Every Lagotto owner has a story about how they discovered the breed.

For some, it begins with a search for a low-shedding family companion. For others, it starts through dog sports, scent work, or recommendations from friends. For us, it was the beginning of a journey that would ultimately shape our lives, our business, and our future.

Long before the Lagotto Romagnolo entered our lives, dogs were already a huge part of who we were.

For many years, I trained Dobermans in IGP, the internationally recognised working dog sport that evolved from German police and utility dog trials. While I enjoyed every aspect of training, I was always drawn towards the tracking phase. There was something fascinating about watching a dog follow an invisible scent trail across fields and varied terrain with determination, concentration, and precision.

Tracking taught me valuable lessons about canine scenting ability and the incredible capabilities of a dog's nose. It sparked an interest that would continue to develop throughout my life.

My passion for scent work eventually led me into the world of professional scent detection, where I became a NASDU-qualified handler. Through training and qualification, I had the opportunity to learn from highly respected instructors and gain a deeper understanding of scent theory, odour recognition, search patterns, indication behaviours, canine olfaction, and detection dog training.

The more I learned, the more fascinated I became by the science and practical application of scent work.

Over the years, this knowledge was further expanded through training dogs for specialist scent detection roles, including bed bug detection work. Working with detection dogs in real-world environments reinforced the importance of building clear communication between dog and handler, understanding canine behaviour, and creating reliable search behaviours through positive training methods.

At the time, I never imagined that all of these experiences were preparing me for something entirely different.

That something was the Lagotto Romagnolo.

When we first discovered the breed, we were naturally attracted by its reputation as the world's original truffle hunting dog. As people with a strong interest in scent work, the idea of a breed developed specifically to locate truffles hidden beneath the soil was immediately intriguing.

What started as curiosity quickly became an obsession.

The more time we spent with Lagottos, the more impressed we became. Here was a breed that combined intelligence, trainability, affection, enthusiasm, and an extraordinary natural ability to use its nose.

Unlike many working breeds, Lagottos possess a unique balance. They are capable of serious work while remaining loving family companions. They can spend the morning searching woodland for truffles and the evening curled up at home with their owners.

It didn't take long before one Lagotto became several.

Our interest in the breed led us across Europe, where we had the privilege of meeting breeders, trainers, and truffle hunters who had spent decades working with these remarkable dogs. Some of the people we met came from families where truffle hunting knowledge had been passed down through generations.

These experiences were invaluable.

We learned that truffle hunting is about much more than finding a valuable fungus hidden underground. It is about understanding the land, understanding the environment, and most importantly, understanding the dog.

Watching experienced truffle hunters work alongside their dogs demonstrated just how powerful the bond between handler and dog can become when built on trust and mutual understanding.

Every trip deepened our appreciation for both the breed and the traditions surrounding it.

As our knowledge grew, we began breeding Lagotto Romagnolos ourselves.

However, our breeding programme was never simply about producing puppies. We wanted to preserve and promote the qualities that had first attracted us to the breed: sound temperament, intelligence, confidence, trainability, health, and natural scenting ability.

Because of our background in tracking, scent detection, and truffle hunting, working ability has always remained an important consideration.

We are passionate about producing dogs that are capable of excelling in whatever path their owners choose. Some of our puppies go on to enjoy scent work and truffle hunting. Others participate in dog sports, mantrailing, obedience, agility, or simply become much-loved family companions.

What they all share is the remarkable character that makes the Lagotto Romagnolo so special.

Today, our lives revolve around the breed.

Through Trufflemen and Truffle Trainer, we spend our time breeding, training, teaching, learning, and sharing our passion with others. We have worked with countless dogs and owners, introduced many people to scent work and truffle hunting, and developed what we believe to be one of the largest working groups of Lagotto Romagnolos in the United Kingdom.

Despite all the years we have spent with the breed, the Lagotto continues to surprise us.

Every dog has its own personality.

Every puppy develops in its own way.

Every training session teaches us something new.

And every successful search reminds us why we fell in love with the breed in the first place.

The Lagotto Romagnolo is more than just a dog.

It is a breed with history, purpose, intelligence, and heart.

It has introduced us to incredible people, taken us on unforgettable adventures, and allowed us to witness some of the most remarkable examples of canine scenting ability we have ever seen.

For us, what began with a fascination for a rare Italian breed became a lifelong passion.

And that passion continues to grow with every generation we breed, every dog we train, and every owner who discovers just how extraordinary the Lagotto Romagnolo truly is.