THE LAGOTTO ROMAGNOLO BREED
History of the Lagotto Romagnolo
An ancient Italian working breed originating in Romagna, whose history stretches from the water dogs of the marshlands to today’s specialist truffle-searching dog.
Dogs resembling the modern Lagotto also appear in Italian art – from 15th-century Renaissance frescoes to Paolo Antonio Barbieri’s portrait of Guercino and his mother with a Lagotto, dating from around 1627.
Paolo Antonio Barbieri: Portrait of Guercino and his mother with a Lagotto, c. 1627.
Source: Fondazione Sorgente Group.
ORIGIN OF THE BREED
An Ancient Italian Working Breed
The Lagotto Romagnolo is an ancient Italian working breed originating in the Romagna region. Its history is closely connected with water, the marshlands and the people who lived and worked there, and later with truffle hunting.
Originally, the Lagotto was used as a water retriever in the wetlands around Comacchio and Ravenna. It worked in and around the water, retrieved shot waterfowl and accompanied people who lived and worked among the marshes and lagoons of northern Italy.
This working heritage helped shape the qualities that still characterise the breed today — intelligence, perseverance, an excellent nose, a willingness to work with people and a natural aptitude for learning.
THE WATER DOG OF ROMAGNA
The Water Dog of Comacchio and Ravenna
The Lagotto Romagnolo’s original working environment was very different from the settings in which the breed is commonly seen today, whether as a family companion or a truffle-searching dog. The Lagotto developed among marshes, lagoons and low-lying wetlands, where it worked alongside people in and around the water.
Its compact build, endurance, curly coat and natural willingness to work made it well suited to this demanding environment. It was a practical working dog rather than a decorative companion.
ORIGINAL WORK
Working in and around water
Retrieving waterfowl
Life among marshes and lagoons
Close cooperation with people
A NEW ROLE FOR THE BREED
From Marshes to Truffles
As the great marshes of Romagna were gradually drained and the traditional way of life in the region changed, the Lagotto’s original work as a water dog began to lose its importance. The breed, however, did not disappear. Its exceptional nose, working ability and close cooperation with people proved equally valuable in a new role.
The breed gradually specialised in truffle hunting across the plains and hills of Romagna. The Lagotto was particularly well suited to this work, thanks to its excellent nose, concentration, perseverance and ability to work in close partnership with its handler.
Today, the Lagotto Romagnolo is best known as an Italian breed specialised in truffle hunting, but its origins as a water dog remain an important part of its identity.
PRESERVING THE BREED
A Breed on the Brink of Extinction
Although the Lagotto Romagnolo has ancient origins, its modern recovery is relatively recent. As its traditional role as a water dog declined, decades of empirical breeding focused largely on working ability, together with repeated outcrossing, increasingly blurred the breed’s type and placed its future at risk.
In the mid-1970s, a group of Italian canine experts and breeders from Romagna began a determined effort to preserve the Lagotto. Quintino Toschi played a leading role alongside other enthusiasts and breeders who worked to restore the breed’s type, working qualities and temperament.
The Last 50 Years Shaped the Breed’s Future
Compared with the Lagotto Romagnolo’s long history, its modern revival is remarkably recent. This is precisely why responsible breeding today requires respect for the breed’s origins, health, temperament and working heritage.
Preserving the Breed
A group of canine experts and breeders from Romagna, led by Quintino Toschi, began systematic work to preserve the breed and restore its typical characteristics.
Club Italiano Lagotto
Club Italiano Lagotto was founded in Imola, laying the foundations for the breed’s official recognition and further stabilisation.
Official Recognition
In 1992, the breed was officially recognised in Italy by ENCI. Provisional international recognition by the FCI followed in 1995, and definitive recognition was granted in 2005.
Source of historical information: Club Italiano Lagotto.
THE LEGACY OF ITS ORIGINS
The Lagotto Romagnolo Today
Today’s Lagotto Romagnolo is an intelligent, people-oriented and sensitive dog with a strong working heritage. It can be an excellent family companion, but it is not a low-maintenance breed that thrives without guidance. It needs close human contact, appropriate exercise, mental stimulation, clear guidance and regular care.
Its natural scenting ability, willingness to cooperate and attentiveness to people are qualities that directly reflect its original working role. Although many Lagotti now live primarily as family dogs, their working heritage can still be seen in their need for activity, learning and meaningful engagement.
The Lagotto thrives when it is genuinely part of the family and when its intelligence and energy are given the right outlet.
Excellent Scenting Ability
A natural ability to search, focus on scent and work with a high degree of concentration.
Willingness to Work with People
The Lagotto forms a close bond with people and responds well to calm, clear and consistent guidance.
Sensitive Temperament
The breed is perceptive and people-oriented and thrives in an environment that provides close human contact and meaningful stimulation.
NEGRO TESORO
The Lagotto Romagnolo in Our Breeding Programme
For us, the Lagotto Romagnolo combines Italian origins, working heritage, intelligence, a gentle temperament and natural elegance.
In our breeding programme, we therefore consider not only conformation, but also health, temperament, pedigree and each dog’s ability to thrive in a family environment.