DogsLifeBreed profile
Lagotto Romagnolo: size, sleep, exercise and care
Italy's curly-coated truffle dog, originally a water retriever. Lagotti are affectionate, clever and keen workers with an exceptional nose.
At a glance
- Size
- Medium
- Adult weight
- 11–16 kg
- Height at the shoulder
- 41–48 cm
- Life expectancy
- 15–17 years
- Exercise needs
- High · 120+ min per day
Sleep needs
Typical total sleep per 24 hours, including naps.
| Puppy | Adult | Senior |
|---|---|---|
| 18–20 h | 12–14 h | 12–15 h |
These are general life-stage ranges for dogs from the AKC and Hill's; no study gives a separate figure for the Lagotto Romagnolo. Individual dogs vary, and a sudden change in how much your dog sleeps is worth mentioning to your vet.
Exercise needs
The Royal Kennel Club lists more than two hours of exercise a day for the breed. Not all of it needs to be distance: nose work, hide-and-seek with treats, retrieving and swimming tire a Lagotto out well. A dog bred to dig for truffles may also dig in the garden, so give it a legitimate place to do it.
Potty training
Lagotto puppies are quick learners and keen on food rewards. Keep a regular schedule after sleep, meals and play, and reward at the toilet spot.
Their curious nose makes them easy to distract outside, so stand still and stay boring until the job is done, then play.
Puppy potty schedule calculator →
Feeding
Feed a complete food for medium-sized active dogs, three to four meals a day for young puppies and two for adults. Weigh portions and adjust to activity: a dog doing scent work several times a week needs more than one on quiet walks.
The Lagotto's love of sniffing makes scatter feeding and snuffle mats an easy daily win. The curly beard collects food, so a quick wipe after meals helps.
Frequently asked questions
How much exercise does a Lagotto Romagnolo need?
More than two hours a day according to The Royal Kennel Club, with nose work counting as valuable exercise.
How long do Lagotti live?
The AKC gives a life expectancy of 15–17 years, among the longer for a breed of this size.
Sources
- Lagotto Romagnolo dog breed information — American Kennel Club
- Lagotto Romagnolo: breed information and exercise — The Royal Kennel Club
- How much do puppies sleep? — American Kennel Club
- How much should my dog sleep per day? — Hill's Pet Nutrition
- Can senior dogs sleep too much? — American Kennel Club