Originally hailing from Italy, the Lagotto Romagnolo is a breed of dog that focuses its hunting activities around water. This deep-chested and dense-coated pooch possesses a very acute sense of smell. Over the years, such dogs have been modified to serve various roles with truffle hunting being one of the most common. Truffle hunting is suited to the dog because of several peculiar characteristics:

Keen Olphactory Senses: It is possible to distinguish the scent of the subterranean food source using their attuned noses.
Strong Work Ethic: It is evident that the focus and drive are at high levels which are important in intensive and prolonged truffle retrieving.
Trainability: The desire and instinct to learn and get some response of satisfaction from the activities further make the teaching session less arduous.

History and Origin of the Breed

Identifiable by its distinctive appearance, the Lagotto Romagnolo has its origins in Italy and is an extremely old breed since ancient Roman time. It was first created to be a water retriever in Romagna region marshes and was very efficient in fetching game from the unfavorable terrain.

Geographic location: Romagna, Italy
Main use: Waterfowl retriever
Timeframe: Roman period

However, as polder development progressed toward the direction of artificial lands, so did their attention. This changed, and they became famous for a different reason: their remarkable skills in finding truffles.

The word “Lagotto” is derived from the Italian word lagoon (Lago) that is associated with their past history as a water retriever.

Their coat is thick, very curly and protects them from the thorns of the underbrush during truffle hunts. In regards to history it is all about people and their important sense of looking and hearing, thus, they become great for hunting truffles.

Physical Characteristics

Lagotto Romagnolo is a medium dog breed that is famous for its truffle hunting ability.

The Lagotto Romagnolo weighs between 24 to 35 pounds and stands 16 to 19 inches tall, demonstrating a balance of quickness and bulk. Its thick, curled coat conceals the weather’s elements and the thorny deep coastal vegetation.

Muscular Build: This helps with digging because of strong limbs.
Acute Sense of Smell: It is very good for detecting truffles.
Curly Coat: Protection from weather and warmth.
Hypoallergenic Fur: Sheds less hence perfect for allergic owners.

Along with this, the webbed feet and sharp sight of the Lagotto further facilitate the searching of food from various areas.

Behavior and Temperament

The Lagotto-Romagnolo is able to show very reliable behavior making it very good in truffle hunting. And major factors include:

Easy to train: This breed of dog is very smart and loves to learn new things.
Works hard: While hunting they are very determined and concentrate deeply.
Pleasant Nature: Lagottos are warm and loving and make good pets.
Tough/High Levels of Activity: Their attitude and power are a key for the overwhelming activity of searching the truffles.
Alertness: They are quite alert, which is a critical characteristic necessary for finding the truffle aroma.
Loyal: This specific breed is capable of closely interacting with the handlers thus improving interactivity among the team.

Training and Socialization

The Lagotto Romagnolo is a breed that requires training to begin at an early age, preferably when it is a puppy. They respond well, if not excellently, to consistent and positive reinforcement methods.

Obedience Training: Basic commands like sit, stay, come must be established at the very beginning.
Scent Training: Truffle scents should be introduced gradually and as much as the find is rewarding.
Socialization: Take them in different places, people, and animals.

Key training elements include:

Patience: Truffle hunting is one of the activities which requires a lot of commitment.
Routine: Everything improves when practice is done on a regular basis.

The Lagotto Romagnolo to a large extent does not experience anxiety as a result of effective interactions and this seems to enhance his/her use as a truffle hunter and therefore improves his/her usability.

Truffle Hunting Skills and Training

Patience is a virtue when training a Lagotto Romagnolo. There should be uniformity in the methods/techniques applied while training and use of personalized approaches is refined. These dogs have an inborn skill but it is not that simplistic to sculpt it.

Basic Obedience Training

These are major commands “sit,” “stay” and “come.”
In order to keep the dog’s focus during the hunting, the owner must teach the dog reliable recall.

Scent Training

It is advisable to bring in a truffle scent within a few months instead of waiting for far longer.
For actual practice scented toy and/ot scented cloth may be used.

Auction Practice

Go to truffle hunts in various terrains.
Encourage the students to use praises and other forms of rewards for the successful finds.

Follow-Up

Periodical meetings to ensure skills are not forgotten.
Getting real truffles regularly.

Health and Lifespan

Lagotto Romagnolo is known to be a healthy breed of canine. The life expectancy of this breed is normally between 14 and 16 years, which is quite high as far as dogs are concerned. In order to prevent them from ill-health:

Diet: It is important that that nutrition is provided in accordance with their metabolic energy expenditure and level of activity.
Grooming: Regular physical activity is important for weight control and cardiovascular health.
Veterinary Care: Regular examination to check for preemptive problems such as hip dysplasia and seizures may be beneficial.
Mental Stimulation: activities such as truffle hunting help them to remain productive.

Grooming and Maintenance

To ensure high productivity in the field when searching for truffles, you must care for the coat of the Lagotto Romagnolo adequately. Regular grooming removes dirt and prevents fine hair structures from tangling or getting trapped. Basic grooming includes:

Bi-weekly removal of sunflower seeds and mat knotting to eliminate ornaments and twist.
Dressing once a year is comfortable.
Bathing: An interval of six to eight weeks for cleaning but that will not lead to the stripping of the coat oils.
Trimming: In regular intervals so that the coat does not get too overwhelming and bulked up.
Nail Care: Every two to four weeks in order to ensure that the nails do not grow too much and cause problems.
Ear Cleaning: In a week’s time to avoid infection.

Diet and Nutrition

A well fed Lagotto Romagnolo gives a healthy and maximizes the potentiality of foraging for truffles.

Protein: Quality protein is necessary for the formation of muscle and endurance.
Fats: Proper fats maintain energy levels and the health of the coat.
Carbohydrates: Offer energy and need to be of good quality.
Vitamins and Minerals: Promote good health and proper body functions.
Hydration: Clean water is a must in order to avoid dehydration.

You may recommend a veterinarian for a custom diet plan that will make Lagotto Romagnolo perform better in the work of finding truffles. Important aspects such as Feeding time and the amount of food are also consider.

Choosing a Unearthing Truffles Lagotto Romagnolo

Choosing a Lagotto Romagnolo requires undertaking research upon their particular traits and requirements.

Temperament: Characteristic of being friendly and very loyal.
Training: Can be challenging and needs time as they are intelligent and high in energy.
- Health: Please make sure that the breeder carries out tests for certain health problems that run in families.
- Socialization: It’s essential to expose puppies to other people and animals.
- Truffle Instinct: Verify that the lineage breeds truffle dogs.

“A properly selected Lagotto Romagnolo is able to be a devoted friend and also a great truffle hunter.”

Living with a Lagotto Romagnolo : Tips and advice

When caring for a Lagotto Romagnolo, you need to take on specific responsibilities and understand essential information.

Exercise: Exercise is essential to the general health of a Lagotto Romagnolo and has to be done on a daily basis. Proper stretching, walking, playtime and even mental stimulation are important aspects.
Grooming: Regular grooming is needed to avoid the risk of curling of their hair. Every month’s haircut and weekly combing are ideal.
Training: Puppies need to be trained and socialized as early as possible. Using positive reinforcement is a great way to be effective.
Diet: Their health is sustained through a correct diet which is appropriate for the age, size and activity of the dog. Health checks at regular intervals by a veterinarian help to ensure good health.
Socialization: Human interaction brought satisfaction and fun to this breed which is “active” in a family setting.

Common Myths and Facts

1 Myth : Truffles can be hunted by every one of the different dog breeds

Fact: While any dog can locate a truffle, the Lagotto Romagnolo is the only breed specifically developed for this task, giving it advantages in training and sensitivity.

2 Myth : There Is an Underlying Necessity or Need to be Exercised for Truffle Hunting

Fact: Truffle hunting and even training the dogs for it is complicated and thorough and requires joint effort of the dog and handler making the ability rare and valuable.

3 Myth : Truffles are practically ‘the chicken of the woods’ fungi.

Fact: Unfortunately, because of its particular climatic preferences, there are only a few such places and thus the value of skilled Lagotto Romagnolo’s increases even further.

Famous Lagotto Romagnolo’s and Unearthing Truffles

Tartuffe: Italy’s local celebrity, discovered one of the largest white truffles, weighing 1.5 pounds.
Bella: She attended several truffle hunting events in Europe where she won them exhibiting excellence in the use of the sense of smell.
Franco: The auction of Franco’s findings has seen record prices, indicating a considerable input towards truffle markets.
Gina: Bearing many credentials from dominant spots and aided in training several truffling dogs, Gina is an epitome in some films.
Milano: Milano has been a pioneer in the US as far as the popularization of truffle hunting beyond Europe is concerned.

They have great potential of truffle indeed thanks to their instincts and the training required.

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

The instincts and characteristics of the Lagotto are defining when it comes to truffle brown dog breeds. The exceptionally developed sense of smell allows the search for any buried truffles. In addition, the genetics of the breed enrich the handlers by developing these instincts to near perfection. The lagotto’s ability to work in different environments is also important as it makes it easy to work in different climates and areas.

Hyper Olfactory Occurs only in Mammals for Extraordinary Odor Detection: Very acute olfactory receptors.
Easy To Train: Training is also not difficult to improve these skills from the natural ones.
Workable Skill In All Environments: Does good work under different circumstances and places.

Combining these factors has established the dominance of the Lagotto Romagnolo in truffle hunter.

Article by: Tawab Sukhera (Ethologist)