THE HISTORY
The Water Dog of Romagna
The Lagotto Romagnolo – meaning Water Dog in the Romagnol dialect, is an ancient Italian breed. This medium sized dog with its curly, water-repellent coat was used for centuries as a water game-retrieving dog by the men who accompanied the waterfowl hunters in the marshlands of Comacchio and Romagna. These men were called the Lagotti or Valloroli – the modern day equivalent would be the beaters who accompany the guns in a shooting party.
After the draining of these marshlands in the 1800s and the increasing popularity of truffles in Italian cuisine, the Vallaroli focused their skills on hunting truffles in the hills. With its hyper-sensitive sense of smell, clever aptitude for searching and retrieving and innate love of digging – the Lagotto was a natural truffle hunter!
PUREBREED RECOGNITION
By the late 1970s, the ‘can-rez’ – curly dog, as it was locally known, was risking extinction. Thanks entirely to the tremendous efforts of a small group of Italian canine enthusiasts who supported and promoted the breed, The Club Italiano Lagotto was inaugurated in 1988 and in 1991, the breed was finally recognised as a pedigree. In 1993, the pure breed was oficially named Lagotto Romagnolo by ENCI and from then on Lagotti (Lagottos) began to compete in national dog shows and international interest in this happy, affectionate dog swifty followed…
THE 21ST CENTURY LAGOTTO
Today the Lagotto Romagnolo is the only pure breed dog in the world to be recognised as a specialised working truffle hunting dog.
Last year made history when a Lagotto Romagnolo was awarded overall BEST IN SHOW CHAMPION at CRUFTS International Dog Show 2023 in England – arguably the most esteemed dog show in the world.
Who are we to argue… We think Lagottos are the best dogs in the world too! Contact us if you are considering a new curly addition to your family…