Ohh… the Lagotto Romagnolo – the most beautiful breed in the world. Well, I might be a bit biased because I own one of these beauties, but you will surely fall in love with them after this article. These medium-sized dogs are from Italy, and their name comes from a dialect of Romagna “Càn Lagòt”.
This, in translation, means Water Dog. This is fitting because they are the founding breed that all other water dog breeds have descended from. Originally, they were used as water retriever dogs in the marshlands of Romagna. When the marshes were drained, these dogs lost their job.
An interesting fact about this Romagna water dog is that they are truffle hunters, which they became after the drainage of the marshes. What is even more interesting is that they are the only purebred truffle dogs in the world that have been approved by the American Kennel Club (AKC).
These dogs are super loving and caring, and because of this, they make perfect family pets. They love to be around children and other animals, but early socialization is very important. They are in the group of medium-energy dog breeds.
They are highly intelligent, love to learn new tricks, and love to be mentally stimulated. If you are a bit of a lazier person, then this dog might not be for you because they need their fair share of daily exercise.
They make amazing watch dogs because they are always alert and love to bark, especially if they feel that something is wrong, and with that, they will alert you.
We would love to give you more information about this breed, but in today’s article, we will be talking about Lagotto Romagnolo colors.
We Present You With The Six Lagotto Romagnolo Colors
These doggies are recognized for their curly coat and beautiful colors. The interesting fact about their coat is that they don’t shed, so they are suitable for people who might have some allergic reactions to dogs. This baffles a lot of people since dogs with curly hair usually shed.
Since they are hunting dogs, their coat needs to be easy to maintain and to make the truffle search easier for them. But, besides their curls, one thing that makes these dogs even prettier is their coat colors.
According to the AKC, there are six Lagotto Romagnolo colors that fit the breed standard, and those colors are:
– White
– White with brown
– White with orange
– Orange
– Brown
– Brown Roan
Any other color that this dog might appear in is not allowed, and those dogs will not be able to compete in shows. This is a sign that a Lagotto Romagnolo that doesn’t come in any of these six colors or color combinations is mixed with another breed.
An important thing to mention is that their nose comes in different shades of brown, but never black or pink. Now, we can start with the list of colors.
1. White Lagotto Romagnolo
Even if it is called white, this color is more off-white than pure white. These snow whites can be confused with other dogs. One of the Poodle’s colors is white, and people tend to make a mistake and confuse the two of them.
But, when it comes to the Poodle, they have a pure white coat while the Lagotto Romagnolo has an off-white coat. If their coat is left a bit longer, they can resemble sheep, which is fitting because of the white color and the wooly texture of the coat.
This color is the one that stays almost the same as the dog grows. You will see that with other colors, and a Lagotto Romagnolo puppy will not be the same color when they grow up. But, with the off-white coat, it is almost the same.
In the past, white dogs were preferred over the darker shades because they helped owners see if and when their dog was working. It was easy to see if the coat got dirty from them working, and by that, people knew if their doggies were being helpful.
Today, these working dogs can get really dirty and hard to clean, so some people don’t prefer them, but if they are used just as pets, they won’t get as dirty. We don’t know if this is true, but it seems like the white ones like to get into the mud more than the darker ones.
2. White With Orange Lagotto Romagnolo
These pooches are mostly off-white across their body, with some orange markings on their ears, and a mark or two on their body. When it comes to the orange markings, sometimes they can be darker while other times, they can be lighter.
When they are lighter, people might even call them tan markings instead of orange. This is the case where the orange color can change over time. A Lagotto Romagnolo puppy can have dark orange markings, but when they grow up, the markings can become super light, almost unnoticeable.
Of course, they can stay the same color or even get darker over time, but that is rarer than the first option. If the pigmentation of the orange patches is too low, these dogs can be confused as pure white ones, or even cream ones.
The important thing to know is that these markings can not be big and take over the majority of their body. As said, they are mostly located on the ears, but there can also be a couple of smaller markings across the body.
3. White With Brown Lagotto Romagnolo
This was one of the most popular color combinations. The white and brown coloring is easy to maintain even when the dogs are working dogs. Of course, this depends on the brown to white ratio.
We said that there are six colors that are AKC-approved, but when it comes to this, there is a white with brown combination, and a brown with white combination. Where is the difference, you may ask?
When it comes to white with brown, the majority of the body is covered in white, with some brown markings that can be placed on the head and the body. The brown with white coloring is when brown is the dominant color, which covers the majority of the dog’s body.
The smaller parts of the body will have white spots. There is no specific rule on where the brown patches can be or how many of them there can be. Depending on the combination, these dogs will be easier to maintain even when out in nature.
4. Orange Lagotto Romagnolo
Orange Lagotto Romagnolos are often called cream, especially if the pigmentation fades as time passes. Lagotto Romagnolo puppies can be born very orange, but when they grow up, the orange color can fade and become lighter.
It can also stay the same as when they turn eight to 20 weeks old. When they are just born, it can be hard to determine if the puppy will be white or orange. The first four colors that we listed are the original Lagotto Romagnolo colors.
The next two we will list appeared later on. It is not sure if the Lagotto was mixed with other water dogs to get a bit darker or if the gene for these colors was developed over many generations.
5. Solid Brown Lagotto Romagnolo
The solid brown Lagottos are the newer ones, and they became one of the favorites. A brown puppy will be dark brown when it is born. During the course of a year, the dark brown will get lighter. There is a huge possibility that there will be a white mark after some time.
Besides the white marking, over time, white hairs will appear throughout their whole body. First, it will start on the topline, and later on, it will blend nicely across the body. This will make brown dogs appear lighter or even gray.
When you combine their brown nose with their brown color, they look like real-life teddy bears. This color of their coat is the easiest to maintain because the filth camouflages with the brown coating.
6. Brown Roan
This is one of the most interesting coat colors of this breed, and is also the newer color. A brown roan puppy will be born with markings just like the white with brown puppies. The difference will be impossible to detect before the eight-week mark.
Between eight and 20 weeks, you will be able to notice small brown dots around the bigger brown markings and their snouts and ears; in other words, the fur becomes flecked with brown. The interesting part is that they will still appear white and brown, but when you move their hair and look at the undercoat, it will be brown.
This is the fastest-changing color of this breed. Just in a few days, they can have some new flecks and get a bit darker. By the age of six to eight months, their color will be completely different, especially if you did their first big cut in that period.
They will turn light brown. The original brown markings will still be there, and you will see them because they are darker than the rest of the body. After some more time, or in a few years, their coat will appear to be gray.
My Lagotto Romagnolo is a brown roan, and you can bet that I was shocked when I saw my dog change colors. The biggest change happened after the first big cut, and I was afraid that the grooming appointment was done too soon.
But, after some research, I realized that this is completely normal, and I was mesmerized by the color-changing coat.
Two Colors That Lagotto Romagnolos Can Never Come In
Every breed has some colors that are according to the standard while others are a big ‘no’. Fortunately, this breed does not have many color variations that are not within the breed standard. If you see these two colors being sold, look the other way.
This means that the dog either was mixed with another breed or there has been a problem with the bloodline and the genetics of the parent dogs. If you are looking for a puppy, you can read about the six best Lagotto Romagnolo breeders that we chose for you.
1. Black Lagotto Romagnolo
A Lagotto Romagnolo can never be black. It can also never be so dark brown in order to seem like it is black. This is not just the rule for their coat. It also refers to their nose, which can also never be black.
They don’t have genes for black color, so if you see a black dog being sold as a Lagotto Romagnolo, you should know that it is probably a scam. A reputable breeder will never claim that a black puppy is a purebred Lagotto Romagnolo.
2. Albino Lagotto Romagnolo
Albinism is a genetic thing that no one can control, and it is not anybody’s fault if a puppy is born as an albino. Unfortunately, these dogs are technically purebred Lagottos, but they aren’t accepted as such because it is not within the standard.
These dogs aren’t that different from pure off-white dogs, but their coat is clearer than the off-white ones. The other difference is that these dogs will have a pink nose and pink around their eyes. Another thing that is a bit controversial about albino dogs is that they probably come with some health issues.
The most common health problems these dogs can face are deafness and blindness. These dogs are just as beautiful and smart as the other ones, but they can not compete. If you are looking for a family pet, these dogs will for sure make a great friend and a loyal pet.
RELATED: Albino German Shepherd: The Myths And The Facts Explained
FAQs
Is A Lagotto Romagnolo An Aggressive Breed?
These dogs can be a bit mischievous, full of energy, and protective of their owner, which can sometimes place them in the aggressive dog breed category. But, they are far from that. Of course, just like any other breed, if they aren’t treated properly and trained and socialized on time, they can become aggressive.
These dogs are very friendly, and they get along with anybody. They make the perfect pet because of their lovable nature. Make sure that your dog is getting enough love, exercise, and mental stimulation and you will for sure have a best friend in dog form.
What Are Some Health Issues These Dogs Can Face?
Just like any other breed, the Lagotto Romagnolo has some health issues that they are more prone to than other breeds. This doesn’t mean that they will for sure get any of these health problems. However, we want to list some of their problems, so you can regularly check them with the vet.
We are sure that you are (or you will be) a responsible dog owner, and that you take your dog (or will take your dog) regularly to the vet. When you take your dog to the vet at least once a year for a regular check-up, your dog will be just fine.
Some of the health issues this breed can be more prone to are:
– hip dysplasia
– juvenile epilepsy
– elbow dysplasia
– cerebral ataxia
– storage disease
– neuroaxonal dystrophy
Generally, this breed is healthy, especially if you give them enough exercise, proper food, and care. This is something you might want to keep an eye on and check from time to time just to make sure that your dog is clear of any of these.
RELATED: Are Golden Retrievers Aggressive? The Truth May Shock You!
Do Lagotto Romagnolos Bark A Lot?
The Lagotto Romagnolo is a dog that is known to be quite vocal. For some people, this might be an issue, but you can look at it from another perspective. They make amazing watch-dogs because nothing can pass beside them without this dog becoming vocalized.
Since they are intelligent and love to please their owner, you can teach them not to bark at every small thing, but you need to start early. Even if you teach them, you can still expect them to bark from time to time at something banal.
Hey… it is in their blood, so don’t be angry and get annoyed. They need to let it out sometimes.
What Color Of Eyes Do Lagottos Have?
When they are puppies, they will most likely have blue eyes. This is common with every dog breed. But, as they grow older, their eyes will probably be brown. What is interesting about these dogs is that they have human-like eyes.
I never knew how to explain that when my Lagotto looks at me, it feels like a person is looking at me. My friends didn’t understand me until they saw my dog’s eyes. There is something different in their look from other dogs.
What Is The Lifespan Of A Lagotto Romagnolo?
This breed is generally a healthy breed, and if you take them regularly to the vet, your dog will live a long and happy life. Generally, their lifespan is from 11 to 16 years. The average percentage is around 13 years.
Unfortunately, there can be unexpected health issues that can occur even if you bring your dog to the vet on a regular basis. This can shorten their lifespan. But, we always say enjoy every moment with your dog and make them memorable.
How Much Does A Lagotto Romagnolo Cost?
This, of course, depends on many factors, but if you are getting a puppy from a reputable breeder, you can expect to pay nothing less than $1,000.
If you are buying a dog that is a bit older, and is taught to find truffles, you can expect the price to jump. It also depends from breeder to breeder, but you probably won’t find these types of dogs for less than $2,500.
How Do I Groom A Lagotto Romagnolo?
When it comes to grooming this breed, it is not that big of a problem. They have curly hair, which can be intimidating to some people, but in general, they don’t need much work. It is important to trim their coat every three to four months.
This is just to maintain the quality of their coat at a high standard. The brushing part might be shocking to some, but they don’t need a lot of brushing. Even show dogs can not compete if their coat does not look like it has been brushed.
The main thing is to keep their curls natural. When it comes to professional grooming, there are some rules, such as the head needing to look a bit bigger than the body, and the shoulders needing to look wide.
If you are just starting with showing your dog, there are always professional groomers who know all the rules. If you want, you can always find the rules of what is expected online. But, if you are raising your dog to be a family pet, then a trim and a brushing session here and there will be good enough.
To Sum It Up
The Lagotto Romagnolo is a breed that might not be familiar to a lot of people. Some might have seen them, but have no idea what the breed is called, and might even confuse them with another breed. But, all in all – these dogs are perfect life companions.
If you have kids and are thinking about getting a dog, then the Lagotto Romagnolo might be the perfect dog for you. Besides being amazing pets, they are great working dogs. Besides their wonderful temperament, they have a beautiful appearance.
Lagotto Romagnolo colors are just special. Even though they might not be as astonishing as Australian Shepherd colors, they suit their personalities. We hope that the colors of their coat aren’t the main thing that attracts you to this breed.
If you own a Lagotto, and even if you don’t, but like the breed, there are many Lagotto Romagnolo clubs that you can be a part of, like the Lagotto Romagnolo club of America or the Lagotto Romagnolo Club of Great Britain.
