do not reach 10 euros each.

Grooming tools: Hemostatic ear hair tongs

pinza peli cane emostatica

Hemostatic pliers for inner ear hair

In the picture, the hemostatic clamp is very useful to remove the hair growing inside the earcup. To be handled with great care but really effective. The block on the scissor rod allows you to be very precise for excellent cleaning.

These pliers are easily found at a price of less than 10 euros.

Cutting grooming tools: scissors.

There are also many types of scissors and the quality of the steel used makes all the difference. Both in price and ease of work.

The scissors to be used are straight or straight scissors with a length of about 20 cm. We can also equip ourselves with a second shorter scissors to be more precise in sculpting the head and following the anatomy of the dog near the shoulders and on the back. Excessively cheap scissors are generally not very durable and not very precise.

A good scissor has a price around 40 euros.

Obviously the scissors need to be resharpened and it is not easy to find someone who knows how to sharpen scissors, but it is worth a try.

The cost of sharpening scissors is about 3 euros.

Cutting grooming tools: clippers and heads.

Among the best-known brands of clippers are Moser, Aesculap and Heininger. They all use interchangeable heads, except for a few models of the Aesculap.

The Moser 45 with wire is priced at just over 100 euros and is sufficiently valid.

Probably the most widely used amateur level. The prices of the Aesculap and the Heininger are much higher, especially if we aim at battery-powered models. After years of use of the Moser 45 we have opted for the Heninger Saphir and it is a really nice, comfortable, light and durable battery pack. Of course the cost is justified by the number of our Lagotto.

For the heads, on the other hand, it is worth spending a few words on ceramic blades.  The ceramic blades are much more durable and above all they heat very little and avoid burns to our dog. Let’s remember to use the lubricating oil for shearing machine at a cost of about 10 euro.

For the shearing of Lagotto the blades number 7 – 7F (about 3 mm) are very good for shearing and to keep the belly clean even when we opt for a grooming instead of the complete shearing.

The cost of the complete blades is around 35 euros, something more for ceramic blades, but in my opinion they are to be recommended.

There are also other grooming tools from Lagotto that can be useful in case you need them, nail scissors or lower blades like the 10 to finish the feet and belly. But with the grooming equipment described above we will be able, with a little experience, to achieve excellent results in complete autonomy.

A certainty as an element of tranquillity:

The hair of your Lagotto will grow back, and any grooming mistakes will soon be remedied.

 

 

Lagotto Truffle Dog Puppy

When we receive requests for a Cucciolo di Lagotto Romagnolo truffle puppy we try to satisfy the future owner.  It is important to us that our puppy can show his skills and be appreciated. It is important for the Cucciolo and it is also important for those who have chosen us.

For us it is important to understand who our puppies are entrusted to. All the more so for a puppy who will go truffle. The risks that he will not be considered as a member of the family are greater.

Being an excellent Lagotto Romagnolo pet doesn’t take anything away from his truffle making skills. Unfortunately not everyone thinks so, but I think they are wrong.

Our puppies are given to those who consider them family members.

Only then are we happy if they are also taken to look for truffles.

Having verified that the request we receive for a truffle dog is part of what has just been said, we try to give our best.

We try to find the puppy that shows the most passion.  Since he is a puppy, we start looking for truffles with a special eye.

Among the many games and experiences that we make with our puppies to start them in a positive way in their growth and socialization, there is never a truffle ball missing.

I really like to see how the puppies are placed and relate to a scent that is in their DNA for this breed. Soon you can see the differences, the vocation of each one. The will and the attention that he puts into making these simple games.

Before delivering “the truffle puppy” we are quite sure of its dowry. He is a puppy who has learned to look and rasp. He often already knows how to bring back a few balls because he has understood that truffles bring prizes and cuddles. We are always available to support the puppy’s training even when he has reached his new family. Often these are simple tips to avoid regressing in training and continue straight to the most important obstacle: the truffle in natural truffle-grounds.

Lagotto Puppy Company Dog

More and more families have had the opportunity to meet some examples of Lagotto Romagnolo . In parks or at friends’ houses. They have documented the character and qualities of Lagotto Romagnolo. They could not resist the charm of this fantastic breed.

Those who approach this breed for the first time, fear that they will not be able to make their four-legged companion happy. They think that the Lagotto Romagnolo can only be had by those who take it for truffles.

Can we consider the equation: Lagotto Romagnolo equals truffle dog?

In reality, even in the Lagotto Romagnolo breed we hear more and more frequently about bloodlines.

We do not want to transform an excellent Lagotto pet dog into a mediocre Lagotto truffle dog.

Every Lagotto Romagnolo can do without truffles.

There are more lively dogs and others quieter. Both require the daily attention of their family, to have fun with them, and nothing more.

I have seen for myself that there are some puppies and big puppies that for temperament and character are not interested in going through the woods to look for truffles. They prefer the sofa!

During the 70 days of living together, we can understand the aptitudes of each individual puppy. We always want to choose the puppy together.

The availability of space and time of the family, the presence of children and also the dynamism of the future owners are elements that help us to identify the puppy to create the best man-dog combination.

Often the first thing that is asked is the colour of our puppies. We know that only after a few days of living together, the new families appreciate the sweetness, character and joyfulness of our puppies. That’s why they fall in love with them.