Lagotto Romagnolo

Your Lagotto Romagnolo won’t need a lot of maintenance. Because its coat is dense and wiry, rather than smooth, long and silky, it really doesn’t need a lot of grooming. If your Lagotti loves running in a rural area, and gets to swim regularly, do keep an eye out for any matting of the coat; it may pick up twigs, sticks, burrs and other debris. It probably needs its coat clipped or trimmed three or four times a year.

If your Lagotto Romagnolo is a frequent swimmer, you also need to check the condition of his or her ears regularly. It has thick hair in there to prevent water from getting into the inner canal but this means that hair can get dirty and smelly. The ears may need cleaning every so often, and any excess hair should be trimmed. This can also help to prevent potential ear infections.

Is a Lagotto Romagnolo hypoallergenic? Yes, because shedding from its coat is minimal, it’s considered to be one of the more hypoallergenic breeds, although we should emphasize that no dog is completely hypoallergenic. But it doesn’t tend to molt, and if you’re a potential pet parent who suffers with allergies, a Lagotto Romagnolo is a sensible choice.

Lagotto Romagnolo health

Generally seen as a healthy breed, this is a durable and hardy dog; the average Lagotto Romagnolo lifespan can be between 14 and 17 years. Of course, like all breeds, there are some health issues to be aware of — including those that may be inherited.

If you have a Lagotto Romagnolo, or are hoping to get one, look out for these health conditions:

• Lysosomal Storage Disease
• Hip dysplasia
• Benign Familial Juvenile Epilepsy
• Patellar Luxation
• Cerebral Abiotrophy

Lysosomal Storage Disease
Lagotto Romagnolos are particularly prone to this condition — so much so that it’s frequently called Lagotto Storage Disease (LSD) instead of Lysosomal Storage Disease.

LSD is a neurodegenerative disease, and a serious one; it’s progressive and fatal. Symptoms — which include behavioral changes and coordination issues — are usually noticeable from around the age of four months and evident in Lagotto Romagnolo puppies. 

The only course of action, sadly, is palliative care or euthanasia, if the dog has a poor quality of life. Responsible and reputable Lagotto Romagnolo should test their dogs to check for the condition, and, if present, avoid breeding with another dog who has the LSD gene. It’s a question to ask any breeder, if you’re thinking of buying a Lagotto from them.

Hip dysplasia

Hip dysplasia is a common health risk in many dog breeds. This condition is caused by malformation in the hip joint. It typically gets progressively worse — though it can be mild, moderate or severe — and you might notice telltale symptoms, such as your Lagotto Romagnolo limping, struggling to climb stairs, or moving stiffly after getting up from sleeping. It’s an inherited genetic condition that needs treatment, whether that’s in the form of medication or even surgery.

Benign Familial Juvenile Epilepsy

Benign Familial Juvenile Epilepsy (BFJE) is a genetic disease that affects Lagotto Romagnolo puppies — seizures can start from as young as five weeks old. However, these usually stop as the puppies mature, and they can grow out of the condition by eight to 13 weeks of age. If symptoms of epilepsy persist beyond that, consult a vet for more advice.

Patellar Luxation

Patellar Luxation — also known as a luxating patella — is a condition that can affect many different breeds, including smaller toy dogs as well as larger canines. Lagotto Romagnolo puppies might be tested for it, as it can be congenital (eg, present from birth). It can also develop later in life. Patellar Luxation is when the dog’s kneecap is either displaced or dislocated from the joint. It occurs most often in the rear legs. Symptoms include limping, and a reluctance to run or jump.

Cerebellar Abiotrophy

A degenerative disease affecting the nervous system, cerebellar abiotrophy can be diagnosed even before some dogs are born (neonatal) or in the weeks or months afterwards (postnatal). The Lagotto Romagnolo is one of many breeds that can have postnatal cerebellar abiotrophy. It can result in poor coordination, loss of balance, muscle tremors, and head shaking. There’s no cure for this, though therapy and medication can improve quality of life.

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Feeding a Lagotto Romagnolo — what’s the best diet? 

Diet plays an important part in the health of a breed, so it’s important Lagotto Romagnolo is fed well, and fed properly. As an active dog, it needs the right type of nutrients in its food.

The ideal dog food for a Lagotto Romagnolo will be a recipe formulated for its breed type and size, and also age appropriate (puppy, adult, senior life stages). Lagotto Romagnolos who are especially active and used in a working capacity will need a good that meets their high-energy demands; we have recommendations for the best dog food for working breeds here. A diet with meat as the primary ingredient is often advised — you can see some of the best high protein dog food here.

Whatever you choose, don’t overfeed your Lagotti — like many breeds, it can easily become overweight.

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Looking for the best dog food for your Lagotto Romagnolo? Head to our online partners, Dog Food Advisor, to find recommended foods by breed type, size and age — and read in-depth brand reviews, too.

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