Grooming the Lagotto Romagnolo: Advice from Professionals
Grooming the Lagotto Romagnolo: Advice from Professionals
Written by Silvia Capelli
September 8, 2023
If we have to choose a champion, not just for beauty but also for talent, the Lagotto Romagnolo is probably the dog that brings us the most honor in the world.
It is indeed the only dog breed in the world specialized in truffle hunting, and it's entirely Italian!
This dog was already used for truffle hunting in ancient times and originated in the plains of the Po Delta, where it was predominantly employed as a retrieving dog.
Its curly, thick, and waterproof coat made it ideal for hunting in marshes, just as today it makes it perfect for truffle hunting among bushes.
But its beautiful and resistant fur tends to mat and requires care and attention to maintain its good looks.
The Lagotto is not only a truffle dog today but a highly appreciated companion dog, and for dogs that live indoors, coat care is even more important.
Let's see how to proceed with grooming the Lagotto Romagnolo and how to do it without mistakes, to have a dog with a perfect appearance and a well-maintained coat.
The coat of the Lagotto Romagnolo
The coat of the Lagotto has a rather woolly texture and is quite rough on the surface. It features tight, ringlet-like curls and has an abundant undercoat.
The curls are evenly distributed over the body and legs, while on the head they widen and form eyebrows, beard, and mustache.
The outer coat and the undercoat are waterproof, and if they are not cut and not groomed properly on a regular basis, they tend to felt.
This dog does not shed and therefore does not lose hair, unlike many other hunting dogs.
Can I brush the Lagotto Romagnolo?
The coat of the Lagotto should never be brushed. The coat must have a rustic appearance, and the curls must not be damaged under any circumstances.
What you can do is gently comb the head with a wide-toothed comb to remove any grass, foxtails, or other dirt residues.
How to wash the Lagotto Romagnolo
Washing the Lagotto Romagnolo is not difficult, it is a dog that loves water and will gladly take a bath.
You can wash it in the shower or in the bathtub (in the latter case, you can buy a non-slip mat to prevent the dog from accidentally injuring itself or damaging the tub).
Make sure you have the following at hand:
Cotton balls
Detangling dog shampoo (or other types as needed)
Dog conditioner (essential for dissolving knots)
The products must be specific for dogs and not for humans, as your puppy's skin pH is different from ours.
Also, keep a towel and a blow dryer or hairdryer close at hand.
First, insert a cotton ball into the dog's ears to protect the ear canal from water and soap.
Wet the Lagotto's body with warm water, starting from the back (if you don't have a detachable shower, use a bowl).
Apply a generous amount of shampoo and start massaging the dog, first on the back, then on the legs, and finally on the sensitive areas (paw pads, tail, genitals).
Soap the ears carefully to avoid water getting in, and then move to the neck.
Leave the head for last, which you should wash with great care. If you are not sure, use only water and then clean the eyes with a cotton ball soaked in a specific cleaner.
Rinse thoroughly, apply the conditioner, spread it well, leave it for a couple of minutes, and then rinse again.
Ensure that no foam residues are left in the fur and then pat the dog dry with a towel.
If it's cold, dry Fido well with a blow dryer or hairdryer, while if it's summer and hot, you can let it dry naturally.
The dog can also be washed outdoors, but it would be better to secure it to a pole or a gate to prevent it from trying to escape.
If necessary, you can use dry shampoo, but it should be an occasional event, and in this case, choose a good product without alcohol and parabens.
For more information on how to wash your dog at home, read here.
How often should the Lagotto be washed?
Dogs should not be washed too often to avoid damaging the natural oils of the coat, but obviously, it depends on the conditions in which the dog is living.
If the Lagotto lives indoors but often goes out and is involved in truffle hunting, we might tend to wash it more frequently, even though the coat does not get particularly dirty.
Try not to wash it more than once a month, unless strictly necessary.
Clean fur is essential for the health and well-being of the animal, but without exaggeration.
How to trim a Lagotto
First of all, it's important to note that the Lagotto should never be shaved to the skin, like all other dogs.
The coat has a thermoregulatory effect and protects from heat and cold, as well as from brambles, so the dog needs it.
Therefore, no clipping to 1 mm with clippers; the minimum allowed is the 3 mm blade, or the 6 mm for a longer cut.
The length of the coat will obviously vary depending on the season and the dog's activity period.
To trim the Lagotto, you will need:
Clippers with various length blades
Round-tipped scissors
Wide-toothed comb only for the head
There is one important precaution: the body can be trimmed to the same length, as well as the legs, while the hair on the head must be more abundant.
The head should have a nice round shape, with long hair and visible curls. The eyes should be free.
You can leave the hair a bit shorter on the neck, which can help the dog when the terrain conditions are not the best, and brambles can stick to the coat.
The hair on the ears should be cut short to prevent the animal from getting caught in bushes when searching for truffles.
The tail should be trimmed like the rest of the body; if it's too thin, it will give the dog a rat-like appearance, which is not ideal for the Lagotto Romagnolo.
Owners of show dogs prefer to keep the coat a bit longer, and the style is a bit more elaborate than that of working dogs, whose owners generally choose the basic and uniform cut.
When should the Lagotto's coat be trimmed?
The ideal is to perform the first trim of the year at the beginning of spring, so the dog is rather covered for the first outings.
A second trimming can be done in summer so that the coat is of medium length in autumn, during the truffle season.
Obviously, if the dog is involved in truffle hunting, the trims should be scheduled to leave it with longer hair in the cold season and shorter in the warm season.
How often should the Lagotto Romagnolo's coat be trimmed?
It's better to dispel certain myths that suggest, as a working dog, the Lagotto does not need to have its coat trimmed, or that once a year is enough.
The Lagotto has a continuously growing coat and should be trimmed at least 4 times a year, almost like the Poodles, although in a different manner.
Matting of the coat is not only a discomfort for the dog but also a reason for disqualification for show dogs, just like a style not conforming to the breed standard.
Therefore, the dog should be groomed regularly, also because this type of coat tends to retain impurities, dirt, and foxtails, which can be very dangerous for the animal.
How to Complete the Grooming of the Lagotto Romagnolo
To ensure perfect grooming, do not neglect ear cleaning and nail trimming.
Since these are standard operations and do not vary from dog to dog, we refer you to our specific article on this particular topic:
The first bath of a Lagotto puppy should take place once the vaccination protocol is complete, around 4 months of age.
In special circumstances, if an earlier bath is necessary, it's better to wash them in sections with a wet towel or dry shampoo.
If a full bath is the only option, it's important to dry them thoroughly after washing, obviously with a warm hairdryer to avoid burning them.
Conclusion
While washing a dog is an activity within everyone's reach, trimming a Lagotto and doing it correctly is a whole different story.
Trimming the Lagotto Romagnolo requires some experience, and the curly coat is difficult to manage as it cannot be brushed, yet knots still form.
The dog does not always stay calm, and it requires expensive, high-quality tools such as scissors, specific steel combs for the head, clippers with long-lasting blades, and a hairdryer that maintains the right temperature.
We know that groomers have their price, but when choosing a dog with a continuously growing coat, one must be sure to have the right budget to dedicate to the necessary coat maintenance.
The length of the coat must be correctly maintained for the current season, and the coat must always be tidy, to ensure health and well-being for your dog.
In practice, if you are not sure, avoid DIY problems and turn to a good groomer: Lagottos must have a particular appearance, and grooming must be done properly.
Even if this is your favorite breed, there are many other khani.co.uk to discover, come to know them with us!
Disclaimer
The information on our site is of a general nature and in no way replaces the opinion of a veterinarian or industry experts. For any doubts, always turn to your trusted groomer or veterinarian.
