character Lagotto Romagnolo

Stress in Dogs, how to recognize it and how to manage it

Stress in the Dog

I was waiting at the vet to have an ultrasound scan of my Lagotta. The usual anxiety when I go for ultrasound to confirm pregnancy. To deceive the wait and to think about something else, I take a magazine and start leafing through. Ah here is an interesting article on the stress of dogs. Let’s see if there are new things we don’t know.

Entrusting our Lagotto puppies to families who are often the first dog is a strong unknown for us. Generally everything goes well but inevitably mistakes are made due to inexperience.

Recognising the stress of the dog, what can cause it and how to manage it is certainly a subject dear to us.

It is difficult to think of the dog as a stressed being. We have the same difficulty in thinking that the families who take our puppies can be a source of stress for the Lagotto.

Their lives are generally affluent, covered in cuddles and attention, yet dogs are under stress. Sometimes they are short-lived and other times they take on chronic forms.

I read in the article that research has shown the connection between the brain and intestine and how a hormone is responsible for gastrointestinal disorders and diabetes.

A confirmation that from direct experience and by talking to veterinarians we had given as a matter of course…. better!

Causes of stress in dogs

A simple overview of what can be the sources of stress for our dog, or as in our case of the puppy.

  • For the Lagotto Romagnolo the novelty in general is almost always lived with mistrust. Changes in the living situation, changes in the family nucleus, changes in schedules and routine
  • Absence of venting valves such as walking, outdoor games, driving and racing.
  • Separation anxiety.
  • Loud noises such as thunder or fireworks.
  • Invasion of personal space such as interruption of rest, unwelcome hugs and kisses, physical constraint.
    Methods of coercive punishment are a strong source of stress inspired by loud noises and invasion of personal space. It goes without saying, however, that they should not be used.

How to recognize stress in the Dog: the signals

The ability to withstand stressful situations is subjective.

The following stress signals may also depend on other causes.

They are signs of discomfort that can be caused not only by stress.

Common sense and knowledge of the habits of our Lagotto should make us stand out if we are talking about stress or something else.

  • Yawning and a tendency to lick one’s nose as frequently as for men the dog is getting bored.
  • Low tail and between the legs, ears pulled back or squatting posture generally causes some fear.
  • Loss of appetite or diaree. In new situations such as the arrival in the new family is quite frequent. It is important to know the reason and help your puppy or dog brilliantly get through this moment. If the condition lasts longer than a few days, it is advisable to consult a vet.
  • Fatigue, tremor and increased vocalisation. If it’s just stress, the dog is psychologically weak and severely uncomfortable. It is very likely that there are competing causes to have created such a sad picture. It is essential to consult a vet to understand not only how to better manage the Lagotto dog but also other problems or pathologies.

How to manage the stress of an Italian Water Dog

The stress management strategies of a Dog are similar for other breeds. Knowing the breed and knowing that aggressiveness such as the attempt of continuous escapes is not part of the atavistic instincts of the Lagotto Romagnolo, we will focus on what is most relevant in our case.

  • Ensuring the safety of the Lagotto and the members of the family. Especially in the initial period after the arrival of the puppy, having a safe and comfortable place that can at certain times protect the puppy from the excessive attention of children ensures a balanced and serene growth.
  • Avoid excessive recalls (it is obviously subjective of the Dog) in moments of stress or depression.
  • Physical activity. As for humans, physical activity helps to free the mind and provides a feeling of physical pleasure.
  • Eliminate sources of stress wherever possible, even thunderstorms or fireworks can have less impact if lived alongside family members.
  • Gradual exposure to sources of stress. I am thinking for example of a car journey with your dog. For some dogs it is quite natural, for others they are often a strong source of stress. This is usually overcome by short trips and physical contact with family members. Slowly the problem is usually overcome. If at the end of the journey there is also fun to be had, the dog will soon associate the ride in
/0 Comments/by

Dog toys suitable for Lagotto puppies

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!

/0 Comments/by

How to travel with your dog

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.

/0 Comments/by

Lagotto Romagnolo Pet: Male or female puppy?

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.

/0 Comments/by

Welcome a puppy of Lagotto. When is the best time?

When to take the puppy?

In terms of the law accomplished on the 60th day of age, the puppy can be yielded. But is the puppy really ready to leave mom and siblings? The litter from the sixtieth day onwards shows important changes. It is analogous to what the families notice when they pass the moment of initial settling their puppy explodes in all its splendor. It is a process of growth that starts slowly from the seventh week. With increasing motor capacity increases the intensity of interaction and in an increasingly strong and decisive until the twelfth week. Until the eighth week the litter must be serene. Do the first experiences without exaggerating, adapted to their age. Without too much noise or frenetics.

Between the eighth and tenth weeks of life The puppy knows a new feeling: fear.

It is important to be able to follow our puppies during this period. Mommy helps us and our attentive eye does the rest. We are in the environment where the puppy has grown and it is easy to see if the whole litter proceeds uniformly in the growth of character. It is a delicate phase that must be held close to the mother and the people who have always reassured the puppy. Sometimes it is enough a sudden noise or a sudden movement, and here all together they look at you with a thousand exclamation marks:

Now what happens!?!?! No villains!!! Let’s do a little racket!

It kind of works like that. Maturation times vary from litter to litter. Often they also depend on the breed. In any case, there is always the time when the awareness of fear comes up. In Nature The feeling of fear plays an important and also vital role. The darers face the danger without fear and often get into trouble. In this period is mainly mum Lagotta to give important lessons of life to their puppies.  His boys in the face of unexpected reactions feel fear and are put back to the rules of Mother. Exaggerated games or eat in the bowl of MOM are some examples that MOM Lagotta prohibits. Instead we must avoid that the Lagottino perceals with terror situations that in the future will be completely normal. Other dogs, people and children for example. We want balanced Lagotti and for this we seek balance even in the puppy. Knowing the feeling of fear is important. It will not have to be overwhelmed by turning into terror, much less ignoring it by becoming a rash.

The character of the dog is formed in good and bad for a long time by the experiences made during this period.

On the day that the puppy changes home, as much as we commit all to make it as stressful as possible, it is a strong experience for the puppy. It can take days to settle. The loss of appetite and diareas are fairly normal events in the first week in the new home. For this reason we entrust the puppies after the 70 days of life. In this environment the puppies are at ease, the place where they were born and raised and will also be the place where to overcome brilliantly the first signs of fear. The Lagotto Romagnolo is a breed of dog that easily tends to the fear and confidentiality of the puppy. It is all too easy during this period to mark negatively the puppies of Lagotto Romagnolo that difficult and with so much effort can be recovered. A Lagotto Romagnolo grown and bred properly is a special dog with features that will have to remain in him throughout his life.

Entrust a puppy after 12 weeks

There is a time window in the bibliography that represents the best time to entrust a puppy.

Exceeded the period of the feeling of fear that arrives approximately to 70 days of life the puppy will accumulate experiences. Until 12 weeks the puppies are sponges that from every situation I learn spontaneously and immediately.

After 70 days it is the ideal time to leave the farm and enter the new family.

Here you will start to meet new people and environments. The process of socializing and character training continues up to 4 months of age. Traffic noises and cars if it will be a puppy that lives in the city. and other dogs, adults and puppies like him. Games made under the watchful eye of his new family. For the respect of the hierarchies will have to locate his pack leader. Learn to respect the rules of the family and the basic commands that will soon lead him to be a polite and happy dog Lagotto representative of his race.

Taking a puppy at 70 days of life is a good choice, often the best to have a happy and pleasant Lagotto.

Yielding puppies abroad means educating them and starting them to new experiences awaiting the vaccine against rabies and passport. expatriation procedures for a dog are not the same in all European countries. Although we have requests for our puppies from other European countries and not only do we only give them up if we can follow them in their growth. We look first at the welfare of our puppy. We entrust the puppies only to those who can come to take them in breeding. We don’t ship them for sure! If a puppy stays with us for a longer period we will take care of its character growth by starting it to as many experiences as we can.

/0 Comments/by

Inserting the Lagotto Romagnolo puppy: Feeding and intestinal disorders

Inserting the puppy in the new home: his family

The integration of the puppy into the new family requires a lot of patience and attention. We certainly prepared for the arrival of the little Lagotto both with the objects and mentally to read the puppy’s behaviour.

Excesses are almost always to be avoided, especially with a puppy from Lagotto Romagnolo. Common sense must guide us so as not to be too apprehensive or nonchalant.

Small and simple tricks often simplify and make everything easier.

The low tone of voice, like cautious movements avoiding sudden noises, help the puppy to take the first step towards us. Common sense things that especially if there are children in the family become difficult to control.

Every litter has its own characteristics. There are Lagotto litters in which the puppies are real Lion Hearts. Brave and almost brave from the very first moment. These are puppies that hardly ever have insertion problems. Even if the reserved character of the Lagotto tends vice versa to puppies that become familiar a little at a time. A more frequent and typical attitude of the Lagotto Romagnolo.

More often the litters are mixed. Typical puppies of the breed that gradually enter into situations and others that, vice versa, are stronger and more lively.

It is only a matter of time and everyone will be fantastic puppies!

The whities will need a little more time to get rid of the stress of insertion. The more jaunty puppies will soon be ready to be educated to contain their exuberance. These are natural characteristics of the puppy, the individual character to which we will have to patiently adapt to help the puppy grow properly.

Insertion times of the Lagotto puppy

When we entrust our puppies we are certain that they are ready for insertion. Reading the puppy’s signals helps you understand if the puppy is fully inserted.

To expect this to happen in a few hours or days is highly unlikely. Sometimes it happens, but it’s not the norm for a Lagotto puppy.

Vets often claim that a puppy in the first week of insertion is not assessable. This suggests that regardless of the breed of dog such time should be left to the puppy. We should not expect too much in the first few days. Turn on a leash or bathe or a thousand new situations all at once.

The puppies from Lagotto Romagnolo start giving Gas after a week.

We will see extremely extrovert puppies that have immediately settled in and as moderates they will start to be a bit pestiferous. Other slower parties will show that they are completely at ease.

After a week we will begin to interact more directly with our dog and discover new wonderful aspects of his character every day.

Puppy insertion stress signals: Feeding and Diaree

Perhaps we are presumptuous in thinking this, but we work to say that our puppies do not manifest their stress with strong states of depression.

Accustomed from the very first days of life to children and the house. Always surrounded by people and other dogs, the situations that may arise on the day of their insertion are not something totally unknown to the point of deeply discouraging them.

Lagotto’s puppies, precisely because it is the typical character of the breed that makes them be like this, can manifest their discomfort with inappetence or diarea.

Not worrying signals that must be followed and in a few days overcome.

It is fundamental that the puppies continue their growth. Absolutely, the puppy must continue to feed.

We will use cans of humid, puppy food. These tins are always appreciated by the puppy and mixed with his usual croquettes will help him to eat, grow and stay strong. When the sense of discomfort gradually disappears, the wet food will do the same.

Eating regularly both in portions and on time also helps digestion.

Any diaphragms that may occur due to stress will soon disappear as well. It happens, not very often, but this also happens.

It is important not to underestimate but at the same time to give the right size.

In the first days of insertion, gastrointestinal disturbances and loss of appetite are frequent with puppies. Knowing helps to stay serene and at the same time give regularity.

/0 Comments/by

Temperament of Lagotto Romagnolo: a lagotto as a life PARTNER.

The Lagotto Romagnolo: character and temperament

Lagotto Romagnolo is a relatively young breed and his use has always been almost exclusively as a working dog. For this reason many of the people who contact us have not had previous experiences with this breed as a pet dog. They ask us about the character of the Lagotto Romagnolo. They wants confirmations on how much good and beautiful they read. The Lagotto Romagnolo has recently entered in the homes of families and for this reason a breed still to be discovered but the little Lagotti are giving important confirmations. The people who contact us talk about their furry friends. Terriers, beagle or settler or mestizo who loved to the point of not being able to stay without a dog.

Now, after seeing and being informed about the temperament of the Lagotto Romagnolo, they choose him as their life partner.

A family who has time and space, it also happens they have never had a dog, soon the family Lagotto become two. Families also with children who in one shot discover the love of the dog and the charm of Lagotto Romagnolo. The question often ends with a: “But really He is so?!” In fact it seems impossible that these little creatures are all that man always look for in a pet dog. The Lagotto Romagnolo is a working dog and he knows how to do it really well. It is a feat to find the most appropriate adjectives to be used to describe the character of the Lagotto Romagnolo. To reassure that the Lagotto Romagnolo is just like that! We should tell a multitude of anecdotes and situations. Only by experiencing the Lagotto you comprehend character intelligence and temperament. It also happens the children bring in the family the first Lagotto. Then the parents want the second one.

The character of the Lagotto Romagnolo

The character of the Lagotto Romagnolo is a unique aspect of this breed.

Affectionate and playful, patient with children and tireless playmate. Lively and entertaining outdoors as composed and respectful in the house. Smart!

All adjectives that are well suited to the Lagotto Romagnolo, but only by living it is understood how he is the maximum expression. The fact that the Lagotto Romagnolo does not leave fur in the house is often seen as one more thing..

The temperament of the Lagotto Romagnolo

The temperament of the Lagotto Romagnolo is astonishing.

The Lagotto dog knows how to be from apartment and at the same time brilliant and fun in the outdoor. Easily trainable and connected to the owner. The Lagotto always tries to please his reference humans. Both indoors and outdoors.

Intelligent to understand at first time, and touty if someone does not recognize him this ability.

He is a quiet dog and not bother, knows how to compose and wait. He turns into sticky when we cuddle him and he never tire of being cuddles. Don’t argue with other dogs. And he is docile to the point he would never bite anyone, much less a child. He’s not a bark dog. At most warn when there are unexpected visits. These are the characteristics of the Lagotto Romagnolo. Finding a flaw is really hard.

He is a balanced dog that can understand and adapt. For us that we breed the Lagotto Romagnolo his many potentials, in all fields are not a surprise. We were enormously pleased to know a Lagotto Romagnolo was introduced into the group of Pet Therapy at the Meyer Pediatric hospital in Florence

/2 Comments/by

Lagotto Romagnolo Health Character and Price

mowgli lagotto health

Character of the Lagotto Romagnolo

The character of the Lagotto Romagnolo is exceptional. The dog’s character is to be considered an aspect of health and determined right from a puppy. Just think of the puppies that from the day they are born live in a box without having any kind of experience.

The proximity of siblings and their mother is of little use. Puppies raised in such conditions, and there are many of them, have no character development. They are psychologically depressed puppies.

Puppies that develop shyness and fears, that are not well, certainly not happy. You cannot call them healthy puppies.

Knowing the breed and also the bloodlines gives a lot of information for the management of the puppies in their growth periods.

The temperament certainly has a genetic component, but the environmental factors are much more decisive.

The breeder’s task is to raise happy puppies. The challenge is to understand what the puppy will be like as an adult. On the basis of this, we can find the best possible home for the puppy.

Lagotto Romagnolo – Breeding with health in mind

The Lagotto Romagnolo is a hardy, hardy dog. There are, however, some diseases that are typical of the breed that have an exclusively genetic component. Other diseases have a strong dependence on environmental factors that are predominant over genetic factors. I’m thinking of dysplasia.

The diet of the Lagotto Romagnolo, as in humans, is often the first cause, as are physical activity and lifestyle in general. Experience and activity in the various growth periods.

A top-quality diet and the lifestyle we offer our Lagotto dog are fundamental.

From our point of view, as we breed Lagotto Romagnolo, it is also important to make the best use of the tools that genetics provides.

The Lagotto Romagnolo is a young breed and the culture around this breed is not at the level of other breeds.

As a Labrador breeder, I am well aware of how certain breeding practices are consolidated and in demand among the breeders themselves.

Genetic examinations, X-ray results for dysplasia, annual eye examinations and more are necessary in order to be able to consider mating with a male out of your own kennel.

Providing the genetic certificates and the examinations of the parents to the future owners is common. This information is published on the breeder’s own website. A transparency that breeders give about their breeding stock and litters. Information that is also often requested by future owners or, if you prefer, customers.

Many breeders do this in Italy and certainly abroad. Information that in Italy it is not necessary to give, but that by collaborating with foreign breeders is becoming common practice.  Fortunately also for the Lagotto Romagnolo it is spreading.

In many European countries, not to mention the United States, the parents’ exemptions from certain pathologies are by law. Future owners ask for them and want to know before buying a puppy.

Clearly, this does not guarantee the health of the puppies with regard to all the possible pathologies of a dog, but there will always be a lower incidence with regard to the typical pathologies of the breed.

A lot has been done for the Lagotto Romagnolo, but we still have to do more to get on a higher level.

We are talking about a recently recovered Italian breed, which for decades was used almost exclusively as a working dog. This is the main obstacle to overcome in order to bring the Lagotto up to the level of other breeds.

I hope that soon it will no longer be enough to say: ‘my dogs are healthy’, and they all lived happily ever after.

It is the breeders’ task to make selection and improve the genetic heritage of the breed, thinking about health and character, which for us is the same thing.

It is the task of the future owners of Lagotto puppies to make selection among the breeders to raise the bar for everyone. Lagotto Romagnolo can only benefit from this.

With these words we do not want to speak ill of anyone. It is not our custom to speak ill of anyone, least of all those we do not know. We are pleased when we meet someone who thinks like us, and if we can, we collaborate calmly.

We have explained what we experience every day with our dogs and by comparing ourselves with breeders and future owners of two different breeds.

Lagotto Romagnolo: The Price of a Puppy

The Lagotto Romagnolo is a purebred dog and the price of a Lagotto puppy can also give important information about how the puppy was bred and conceived.

Bearing in mind what has just been said about the health and temperament of the Lagotto, the cost and time required to respectfully conceive and breed a litter is obvious.

Price becomes an element of choice, an index of quality, if you like. On the other hand, this is nothing new.

To see your work recognised is the least. The satisfactions are our puppies and the returns of their new owners, their new families.

And yet, even if we are talking about animals with people who love animals, the low price still misleads some people.

For those who welcome a dog into their family, the initial price of the puppy has little impact on the cost of maintaining a dog.

The Lagotto Romagnolo is a hardy dog, a breed with no particular health problems. Despite this, the cost of a healthy diet, vaccines and veterinary care in general remain a major factor in the initial price of the puppy.

/0 Comments/by

The Lagotto Romagnolo and the Children

Lagotto e bambini

The Lagotto Romagnolo is the dog suitable for children

When you decide to adopt a dog and you have children in family necessary you look for a dog with certain characteristics. Especially when it is the first experience.

The Lagotto Romagnolo is a dog suitable for children.

There are more or less demanding breeds whose coexistence with children is always possible. Temperament, responsiveness and meekness are characteristics that have made some dogs particularly suited to the fortunate life with a child.

Adopt a Lagotto Romagnolo with a child in the house still remains a commitment. With the Lagotto, compared to some other breeds, we will have to worry less about what the dog could do to the baby and more about what the baby could do to the Lagotto puppy. The Lagotto is not able to give a bite, even under torture. After adopting a puppy of Lagotto Romagnolo we will still have to educate the child to relate in the correct way with the dog.

A child who grows up with a puppy is a lucky child.

Dog characteristics suitable for children

All dogs can happily live with children. What changes is the level of attention to have during their coexistence. A dog is still an animal and his way of communicating is through gestures that must be correctly interpreted. There are breeds with huge size that are however known for their patience and small size dogs known for their fiery temperament. The size is not an element on which to choose a dog for the children. The size may be critical to other evaluations or become an additional item. Many families with children call us believing that they have found in the Lagotto Romagnolo the dog suitable for living with the child and family life.

Sometimes it is the curly hair that is curious and approaching this canine breed. Oh yes! The Lagotto Romagnolo does not lose fur.

It’s a low-allergen, hypoallergenic dog. And here is that from a trivial curiosity we go to deepen who is really the Lagotto Romagnolo. At this point it turns out that he has a quiet temperament, he is a clever and tame dog.

A dog with a quiet temperament in the house but outdoors loves to play and walk.

A dog suitable for children is a balanced and properly socialized dog from the first weeks of life.

For the Lagotto Romagnolo is uninfluential sex.

Male or female is really secondary . It is the character of the Lagotto who make the difference. The Lagotto Romagnolo is recommended for families with children from veterinarians who knowledge many breeds or from the owners of Lagotto who have now become inseparable companions.

Educate the child to live with the Lagotto Romagnolo

Adopting a lagotto romagnolo when in the family there are children requires some attention to make sure as an adult a dog balanced and free of fears. Our commitment is maximum to entrust extremely serene and fun puppies. The first week of cohabitation with the new family is hard for the puppy, and despite the family’s commitment requires a brief period of setting before the puppy feels at ease and begins to give the best of himself. It is always recommended not to leave the dog alone with the children.

With the Lagotto Romagnolo our fears will be for the puppy dog rather than for the child. We didn’t drink our brains!
A lagotto will never hurt a child. At least as far as our puppies are concerned. Those we breed and entrust. On the other hand, we know the Lagotto puppies take some time to become familiar with every new situation. Learn quickly, but the enthusiasm of a child can intimidate him and take him to flee from the child. We will have to be present and control how the child relates to the puppy. That is the best time to educate the child to manage and relate to the puppy. Soon they will become inseparable friends!

/0 Comments/by

The Character of the Lagotto Puppies: Campbell’s Test

carattere cuccioli cane test campbell

The Character of the Lagotto Puppies.

Understanding the character of the puppy is important to determine their ability to adapt to the situation proposed to it by the adoptive family.

There are many families with children, elderly people, or owners of cats or other animals. Now interested in one of our Lagotto.

The space and time that will be available to the puppy are also elements that help to identify the right puppy for each circumstance.

The character of the puppy is formed indicatively in the first 4 months of life. In relation to the experiences the dog will have, it can also change over the course of his life. A sociable puppy can change his character even as an adult and become aggressive or shy. It depends on circumstances and negative experiences.

What we aim to do is to assess puppy character trends to achieve the best association between puppy and family.

By living our litter daily we try to never leave any puppy behind.

A well looked after litter will have a homogeneous character development. There will be no imbalance with some puppies too dominant and others too submissive.

Approximately between the sixth and eighth week of life, it is possible to get an idea of the character of the Lagotto as an adult. We are talking about a trend that we can verify almost at the end of the training course at the farm.

The Campbell Test

W. E. Campbell is an American psychologist who in 1975 defined a behavioural test for the selection of the puppy. A scholar of animal behaviour, and an observer of the relationship between man and dog, he defined an empirical method for evaluating the puppy’s temperament.

Campbell’s test does not provide scientific truths about the character of puppies and can also be used with adult dogs.

For a puppy we will talk about behavioural trends, which are useful information for the breeder. Even today, for its effectiveness and reliability the test is still in use and considered a valid tool.

The test is based on 5 simple exercises. For each exercise we give 5 possible evaluations of the puppy’s reaction.

Social attraction: We move away from the puppy by a few metres. By standing on our knees we attract the puppy’s attention with a few claps of our hands. We are evaluating the trust in us and in people. The dog’s sociality.

Ability to follow: by being seen by the puppy, we move away with a normal step. We are evaluating the propensity to follow us or vice versa to independence.

Constriction test: We keep the puppy turned on his back and hold him in this position for 30 seconds. We are evaluating the acceptance of physical dominance and the leader of the pack.

Social dominance: We pet the puppy from head to tail for 30 seconds. We are also evaluating the acceptance of hierarchies in relation to other dogs.

Dominance Test for Lifting: We lift the puppy off the ground for thirty seconds. We place our hands intertwined under the puppy’s belly and lift him about 20 centimetres. We are testing how the puppy accepts our dominance.

By putting together the results obtained on the various exercises, the test provides general judgements useful to understand the puppy’s adaptability to different situations.

  • We will have dogs that react aggressively and where the presence of children or elderly people is not recommended. In quiet situations, if politely and patiently educated, they will be excellent guard dogs. A Lagotto will never belong to this category.
  • Dogs tend to be dominant, loyal and competitive. Easily trainable and carried as working dogs.
  • Dogs that adapt to the proposed situations. Suitable for children and elderly people.
  • Submissive puppies in great need of pampering. They need injections of trust and affection and stay close to people. They are suitable for children but can bite if treated badly or in defence.
/0 Comments/by