A Dog Fit For A King

With the late Queen renowned for her love of Corgis, King Charles has been considered a terrier man with rescued Jack Russells running around his Highgrove estate.

Queen Camilla’s beloved Jack Russell Beth sadly passed away with an untreatable tumour last autumn, so you would imagine perhaps another terrier would be introduced to the royal pack. But no! King Charles has fallen in love with a Crufts Best In Show winning breed: the tight curled Lagotto Romagnolo. According to sources, they share a common love of hunting for truffles, which the Logotto has the supreme nose for snuffling out this woodland delicacy.

So what is known about this breed? The Lagotto Romagnolo is an ancient and unique dog breed with its origins in Italy dating back over two thousand years. This breed was deeply rooted to the Romagna region primarily as a water retriever.

In the 19th century, the wetlands in the Romagna region started to be drained, the Lagotto’s role as a water retriever became less necessary. It was around this time that they were found to be useful truffle hunters, an activity that would define the breed’s future. The Lagotto Romagnolo’s keen sense of smell and natural ability to detect truffles underground made them invaluable to truffle hunters (and the King). This special talent continues to be the breed’s primary purpose today, especially in central Italy and parts of France.

Over the last fifty years, the Lagotto has also become a beloved companion animal due to its friendly and affectionate nature. The breed is known for its curly, water-resistant coat and its intelligence, making it a versatile dog in both working and family environments. This curly dog’s increased presence in grooming salons reflects its popularity as a pet, as more owners embrace the responsibilities of caring for this special breed. Many owners request a pet curly coat cut, which would be similar to grooming a Cockapoo but this coat breed standard style is treating its double coat. They need to have minimum combing and brushing out to avoid damaging the coat and remove any mats or knots while damp. The head is left full with a heavy fringe and the bridge of the nose is traditionally left and not scissored clean.

The King’s adoption of a Lagotto Romagnolo will no doubt boost the breed’s popularity, drawing attention to their unique qualities. Above all, these intelligent dogs will continue be known as a loyal and loving fun dog with a royal stamp of approval!

Lagotto Romagnolo Stats:

Lifespan: 15-17 years

Weight: Around 13-16kg for males and between 11-14kg for females

Height: Between 43-48cm for males, and between 41-46cm for females

Colours: Coats come in solid off-white, white with brown or orange markings, orange roan, brown roan and brown

Temperament: Alert, intelligent and lively. They need to use their brains with plenty of exercise.

Image credits: PA, Kennel Club, BeatMedia & Wikipedia Commons