Lagotto Romagnolo
The Lagotto Romagnolo is the world's only breed officially recognised specifically for truffle hunting — a role it has performed in the Romagna sub-region of Italy's Emilia-Romagna for at least 600 years.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Origin
Italy
Lifespan
15–17 years
Weight
13–16 kg (28–35 lbs)
Height
41–48 cm (16–19 in)
Exercise
40 to 60 min/day
Diet
Omnivore — high-quality food for an active medium breed.
Taxonomic Hierarchy
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Mammalia
Order
Carnivora
Family
Canidae
Genus
Canis
The Story
The Lagotto Romagnolo is the world's only breed officially recognised specifically for truffle hunting — a role it has performed in the Romagna sub-region of Italy's Emilia-Romagna for at least 600 years. Originally a water retriever in the marshes of the Po Delta, when the marshes were drained in the 19th century the Lagotto was repurposed for truffle hunting — a role for which its exceptional nose (one of the most sensitive of all domestic dogs), eagerness to please, and focus proved perfect. A truffle-hunting Lagotto can earn its owner €1,000–5,000 per day in peak season. The breed is also one of the longest-lived of medium dogs.
Also Known As
Quick Facts
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Physical Profile
Source: wikimedia
A medium-sized, sturdy, curly-coated dog with a distinctive tight, woolly curl coat that covers the entire body including the face. Brown, orange, roan, or white in colour. Rustic and workmanlike in appearance with a square, robust body.
Grooming
Moderate
Shedding
Low
Brushing
2-3x-Weekly
Bathing
Every-4-6-Weeks
Coat Colors
Recognized By
Source: wikimedia
Temperament & Personality
Keen, affectionate, and focused — the Lagotto has an exceptional nose and an unusually focused work ethic. Very trainable. Calm and undemanding at home. Excellent family dog.
Personality Scores
Adaptability
4/5Attention Need
4/5Friendliness
4/5Playfulness
4/5Protectiveness
2/5Living Profile
Ideal Space
House-Small-Garden
Daily Exercise
40 to 60 min/day
Ideal Weather
0°C to 28°C
Cognitive Benchmarks
Adaptability
40%
Attention
40%
Playfulness
40%
Communication Style
Stress Signals
excessive digging, barking, clinginess, pacing, restlessness
Care & Wellness
Professional Care Protocol
- •1.5–2 hours exercise daily including nose work. The curly coat requires clipping 2–3 times yearly and light brushing to prevent matting. Very low shedding.
Nutrition Notes
Generally healthy breed with few dietary restrictions. Benign familial juvenile epilepsy (BFJE) in some lines — usually outgrown. Ear infections due to curly coat around ears. Omega-3 for coat health.
Vaccination Schedule
Vaccination Schedule
Senior Care
BFJE (benign familial juvenile epilepsy) — DNA test available, usually resolves by 8-13 weeks. Lysosomal storage disease — DNA test. Hip dysplasia — OFA screening. The world's only dedicated truffle-hunting breed. Curly coat is low-shedding. 15-17 years — long-lived.
Wellbeing Activities
Nutrition & Sustenance
Daily Calories (Adult)
1000 kcal
Daily Calories (Young)
700 kcal
Recommended Foods
Foods to Avoid
Health Overview
Benign familial juvenile epilepsy — unique to the Lagotto; DNA test available. Hip dysplasia. Storage disease (lagotto storage disease — LSD; DNA test available). Generally one of the healthiest and longest-lived medium breeds.
Common Conditions
Price Estimates
Pricing Guide
Average estimates as of 2025
Rapidly rising in popularity globally. AKC recognition 2015. Waiting lists of 1-2 years common. Italy's truffle hunter. India: extremely rare, imported only.
Purchase Price
$2,000 to $4,000
Adoption Fee
$100 to $500
Data from 2025
Fun Facts
A skilled truffle-hunting Lagotto Romagnolo can locate white truffles (Tuber magnatum) worth €3,000–5,000 per kilogram — a single day's hunt in peak season can yield €5,000+ in truffles. The best truffle-hunting Lagottos are worth significantly more than the average family pet.
The Lagotto Romagnolo is the world's only FCI-recognised breed bred specifically for truffle hunting — the designation "world's foremost truffle dog" is an official part of its breed standard.
