Chicago Lagotto
We are a premier Chicago area Lagotto Breeder | Taking applications for our next litter!
We are dedicated to preserving the healthy legacy of the Lagotto Romagnolo through informed and responsible breeding.
Find out about our champion, show quality and health certified, Lagotto Romagnolo dogs.
About the Lagotto Romagnolo
- Temperament: Affectionate, Keen, Undemanding
- AKC Breed Popularity: Ranks 99 of 196
- Height: 17-19 inches (male), 16-18 inches (female)
- Weight: 28.5-35 pounds (male), 24-31 pounds (female)
- Life Expectancy: 15-17 years
Italians have a word for it: “carino.” In English, we say “cute.” In any language, this breed is totally endearing. The Lagotto Romagnolo (plural: Lagotti Romagnoli) is known for wooly curls that cover the body head to tail, crowned by a lavish beard, eyebrows, and whiskers. Lagotti stand under 20 inches and weigh no more than 35 pounds. But don’t be fooled by their teddy-bear looks—these are rugged workers of true strength and endurance. The breed’s trademark curls feel and behave more like human hair than fur.
Care
Nutrition:
The Lagotto should do well on a high-quality dog food, whether commercially manufactured or home-prepared with your veterinarian’s supervision and approval. Any diet should be appropriate to the dog’s age (puppy, adult, or senior). Some dogs are prone to getting overweight, so watch your dog’s calorie consumption and weight level. Treats can be an important aid in training, but giving too many can cause obesity. Learn about which human foods are safe for dogs, and which are not. Check with your vet if you have any concerns about your dog’s weight or diet. Clean, fresh water should be available at all times.
Grooming:
The Lagotto’s rough-looking, waterproof coat forms thick, tight curls that cover the entire body except for the head. 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. The coat needs to be trimmed on a regular basis. Some Lagotto coats mat more than others, and it is important to groom regularly to prevent this. The ears should be checked weekly for buildup of wax or debris, or any signs of infection.
Exercise:
As with most sporting breeds, the Lagotto requires an active, engaged lifestyle to keep him happy. They are not hyper and do not require a great amount of exercise, but they do need both mental stimulation and physical activity. While a Lagotto will enjoy and benefit from time outside, the breed will not do well if left to live outdoors without family interaction. The Lagotto needs to spend time with his family in order to be well adjusted and content.
Training:
Lagottos are alert, intelligent, and lively. They love to learn and please their owners and excel in canine events such as agility and obedience, as well as other pursuits like dock diving (they naturally love water). With their excellent nose, they are perfect candidates for scent work, search-and-rescue, and detection of medical conditions. Early socialization and training are vital and help to ensure that the Lagotto grows into a well-adjusted, well-mannered companion.
Health:
The breed is generally very healthy, and a responsible breeder screens breeding stock for health conditions such as juvenile epilepsy, storage disease, hip dysplasia, and patellas. DNA testing aids breeding decisions aimed at avoiding the occurrence of disease.
Recommended Health Tests from the National Breed Club:
- Hip Evaluation
- Ophthalmologist Evaluation
- Patellas
- Benign Familial Juvenile Epilepsy DNA Test
- Lagotto Storage Disease DNA Test
History
Lagotti go back to at least Renaissance Italy, where they were bred as waterfowl retrievers working the marshlands of Ravenna. (“Lago” is Italian for “lake.”) For many years, though, Lagotti, blessed with an exceptional nose, have been used in the Italian countryside to sniff out truffles, a tasty and expensive delicacy. Though many breeds can be trained on truffles, the Lagatto is generally considered the world’s finest truffle dog.
What our clients says about us
TESTIMONIALS
I found Kim and Chicago Lagotto on the AKC website while searching for a reputable Lagotto breeder. After communicating with several breeders my decision to work with Kim was easy. Her knowledge of the breed is extensive and she truly cares about each placement of her puppies. Kim has been warm and helpful at every stage of the process—from choosing my puppy to picking him up and continuing to be a resource for me after our adoption was complete. Our family couldn’t be happier with our new puppy and the experience we had working with Kim and Chicago Lagotto.
Kim was as absolute gem to work with for getting our puppy. She was incredibly communicative about the process and made us feel comfortable every step of the way. She was super speedy in responding to our application and very easy to talk to. We are so lucky to have been introduced to the lagotto breed through Kim. We also appreciate how willing Kim is to keep in touch and even set up future times to let our little Biscotti come visit for grooming and play with other Lagottos
I don’t have the words to describe what an amazing experience I had getting my first Lagatoo Romagnollo puppy from Kim! It was so seamless, wonderful and educational ! She even gave us a goodie bag before we left! I felt like part of the family since day one, very caring and professional ! I would highly recommend getting a puppy from her kennel! Her dogs are so unique, beautiful and have amaizing personalities. The puppy we just purchase from her is a beautiful male puppy and has been the cutest and best investment me and husband have made so far! We welcome this precious addition to the family thanks to Newbliss Kennels !! Thank you Kim !
Kim was amazing to work with! We found her online and she has been the best! We got our pup from her and she has been super helpful with her knowledge of the breed and getting the other Lagotto owners in the area to chat as well. Would recommend with no reservations!
Working with Kim at Chicago lagotto was a wonderful experience. Kim is the epitome of a responsible and professional breeder. We had never met a lagotto before and after submitting our application and a thorough first conversation, Kim graciously had us to her home as a next step to meet a lagotto. From that point on, we were in love and the process started for us. Kim was wonderful in making sure the breed was a good match for us and that we were a good match for our future puppy. The communication was wonderful throughout the process and especially after. Kim has continued to be so gracious with all my first puppy days questions (and personal meltdowns) and not knowing what to do.
Admittedly this was our first experience getting a puppy and working with a breeder, but I would recommend Kim to anyone. She cares about the future of this important breed and her thoroughness in her process and the support provided is evident of such.
I had a great experience working with Kim at Chicago Lagotto! She takes amazing care of her puppies and provides them a loving home. She helped make the adoption process easy and is extremely knowledgeable and answered all my questions! I couldn’t be happier working with Kim and adding a new addition my little family!
