Lagotto romagnolo suit us?

Question

We’ve never had a dog before and so am researching what kind of dog would suit us. We have lots of space, rural, 2 kids 8 and 11, around most of the time and relatively active but have allergies in the house. Would like a small-medium dog, that an hour or so of daily exercise plus play in the field would suit. We’d also run a couple of times a week with it… Lagotto Romagnola keeps coming up but would this be enough exercise to keep it busy?

Thanks

S

jseraphin · Answer

Hi,A Lagotto Romagnolo does sound like a good fit for your situation! They are good with kids, they don't shed, so are considered hypo-allergenic, and are medium-sized. They are considered good for first-time owners because they are eager to please and therefore easy to train. They do need a lot of exercise, and enjoy being outside to run, dig, and swim. In their younger years, you'll probably need to provide them with a minimum of 1.5 hours of off leash time a day, in addition to lots of interaction and mental stimulation (games, training, etc). If they are properly stimulated both physically and mentally, they are very docile and laid back dogs in the home. Don't forget the coat is a huge consideration as well. Because they don't shed, they'll need to go to the groomer's at least once every 6 weeks for a cut. And that hair will pick up everything outside, so you'll need to spend time brushing through the coat after every walk.You can check out our Lagotto Romagnolo breed sheet for more information about this breed.And if you're just not sure, don't hesitate to take our breed test to see which breed is best suited to your lifestyle!Hope this helps! Don't hesitate to get in touch if you have any other questions!Justine Seraphin, BSc (Hons) Animal Behaviour and Welfare

Sallydog · Answer

Thanks for the reply. Really helpful.
Off leash time can be walking or running around the field/ball play etc I gather??
The grooming regularly isn’t a problem. Brushing after walking - I presume common sense prevails - wash of dirty and brush out bits… as much or as little needed depending on where they’ve been?

What kind of diet would you recommend for this breed?

Thank you!

S

jseraphin · Answer

Hi!Yes absolutely, walking/running/playing fetch in the field counts as off-leash time. Basically any activity where your dog can run free and stretch their legs out. Yes, just brushing out bits that might've gotten caught in the coat (e.g. leaves, spikelets, dirt, ticks, etc) after each walk :)Diet is something that's hard to give advice about as every dog is different. It depends on their age, lifestyle, activity level, etc. If you're getting your Romagnolo from a breeder, I would recommend asking them what they feed their dogs. You can also speak to your vet about this. And keep in mind that your dog's diet may change over time as their needs change. Check out our nutrition section for a few helpful articles.Justine Seraphin, BSc (Hons) Animal Behaviour and Welfare