gold2 Teaching Lagotto's puppy where to take care of his needs

Puppy needs: the first challenge in education

For those who live in a flat to teach their puppy where to dirty becomes a fundamental issue. In the long run, I dare say survival.

Even those who own a garden or a terrace have to make an effort to have the area used for this purpose recognised.

A puppy from 2 to 4 months of age is not in control and will not be able to hold back.

It takes patience and perseverance. We should not shrink from showing our disappointment when the puppy leaves the house, but nothing more.

In particular, with a Lagotto Romagnolo, excessive reproaches for something that the puppy doesn’t even understand, risk intimidating him and marking his character.

I’m thinking of old customs, I hope now outdated, such as putting the puppy’s nose in the pee or mortifying him excessively with newspaper reports.

As the puppy’s autonomy will increase.

Between two and three months, every two hours or so, he will need to make his liquid needs. We will have to make arrangements for this.

The most likely times that your puppy will need to make his needs are:

after meals

shortly after a nap

after drinking

Being regular in feeding and taking him out shortly afterwards will help your puppy to do the right thing.

Gratifying your puppy will soon help him to understand the right behaviour. Finding the right moments from the start will greatly shorten the education process.

When we clean the house, it’s important not to be seen. It must not become a game at all.

We’ll have to sanitise with products that eliminate odours; on the other hand, the puppy will go back there to do his needs.

Kennels

To the owners of our puppies who live in the flat, without outside space, I suggest to confine the areas of stay of the puppy.

The idea of using kennels or transporters of appropriate size is often not appreciated. The use of puppy enclosures gives surprising results. The feedback from families who have tried them is often extremely positive.

Of course, it should never be used as a place to extinguish a punishment.

It soon becomes a protected place, with its own toys, a mat and where you take prizes when you spontaneously enter it.

The puppy generally does not dirty the environment where it rests. Limiting the space available to the puppy, especially when we are in other busy matters, makes it easy to identify the moment when needs come.

Soon a relationship of mutual understanding will be created which is also useful in the future.

Once the initial moment has passed, the kennel for the puppy becomes a place where he can feel safe and rest peacefully.

The sleeper

The use of sleepers is not at all educational to teach your puppy to do his needs outside.

Evident! If we set up a place in the house to take care of the needs, how can we expect the puppy to ask to go out!

The use of sleepers only makes sense in the period leading up to the first vaccine booster.

A temporary solution as we will have to limit contact with other dogs whose vaccination status we do not know about. For this reason alone, and if we have no alternative, we may need sleepers.

In all other cases, sleepers are uneducational. It can be a comfort in the immediate future, but a torture for the future.

If we have used sleepers the route gets longer. We will start carrying the sleeper towards the door. Gradually we will take it out until it disappears.

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)

Puppy games: choose the most suitable one for the puppy Lagotto Romagnolo

All future owners of our puppies show up on the day of foster care with some games. We have the opportunity to see many puppy games and we can make a ranking of the most chosen ones.

However, the game for the puppy chosen is not always the most suitable for a puppy from Lagotto Romagnolo.

Many puppy games are available on the market: tennis balls, cotton ropes, balls with throwing rope, soft puppets, bone and last but not least Kong.

Sometimes it is the inexperience in knowing how to identify the most suitable one. Other times it is the desire to give the best for your puppy. As a result, the house is filled with treats.

Providing your puppy with too many toys can lead to total indifference. Better a few but good ones.

What are the best toys for puppies in Lagotto Romagnolo?

When we think of a puppy toy we have to take into account the breed and therefore the size of the dog. The Lagotto in particular has important changes in the closing of the mouth which must not be further modified by the type of game made available. For example, playing with the puppy at the tug-of-war is strongly to be avoided. The same game can be useful and stimulating for dogs of other breeds.

A game suitable for a puppy, specifically for the Lagotto Romagnolo breed should be:

  • Interesting to be able to entertain the puppy in our absence and at the same time to be used in moments of training and education.
  • Resistant in order not to represent a health hazard if ingested in small pieces.
  • Soft to help the puppy during the period of the teeth change to alleviate the discomfort to the gums. At the same time it does not compromise the correct growth of the teeth and their closure.
    Much also depends on the habits of each individual puppy and how the toy is used. There are toys that are more likely to be misused and become a problem or a danger.

For example, the bone is too hard. It can compromise the closure of the mouth of a Lagotto which, during the period of tooth change, by nature, moves a lot.

The thick cotton rope is made of a thousand pieces and frayed.  Fragments that we find in the puppy’s faeces and can cause gastritis. It can also be a means of deformation at the bite.

The tennis ball or similar object is often an attractive toy for the puppy. It has all the characteristics to be fun. Difficult to grip and pleasant to drive with its legs. It can be used as an educational object and has no contraindications for health. In fact, it is not caught in the mouth.

Kong is made of caoutchouc, the ideal consistency. Specially designed to be grasped, it is indestructible.  If filled with kibble or moist, it can become intellectually stimulating for the puppy. Once it becomes the puppy’s object of desire it can completely replace the tennis ball. Ah already forgotten. At first the Lagotto puppies seem to completely ignore Kong. I don’t know why, but they do!

Our advice is to make a kong always available and place it next to the tennis ball. When the Kong will be considered particularly interesting we will have in a single object everything we are looking for to make the pond play.

The game for the puppy, educating while having fun

The game for the puppy is an important moment. It is fundamental for his growth and education. Lagotto’s puppies have not yet turned one month old and spontaneously try to play. For us it is a hoot when the litter begins its socialization with us and with the brothers through the game.

The type of game and the way in which the games are played depend very much on the litter’s locomotor skills at that moment. When our puppies arrive in their families they have achieved complete control of movement and are happy to play with their new companions.

The time of play is perfect for teaching, educating and correcting certain behaviours.

The Mother herself tries to play with her puppies when the nursing period is over. She has recovered enough mental energy to enjoy her creatures.

With the game we will be able to create a unique bond with our Dog!

educare cucciolo assenza stare da solo

How long a lagotto can bear our absence?

You desire to have a Lagotto Romagnolo, the puppy will soon an adult pet dog and often the question is:

Will my dog bear  few hours of solitude?

The companionship of man for every dog of any breed both as a puppy and as an adult is a need.

A dog left alone too long accumulates anxiety.

A dissatisfaction lagotto romagnolo show his felling with the destruction of objects, digging in the garden or on the couch. A sad and unfulfilled expression or excessive excitement at our sight will soon lead him to be a not polite and rude dog. Business commitments often keep us out during the week and the time to devote to our furry friend may not be enough. It’s necessary find a balance between to live together at our dog only the weekend (absolutely insufficient) and only a part of the day.

It is impossible to accustom a pet dog and more and more a lagotto to live without his family all day long for five days a week. You can certainlly teach your lagotto to spend a part of the day without his family.

The first days with the puppy thinking about everyday life

Some families organize on time the day of the arrival of the puppy. They manage to take a Friday and/or a Monday of holidays to follow accuratly the first days of the puppy in the new house. Still in the first days you can teach the puppy to spent serenely some hours of the day by himself. You can simulate your absence even if you are present . You will propose short periods of the day without you. Then the periods will be progressively longer until we get exactly the typical day.

Some small tips on the behavior since the arrival of the puppy:

  • Placate your and the children enthusiasm is always good thing.
  • Let the puppy look for you, then you can cuddle him. This is an exercise that we usually do here with the new family before the foster care and start the journey.
  • When the puppy will need to rest it is the opportunity to get away and to get him accustomed to not having anyone near. It is important that since the earliest days the puppy is also by himself.
  • Upon our arrival you will be careful not to excite him any more than he already is, just for seeing us. The greeting will not be the first gesture and we will approach him when we have the feeling that he has relaxed. It would be good method behave also with an adult dog. It helps him in self-control.

Educate the puppy for our absence

We will leave the puppy alone in his “lair” for a few minutes. We will gradually increase the time of solitude even when we are present. We will be able to evaluate his behavior and increase or decrease the time of loneliness according to his reaction. Even when we understand we have demanded too much at our little we will be careful to control our emotions. We will avoid running to him and pamper him because we feel like to have done him a wrong. We did not!

The message is not: “Complain, so I’m running to you!” Again, we let him to see or hear us but we will be envolved ourselves to other things for a few seconds . Then We’ll take him with us. And we cuddle him more we can!

What to do before leaving the Lagotto, pup or adult for a few hours alone:

if a part of the period we are absent the dog Lagotto spent it to sleep, surely it will be quiet. wily No! Ahah, then: playing or walk or a meal will help him to doze off and lose redundant energies.

When he wakes up he will find his game. Leaving the radio on can be even a valid stratagem. Sounds or familiar noises make feel him at ease and also serene

Lagotto Romagnolo power supply

The correlation between food and health is often forgotten even for humans. This relationship was well known more than two centuries ago to the father of medicine, Hippocrates.

“Let food be your medicine and medicine be your food”.

Even before Lagotto Romagnolo’s puppy becomes part of our life, the problem of how to feed it arises. Finding the right product to feed the puppy and even afterwards is not very easy. And even cooking ourselves is not so obvious.

The question is whether to cook the food at home or use the food, the croquettes.

Cooking our own food for our dog is certainly a demanding choice, but one that will benefit our Lagotto Romagnolo in the long run.

We ask our vet’s advice, to understand how to ensure a balanced diet for the puppy. An adequate diet to guarantee the correct development of our Lagotto Romagnolo.

Croquettes

The croquettes must be specific for puppies up to the compimentFeeding the Lagotto Romagnolo as a puppy and not only.o one year old. If we have opted for croquettes as a daily food for our puppy from Lagotto Romagnolo.

The quality croquettes ensure all the substances necessary for the correct growth of the puppy, vitamins, proteins, calcium and so on.

The dog does not need to change his food as he likes to do.

For this reason it is possible to choose the croquettes as a daily diet. Changing even just the brand of kibble can cause dysentery in the puppy and also in an adult dog.

How to choose the right product

It is not easy to find your way around the many products available.  Only the label on the package can provide useful information to understand which is a good food for our Lagotto Romagnolo.

The most famous brands are not necessarily the best.

The power of advertising can exceed the quality of the product. Then we will have to learn how to read the label, even if only to submit the products that we think are the best to our vet. Our Lagotto Romagnolo are completely dependent on our choices and even the breeder can share the experience made on his dogs giving useful information.

The croquettes are divided into two classes. Two fundamental adjectives for the choice of the nutrition of your Lagotto Romagnolo and not only:

  • CRUELTY-FREE, a product not tested by vivisection experiments on animals.
  • GRAIN-FREE, product without cereals and grains. Composed exclusively of animal proteins, fruit and vegetables.
    This information is indicated on the packaging of the croquettes.

For more information on how to read the label and how to choose a dry diet for your dogs, there is a lot of information on the WEB.

A first decisive information to be evaluated is the meat content. The dog is a carnivorous animal and the meat content must be high.

The label shows the substances that make up the feed in descending order. The first substance will be the one most present inside the croquette. The indicated meat content should be dehydrated, and attention should be paid to this as well. The presence of water increases the weight of the meat compared to other substances. But it is only water!

The content of ash, additives and chemical preservatives should be as low as possible.

After careful analysis and evaluation, I have chosen a product with excellent requirements.  In order to understand if over time the diet chosen for my Lagotto Romagnolo puppies could have repercussions on their health, I relied on personal experience and that of other breeders.

Dog signals

The dog sends clear signals when the chosen food is harmful to his health.  Continuously grazing grass is a sign of poor digestion.

Dermatitis and localised hair loss are often attributable to poor nutrition. In these cases, it is clear that you need to consult your vet..

processionaria cane lagotto romagnolo

The processionary moth

The processionary moth is an insect which as an adult becomes a nocturnal butterfly, the famous moths. They move in rows across the ground up the trees where they form their nests.

The name is due to the typical movement in a line, like a procession.

Processionary moth nests are white hanks that we often see on pine trees and from which it is difficult to free themselves.

Their activity begins in March and mostly at night, when they reach the ground and bury themselves.

In July and August, when the temperature is higher, it is very easy to encounter them. In this season, when temperatures are high, they come out of the ground and with their typical single file movement climb up into the trees. Mainly pines, but not only.

The processionary moth is dangerous for all animals and also for humans. The stinging hairs of the processionary moth cause severe inflammation in contact areas.

The processionary moth and the dog

The matter becomes much more complicated when it comes to our four-legged friends. If a dog comes into contact with them, it is because it sniffs or tries to ingest these insects.

The areas that typically affect dogs are the mouth and nose. Two extremely sensitive areas that can have fatal consequences.

The tongue swells exaggeratedly, even to the point of asphyxiation. Salivation becomes exaggerated.

Stinging hairs can reach the oesophagus. Depending on the extent of the contact, the dog shows a whole series of symptoms, from exhaustion to fever, lack of appetite to diarrhoea.

If you notice the contact immediately, you should wash the affected area with plenty of water.

This will not be easy as the dog will be in great pain and will not be very willing.

If possible, the affected area should not be extended, and the oral cavity should be kept clean.

Veterinary care is urgently needed.

The danger of the hairy bristles of these caterpillars is also very high for humans and children in particular. The consequences always depend on the affected areas. Eyes, mouth and respiratory tracts also lead to serious consequences for humans.

Where and when we find the processionary moth

Getting rid of these insects once they are established near your home is not easy. It is the presence mainly in pines and pine forests that will make them difficult to eradicate. With great care and in the winter period the branches containing the nests must be cut and burnt.

From March to October it is possible to find these insects. In the presence of pine trees, but above all their nests are easy to spot.

It is the climatic conditions that favour the spread of these insects.

In Florence in March 2017 the problem had reached alert levels. The municipalities in the surrounding areas also intervened with extraordinary plans to rid the city of a veritable processionary moth invasion. It had already happened in October 2015.

A proliferation that also involved other municipalities in Emilia Romagna, Lombardy, Umbria, Veneto, Liguria and Trentino in the same period. A bit of all of northern Italy and part of the centre.

We always hope that our Lagottos do not have to experience this kind of thing. So much depends on us and our behaviour.

travel with lagotto golia

Travelling with your dog. Walking with the Lagotto

The first journey of the Lagotto is certainly that of the puppy that leaves our breeding. Afterwards it will surely happen to plan a holiday with the dog. The choice of the means of transport is certainly linked to the destination to be reached. The age of the dog or a trip abroad requires specific documentation and health certificates for different situations. Let’s try to see some of them.

Travelling with your dog: Documentation

  • Passport: This is done at the ASL (Local Health Authority) where you can also find the dog registry office. We will have to have the Lagotto Romagnolo with us for the microchip reading and we will have to pay an amount that may vary from region to region. A prerequisite for obtaining the passport is simply that the dog is equipped with a microchip.
  • vaccination booklet: This is the booklet that we deliver on the day of the puppy’s foster care and it is regularly updated by the vet every time we do the vaccine booster.
  • rabies vaccination: It is a NON COMPULSORY vaccination in Italy. In fact, Italy is not a country at risk. It can only be done after the puppy has turned three months of age.
  • certificate of good health: This is a certificate issued by the vet who, after a general examination of the puppy’s state of health, issues a certificate.

Contact with wild: It is a self-declaration made by the owner of the puppy. When the puppy has not yet reached the 12 weeks necessary for rabies vaccination.

Travelling with the Lagotto Romagnolo as a puppy and as an adult: Car, airplane, ship, train

  • By Car: The first journey, that of the puppy leaving our kennel, generally takes place on a blanket and on the legs of a child of the family that welcomes the puppy. Even rather long journeys are well tolerated by small Lagotti. After the first few bends the puppy generally spends the time sleeping. A little stress, a little the new situation, better to sleep on it. Afterwards the journey should be done in extreme safety using safety belts like the one of the Lagotto in the picture or with suitable carriers. Some Lagotti are immediately at ease with the car, others take some time to accept it. In these cases it is important to make positive associations to go by car: some prize or a destination to go for a nice walk.
  • By plane: Using the plane as a means of transport is a solution to be considered when we really cannot do without it. As long as the Lagotto is a puppy and its weight allows it can be accompanied with us in the cabin. At the end of the day it’s not even too bad, as the transfer by car would actually be very long. The airlines each have their own rules. In general three months of age are required and the total weight must not exceed 8 Kg. The puppy must have the vaccinations certified by the health booklet. A suitable ATA carrier must be used, and the puppy must have a ticket. The certificate of good health can simplify the checks even when not explicitly required. When the destination is abroad things get a bit complicated as we will see later.
  • By Ship: Some companies provide a cabin suitable for travelling with your dog. Three months of age, vaccinations and sometimes a certificate of good health are required. Also in this case if we are heading abroad we will have to take into account the rules of the country of arrival.
  • By Train: Travel by train is generally comfortable and well accepted by the puppy. Comfortable and easily manageable even with an Adult Lagotto Dog. There are no particular controls on the certification of the dog to board. I report the link to the state railways for detailed information on the transport of pets.

Travelling with the Lagotto Romagnolo: In Italy, in the European Community, outside the EU

To travel in Italy it will be sufficient to respect the rules described above. It is necessary to inquire with the reference company if we travel by ship or plane.

In the European Community puppies up to 12 weeks old can circulate without rabies vaccination. Certainly not by ship or plane as all companies require the puppy to be three months old. After 12 weeks the puppies must also be vaccinated for rabies for at least 21 days. In other words, puppies between the 12th and the 15th cannot leave Italy. For the adult dog, the annual rabies booster will be sufficient, or 21 days if it is the first time.

It will therefore be necessary to have a passport, vaccination booklet in order.

To enter Switzerland, a puppy under 12 weeks must also have a declaration that it has not had contact with the wild and a certificate of good health drawn up by a veterinarian.

To travel outside the European Community we are likely to talk about aeroplane or ship, in any case we will certainly have to wait at least 15 weeks for the rabies issue described above. At this point we will have to check with the embassy of the country of destination for any necessary certification. Sometimes blood tests or specific controls or vaccinations for diseases typical of the country of destination are required. A fairly frequent half is the USA, and to be in good standing with the documentation becomes essential to avoid quarantine isolation for our dog for lack of proper certification.

There are agencies specialised in the transport of pets that can be of valuable help for important journeys. BLISSPET or IPATA

A holiday in a motorhome with your pet is a positive experience and with many benefits, the documents will certainly have to be in order, but over the bureaucratic part….. the Lagotto Romagnolo is an excellent travel companion.

Dog Vaccines and Socializing go hand in hand

The dog vaccines begin at our breeding farm and continue at the home of the new families. The timing of the vaccination protocol is one of the first questions that we are asked by the families who decide to welcome one of our puppy Lagotto Romagnolo.

The prophylaxis is not just one. Under the indications of our veterinarian we follow the prophylaxis recommended by WSAVA, World Veterinary Association for small animals, said in English sounds better.

The vaccination prophylaxis provides:

  • First Vaccine carried out on the kennel around 45-50 days
  • First Pentavalent vaccine carried out in the farm around 60-65 days
  • First Recall after 3-4 weeks
  • Second Recall 3-4 weeks after first Recall
  • Annual Recall

The first vaccination is carried out after 60 days.

The puppies in Tuscany, by regional law, can only be given after 60 days. More or less now is so in almost all regions. For a correct socialization it is important for us to keep the puppies in the breeding, close to the Mother, about ten more days.

It happens that we have to resist the pressure of the new families of puppies who would like their puppy from Lagotto Romagnolo as soon as possible.

Vaccinating the puppies before 60 days is impossible for us. We will have to change veterinarian.

Surely there are protocols to anticipate vaccines. It may not be the need to give up the puppies or pressure from the owners. In fact we, both to conclude the socialization and to follow the WSAVA guidelines, we respect the protocol.

Dog Vaccines and Health

A future mother should be vaccinated before she even goes into heat. In this case, during gestation and lactation antibodies are provided to her puppies.

This is the main reason why we should never anticipate the first vaccine. We risk a bleaching effect that will cancel the antibodies provided by the mother.

Before the vaccines, the puppies are wormed and faeces are tested to ensure the absence of worms. Periods of stress, such as leaving our farm in the next 4-5 days after vaccination, must be avoided. We are trying to vaccinate the puppy when his immune system is efficient.

Once the puppy has left our farm, it will have already carried out the first vaccine.

The new owner will have to make the first booster according to the above mentioned timing. This information is included in the health booklet that is delivered with the puppy.

How to behave after the first recall of the vaccine

Once the first recall has been made, the puppy will be able to freely attend other dogs.

We will be able to take him with us, everywhere and without any pathology.

Remains to avoid those situations that could lower the immune system.

To make our Puppy swim in the sea or in lakes or rivers, such as bathing him with complete hygiene without drying him thoroughly, can still be dangerous for the respect of the vaccination protocol. Cough or cold could lower the immune system and we should skip the last booster.

The prophylaxis would have to be repeated from the beginning. Do not give up!

Allergy to the dog hypoallergenic or anallergic?

Allergy sufferers to dogs are intolerant to allergens found on the dog’s skin or allergens found in the dog’s splitle. Its are two different allergies conveyed through the hair of the dog. In practice, close and prolonged contact should be avoided. The level of intolerance is decisive in understanding whether living with a dog is sustainable.

The symptoms and the level of reaction are completely subjective. The choice of having a dog must be assessed conscientiously by the direct concerned, preferably with the advice of a physician.

We often hear about breeds of dogs that are not-allergenic or hypoallergenic as if the two terms were synonymous, but it is not so! Hypoallergenic dogs. The suffix hypo means a lesser amount of allergens. In the case of mild forms of allergy with moderate symptoms, coexistence with a pet is sustainable and the resulting benefits can justify some little inconvenience. The difference between a dog that does not give allergies and one that disperdes a lesser amount of allergens may seem subtle, it is instead decisive for those who suffer from allergies. For this reason the opinion of a doctor and to know well ours subjective reactions is fundamental for those who decide to make the choice of a furry friend.

There are no allergy-free dog breeds.

The breeds of hypoallergenic dogs

It happens with a certain frequency that ask us if really the Lagotto Romagnolo does not lose hairs and does not molt. That’s right! It is often a great convenience if we live in the apartment. Other times it is a necessity. The desire to have a dog is strong right in the allergic people or in their cohabitants. We try to reconcile the desire to have a dog with intolerance and the consequent symptoms due to a generally mild allergy. Our lagotto attend our house, our living room and the couch. They lay down on our carpets and live our car. With certainty we can affirm the Lagotto Romagnolo is a dog does not lose hair. They are generally the curly-haired breeds that have this characteristic. They do not leave fur and have a lower flaking of the skin. Is it enough? Only the person concerned can know. The choice of having a dog pointing towards the hypoallergenic breeds is clearly personal and to be done on the basis of their own experiences and reactions.

When the allergy is due to allergens present in the saliva of the dog the matter is complicated.

The accommodation and availability of spaces can affect the final decision. Having a garden and the possibility to extensive spaces to the permanence of our dog can reduce the contact to make the coexistence between the person and the dog completely normal or acceptable. The pedigree in these situations is as much as ever recommended since we are looking for a morphological aspect typical of the breed.

Importance of the dog-man relationship

The dog needs the relationship with human and in particular with the people of the family who adopts him. It becomes difficult to encourage and in the same time discourage people with allergies to the dog to welcome one. On one side the reactions of allergic people are subjective. On the other side, our lagotto will need a lot of attention and pampering, as a puppy but also as an adult. A thorough assessment should be made on this point.

The family and the people who live the house will have to ensure the conditions to give the dog the behavioral serenity and the freedom he needs.

Cura del pelo del Lagotto Romagnolo Toelettare e Tosare

The Lagotto Romagnolo does not lose hair. His cloak is one of the strengths of this breed. Who has a Lagotto Romagnolo does not find annoying hairs around the house, couch or car. Who has a Lagotto Romagnolo for truffles, with the management of shearing will have a dog suitable for all seasons. The Lagotto Romagnolo should not be brushed for any reason. Using combs with steel teeth not too sparse. The breed standard provides a curly coat and a rustic look.

The combing is targeted to keeping the hair clean and free of knots.

Behind the ears and under the armpits are the points where the hair felts more easily. Grooming should never be excessive. We must not confuse our Lagotto Romagnolo with a Poodle, I want not offend the owners of the Poodles. A small video that helps you understand how the main grooming operations take place. Operations we will however go below to describe specifically for the Lagotto Romagnolo.

Care of the mantle of a pet Lagotto

With the arrival of the heat and to renew the mantle an annual shearing it is necessary. The period generally coincides with the arrival of the heat may-June. With a short hair the Lagotto can walk and run for meadows without filling with annoying and dangerous pellets of grasses.

The fur on the head and on the legs grows slower. In these two areas the hair is kept slightly longer.

The tools needed for the management of the mantle are the shearer, the scissors and a comb.

  • The shearer must necessarily be professional otherwise after three shearing we have to throw it and we will never do a good job. The blades must be well oiled and usually 3mm high. An alternative it is to turn to dog grooming. Only a recommendation: give him a picture of the head lagotto, too often Lagotto exit as Poodles, but the Lagotto is another dog breed . The number of annual shearing is limited then it’snt so expensive.
  • The scissors can also be common scissors if we have no intentions to participate in shows. Sometimes it may be necessary to make small finishes. The grooming from shows is very complex and not all groomer know how to groom a Lagotto Romagnolo for show.
  • The comb as mentioned is a teeth not too sparse and steel. The purpose is to keep the hair clean and the hedgehog in order without knots.

If we exclude particular situations that have dirtied our dog indecently, the complete bath can be limited to once for year. When it must be evalueted according to the season. The conditions of the mantle particularly full of knots can induce us to an extraordinary bath. A conditioner can help to better untangle the knots. Then we can proceed with a slight lowering of the length of the hair.

Due to a different PH of the pet’s skin compared to humans, its should be used Dog products.

Care of the mantle of lagotto used for hunting truffles

The fur of the Lagotto Romagnolo is an important protection against water and cold.

With a thick coat, the lagotto enters in the stain to recover the most cramped truffles and easily exceeds the shrubs in the woods.

Usually we proceed with a couple of shearing for year. The first with the start of the warm season for the renewal of the mantle. It is then repeated in order to go in search of truffles in the summer. The short hair , let feel less the heat, its also are not filled with annoying and dangerous grasses and other seeds of the season.
In Tuscany from September begins the search for the white truffle. The arrival of autumn open all the regions to the white truffle, the Magnatum Pico. To be ready, the coat of the lagotto must be left growand not sheared for a couple of months. Conversely we will see our lagotto stop in front of the barrier of stain which typically protects the terrain where is the white truffle.

A truffle hunter who loves his lagotto will take care of the mantle weekly. After each exit check the need to wash the lagotto or a nice combed. Often he proceeds manually to remove grass or other seeds present in the fur

When the first grooming to a puppy of Lagotto Romagnolo

When it is the opportune time to have the first snip to the fur of the puppy of Lagotto it’s a controversial issue. Somebady believes grooming too early it can make the hedgehog lose. Others think a nice grooming strengthens the fur.
I do not think the hedgehog depends on when we cut for the first time the fur of our puppy. It depends on nature and how we will keep it in order with constancy. Around three months old we can strìart to shorten the length of the mantle. We remove the necessarily felted hair that the puppy has been wearing from birth. How much shortening depends substantially from circumstances.

The outside temperature, the climate and where the puppy spends most of the time are the elements to be assessed to decide how much to shorten the length of the mantle. He lives in the house or in the garden..

Grooming our Lagotto Romagnolo puppy with constancy accustomed him to this moment. Starting soonly he will get used to being handled being quiet.

Cleaning the ears of the Lagotto

The control and cleaning of the ears of Lagotto Romagnolo are operations to always keep in mind.

The curly hair around the ear can be a vehicle of infections and dirt responsible of otitis. The hair may form progressing towards the ear canal and be a vehicle for external bodies such as dangerous grass which can also cause serious damage.

The hair that forms on the ear-piece and near the ear canal must be removed.

The hair on the ear-piece and close to the ear canal must be removed. In the first few times the Lagotto will feel this practice strange and not be so available. Then, he will get used to it and will see benefits. Depending on the subjects we will also notice his inclination to get cleaned. In any case the cleaning of the ears does not cause pain. There are specific products for ear cleaning. Once product has been introduced into the auditory duct it must be massaged and then dried with cotton.

Internal cleaning with detergents is not a substitute for the removal of the hair which is still necessary.

meglio maschio o femmina

Male or female puppy? a look over to the Lagotto Romagnolo.

This is the most common question. A must for those who have never had a dog in the family. Who is looking for a dog as a friend and has fear of not to be able in the management. Understandable doubts that are deeply convinced do not depend on the sex of the puppy. The color of the puppy’s hair and how will be his adult cloak is the question that follows in the special ranking of frequently asked questions.

A dog is beautiful for his structure and morphology. The bearing and proportions, but above all must be a clever dog and of excellent character.

About the sex of the puppy the request is aimed to looking for a dog generally more quiet and that does not take advantage of the inexperience of the future owners. Sometimes the rumors, often false, to suggest the choice. Right information and considerations from other breed its can become a real nonsense for the breed Lagotto Romagnolo. Differences between the two sexes are there, let’s analyze it referenced to the Lagotto Romagnolo.

Lagotto Romagnolo female versus Lagotto Romagnolo male

The body

In some breeds the difference in tonnage between the male and the female can be really important. Sometimes even 10kg of muscles. It can lead to problems in the management of walks, for example. Even if a dog at leash should never pull, who is at the first experience with a dog thinks do not immediately able to handle this situation. Even the powerfull of a male can leave doubts. For the Lagotto Romagnolo the difference is not so considerable. For the breed standard the male is 2 cm taller and 2 Kg more weight.

The Beauty

It is more beautiful the male or the female? I have no doubts about that!
A beautiful male specimen is superior to a beautiful female. Of course if the male is a little bit ugly than it is better a beautiful female.I can’t choose even this time!
I would not be able to give advice on beauty based on the sex of a puppy. We have to see every puppy and if one has intentions to participate in show we will have to choose according to the morphological characteristics. Surely it is not a choice that can be made with puppies of one or a few weeks old.

Character and intelligence

Here the arguments are more abstract. We are not talking about centimeters or pounds or proportions.
We would like to determine our ability to have an excellent relationship with our dog based on the attitudes that the puppy should have based on sex. I think two sexs have some character differences, I am not so sure its are which one prefer future families. I believe, the female has more intellectual abilities especially in youth. The male is more clumsy and sometimes more instinctive. With the growing it can change. The female of Lagotto can become more complex. I think it depends on the arrival of the first heat. The management of hormonal changes can influence a phase of the character growth. Physical disrupting sometimes affect the mood of the dog. The male is generally more constant and when he exceeded the adolescent he has a behavior of easier interpretation.

The heats of the female

The female’s heat often moves definly the choice of the pet puppy according to the sex. The females go in heat twice a year and for twenty days we will have to be careful in our walks.
The signs will be clearly visible in home and we must be careful to our garden it is not accessible to male dogs. Especially during our absence. Not everyone is in favor of sterilizing their dog. Taboos must be exceeded to appreciate the benefits of sterilization.

A female not involved for reproduction should always be sterilized. In the interest of the dog’s health.

With sterilization the heats disappear and there are also some character benefits that I mentioned above. And again, we will no longer be able to choose the Lagotto puppy based on the sex.

Can you choose a pet Lagotto puppy based on sex?

Who has had other dogs often asks for the same sex of puppy. A good choice if we enjoyed it.
Even if the dog was from another breed. If there are other dogs in the family the choice of the sex of the puppy can be obliged. For example, to avoid unwanted couplings or becoese we know our dog is particularly aggressive with same sex dogs. The choice of the sex of the puppy can also be made for personal considerations: “In The family I only have males human, enough! I want a girl! “or otherwise. How to blame them Ahaha. Excluding these special cases and others that at the moment escape from my mind, when we decide to enlarge our family with a puppy of lagotto we must know a lot depends on the relationship we will be able to establish with our Lagotto.

The relationship with your dog makes the difference, it is rarely a matter of sex. Our dog will trust us and we must always merit his trust and demand mutual respect.

Within the same litter we see puppies more lively or enterprising, those who arrive first to the solution and other who are more rebellious. More dynamic puppies and more calm. Character aspects that in the following months of coexistence with their new companions of life will be exalted or reduced. In the family will change the education and also the stimuli. Until the patience of future families allows us, we try to delay the association puppy-family. We want to collect as much information as we can to seek in everyone’s interest to create the right couple. Then arrive the moment that the desire to know how the puppy grows and who he is, becomes unstoppable and rightly we give up. Once the puppy leaves the mother and the brothers, and we too, the situations change. Puppy will have more spaces to give the best of himself, new friends and all the spotlight on him.

We have an unique certainty, we have given each puppy the basis for an excellent growth with beautiful families.