Lagotto Romagnolo

Characteristics

Health & Longevity

Average Life Span: 15-17 years
The Lagotto Romagnolo is a purebred dog recognized by the AKC in 2016. It has some health concerns, but not as many as compared to some other breeds. It’s important that you keep your eye on your dog as he or she grows and report any issues to your veterinarian as early as possible.

This breed is prone to epilepsy, hip and elbow dysplasia, storage disease, and cerebellar abiotrophy.

Epilepsy can occur in the Lagotto Romagnolo and is usually found in young puppies who range in age from five to nine weeks of age. Typically, the puppy will grow out of the condition by the time they hit 13 weeks. Seizures that do occur in dogs outside of the formative years can be scary for both the owner and the pet. Depending on the seriousness of epilepsy, the seizures can vary from mild to violent.

Hip and elbow dysplasia can occur in Lagotto Romagnolos and you should keep an eye out for it. Hip dysplasia occurs when the hip joint is not formed correctly or when it does not fit into the socket the way it should. This condition affects the back legs of any dog and can cause weakness in them.

Elbow dysplasia is similar to hip dysplasia however it affects the elbow joint in the dog. This condition causes lameness and weakness in the front limbs of the dog.

Storage Disease is a common health condition found in Lagotto Romagnolos and is labeled as a severe neurodegenerative disease. What this means is that the disease will continue to progress until the dog eventually has to be put to sleep. The first signs of symptoms often occur at four months, but can appear at any time until the age of four years old.

Lastly, cerebellar abiotrophy is another condition found in Lagotto Romagnolos and usually happens during the adult stages in life. This is a rare condition, but that does not mean that your puppy will not get it, especially if it’s not bred correctly. This disease affects the brain and can lead to serious complications.

The life expectancy of the Lagotto Romagnolo is 15 to 17 years.

Temperament & Train-ability

The Lagotto Romagnolo is considered to be an ancient breed and has been assigned to the sporting group through the American Kennel Club. Words often used to describe the breed include independent, kind, affectionate, and playful.

This breed is known to be independent and quite brave, however you can expect your puppy to stay by your side and not wander too far. The Lagotto Romagnolo loves attention and will make sure that he or she seeks it out every day.

This breed is extremely playful and will catch a stick, run for a ball, or chase the kids around in the yard all day if given the opportunity. Since this dog is playful and full of energy, he or she should not be cooped up in the house and does need a couple of walks per day along with physical and mental stimulation.

Young Lagotto Romagnolos are often barkers and will alert you even if the wind blows a leaf by the window. Your puppy will work hard to win over your heart and will provide more cuddles than you can handle.

If socialized properly, your Lagotto Romagnolo will be tolerant of young children and even other pets nearby or in the home. It’s important that you socialize your puppy as soon as you can to help prevent any aggression.

This breed is highly intelligent and can be quickly and easily trained without worry. The Lagotto Romagnolo does not respond well to aggressive training tactics, but will respond to someone who is gentle, firm, and consistent. You should use positive reinforcement and give a lot of praise when it is deserved.

Grooming

The Lagotto Romagnolo will require a bit of extra grooming, beyond what other breeds would require from you. The long curly hair will need a brush daily and can often be difficult to maintain. You can take your pet to the groomer and have them handle it for you.

In addition to brushing, you should make sure that your Lagotto Romagnolo’s nails are trimmed and kept at an appropriate length, or they may break and split, which would be painful for your puppy.

Lastly, you should clean your Lagotto Romagnolo’s ears once a week and bathe them only when it is required. You should also check their teeth periodically and look for any signs of tooth decay.

Diet

Your Lagotto Romagnolo should eat the highest quality dry dog food you can purchase and it will require one and a half to two cups of food daily. You want to avoid your pup eating just any brand or a brand filled with by-products and chemicals. Make sure you study the back of the bag and look for wholesome ingredients such as rice, chicken, and vegetables.

If you are unsure of what to feed your new puppy, talk to your veterinarian or the breeder to get some recommendations.
 

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Lagotto Romagnolo Puppies For Sale

Adopt A Lagotto Romagnolo

Cost

A Lagotto Romagnolo puppy can cost anywhere from $300 to $600 depending on the breeder you choose and the sex of the puppy. Often, females will sell for more than males because of their breeding potential.

In addition to the cost of the puppy, make sure you factor in the cost of vaccines, pet supplies, and vet checkups.

Paws ‘N’ Pups Ranking

Paws ‘N’ Pups ranks every breed out of 4 with 1 being easiest to integrate into your life and 4 being the toughest – The lower the ranking the better.

Ranking takes into account a few basic factors including cost, skill level needed, high vs low maintenance and how critical regular training is to success. The Lagotto Romagnolo is easy to train and affectionate, which makes him or her the perfect addition to your family. When socialized and trained properly, this breed will reward you and your family in many different ways day in and out. This breed ranks a 2.

 

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