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I met a Lagotto Romagnolo

We kind of expected it, and it’s basically coming true. There are more and more unexpected encounters with Lagottos roaming the cities.

Many families who live in the city have begun to know and realize that the Lagotto Romagnolo, known for its ability to search for truffles, is an excellent companion for children and also for those who simply have some time to devote to him.

Having left the countryside and become a part of the city environment, the Lagotto has become the friend of many people.

The question posed to the owner of the Lagotto comes naturally. What is life like with a Lagotto Romagnolo?

The answer is often obvious.  After such a meeting, those who had always wanted a dog, realize that they have finally found the breed of dog they had always been looking for.

The opinion of those who live with a Lagotto is surely disinterested and authoritative.

To avoid misunderstandings, it must be said that, like people, every puppy has its own personality. Each puppy becomes a big puppy and especially in its adolescent phase is challenging.

Then there are the people who live with him. Too much affection or simply because of inexperience, mistakes are made in education. Sometimes mechanisms are triggered that make the adolescent phase of the dog a little more complicated and long. Nothing transcendental, on the contrary, but do not imagine that you have welcomed a doll.

Why the cognitive visits.

Starting from the premise just made, there are more and more requests that we receive to visit us to know the breed.

In past years we have done many such visits. We used to meet those who today I would call the pioneers of the Lagotto Romagnolo as a companion dog.

Pleasant meetings experienced as a moment: “in the spotlight for our dogs“.

Often families also decided to book one of our puppies. This was not the ultimate goal for us nor for those who outside the period of present litters came to visit us.

Unfortunately now we are more and more difficult to satisfy the increasing requests of visits to know the Lagotto Romagnolo. And in fact that is the reason for this article.

On the one hand, we think there is also less need. Today the possibility of meeting a Lagotto and listening to its owner is much more likely than in the past and it is a good start.

Our kids are growing up and taking up a lot more of our time. Especially on the weekends. Our litters have also increased and therefore we must necessarily adapt to the growth of the present litter in order to safeguard their health before letting people into the places where our puppies live.

  • The visits to the kennel for the choice of the puppy remain decisive, important and often essential.
  • The visits to get to know the breed we had to concentrate in short periods of the year and by appointment.

Moments in which it is really possible and our serenity is such as to make pleasant for all the mutual knowledge.

After a phone contact, some of them understand immediately our limit or need. Others more determined come directly to the gate of our house. Others have already chosen us and we can hardly make them understand that we cannot.

By phone we are always available to give any kind of information and try to complete a picture of the breed sometimes started by chance encounters with a Lagottino.

Maybe one day we will organize open days for those who want to spend a few hours in company of our dogs. If necessary, we will meet a veterinarian and together with us, our stars (Lagotto Romagnolo), we will deepen and solve some of the typical doubts of those who decide to welcome, perhaps, a Lagotto Romagnolo.

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Tools to Groom the Lagotto Romagnolo

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.

 

 

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Choosing the Lagotto Romagnolo from Truffle or Pet?

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.

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Clear ideas for a happy start

Tomorrow comes the puppy. Our first dog.

The day of the puppy’s arrival is approaching, it is the first dog in the family and some doubt as to what it will serve in the days to come assails us. Let’s do a quick review:

  • The puppy food, of the same brand and flavour used at the kennel. The puppy kit that is delivered with the puppy already contains food for a few days. The kibble we use is readily available from pet shops. A large bag also ensures good savings.
  • Pesticides When the puppy arrives in spring, summer and autumn they will soon be necessary. Our puppies are entrusted with treatments, but these will soon need to be repeated. Arrange for pesticides.
  • A game to relieve the stress of the first few days so as not to interfere with the teething process.
  • Identify the vet you trust if it is your first dog, but even if it is your first Lagotto, it is best to find out in advance who you are going to entrust with the health of your beloved Lagottino and inform them of its forthcoming arrival. In order to facilitate the task of both the veterinary surgeon and the future owner, we always write down in the puppy’s health booklet all the treatments, vaccinations received, the next deadlines and the results of the visit made by our veterinary surgeon.
  • Identify the space to be made available to the puppy. Possibly in a certain way. Second thoughts due to cramped management of needs in the first few weeks should be avoided.
  • Create its den. Its safe and quiet shelter equipped with a bowl for water and three times a day a bowl for kibble. Metal.

Leash. Even if you wait a few days to start this new experience, it is worth having it. Sometimes, during the journey, situations may arise where you need to keep your puppy safe. See a stop at a motorway service station.

The journey is always fun and the puppy is finally home.

During the journey, the puppy falls asleep in the arms and cuddles of its companion. And waking up is a complete novelty.

A surprise to get used to slowly.

  • Let him have the initiative. Give it time to get to know the environment. A timid start and then the puppy will begin its patrol. It will probably ask you, in its own way, to reassure it with a few cuddles, but let it look for us.
  • Let’s curb our enthusiasm. If possible, let’s hold back for a moment and slow down when introducing children. It is not easy, but it is good not to assault the puppy who is struggling to get through the moment. He will soon overcome his initial discomfort and understand that he is only receiving affection from you.
  • Days go by, a little pest that gets into everything? It’s not always like that, but your time is coming. Educate your puppy in the rules of the house. With the gentle manners a Lagotto requires of its owner. We’ll make him understand what’s allowed and what’s not.
  • Get it used to being alone.  If the puppy has to spend part of the day on its own, it is important to educate it from the start. For flat dwellers, the kennel is often the perfect den. It helps them to understand that their needs are outside. A few kibble and a few toys and the puppy will go in on its own. Without any problems it will fall asleep and have a peaceful stay even when we are not present.
  • Once the first few days have passed, we can start with the first walks on a leash.
  • Enrolling in a puppy class. The socialisation of the dog will give it an extra edge as an adult. Pay attention to the respect of the vaccination protocol knowing that attending with you other puppies and making experiences will help you to have a special relationship.
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Teaching Lagotto’s puppy where to take care of his needs

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)

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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.

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Fur care: Grooming and shearing

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.

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Pedigree Lagotto Romagnolo: Selected Reproduction

Selected Reproduction for Lagotto Romagnolo

The selected breeding is an official certificate with which it is certified that the puppies are born from controlled parents.

The puppies born in selected breeding have a special red pedigree.

ENCI with the special pedigree rewards the quality control of the puppy for the greater guarantees and information provided to the buyer of the puppy.

This is how the selected breeding is accessed.

The parents undergo morphological evaluation in exhibitions.

These are the exhibitions of beauty. Real morphological examinations of respect to the breed standard.

The judgements are expressed in:

NG= Not judged SQ= Disqualified INS= Insufficient SUFF= Sufficient B = Good MB= Very Good ECC= Excellent

In the Lagotto Romagnolo, in order to have access to selected breeding, the dog must reach a qualification of MB in the Meeting or Special.

The parents are subjected to special tests to evaluate attitudinal and character aspects.

For the Lagotto Romagnolo these are the truffle hunting trials. The dog’s working aptitude and character are tested.

In order to be eligible for selected breeding, the dog must attain a qualification of MB in work trials.

The parents undergo diagnostic checks to assess health aspects.

The requirement for access to Selected Reproduction is hip dysplasia of the Lagotto Romagnolo.

Only dogs with degree of dysplasia A, B, C are admitted.

The parents must make the DNA deposit.

Regardless of the selected breeding, all serious breeders perform genetic tests on the breeding stock. At this stage the biological sample is also deposited.

Only after having carried out the health checks and having passed the work and beauty tests, the breeder is recognised as a Selected Breeder!!!!

 Ordinary Reproduction

In ordinary breeding, there are no morphological, aptitude or health control requirements.

The puppies born in ordinary breeding will have a pedigree certifying the origin of the dog. It is issued to all puppies whose parents are in possession of a pedigree.

The pedigree in ordinary breeding attests the breed membership and traces the family tree.

The seriousness of the individual breeders and their commitment to selection can make all the difference to the quality of the puppies. Even if it is not officially certified and recognised by ENCI.

The controls that attest to the quality of Lagotto Romagnolo puppies:

  • The genetic examinations JE, LSD and Furnishing
  • Radiographic control of the degree of dysplasia of the elbow as well as of the hips.

Checks that should always be done. Even if the procedure for recognition as a Selected Reproducer is not started. Even if not required for access to Selected Reproduction.

When we talk about health, Selected Reproduction sets out the requirements to be followed in order to breed, a benchmark to be passed.

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How and when to wash the Lagotto Romagnolo

Come e quando lavare il Lagotto Romagnolo

When to bath the puppy

The first bath to the puppy of Lagotto should be done prophylactic vaccination ended. Sometimes it is not possible to wait until four months and we will start with some short washing of legs. With the beautiful season and with some attention you can anticipate the first washing of the puppy. There is no rush in washing the puppy, but sometimes it can become necessary for too much dirty on the pup.

The puppy must be dried deeply and with the Lagotto Romagnolo is never too easy.

The undercoat and the woolly curls stay damp and besides the towels we will have to introduce the hairdryer. Experience often not welcome to the puppy. Let’s also remember to well dry the ears.  Obviously without hairdryer.

We will not have to exceed with the use of shampoo even if it is specific for dogs..

How often should the dog be washed, the Lagotto Romagnolo.

Dogs should not be washed with too frequency.

The use of shampoo suitable for dogs, removes from the mantle the natural fat that is the defense of the hair and skin. The fat takes several days to recreate the right balance on the skin and on the hair. Too frequent baths may be the cause of dermatitis. To avoid unnecessary baths we will have to devote us to combing and grooming of the lagotto. Sometimes, back from a walk the Lagotto is filled with pellets of grass, its can be removed manually. If it is an activity that we do frequently we will evaluate a short coat for our Lagotto that avoids this annoying inconvenience for both. the owner and the dog.

Often a nice combed or the use of a moistened sponge is sufficient.

Even wipes or dry shampoo can help to remove any unpleasant odors. The brush should rarely be used, to avoid the typical curl of the breed would be smoothed hair.

The main grooming of the Lagotto Romagnolo mantle is done with the use of the comb.

With wider teeth to dissolve the knots and the felted hair. The typical areas where the hair is knotted resulting felting are behind the ears, between the tail and the trunk. With tighter teeth to restore tone and cleanliness. A regular combing, not too frequent is often enough to keep the dog clean and tidy. The combing action helps to distribute the natural fat along the whole mantle which will give more gloss and softness to the curl. The Lagotto Romagnolo does not make a wetsuit and with the combing we will remove much of the dead hair which of course is stranded in the thick and woolly clam of the lagotto. These operations have an invigorating and pleasing effect for the dog. For the Lagotto the final effect may not always be so pleasant. It depends on the delicacy and frequency with which we comb it. The fact that the comb can not slide well through the curls can create some discomfort.

How to bathe, practical advice.

Before bathing it is important to comb the dog thoroughly. In addition to having greater hygiene, the products that we are going to use will act more effectively, giving to the mantle of the Lagotto a beautiful curly hair soft and shiny. After washing with the shampoo we’re going to use a dog conditioner.

For the Lagotto Romagnolo, the use of a conditioner is decisive for the final result.

We will let the conditioner act well before proceeding to the last rinse. A nice wipe with a towel and we’ll pass the phono. Not to tire and heat up our dog every now and then we stop and will be the opportunity to pass the comb with fine teeth in the wet hair. The effect at the end will be astounding. The phone should never be pointed at the dog’s nose. If we feel like it and we will be glad we can also give a break to some longer tub or try to give a general fart grooming. A finish to reform the ride around the ears and a lowering to the neck never fails.

Quiet! We won’t do any big damage! The fur of the lagotto always grows and soon some inexperience error will no longer be evident!

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Lagotto Romagnolo a breed still to be discovered

The success of the Lagotto Romagnolo

Lagotto Romagnolo owes its demographic growth in Italy mainly to the search for truffles. The number of people who in recent years have approached the truffles world has increased considerably. Newcomers have relied on the undoubted qualities of Lagotto Romagnolo. The fame of his exploits soon came to the ears of older hunters truffle. Wandering around the woods, there are less and fewer mestizos who strive for the truffle.

Those who used mestizo to search for truffles are often not interested in the pedigree of their puppy. And then they have done other litters. The lagottos without pedigree have begun to grow. Puppies of which we know nothing about the consanguinity, much less the inherited pathologies.

Despite this, the number of Lagotto Romagnolo officially present in Italy has grown. From the Enci data we went from 1127 dogs in 2007 to 2198 dogs in 2016.

The Lagotto Romagnolo in a few years has gone from being a niche dog to a real pet dog.

Lagotto Romagnolo: Pet dog

Many of the people who approach the truffle after some experience leave this hobby. Yes! It is an hobby, translated in Italian a pastime that takes time and passion. The pleasure of having a Lagotto Romagnolo has satisfied its owners even when they stopped hunting truffle. These in particular have advertised the excellent capacity of the Lagotto Romagnolo exclusively as a companion dog. And this process is constantly growing.

The Lagotto Romagnolo is truly an exceptional dog.

His fame soon arrived also abroad. There are numerous kennel clubs Lagotto Romagnolo all over the world, the American Kennel Club is among the most numerous. In Europe, Kennel Club Lagotto is present in Spain, France, England, Germany, Sweden, etc. The Lagotto Romagnolo breedings are now present in every country. They are not as widespread as in Italy, but such as to allow shows and national champions titles a bit throughout Europe. The peculiarity is that in these countries there is no mention of truffles. The breed is appreciated for its morphology, character and its excellent qualities as a companion dog. To be considered certainly among the breeds of dogs suitable for children.

Lagotto Romagnolo: Diffusion and curiosity

More and more often they approach this breed people and families who have never had a dog. Feedbacks are always enthusiastic. Those who have had dogs of other breed or mestizos gets informetions about Lagotto Romagnolo and remains fascinated by the descriptions of character and temperament. Talking with the owners of our puppies or with those who have a lagotto Romagnolo makes it clear how much is appreciated the coexistence with dogs of this breed.

The Lagotto Romagnolo is giving a beautiful image of himself.

In the long time it will bring this breed to be among the most appreciated in Italy and also in the world. Reading a National Geographic article the only thing that seems to be lacking for the definitive consecration of the Lagotto Romagnolo it is a triggering event. The National Geographic article shows how the popularity of many dog breeds is due to a Film. Then is the dog to be appreciated or not. Over the years the popularity of Dalmata, settler and Border Collie has followed. The no-easy coexistence with dogs of these breeds has seen fade from the advertising of the films. Over a decade they have lost their popularity as family dogs suitable for families. The Labrador and the German Shepherd otherwise have been able to maintain and increase their success even after decades from the film that they saw as protagonists.

At the moment the Lagotto Romagnolo is creeping slowly into the undergrowth, forgive me for the truffle metaphor, waiting for this film of sure success.

The date is 9/8/2017…. in case the film is really made!

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