Lagotto Romagnolo vs French Bulldog

French Bulldog and Lagotto Romagnolo are two different breeds that have separate pasts and have their own distinct features. Comparison of Lagotto Romagnolo and French Bulldog:

Lagotto Romagnolo:

Place of Origin: Italy
Purpose: At first, it was a water dog and then it evolved to a breed that hunted truffles.
Type of Coat: Curly and wool type. Hypoallergenic.
Nature: Active, loving and smart.

French Bulldog:

Place of Origin: France
Purpose: Pet
Type of Coat: Fine and smooth, short.
Nature: Sociable, adaptable and playful.

Whenever we want to acquire a dog, we need to know the history and characteristics of the breed in question as history and characteristics determine how the specific breed will behave. Each breed suits a certain preference and comes with certain features that suit a certain lifestyle.
But, at the same time, a more detailed examination of their main interests in life, degree of behavior, tendencies and adequateness with respect to family integration is required.

History and Origin of Each Breed

Lagotto Romagnolo

Ancient History: Italy, more specifically the Romagna area
Original Purpose: Retrieve water that is most likely lost.
Change: In the late nineteenth century, began truffle hunting.
Facts: Dense and corkscrew coat which is very effective in marsh areas.

French Bulldog

History: Started in England and became better in France.
Original purpose: Pet dog for lace workers.
Comeback: This dog increased in popularity in Paris during the 19th century.
Characterization: A small-sized breed recognized for its characteristic bat ear look.

Physical Characteristics: Size, Coat and General Perspective

Lagotto Romagnolo

Size: Medium sized, height ranging between 40-50 cm or 16-19 inches ; weight ranges between 24-35 pounds.
Coat: Thick, curly and wooly like dense coat; regular grooming is needed to avoid matting of the hair.
Appearance: Athletic body with wide and stout body; expressive complemented by a broad head and compact body.

French bulldog

Size: Small, 11-13 in or 28cm and its weight ranges from 16-28 pounds.
Coat: A short, smooth coat; and minimal grooming is required to the coat.
Appearance: Strong and muscular build of a dog. Defining feature of the “bat ear” shape with snub noses and big round eyes.

Two breeds possess their own distinctive physical features which might be suited and defined for different tastes and environments.

Temperament and Personality Traits

Lagotto Romagnolo

Affectionate and strongly loyal in character.
Appears zesty and amicable in general.
Highly intelligent and easy to train.
Impressive hunting and digging instincts.
Likes to be active and engaged.
A bit shy to strangers which is a sign that makes a good watchdog.

French bulldog

They are competitive, playful and social which is their best trait.
They are loving towards the family, are well natured with children.
Little exercise, prefers to rest.
Somewhat stubborn but mostly willing to try and cooperate.
Likes to be the focus of attention.
Shows aggression, at least threatening, toward persons not known.

Exercise and Activity Needs

As an active breed, the Lagotto Romagnolo needs to exercise regularly to maintain its fitness. It takes part in several activities including swimming, hiking and engaging in mentally stimulating games. Usually, the Lagotto has to take part in:

At least 60 minutes of walks daily.
Play sessions in which there is some real interaction.
Puzzle toys or other toys of some sort.

On the other hand, the French Bulldog has a very low exercise regimen. It is more of a moderate sort of activity while not strenuous and vigorous workouts are required. Suggested for French Bulldogs are:

Moderate walks of 20 to 30 minutes every day.
Moderate indoor playing sessions.
Cool, air conditioned places since Frenchies are prone to overheating.

In both cases, the routine of exercises should include some changes or variety for greater effectiveness.

Grooming Requirements and Shedding

Lagotto Romagnolo

Grooming Needs:

Requires brushing on a regular basis, to control matting.
Needs professional grooming once in every 6 to 8 weeks.
Ear care is a must to avoid infection of ears.
Coat Type: Curly and woolly, does not shed much.
Shedding: Shedding is average and hypo-allergenic.

French Bulldog

Grooming Needs:

Weekly brushing for managing shedding.
Frequent folding mouth cleaning.
Bathing every 4-6 weeks.
Coat Type: Short and smooth, of moderate shedding.
Shedding: Shedding occurs all year, not hypoallergenic.

Health Concerns and Lifespan

The Lagotto Romagnolo is usually considered healthy dogs and is expected to live between 15 – 17 years. Health issues involve:

Hip dysplasia
Juvenile epilepsy
Cataracts

On the other hand, the average life expectancy of a French Bulldog is shorter at about 10-12 years and they also have some medical conditions:

Brachycephalic syndrome restricting the airflow during breathing
Hip dysplasia
Dermatitis

To keep best health in both of the breeds, regular vet checkups and no skipping meals are very important. Each breed represents a distinct health threat and must therefore see the specific breed-related health risks.

Training and Socialization

Training and socialization of the Lagotto Romagnolo vs French Bulldog can be an exercise in distinct patience and reward.

Lagotto Romagnolo

Intelligence: Very Smart
Willing To Learn: Takes well to commands
Socialization Is Important: The earlier the exposure is helpful
Needs Strong Training: Needs to be trained firmly, however they’re quite gentle

French Bulldog

Intelligence: Average intelligence
Difficult to Train: May ignore commands
Headstrong: Must be trained positively and repeatedly
Socialization Is Needed: Especially, so as not to develop behavior problems

Both breeds require a commitment to training and socialization in order to become well-mannered and obedient pets.

Living Conditions and Suitable Families

The Lagotto Romagnolo does well in urban apartments and country houses. People with allergies use this breed because it is hypoallergenic. They require focus and a lot of activity on a regular basis.

The French Bulldog is happy in apartment living. They are somewhat less active than the Lagotto Romagnolo and require less exercise. French Bulldogs thrive on love and make wonderful companions for kids.

For Both Breeds:

Space Requirements: Lagotto Romagnolo requires more space to exercise around whereas French Bulldog likes to live in tight spaces.
Daily Physical Activity: They both enjoy being active as well as going for brief walks.
Temperament: Family as well as social oriented for both breeds.

Cost of Ownership: The Purchase Price, Costs Incurred Over Time, and Veterinary Fees

It appears that the financial implication of owning either breed will be different:

Initial purchase:

A ‘Lagotto Romagnolo‘ typically costs between ‘2000’ and ‘4000’ dollar.
A ‘French Bulldog‘ typically costs between ‘1500’ and ‘3000’ dollar.

Maintenance:

Lagotto Romagnolo requires grooming on a regular basis, about once every month, with each appointment costing around fifty dollars.
French Bulldog invests lower in grooming since they cost about thirty dollars like Lagottos.

Veterinary fees:

These breeds also require regular periodic check-ups, which cost an average of ‘200’ dollars per year.
French bulldogs can also face additional costs because of their respiratory problems.
Lagotto Romagnolo’s might be allowed some expense because of their ear infection.

Lagotto Romagnolo and a French Bulldog: Which to Prefer?

Picking a particular breed will depend on many other factors, for example, these might include one’s lifestyle, where they lives and even their personal choices.

Physical attributes:

The Lagotto Romagnolo has a medium body with thick fur coat but the body is athletic not skinny.
A compact & muscular body with a smooth coat and a distinctive bat like ears is characteristic of a French Bulldog.

Behavior:

High energy dogs, Lagotto Romagnolo is a cuddle and is also friendly and intelligent.
English bulldogs, friendly, low maintenance and attractive.

Activity level:

Great and high energy dog breed, mentally stimulating for them is important and requires plenty of exercise.
Basically, French bulldogs only require moderate amount of exercise and short walks are enough for them.

Grooming:

Should be composed of frequent trimming sessions and their coats require regular grooming regularly.
French bulldogs also need some grooming but brushing is rarely done.

Personal Stories and Experiences from Owners

Lagotto Romagnolo dog Owners

Anna, Portland, OR : She characterizes her Lagotto Romagnolo as a happy, hard working helper, who enjoys playing and retrieving outdoors, especially swimming.
Michael, Boston, MA : He claims to be highly satisfied with his dog’s intelligence, not to mention the fact that the dog doesn’t have hair shedding which is quite suitable for his allergic family.

French Bulldog Owners

Laura, New York City, NY : Laura informs that her French bulldog feels comfortable in her apartment and is quite affectionate, yet calm.
Robert, San Diego, CA : Robert says his Frenchie’s personality is loving and very loyal while he does suffer from the breed’s typical breathing difficulties.

Conclusion: Lagotto Romagnolo vs French Bulldog

Lagotto Romagnolo vs French Bulldog, considering which dog to have, buyer’s lifestyle and preferences have to be borne in mind.

You may think about Lagotto Romagnolo, if:

You want a pet with fur that does not shed much and is not a common allergen,
You want a pet that has enough energy, is trainable, and most importantly, is very smart,
You love playing outside and active with your pet.

You may go for a French bulldog, if:

You would prefer a pet that does not require much care and training and care and is suitable for an apartment dwelling,
You would want a dog that is usually calm, loving and is not very active,
You want a dog that is ideal with kids and other animals.

There are several characteristics and features that can be expected from breeds.

Article by: Tawab Sukhera (Ethologist)