One of the questions we are asked most often is, "What are Lagottos really like to live with?"

The honest answer is that the Lagotto Romagnolo is unlike any other breed we have owned or worked with.

People are often initially attracted to their appearance. Their curly coats, expressive eyes, and teddy bear-like looks certainly turn heads wherever they go. However, beneath that charming exterior lies an intelligent and capable working dog with a rich history and a strong desire to be involved in everything its owners are doing.

If you decide to share your life with a Lagotto, you should expect a dog that wants to be part of the family.

Lagottos are not typically dogs that are content to spend long periods alone in the garden or isolated from their owners. They thrive on companionship and often form exceptionally strong bonds with their families. Many owners joke that their Lagotto follows them from room to room, always wanting to know what is happening and ensuring they never miss out on any activity.

Their intelligence is one of the breed's greatest strengths, but it can also present challenges for owners who underestimate them.

A bored Lagotto will often find ways to entertain itself. This may involve inventing games, carrying household items around the home, digging in the garden, or exploring places you would rather they didn't. For this reason, mental stimulation is just as important as physical exercise.

Fortunately, providing that stimulation is one of the most enjoyable aspects of owning the breed.

Lagottos love learning.

They enjoy training sessions, problem-solving exercises, scent work games, woodland walks, and any activity that allows them to use their brains. Many owners are amazed at how quickly their dogs learn new skills and how enthusiastic they are to participate.

This eagerness to learn is one of the reasons the breed excels in so many different activities.

Over the years, we have seen Lagottos succeed in:

• Truffle hunting

• Scent detection

• Tracking

• Mantrailing

• Agility

• Obedience

• Rally

• Hoopers

• Therapy work

• Family companionship

Their versatility is truly impressive.

Another characteristic that surprises many new owners is their sensitivity.

Lagottos are often highly attuned to their owners and can be remarkably perceptive. They respond best to positive, reward-based training methods and generally thrive when training is built around encouragement, consistency, and clear communication.

Harsh training methods are rarely necessary and often counterproductive with this breed.

One of the reasons we enjoy working with Lagottos so much is their willingness to work with people rather than simply for people. The relationship often feels like a partnership, particularly when scent work and truffle hunting are involved.

Watching a Lagotto work confidently through woodland, using its nose to solve a scent puzzle, is one of the most rewarding experiences a dog owner can have.

Of course, no breed is perfect.

Prospective owners should understand that Lagottos require commitment. Their coats require regular grooming, their minds need stimulation, and they benefit from ongoing training throughout their lives.

However, for owners willing to invest that time and effort, the rewards are enormous.

The Lagotto Romagnolo offers a rare combination of intelligence, affection, trainability, versatility, and character.

They can spend the morning exploring woodland trails, the afternoon learning a new scent detection exercise, and the evening asleep at your feet.

For many people, what begins as a search for a dog becomes something much more.

It becomes a lifestyle.

We often tell prospective owners that you do not simply own a Lagotto Romagnolo.

You share your life with one.

And for those of us fortunate enough to do so, it is an experience that is difficult to imagine being without.