Lagotto Romagnolo

Lagotto RomagnoloLagotto Romagnolo

An ancient Italian medium-sized water dog, the Lagotto is a very ancient breed. Developed in Italy in one of the earliest cradles of civilization, perhaps he was in the background of many ancient Water Dogs like those described by Gervase Markham in his book 'La Livre de Chasse' (published 1655 AD). By the mid-1800's the Lagotto was used almost exclusively for truffle hunting. The truffle is a type of fungus (or mushroom) found on the roots of some trees and is regarded by gourmet chefs as a delicacy.

History of the Lagotto

Shaggy Haired dog c 2BCShaggy Haired dog c 2BC

The Lagotto arguably the oldest water dog, first developed from an ancient type of shaggy haired Spaniel-type dog, possibly dating back as early 4 or 5 BC (Centuries Before Christ) when the Italian Peninsula was, together with Greece, one of the earliest cradles of civilisation.

The historical reasons are based on the assumption that the Italian Peninsula was, together with Greece, one of the earliest cradles of the Mediterranean and world-wide civilisation. Since very ancient times Italic peoples had flourishing trade relations with Eastern peoples. Said relations entailed ongoing contacts at every level that allowed each population to become familiar with extremely differing habits and mores (customs) that could be spread only in this way. Surely this also applied to dogs. This explains the many findings, (especially during archaeological excavation North Eastern Italy) concerning various breeds of dogs, and in particular a curly and shaggy-haired small-sized water dog.[2] 

Water Dog c 1803Water Dog c 1803

Before the 16th Century in Nothern Italy, there were the flat lowlands of Comacchio and marshlands of Ravenna. Later these marshlands spread over the hills and lowland plains of Romagna. This is an area which today is on the Adriatic Sea just South of Venice. Certainly there were shaggy-haired small-sized water dogs the colour of reeds called 'Canis Aquaticus' mentioned by Linneus, the great Swedish Naturalist of the 1700's, that had hunted in these marshland areas for hundreds of years. Even the British source Vero Shaw published in 1872 mentions the Lagotto as 'a bad sort of Poodle under the designation of Truffle-Dog'[1].

Romagna Region of ItalyRomagna Region of Italy

In the local dialect of the Romagna "Càn Lagòt" is synonymous with "water dog" or "wetland hunting dog with a crimped, curly coat". Because the people who hunted the area of Romagna when it was rich in game were called 'logotti' (inhabitants of flat marshland), this dog was named 'Lagotto'. The Lagotto would, often for hours on end, dive into the water whatever the season, even breaking through ice to swim under it and drag the fallen birds back onto the shore. This activity was made possible by the dogs' compactly crimped coat and thick undercoat which forms a water-repellent layer that keeps the water off the dogs' skin as well as making it easy for the dog to shake off any excess water.


By the mid-1800's reclamation work had reduced the huge marshes of Comacchio and Romagna. So the Lagotto's purpose as a water dog became redundant. But because he was so easily trained and had such a wonderful sense of smell, Lagottos were then famously used to hunt truffles. These are a fungus which have a distinctive taste and are considered to be a delicacy. But truffles live within the roots of certain trees like beech, poplar and oak, making them difficult to find.

The Lagotto Today

The accompanying footage was shot in Milan, Italy at the World Dog Show 2000. This was after 30 years of dedicated resurrection by a passionate band of cynologists, breeders, judges and the Italian Lagotto Club. He became the FCI recognized breed we know today in 1999[2]. He is also newcomer to Australia, gaining recognition here in the year 2,000.

Lagotto Bitch and DogLagotto Bitch and Dog

The Lagotto is a tractable, undemanding, keen, and affectionate which makes an excellent watch-dog. At 41 - 48 cms (16 - 19 inches) high and weighs 11 - 16 kg  (24 - 35 pounds), he is a small to medium-sized dog with a powerful build.

Lagotto CoatLagotto Coat

Although the skin is described as fine or thin without wrinkles, the unique waterproof coat is of woolly texture with curls forming the topcoat with a woolly undercoat. The curls should never be twisted to form thin cords. Instead it has tight, ring shaped curls evenly distributed over all the body and tail, with visible undercoat. But the curls on the head and cheeks are not as tight forming abundant eyebrows, whiskers and beard.

Lagotto RomagnoloLagotto Romagnolo

The coat is clipped to a maximum of 4 cms (1.5 inches), but on the head it can be longer. The coat should never be clipped short preventing it from curling or assessment of texture, nor may it be brushed up in the fashion of the Poodles and Bichon Frisé breeds. The correct clip is unpretentious and contributes to accentuate the natural, rustic appearance complimented by the coat colour. This may be be off-white as a solid colour, white with brown or orange patches, brown roan, brown (in different shades) with or without white or orange with or without white. Some dogs have a brown to dark brown mask. Tan markings (in different shades) are allowed.

Lagotto RomagnoloLagotto Romagnolo

The skull is as broad is it is long, with flat cheeks and well defined eyebrows and a pronounced furrow running up the forehead from a slight but definite stop. The length of the skull is slightly longer than the muzzle which has a straight profile but diverges slightly from the plane of the skull. In other words, it is slightly 'down-faced'. However, the strong muzzle is as deep as it is long, is covered with a long and rather bristly moustache and houses a normal scissors bite. The nose has wide open mobile nostrils, lips, eyes and eyelids and can be light to dark brown, depending on the coat colour. The eyes are large and round and the ears are triangular with rounded tips, set in line with the eyes and covered with looser curls.

Lagotto RomagnoloLagotto Romagnolo

The neck is strong, muscular, and free from dewlap. The shoulder blades are well laid back, long and muscular and the same length as the upper arm. The elbow joint situated close to the chest wall. The forelegs have strong bone and are perfectly vertical, with resilient pasterns. The feet are slightly rounded, with webbing between the toes.

In profile the withers which at their highest point are not too close, rise above the level of the croup. The body is strong compact and the same length as the height at withers. The topline is straight and muscular from withers to croup and the loin is short coupled, as wide as it long, and very strong. The chest is well developed, reaching the elbows. Although the chest looks fairly narrow from the front, the ribcage it widens behind the elbows making the underline fairly straight with only a slight tuck-up.

Lagotto RomagnoloLagotto Romagnolo

From the rear, the hindquarters should look powerful and in proportion to the size of the dog, with long thighs and clearly defined muscles. The lower thigh should be slightly longer than the upper thigh with the stifle well turned and the hocks perpendicular to the ground with no dewclaws. The tail is set on line with the topline and when at rest, should barely reach the hocks. At rest it is carried in scimitar like curve, but when attentive it should be decidedly raised. When working or excited can be carried over the back, but never curled. He moves with a regular, energetic and brisk trot but can gallop for short periods.

Comparison between Lagotto Romagnolo and Spanish Water Dog

Lagotto Romagnolo Spanish Water Dog
General Appearance The Lagotto is a small to medium-sized well proportioned, powerfully built dog. It has a rustic appearance with a dense, curly coat with tight ring shaped curls. The Spanish Water Dog is a well proportioned dog of rectilinear proportions and of an athletic build. It has a rustic appearance with a woolly textured coat.
LagottoLagotto

Spanish Water DogSpanish Water Dog

Size The Lagotto is a small to medium-sized dog with a powerful build. He stands 41 - 48 cms (16 - 19 inches) high and weighs 11 - 16 kg (24 - 35 pounds)

The Spanish Water Dog stands 44 to 50 cm (19 - 19.5 inches) high for males and 40 to 46 cm ( 15.75 - 18 inches) for males and weighs from 14 - 22 kg (31 - 48.5 pounds).

Colour Off-white, white with brown or orange patches, brown roan, brown through to orange with or without white. Tan markings allowed. Solid white, black or chestnut in different shades or bi-coloured - white with black or white with brown.
Coat The unique waterproof coat is of woolly texture with curls forming the topcoat with a woolly undercoat. The curls should never be twisted to form cords. Instead it has tight, ring shaped curls evenly distributed over all the body and tail.

Always curly, of a woolly texture but without undercoat. Curly when short, can form cords when long. Puppies always are born with curly hair.

Clipping The coat is clipped to a maximum of 4 cms (1.5 inches). It should never be clipped so short that is prevented from curling. Nor may it be brushed out in the fashion of the Poodles. The recommended maximum length is 12 cm (15 cm extending the curl) and the minimum 3 cm so the quality of the curl can be assessed. It should always be even, following the outline of the dog.
Lagotto Lagotto Spanish Water DogSpanish Water Dog
Head
The strong, broad skull is longer than the muzzle with flat cheeks. The stop is not too pronounced and the nose wide and slightly protruding. Its colour depends on the coat colour.
The strong, flat head is has parallel head planes. The nostrils are the same colour or darker than the darkest tone of the coat.
Eyes The round, large eyes are set fairly wide apart, their colour depends on the coat colour. The colour of the slightly oblique set round eyes should match the colour of the coat.
Ears The medium-sized, triangular ears with rounded tips, are set just above the zygomatic arches. The triangular, drooping ears are set at a medium height.
Mouth Scissor or pincer bite, slightly reverse scissors acceptable. Well formed teeth with well developed canines.
LagottoLagotto Spanish Water DogSpanish Water Dog
Neck Strong, muscular and absolutely free from dewlap. The length of the neck is a little less than the total length of the head. Short, well muscled, without dewlap, well set into the shoulders.
Forequarters The long shoulder blades are well laid back and  the elbows are set close to the chest wall. The forelegs have with oval bone ending with sloping pasterns. Although the chest is fairly narrow in front, it is well developed, reaching down to the elbows.

The shoulders are oblique, the legs are straight and sturdy with the elbows close to the sides. The pasterns are rather straight and short, the chest is broad and the ribs are well arched.
Body The body is square, its length equals the height at the withers. The topline is straight. The loin is short and in profile, there is only a slight tuck-up. The proportion of the length of body to the height at withers is 9/8. The robust body has a straight topline with a slightly sloping croup. In profile the underline has a slight tucked up.
Hindquarters The hindquarters are powerful, the thighs are long with clearly defined and visible muscles. The stifles are well bent and the hocks are perpendicular to the ground with no dewclaws. The hindquarters are moderately angulated but the muscles are capable of the energetic spring necessary for easy and elegant jumping. The hocks are short and lean and perpendicular to the ground.
LagottoLagotto Spanish Water DogSpanish Water Dog
Feet Slightly rounded, but hind feet more oval Round
Tail Medium set on. At rest carried scimitar like but when attentive decidedly raised Medium set on. Can have natural bob tail of any length
Gait Trot is energetic and brisk Preferred gait is a trot

References and Further Reading

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[1] Vero Shaw B.A in 'the Illustrated Book of the Dog' (Published by Cassell, Petter, Galpin & Co, London, Paris & New York) 1881 Chapter XXV111 'The Poodle' Page 197

[2] Dr Giovanni Morsiani, President Club Italiano Lagotto 'Records on Lagotto Romagnolo' (English) Published by the Club Italiano Lagotto in the year 2,000 for the World Dog Show held in Milan that year, Pages 11 - 25 and Pages 41 - 43. Author of Il Lagotto Romagnolo, Storie de Cani e Tartufai (Stories of Dogs and Truffle) ISBN 10: 8842519197  ISBN 13: 9788842519195 Softcover



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