An Overview of our Breed

As is evident from the History of our Breed, the Lagotto developed as an ancient breed of duck retriever in the vast marshlands of north eastern Italy, a small to medium sized dog, robust and capable of working all day in and out of water from a punt with its master. A swimming Lagotto should move effortlessly through the water, with hardly any disturbance. A highly effective water dog: a chest that is narrow at the front (like the bow of a boat) with ribs broadening only from behind the front legs, a double coat providing insulation against cold water, hair inside the ears to provide the inner ear with some protection from water, a strong tail and of course webbed feet.

With the draining of its natural hunting ground, the marshlands of Romagna, towards the end of the 19th Century, the Lagotto’s phenomenal nose meant that our ancient breed of duck retriever was able to easily and naturally transition to the new role adopted by its master, that of truffle dog. The Lagotto is in fact the only purebreed that is internationally recognised as a specialised truffle searcher.

Most, but not all, Lagotto will display the two characteristics from which it has evolved naturally: enjoying water/swimming and digging (with or without the presence of truffle!).