“LAGOTTO INTELLIGENCE IS NOT TO BE TAKEN LIGHTLY.
IF YOU DO NOT TRAIN THEM, THEY WILL DEFINITELY TRAIN YOU.” bath monthly and be fine. The coat is best when kept 1" to 1 ½ " in length. While these dogs are called “hypoallergenic” that is not an accurate term. It is best to describe them as “low-allergen” as many with aller- gies can live with the Lagotto and not be affected. They are not heavy shedders in such that they do not seasonally “blow coat” like any mammal, they will lose dead hair and may leave little tufts of hair once in a while. That is usually the dead under- coat and means they should be combed and washed to remove this hair. The hair can mat or felt and it is recommended to cut them very short at least once a year to remove any mats that have formed. Using a wire comb once a week will help reduce this occurrence. They can have considerable amounts of hair in their ear canal, so regular pluck- ing may be necessary. Colors run the gamut from white, cream, brown, brown roan, orange, white and orange, brown and white, but never black. Their nose runs from a light liver or flesh tone to a dark brown. If the nose is black, it is not a
IS THIS THE DOG FOR ME? Good question. While those who own them feel they are perfect, they do best in the hands of owners, who are active, can commit time every day to play or exercise, and are willing to train them. Lagotto intelligence is not to be taken lightly. If you do not train them, they will definitely train you. This is most likely not what you want, and retraining is always a more arduous task. They like to work and want to please their owners. They like to be challenged and are good problem solvers. They are extremely loving and loyal, and thrive on the attention their owner gives them. It is always recommended to meet a Lagotto before you consider one and talk to breed- ers. Breeders should be forthcoming and honest, and share how they raise their dogs, what tests they do and be able to prove it, and let you see the parents if you desire. For more information, please visit the Lagotto Romagnolo Club of America website, www.lagottous.com.
Lagotto. The rims of the eyes and lips tend to be the same color as the nose. Average life expectancy is 13-15 years. HEALTH The Lagotto Romagnolo is generally a very healthy breed with few health concerns. Hip dysplasia, while not wide- spread, exists in the breed. Breeders within the Lagotto Romagnolo Club of America agree to follow a Code of Ethics regarding breeding practices, and testing for hips of any breeding dogs is a require- ment. Juvenile Familial Benign Epilepsy (BFJE) is another disorder that can be found in the breed, but a DNA test exists, and through testing of parents, breeders can avoid producing affected puppies. Recently, a “cosmetic” gene has been found in some breeding lines causing an “incorrect coat”, where the hair may wave, but does not curl. While these dogs look nothing like the classic Lagotto, this is not a health concern. A genetic test is now available and breeders can now avoid this issue as well.
242 • S HOW S IGHT M AGAZINE , J ULY 2015
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