Did you know Lagotto Romagnolo have a unique coat that makes these Italian dogs stand out?
Traditionally used as water retrievers but in modern times they’re expert truffles-hunters, the Lagotto Romagnolo has a waterproof coat that is ideal for making a splash.
The American Kennel Club explain that Lagotti Romagnoli have a double coat of hair rather than fur, unlike most other dog breeds.
If you’re a dog lover looking to find a hypoallergenic dog breed, you research may have led you to this page.
In this article, we’re going to take a look at whether Lagotto Romagnolo are hypoallergenic, how much they shed if at all and how much grooming is required.
In this article, we’ll hear from Lupo (@luposniffs), Biscotti (@biscottithelagotti), Apa (@apa.lagotto) and Rona (@lagottorona) to learn more about the Lagotto Romagnolo breed and share some of their photos (with their permission).
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Are Lagotto Romagnolo Hypoallergenic?
Lagotto Romagnolo (Photo: Adobe Stock)
There is no such thing as a 100 per cent hypoallergenic dog breed.
However, The American Kennel Club write on their website that some breeds have more hypoallergenic qualities than other dogs. Here’s what the organization write online:
The truth is, there are no 100% hypoallergenic dogs, dog breeds, or mixed-breeds, but there are many dog breeds that are less allergenic for people with dog allergies. Dander, which is attached to pet hair, is what causes most dog allergies in people, and these dog breeds have a non-shedding coat that produces less dander.
The AKC list the Lagotto Romagnolo as one of 19 hypoallergenic dog breeds.
Biscotti’s owners Wendy and Jo provide their insight into the degree of shedding they’ve encountered with their Lagotto Romagnolo.
They are technically “low shedding” but it’s practically zero. You don’t have hairs on your clothes or around the house which is nice. With that you also don’t get the ‘doggy smell’.
While Lagotto Romagnolo have hypoallergenic coats, there’s no guarantee a reaction won’t occur seeing as dog salvia and dog urine can act as allergens. They can also get pollen or other allergens caught in their coat and bring them into the home.
Do Lagotto Romagnolo Shed?
Biscotti the Lagotto Romagnolo (Photo: biscottithelagotti / Instagram)
As we mentioned above, Lagotto Romagnolo don’t shed much at all so if they could be a good fit for dog lovers looking for a low-shedding dog.
Their body is covered in wool-like curls that are more like hair than fur, contributing to what some describe as a teddy-bear appearance.
The American Kennel Club go to on explain that Lagotto Romagnolo have a double coat that sheds minimally.
They have a double coat of hair rather than fur and shed only minimally, although they may leave little tufts of hair once in a while.
Petra, who is the owner of a Lagotto Romagnolo called Rona, further highlighted that the Italian breed barely shed at all.
Lagotto Romagnolo is a breed that does not shed, at all! Their fur always keeps on growing so they do require grooming. You should take your Lagotto around 3-4 times a year for a haircut so they don’t get tangled.
Lagotto Romagnolo Grooming
Lupo Sniffs the Lagotto Romagnolo (Photo: luposniffs / Instagram)
While they’re low-shedding coats may be a pro for some, the amount of grooming Lagotto Romagno require could well be a con for others.
As Lagotto Romagnolo have tight curls, their coats can easily become matted if they’re not groomed regularly.
Wendy and Jo explained that the amount of grooming a Lagotto Romagnolo will require depends on their coat type.
The amount of grooming depends on how long you have their coat. Some people will have them clipped short regularly which required less day to day maintenance. If their coat is longer then you need to stay on top of combing and brushing it to prevent matts. They can also have issues with hair in their ears so staying on top of that is essential.
Lupo the Lagotto Romagnolo has a short coat which helps to keep their grooming routine manageable.
Lagotti Romagnoli are known to not shed very much, but they need to be groomed often. We like to keep Lupo’s hair shorter now since the long hair was awful. We try to brush Lupo a few times a week. Slicker brush, then a nice comb afterwards. In the upcoming year, we have decided that Lupo will be shaved once every season. They require a pretty decent amount of grooming but they always look adorable afterwards.
Maria, whose Lagotto Romagnolo is called Apa, revealed that she brushes her dog every day to prevent matting.
A daily brushing routine is advised, but at least, they should get a dematting brushing session once a week. They should get groomed once every 4-6 weeks.
How Often Should You Bathe A Lagotto Romagnolo?
Biscotti the Lagotto Romagnolo (Photo: biscottithelagotti / Instagram)
You won’t be surprised to learn that Lagotto Romagnolo love to take baths – after all, they’re water dogs.
The frequency of baths will depend on how often Lagotti Romagnoli get their coats dirty. If they come back from a walk covered in mud, it’s a good idea to wash them to prevent their hair becoming matted and potential bacteria building up.
Wendy and Jo explained that Biscotti loves to shower – and she needs it as she loves her country walks in the UK.
More than grooming, they take a lot of showering! Ours is constantly getting covered in mud. We live out in the countryside and every day is a ‘country walk’ day, so she gets fairly muddy on the feet. She doesn’t protest to a shower though, and absolutely loves the blow dry afterwards with a hairdryer.
Lagotto Romagnolo Care
Lagotto Romagnolo (Photo: Adobe Stock)
Aside from the grooming, Lagotto Romagnolo will require other basic maintenance such as getting their nails clipped, checking their ears for infection and keeping their teeth clean.
The Lagotto Club of America also recommend some grooming tips on their website.
Hair on the ears should be trimmed around the edges to the leather. If the ear shows irritation and buildup of dirt and earwax, the hairs from the ear canal should be gently plucked out regularly. Some coats matt easier than others. Given the type of coat, with continuously growing hair tending to become felted, it is important to groom regularly, for the dog’s benefit and to prevent various troublesome problems.
Anything Else To Consider
If you’re thinking about getting a Lagotto Romagnolo but you suffer with allergies to dogs, we strongly advise you to speak to your doctor or medical professional to learn more.
For dog lovers interested in this breed, we find speaking to current owners can provide a great insight into what life is like owning a Lagotto Romagnolo.
Wrapping Up – Our Final Thoughts
Lagotto Romagnolo (Photo: Adobe Stock)
We’ve reached the end of our article on Lagotto Romagnolo and whether they shed.
As you’ll now know, Lagotto Romagnolo have a hypoallergenic coat that is comprised of hair rather than fur.
The AKC explain that their waterproof coat sheds minimally so you won’t find lots of hair on your clothes and furniture.
They’ll require daily grooming to ensure their coat doesn’t become matted and to remove dead hair.
Photo credits: Thanks to Lupo (@luposniffs), Biscotti (@biscottithelagotti), Apa (@apa.lagotto) and Rona (@lagottorona) to for giving us permission to use some of their photos for this article.
