Finding the Lagotto

This past October, my friend Laurin Howard and I—both members of the LRCA’s judges education committee and the breed revision committee—had the opportunity to take a memorable trip to Italy. Our goal was to clarify our thinking on the Breed Standard, and it was a historic time to do so. October marked the 30th anniversary show for the Club Italiano Lagotto (CIL).

One of the most interesting aspects of our ancient breed is how modern its history is. In the 1970s, a group of dog fanciers led by Quintino Toschi recognized the need to save the breed, which had been bred primarily for hunting truffles in the Italian hillside. While the breed had been kept alive, it was not necessarily “pure,” as truffle hunters bred the dogs to provide income for their families.

Joined by another Lagotto enthusiast, Kathy Hollinger, we aimed to speak with as many Italian experts about the breed and its standard as possible. We understood that for many original founders of the breed—some now in their 80s—this might be our last opportunity to answer questions and clarify our understanding. We attended two FCI shows (one featuring a Lagotto specialty) on the first weekend, visited six kennels during the week, and met many more breeders at the 30th Anniversary Show itself. It became clear that all the founders believed a true Lagotto must work, specifically in truffle finding.

One of our first visits was to the home of Mario and Piera Morara. In their 80s, the Moraras are probably the most fit couple you’ll ever meet, lending credence to the idea that truffles are a magical fungus that imparts health and well-being! We spent the morning viewing pictures and learning about their original dogs. “Arno,” a beautiful white male whose photo hung in their living room, would be competitive in any show ring today. I asked Sr. Morara about the most important characteristics of a working dog. His priority list was:

1. Strong
2. Endurance—able to work for a long time
3. Focused, not distracted
4. Quick and methodical, but not fast

When selecting a Lagotto puppy, Sr. Morara emphasized that Character was the most crucial feature, followed by work ethic/potential, then intelligence, and physical traits such as a large nose. He also stressed the importance of the head’s morphology, including correctly placed and sized eyes, and a pedigree that suggested intelligence and potential for good work. Laurin showed him our new Judges Education brochure and got his feedback on the accuracy of our drawings.

Our next visits were to Fabrizio Cairo of Monte della Dea Kennel and Luca Rondinini of de Campo Leone Kennel. Both men have been breeding dogs that excel in the ring and in the field for years. They also treated us to a variety of delicious truffle dishes! Did I mention we enjoyed a lot of great food on this trip?

Monte Della Dea Kennel is located high on a hillside. During the summer months, there is an “infected” olive orchard that is expected to yield truffles in the coming years. Cairo is a full-time “first responder,” not a truffle hunter, but truffle hunting is a high priority on his days off. Most impressive were the older dogs. I had the chance to meet the grandfather of my foundation bitch, still going strong and looking good at 14 years of age.

At de Campo Leone, we saw a couple of the most famous dogs of the breed: Riki de Monte della Dea and Nutella. We also had the chance to see a litter of five-week-old puppies. Luca introduced us to all his dogs, discussed the puppies and their attributes, and promised we could follow his younger dogs on the weekend at the truffle hunt. More on that later!

No fact-finding mission would be complete without a study visit with Gilberto Grandi. Sr. Grandi is another of the breed’s founders. Originally a greyhound breeder, he was approached by Quintino Toschi with the famous words, “We must save the Lagotto Romagnolo.”

As many know, we are in a period where the AKC will allow us our first tweak to the AKC standard. The Club Italiano Lagotto (CIL) experienced a terrible surprise several years ago when the FCI standard was rewritten without their input, and they were horrified by the outcome. We wanted to ensure they knew we still respected the original standard and wanted to clarify it for AKC judges. We spent considerable time working on the language of the standard with Sr. Grandi, who speaks impeccable English. We aimed to avoid any errors in translation and be succinct without being vague. Sr. Grandi honored us by conducting his entire breed presentation in English. Among other things, he is a master at Photoshop, taking the same nearly perfect dog through various alterations (too rectangular, too short in croup, too short in loin, ribcage, leg). It was a great visual learning tool, and we hope to convince him to use some of those slides ourselves.

We also inquired about the rumor that, before FCI acceptance of the breed, the club had to prove a certain number of distinctly different bloodlines. Not having enough, they “chopped off” the ends of pedigrees to meet the requirement. “Yes,” he said with an impish grin, “that is true.” This is one reason some countries are hesitant to line-breed, as the true pedigree of dogs in the fourth and fifth generations is uncertain.

For American Lagotto owners, there is a description in the standard that says the breed is “undemanding.” No one who owns a Lagotto for even five minutes would agree with that! Sr. Grandi mentioned that this is partly an error in translation. It should be closer to “easy,” which seemed to describe “easy-going,” “adaptable,” “accepting,” or “not needing a lot.” Most dogs in Italy are kept as kennel dogs, so it may refer to their ability to cope with that level of contact. We’ll continue looking for a better term, but it’s reassuring to know that “undemanding” isn’t accurate and that our dogs are not unusually different from the norm.

This year’s Raduno (literally “gathering”) saw a record entry of 240 dogs in the conformation rings and 140 in the truffle hunt. Sr. Grandi judged the females, and Giovanni Morsiani judged the males. Sr. Morsiani’s father is the author of the original Italian standard, and he himself is acknowledged as one of the important founders of our breed, although his own breed is St. Bernards. The two men together judged Best of Breed and the crucial categories: Best Head, Best Coat, and Best Construction and Movement—a triad of the most important morphological features in Lagotto (and something we have adopted for our National Specialty as well). The depth of quality in the dogs will be talked about for a long time, especially the quality of dogs from Scandinavia. Fourteen countries participated in the event, which was eventually won by the very beautiful Swedish bitch, Blixtra Contessa.

Another interesting event was the presentation of non-pedigree truffle dogs for evaluation. It was explained to me that if these dogs, after being measured and critiqued, were found acceptable and could prove themselves by earning a truffle certificate, they could be accepted into the Italian stud book as dogs with a zero-generation pedigree. This could then be bred from, enriching the gene pool.

The final day of the Raduno was the truffle hunt. As promised, we followed Luca Rondinini as he trialed two of his young dogs, Origano and Lucky. Truffle hunting “classes” (junior dog, puppy dogs, open males, etc.) are stationed over the mountainside, with each class having a cordoned-off area to search and 15 minutes to work. To receive a rating, the dog must find at least two truffles (areas are “salted” with truffles to ensure there is something to find) and must not eat the truffles before the handler reaches him. Watching Rondinini warm up Origano was very much like watching a top obedience competitor prepare to step into the ring. First, he took a piece of truffle from his vest and got the dog excited about it. Then, he had us hold the dog while he buried the piece of truffle and encouraged at de Campo Leone, we were able to see a couple of the most famous dogs of the breed: Riki de Monte della Dea and Nutella. We also had the chance to observe a litter of five-week-old puppies. Luca introduced us to all his dogs, went over the puppies and their attributes, and promised that we could follow his younger dogs on the weekend at the truffle hunt. More on that later!

No fact-finding mission would be complete without a study visit with Gilberto Grandi. Sr. Grandi, one of the breed’s founders, was originally a greyhound breeder and was approached by Quintino Toschi with the words, “We must save the Lagotto Romagnolo.”

We are currently in a period where the AKC will allow us our first adjustment to the AKC standard. The Club Italiano Lagotto (CIL) had a significant shock a few years ago when the FCI standard was rewritten without their input, leading to a result they were horrified by. We wanted to ensure that they knew we still respected the original standard and aimed to clarify it for AKC judges. We spent considerable time working on the language of the standard with Sr. Grandi, who speaks impeccable English. We worked to avoid any errors in translation and ensure that the standard was clear without being vague. Sr. Grandi honored us by conducting his entire breed presentation in English. Among his many skills, he is a master at Photoshop, and he demonstrated how the same nearly perfect dog could be altered in various ways (too rectangular, too short in croup, too short in loin, ribcage, leg). It was an excellent visual learning tool, and we hope to persuade him to use some of those slides ourselves.

We also asked about a rumor that, prior to FCI acceptance of the breed, the club had to prove a certain number of distinctly different bloodlines. Lacking enough, they “chopped off” the ends of pedigrees to meet the requirement. “Yes,” he said with an impish grin, “that is true.” This is one reason some countries are hesitant to line-breed, as the true pedigree of dogs in the fourth and fifth generations is uncertain.

For American Lagotto owners, a description in the standard says the breed is “undemanding.” No one who owns a Lagotto for even five minutes would agree with that! Sr. Grandi explained that this is partly an error in translation. It should be closer to “easy,” which could mean “easy-going,” “adaptable,” “accepting,” or “not needing a lot.” Since most dogs in Italy are kept as kennel dogs, this may refer to their ability to cope with that level of contact. We’ll continue searching for a better term, but it’s reassuring to know that “undemanding” isn’t accurate, and our dogs are not unusually different from the norm.

This year’s Raduno (literally “gathering”) saw a record entry of 240 dogs in the conformation rings and 140 in the truffle hunt. Sr. Grandi judged the females, and Giovanni Morsiani judged the males. Sr. Morsiani’s father is the author of the original Italian standard, and he himself is acknowledged as one of the important founders of our breed, although his own breed is St. Bernards. Together, they judged Best of Breed and the crucial categories: Best Head, Best Coat, and Best Construction and Movement—a triad of the most important morphological features in Lagotto (and something we have adopted for our National Specialty as well). The depth of quality in the dogs will be talked about for a long time, especially the quality of dogs from Scandinavia. Fourteen countries participated in the event, which was eventually won by the very beautiful Swedish bitch, Blixtra Contessa.

Another interesting event was the presentation of non-pedigree truffle dogs for evaluation. It was explained that if these dogs were measured and critiqued, and found acceptable, and could prove themselves by earning a truffle certificate, they could be accepted into the Italian stud book as dogs with a zero-generation pedigree. This could then be bred from, enriching the gene pool.

The final day of the Raduno featured the truffle hunt. As promised, we followed Luca Rondinini as he trialed two of his young dogs, Origano and Lucky. Truffle hunting “classes” (junior dog, puppy dogs, open males, etc.) are stationed over the mountainside, with each class having a cordoned-off area to search and 15 minutes to work. To receive a rating, the dog must find at least two truffles (areas are “salted” with truffles to ensure there is something to find) and must not eat the truffles before the handler reaches him. Watching Rondinini warm up Origano was very much like watching a top obedience competitor prepare to step into the ring. First, he took a piece of truffle from his vest and got the dog excited about it. Then he had us hold the dog while he buried the piece of truffle and encouraged him to find it.

All of the work was done in a “pure positive” manner. Luca explained that the dog had much more practice on black truffle and needed to ensure he recognized the scent of white truffle on this day. Although he was a young, green dog, Origano successfully found his two truffles within the timeframe. Watching him weave through the branches and cover, it was evident why the dog must be both agile and strong to work effectively, and not too large to maneuver through tight spots.

When observing the second dog, Lucky, we anticipated a stellar performance. He found one truffle during his pre-run “poop” and another while in the holding area. However, his young age and excitement led to some zoomies in the forest. We stepped back to give him space to regain his composure, but it was not his day. He hadn’t yet developed the focus that Sr. Morara emphasized as an important characteristic for a truffle dog.

One of our final activities was to review the Judges Education handout with Sr. Morsiani and present him with the newly articulated standard, asking for his blessing or criticism.

As our 10-day odyssey came to an end, we made one final stop in Bologna at the renowned Casa Cleo Kennel of Luciano Landi. Sr. Landi, another early founder of the breed, almost ceased breeding in the 1990s after the loss of his wife. However, other breeders, notably Antonio Morsiani, encouraged him to continue, emphasizing that the breed needed him. Just this year, one of his young dogs won Jr. Best of Breed at the World Dog Show, ensuring his legacy will continue even after he retires.

With Sr. Grandi’s help translating, we examined dogs on the table. Sr. Landi communicated that a dog that was too soft was not one he wanted in his breeding program. The walls lined with famous pictures of the past allowed us to match names to faces of dogs we had seen but never known the identity of. It was a perfect end to our trip, having the opportunity to do an impromptu “hands-on” evaluation of why one dog was better than another. However, Sr. Landi is continually refining his breeding program and still brings in new dogs, some with only one or two generation pedigrees. Unfortunately, if imported, these dogs could not be shown.

As you might imagine, seeing the dogs in action for the activities for which they were bred and speaking with leading Italian breeders was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The sheer number of quality dogs we observed and interacted with was something only achievable during this special anniversary show. We hope it will enhance our ability to articulate to American judges why certain aspects of the standard are emphasized and how the distinct Lagotto form is designed for the role of the world’s foremost truffle hunter. Stay tuned for our updated standard in the coming year.

The post Finding the Lagotto appeared first on Showsight Magazine.

Judging the Lagotto Romagnolo

The Lagotto Romagnolo is a working dog, both powerful and robust. The standard reflects all that makes this dog good at its job. From its original function as a waterfowl retriever to its current and popular use in truffle hunting or other nose work, the Lagotto Romagnolo must be able to endure and work effectively in various harsh environments. The origins of the Lagotto Romagnolo (literally meaning “lake dog”) date back to the 7th century BCE, where a small curly retriever was used to hunt waterfowl in the marshlands around the Romagna province of Italy. The influence of this small dog, believed to be the foundation of many retrievers we see today, can certainly be seen in various breeds of working and sporting dogs: the Portuguese, the Spanish, the Barbet (French Water Dog), and the German Pudel.

In centuries-old artworks, a small dog phenotypically resembling the Lagotto we know today can be seen. Dating to 1464-1475, the fresco “The Meeting” and also in Giovanni Francesco Barbieri (1591-1666) are two known examples. The Lagotto is also known as the Romagna Water Dog. Around the 19th century, the marshlands of Romagna and the delta region were drained, and the Lagotto Romagnolo lost much of its original purpose, with numbers dropping significantly. Over time, the Lagotto Romagnolo found favor among many in Italy, from the affluent to the working class, as a dog with additional purpose. Numbers have increased worldwide, and the Lagotto Romagnolo is now used in a variety of functions. In Italy, it is bred specifically to hunt the underground tuber known as the truffle.

There are many aspects to discuss in judging the Lagotto Romagnolo. Unique features range from the coat, which should be curly and dense, to the nostrils/nose in regards to size and color, and the structure, which should be square and with substance. The bite is a feature that can be misunderstood, as more than one is considered “acceptable.” The head is also very important to explain, and it is the profile that establishes the correct and “classic” Lagotto look.

Let us first discuss the unique aspect of the coat. Overall, the coat is one of the defining factors of the Lagotto Romagnolo and requires a full understanding. Judges must remember that this is not a dog to be over-groomed and that the coat plays an important part in protecting the Lagotto when in its working function. The Lagotto coat should be thick and woolly in texture, neither harsh nor soft, with well-defined ring-shaped curls, not brushed and blown out. Curls will range in size and tightness and should be present over the entire body with some exception around the face. The size of the curls is not as important as the density, and when parting the hair with your hands, it should be difficult to see the skin.

Push down on the coat; it should spring back. The undercoat, by standard, must be present and not completely removed. The undercoat is wound into the curls and helps to create the protective layer the dog requires when working, both in the water and in the brush. This cannot be seen if the dog has been brushed out and the undercoat stripped. A dog presented with a coat that cannot be evaluated due to over-grooming or incorrect grooming should be faulted to the point of exclusion from awards on that day. The cut should easily follow the lines of the body to highlight the dog’s natural angulation and should not be over-sculpted.

The coat should be the same length all over the body, but never more than 1½ inches. It should also be long enough to properly evaluate curliness, but not so short that the curls and coat quality cannot be properly seen and assessed. The hair on the head, legs, and face may be longer than that on the body. Curls should be present throughout the body, including the head and legs. The muzzle may or may not have curls. The curls on the head and legs are generally looser but still required to be present. In judging younger dogs, it should be noted that coat curliness can take several months to develop. Dogs under a year will have a softer texture to the coat. At this age, it is common to see dogs with less density and looser curls. When evaluating young dogs, some leniency should be given to the developing coat. However, it should still show the formation of curl, especially at the root when parted, and never blown and fluffed.

Without beating a dead horse, a common question asked by judges, as well as those new to the Lagotto community, is “why not brush out the coat?” That is a great question and an important point to fully understand and appreciate. First, know that dogs with poor coats are not uncommon in the breed. They can have almost no curl, improper texture (either too soft or too hard), lack undercoat, and have little density. Secondly, the standard requires the undercoat to be present and evaluated, as the dog needs to be shown to the working function, and the coat is a major component of that. The Lagotto Romagnolo needs to have a rustic appearance.

Brush the coat out, and you lose the undercoat and the integrity of what they should be judged on. When the coat is in correct form, the Lagotto is ready to work. Only a proper coat will create an impenetrable barrier to protect the dog from the elements, underbrush, and foliage. The denser the quality of the coat, the better the protection for the dog. This does not mean the coat should be matted or corded. In fact, cording is a serious fault and requires disqualification. In judging, it is important to examine and appreciate the density as an indicator of the dog being in proper coat formation.

There is no black gene in the Lagotto Romagnolo. Coat colors range from off-white, white with orange patches (usually seen on the ears and down the back), white with brown patches, brown, brown with tan points, and brown roan. They may also have markings which are white, roan, or freckled with brown. The pigment of the nose ranges from fleshy tan to dark brown and all shades in between. Even the toenails range from pinkish-white to dark brown, depending on the color of the dog. The colors of the coat tend to fade with maturation, and some change so much that they look nothing like they did as puppies. To those unfamiliar with the breed, it may seem that colors are limited to white, brown, or white and brown only.

There is no advantage to the type, shape, or placement of markings, and the darkness of the color—all colors, dilutions, and markings are equally acceptable. Younger dogs will often appear much darker than adults. Brown roan and brown with tan are two colors that are eye-catching in youth but often fade or “fill in” (in the case of brown roans) to look like a brown dog as adults. Often the “ticked areas” on a brown roan dog will fill in so much that the dog will look just like his brown littermate as an adult. Sometimes, the brown markings and unticked splashes of white are still visible in adulthood. Brown dogs with roan stockings or chest markings can also experience this color change as they age. Orange and white puppies often become indistinguishable from white dogs as adults.

When examining the head of the Lagotto Romagnolo, a careful hands-on approach is essential in determining correct type. Careful and artful grooming can mask a less-desired head. A narrow skull and muzzle are common faults. The width of the muzzle and its blunt profile are key features, as they contain wide-open nasal passages that are important to the dog while scenting for ripe truffles. The blunt profile of the muzzle also plays a part, as the nose with its wide-open and mobile nostrils protrudes very slightly from the edge of the lips. The nose of the Lagotto should appear large. The size and set of the nose and the width of the muzzle are more important than the dog having a scissor bite.

The bite is something that must be truly understood and can be confusing as to what is considered acceptable versus unacceptable in this breed. Unique to the sporting group, this former duck hunter’s main job now involves scenting, and the equipment that makes this possible may often result in the dog having a level or reverse scissor bite. A scissor bite is acceptable as well, but must not have a snippy muzzle. An overshot bite of any kind is a disqualifying fault, as is a truly undershot bite (defined as more than ¼” between the top and bottom incisors).

Many of the world’s top Lagotto carry a reverse scissors bite, and while it may take some getting used to for North American judges, understanding that the bite is of lesser importance to the dog’s primary function, which is scenting, should help when judging for the correct, blunt profile head type. Young Lagotto can have bite changes up to three years of age. Some breeders report that young dogs with strong head type can be reverse scissor up to a year of age before going level or even a scissor bite. The skull should be nearly as wide as it is long.

Measuring from ear to ear and stop to occipital bone can be done by hand and is obvious when it is right. The skull is slightly longer than the muzzle. The underjaw is strong and wide, and when correct, the lips seem to form an upside-down “C” when viewed from the front. The eyes should be large, round, and wide-set. Their color should harmonize with the dog’s coat and pigment. They should also be visible, not hidden under excess hair. Eye color in the Lagotto Romagnolo ranges from ochre (various golden shades) to hazel (golden with greenish undertones) and dark brown, usually following the depth of color of the coat (lighter coats generally have lighter shades). There should be no black pigmentation in the eyes. The eyes should convey a keen and friendly expression.

The ears are medium-sized, triangular with rounded tips, and the base is wide, set just above the zygomatic arches. They are slightly raised when the dog is attentive. If pulled toward the nose, they reach the muzzle at ¼ of its length. The ears have hair on both inner and outer surfaces, and in the ear canal (though this may be plucked). Grooming-wise, the ears tend to get lost in the curls of the head, but the ears themselves should be trimmed to the ear leather. It’s possible to disguise a narrow skull or ears that lie flat or are too long with an abundance of groomed-out hair on the cheeks and beard. Using a hands-on approach will help to reward structure rather than over-grooming of the head. The body of the dog is square rather than rectangular.

A common fault is a Lagotto that is too short on leg (a rectangular dog proportioned 50/50 in terms of depth of chest and length of leg), which is common in sporting dogs but incorrect for the Lagotto. The length of the leg should be a little more than half the dog’s height, and the chest should not come below the elbows. The ribcage expands at the 6th rib, far past the elbow. The dog should be powerful, agile, and well-muscled, but never heavy or bulky. These dogs work for hours covering miles of rough hillside terrain, and being too large or too substantial in bone or body thickness would greatly impede their endurance.

The dog’s topline should be straight from the withers to the loin, with a slightly sloping croup. The tail may be carried level or raised in a scimitar fashion when excited. It should never curl to touch the back or be raised at the base (gay tail). The tail should reach only to the hocks, which, given the length of the thigh, can make it appear short. The dog’s underline slopes up to a slight tuck-up. The Lagotto Romagnolo has a slightly longer thigh that should be well-muscled. The thigh should not be so long as to lose the well-defined angulation. The hocks should be perpendicular to the ground. In movement, the Lagotto Romagnolo should cover a lot of ground effortlessly and be full of energy, never appearing lumbered or clunky. Reach and drive should be apparent, balanced with forequarters that are a little more upright than many breeds, while still maintaining a laid-back shoulder.

The neck should be oval, muscular, and powerful, demonstrating an athletic appearance. A proper neck should never be short or stocky, like that of a Pug. The length of the neck should be equal to the total length of the head (from muzzle to the occipital ridge) and never elongated. In profile, there should be a slight arch from the nape. Proper neck length can be easily assessed using hand measurement compared to the head length.

In temperament, the Lagotto fits into the sporting group well; it is energetic, intelligent, and has much endurance. The ideal Lagotto has an effervescent personality that will dazzle you, despite or because of its rustic appearance. Please take time to meet a Lagotto Romagnolo if you can. This is a dog that can be a true delight to judge. We’ll see you in the ring!

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History of The Lagotto In the United States

These wonderful compact curly-coated water dogs emerged from the truffle regions of Italy decades ago, but are not recorded as arriving on USA soil until the 1990s. The Lagotto is the only breed of dog in the world recognized as a specialized truffle hunter. The first US litter was born in 1999. A Yahoo Group for the breed was established in 1999. Early imports included Truffie who won Best in Show at an ARBA show in 1998. The breed was accepted into the AKC Foundation Stock Service in 2001. In 2007, a small group formed what is now the Lagotto Romagnolo Club of America with a charter membership of 39 persons.

The first American-bred champion was Jamboree Bella Nina competing in IABCA shows in 2010. In 2011, AKC recognized the club as the parent club for the breed. The breed became eligible to compete in AKC companion events in 2008, Open Shows in 2011, and Miscellaneous Class in 2013, ultimately entering regular conformation competition in 2015. The first AKC Champion was Terzo Kleo of Golden Comfort. The LRCA emphasizes the natural rustic nature of our breed and strives to keep the breed true to its roots of water retriever and truffle hunter, stressing that it should be shown in the ring in that look; no fluffing or exaggeration. Following are stories from our first National Specialty Winner, one who competes in conformation and actively hunts truffles, and one who actively shows in conformation and companion events. This smart, active, and sturdy breed is rustic, loyal, and simply a delightful companion.

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Key Changes to Understanding the Lagotto Romagnolo Standard

The Lagotto Romagnolo has a new AKC Breed Standard in place as of March 2020. Unfortunately for all, this occurred during quarantine when not a lot of opportunities were available to talk about the changes—and exactly what we were referring to with a variety of word choices and changes in phrases. We want to take a moment to review three areas of the standard that seem to still need clarifying: The addition of the word “Gray”; the Reverse Scissor Bite; and the concept of “Rustic” presentation as it applies to grooming.

So, our standard has been revised… is that cheering we hear? For the last seven years, I have heard from many judges that our Lagotto Romagnolo standard was so complicated that you needed a protractor to understand what was expected to examine our breed. The purpose of the breed revision was not to change what we hope to present to you as judges, but instead, to make it more user-friendly and keep with the intent of the original Italian standard. The changes that were made were in hopes of allowing you, as judges, more time to evaluate the dogs’ conformation without having to spend extra time hunting for dewclaws or taking time to count teeth in your endeavor to check for DQ’s. These changes keep us in line with the Italian/FCI Standard and DQ’s for the Lagotto.

One of the things that may not be as clear with our new change (unless you read through the new color description) is the DQ for Black or… and here may be a confusing part… Gray.

Gray

Color: Lagotti can be an off-white solid color, white with brown or orange patches, brown roan, orange roan, brown, orange, or sable (in different shades), with or without white. Some dogs have extremities darker than their body color. Tan markings (in different shades) are allowed. The colors have a tendency to fade, sometimes to such an extent that the brown areas can appear as silvery/gray roan. All the above colors are equally desirable, including the faded or diluted colors. Disqualification: “Black or gray coat or patches; black pigmentation.” So, in one sentence, the Standard says: “The colors have a tendency to fade, sometimes to such an extent that the brown areas can appear as silvery/gray roan. All the above colors are equally desirable, including the faded or diluted colors.” Then we have a DQ for Gray… The issue here is that the faded coat can look silvery gray. These faded coats are not shades of black, which is the intent of the DQ here. Often what is perceived as “Gray” is, in reality, the mixture of a variety of hair types and hair colors. The wiry hair that is present throughout the coat on mature dogs is often white, thus adding a “frosty appearance” to the dog. Careful examination will show that it is, in fact, a mixture of white hairs and brown hairs—NOT individual hair shafts that are gray in color. Included here are examples of dogs that are faded brown, but are not gray.

The Bite

We are still hearing of judges who are calling a reverse scissor bite an undershot bite. Our Standard clearly states: Disqualification: “…undershot bite… (where the incisors do not touch those of the opposing jaw).” For the Lagotto Romagnolo, a truly undershot (and DQ) bite is where there is space between the upper and lower incisors. The revision to the standard has tightened up our definition of the bite, which used to allow some space and now does not. This bite is just as it sounds; the lower incisors come up over the upper incisors, tightly. This is a perfectly acceptable bite. Specimens with a reverse scissor bite should NEVER be ignored in favor of dogs with minor and major faults. As a reminder: Please note that we are no longer a full mouth exam; front and side checks of the bite will suffice.

Being Rustic

One of the things we are always asked about is grooming. What makes a dog “rustic” and another dirty? What makes a dog groomed to perfection and another overdone and sculpted? The Standard says: “Hair should be of wooly texture, semi-rough on the surface. Topcoat should be quite thick, and undercoat visible… A correct coat is never luxurious or shiny.” A correct coat is the product of two things; texture and curl. The undercoat must not be pulled out, it should be visible. Parting the hair lightly should not reveal the skin. From the Standard: “The Correct trim must always be unpretentious, and contribute to the natural, rustic look typical of the breed.” The cut of the dog follows the form of the body. Except for the head, the body should be approximately the same length all over, which is up to 1.5 inches in length. (For many of us, this is approximately the same length as dipping your pinky finger into the coat and having it reach the second knuckle.) This includes the leg furnishings. Leg furnishings that flow or move when the dog moves are TOO LONG. However, it must always be long enough to curl. Different types of curl do affect the grooming. A mature Lagotto coat happens between age two and three. Usually, it appears on the withers and spreads down the back and up the neck, and finally down the legs.

A Lagotto may have large curls (size of a dime) or small ones (pencil eraser), and anything in between. All are correct. Depending on the individual, you may see puppies that don’t appear to have good curl. But, if they have been prepared correctly, i.e., drip-dried, you should be able to dip your fingers down into the coat and feel the hair separating into little groups (like a strand of yarn) where the hair is coming together to make/begin to make curls. The grooming of these dogs should never remind you of a topiary sculpture, perfectly clipped, with curls present only at the tips of the hair. Curls, whatever their size, should be visible and go all the way to the skin itself. The coat must not be blown out—especially the legs! Our standard clearly says that overgroomed or incorrectly groomed dogs are to be penalized: “Corded dogs or excessively groomed dogs (sculpted or blown out) should be so severely penalized as to be eliminated from competition.” Please do not encourage such practices in your judging. Dogs that are presented to you in this manner have deprived you of the chance to evaluate their unique coat. This is a defining feature of the breed, and we must not lose it in a cloud of hair products and procedures.

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The Early Years

As far as we’re aware, the first Lagotto Romagnolo imported into the United States was somewhere in the 1980s. Sadly, the details of dog and owner have been lost through time but was said to be imported by an airline attendant.

It was the late 1990s before we have information on dogs being imported and bred in this country. Since that time, the Lagotto has become a fully recognized breed with the AKC, and currently resides at No. 80 in popularity. (Please, God, don’t let us go much lower!!)

Before AKC recognition, Lagotti Romagnoli were seen occasionally in ARBA, IABCA, and UKC shows. One of the earliest Lagotti to hit the show rings was “Truffie,” owned by the late Quentin and Betsy LaHam. Truffie was an ARBA Best in Show winner. It certainly makes you wonder if the future would have been a little smoother for the breed had these early pioneers, who were both AKC judges, not been tragically killed in a car accident.

Beginnings of a Club

Breeding in the US can be traced back to the first litter arriving in 1999 in Tennessee. The Lagotto Club of America (now the Lagotto Romagnolo Club of America) had its beginnings in an email chat group. Once notified that a major magazine was getting ready to do a feature on the breed, they sprang into action to fend off misinformation by forming a club and that could help protect the breed in this country. This early group of fanciers formed committees on health and breed information, and began the steps that would eventually lead them to becoming the parent club of the breed. The Lagotto was officially welcomed into Companion Events in 2007. We entered the Miscellaneous Group in 2013, and full recognition followed in mid-2015. The first National Specialty was held in Spring 2016.

Since that time, we have had our first AKC Best in Show winners; five of them to date. The most famous of which, “Orca,” GHCP Kan Trace Very Cheeky Chic, went on to win Best in Show at Crufts in 2023. Though Orca is not an American-bred or owned dog, she has spent considerable time in this country and certainly can be said to have raised the profile of the breed worldwide with her happy, wagging tail and enviable show record both in the States and in Europe. When I first attended the Annual Raduno in Italy in 2010, it was almost unheard of for a non-Italian-bred dog to have any chance of winning a placement or significant award. Throughout the 2010s, this began to shift as dogs from Sweden, the Netherlands, and Germany began to do well at what we might call “The Italian National.” In 2023, a dog from the US, GCH Horizon’s All American, “CHIP,” traveled to Italy with his American team and won Best in Show!

Not to be outdone, on the performance side of the breed equation Lagotti have taken to scent sports with a vengeance! Tracking championships (CT) have been earned by three dogs, and Detective Level titles in Scent Work have also been earned by three dogs. Things have been slightly slower in the Obedience arena, though two dogs have earned the Utility Dog title. The Lagotto Romagnolo Club of America has established a Versatility Awards program and this has helped to remind owners that Lagotti can (and should!) do everything. GCH MACH Allegro’s Lock Stock And Barrel CD RE MXB MJSMFB T2B SWD SWME RATO CGC TKI is an exemplary example of the breed’s ability to excel in many different venues—and look good doing it!

Global Community

Through it all, US Lagotto breeders and owners have maintained relationships with a worldwide network of Lagotto fanciers. We are waiting to see what the proposed CDC importation guidelines will do, as we have enjoyed very fertile relationships with breeders all around the globe. Certainly, the rise of social media has aided our attempts to make the Lagotto Romagnolo the same dog worldwide. Many US breeders enjoy relationships with mentors in Europe and Scandinavia. In 2020, Gilberto Grandi of Italy published My Lagotto Romagnolo in both Italian and English, detailing both the early history of the breed (of which he is a very big part!). Detailed drawings highlight errors in judging the breed, from proportion to grooming. It is a wonderful, charming read and one of the few books on the breed available in English. Katrien von Gemert (Kennel Rozebottels in the Netherlands) produced a book in 2020, Lagotto Romagnolo Grooming: The Art of Keeping It Rustic, teaming with Camilla Backman of Sweden (Kennel Gleska). The two have also produced the book, Lagotto Romagnolo Italian Champions (1993-2018). This exhaustive work shows all the dogs attaining an Italian Championship during those years, complete with their pedigree and color photographs. These books are invaluable to students of the breed.

Another important global project that is based in the US is The Lagotto Romagnolo Foundation, Inc. Founded in 2016, The Foundation focuses on four keys areas concerning health, temperament, and research into genetic diseases as well as providing educational resources to breeders and potential owners. They have also produced bilingual videos on health issues affecting the Lagotto. Their current work includes creating a worldwide database of the breed with pedigrees and health records, and working with researchers worldwide to look for genetic markers.

We are in a unique position as a new and lower entry breed in that the people who brought this breed back from the edge of extinction in the 1970s are, largely, still here and willing to mentor us. In 2018, members of the LRCA Judges Education Committee spent an entire day with Gilberto Grandi going over our new proposed AKC Breed Standard. Personally, this was an experience I’ll never forget. Gilberto is a kind and humorous teacher, and we were able to consult the original Italian Standard and talk about what things meant (which included removing the “innocent word” undemanding from our Standard, as it just does NOT translate into its true meaning in English. What they were getting at has to do with adaptability to circumstance and being easy keepers in terms of food. Our efforts were further gone over by Dr. Giovanni Morsiani (whose father wrote our original Breed Standard). This work culminated in the revised Standard that was approved in 2020. In 2023, the LRCA’s Illustrated Breed Standard Committee completed work with an illustrator and hopes to complete the text and layout in this coming year.

The first 25 years in the US have been important ones. Where will we focus ourselves for the future? Continuing to connect with our global community of Lagotto lovers is certainly going to be central to creating and maintaining a healthy, wonderful dog.

Through it all, US Lagotto breeders and owners have maintained relationships with a worldwide network of Lagotto fanciers. We are waiting to see what the proposed CDC importation guidelines will do, as we have enjoyed very fertile relationships with breeders all around the globe.

The post The Lagotto Romagnolo: The First 25 Years in the US – Where Will the Next 25 Take Us? appeared first on Showsight Magazine.

One of the most popular designer dogs in the United States is the “doodle.”

While technically not a recognized dog breed, the doodle’s popularity cannot be denied and countless people enjoy their dogs as family pets. Among the more common doodles are the Labradoodle, Bernadoodle, Goldendoodle, and Shepadoodle.

Doodles, however, can present a few issues due to the unpredictability of crossing breeds willy-nilly. The truth about these purportedly non-shedding dogs is that, although many grow up to be compatible in a variety of family situations, some of the puppies are produced by inexperienced backyard breeders with little understanding of canine health and genetics.

For those looking for a similar type of dog but with a well-established background and pedigree, there are a number of established doodle look-alikes that can provide a reliable option for anyone considering a curly-coated companion. Here’s a look into three of these remarkable breeds.

Lagotto Romagnolo

The Lagotto, as it is more commonly and affectionately referred to by those who enjoy these rustic dogs, may be the breed that most resembles a doodle. This Italian breed features a similar type of coat texture and body structure, and is frequently mistaken for a “designer dog.” However, the Lagotto has a working history and is known as Italy’s most precious “Truffle Dog.”

According to the AKC Breed Standard, male Lagotti stand between 17 and 19 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh between 28.5 and 35 pounds. Females typically measure from 16 to 18 inches tall and weigh anywhere from 24 to 31 pounds. The Standard describes the Lagotto as “tractable, undemanding, keen, affectionate, and extremely attached to its owner… and easily trained.”

Unlike doodles, the Lagotto Romagnolo is an ancient breed with a lot of history behind its curly appearance. The breed originated from retrieving water dogs in several regions of Italy, including Comacchio and Ravenna. The Lagotto’s former hunting instinct has been modified by careful selection so that the dog is not distracted by the scent of game. Instead, a very good nose and natural gift for searching have made the breed extremely efficient at finding truffles, a culinary delicacy. And at the end of a busy workday, the Lagotto makes an ideal companion and an excellent watchdog.

Spanish Water Dog

The Spanish Water Dog (SWD) resembles the Lagotto Romagnolo in addition to many of the doodle mixes. This breed comes in a variety of the same colors that the designer dogs do; however, for Conformation show dogs it is considered a disqualification for a SWD to be tan-point, tri-color, parti-color where one of the colors is not white, or Albino. Smooth or wavy coats are also a disqualifying physical trait.

As defined by the AKC Breed Standard, males of this breed stand between 17.5 and 19.75 inches tall at the withers. Females typically measure between 15.75 and 18 inches tall. The breed’s weight is not specifically distinguished, but it should be in direct proportion to the height of the dog.

Per the Standard, the temperament of the Spanish Water Dog is “faithful, obedient, lively, hard-working, and watchful.” The breed is further described as “highly intelligent with an outstanding learning ability. His loyalty and protective instincts make him a self-appointed guardian to his owner, his family and his property.” Like any good dog, this single-coated breed is very affectionate with everyone in the family.

Curly-Coated Retriever

Looking for more of a retriever-type of doodle doppelganger? Well, one old recognized breed that closely resembles a designer dog with shorter hair—but with a bit of a twist—is the Curly-Coated Retriever. The “Curly’s” distinctive coat is a mass of “small, tight, crisp curls” that protect the dog in the water and in all weather conditions. The breed’s overall structure is not very Poodle-esque, but is can resemble a clipped-down doodle.

According to the AKC Breed Standard, Curly-Coated Retriever males should measure between 25 and 27 inches tall, while females are slightly smaller in size, usually standing between 23 and 25 inches tall. The Standard also notes that Curlies of superior quality should not be penalized due to a shorter or taller stature.

The Standard describes the temperament of the Curly as “self-confident, steadfast and proud.” This is an active and intelligent dog that makes a gentle family companion and a determined, durable hunter. The breed has an independent nature and is often less demonstrative than the other retrievers, particularly towards strangers. Although the Curly might look like some Labradoodles, it is a distinctive breed with a determined independence and a uniquely curled coat.

These proud purebreds, and others like the Poodle, the Bedlington Terrier, and the Otterhound, are great alternatives to doodles and most certainly worthy of a closer look.

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The Lagotto Romagnolo is a dog that has been specially bred to find truffles on all kinds of terrain; it is the only breed in the world specialized in tracking down this precious tuber. A typical water dog of small-medium size, it is a light mesomorph with a rather stocky trunk. Its general appearance is rustic, strong and well-proportioned and its utility as a working dog is immediately obvious. The expression is one of attentiveness, intelligence and vivacity.

The Lagotto Romagnolo works enthusiastically and efficiently, making the most of its inherent search-and-find skills and excellent sense of smell. The hunting instinct has been suppressed so that it is not distracted by game. An affectionate animal, it forms a close bond with its owner and also makes a fine, easy-to-train companion.

The Lagotto Romagnolo has the restrained character of the true country dog, the typical appearance of a dog which has its roots in history and the gentle, attentive expression common to all dogs of Italian breed. A first glance gives an impression of something historic and archaic that has miraculously survived to the present day—a living challenge to time and history.

Many centuries ago the people of Italy developed a thriving trade with the Orient. This system of commerce involved continuous contact at every level, thus allowing the different populations to learn much about each others’ cultures and customs—and a knowledge of dogs was no exception to that rule. This explains why so many archaeological sites, especially in north-west Italy, have revealed the presence of various canine breeds, especially a small water dog with a bristly, crimped coat.

The Etruscan necropolis of Spina (near Ferrara) contains updated representations of hunting and fishing which consistently include a dog like the current Lagotto Romagnolo. The Etruscans reached the northern Adriatic between the sixth and fifth centuries BC and maintained commercial relationships with many Eastern nations; this favored the introduction of this group of dogs into the northern Adriatic region.

While it is true that the expansionism of many eastern populations was responsible for introducing these breeds as far afield as the British Isles, it should be noted that this happened centuries after the initial contact with Italian populations. When water dogs reached Spain via North Africa at the time of the Moorish conquests, giving rise to the present-day Perro de Agua Español, they had already been on the Italian peninsula for centuries, especially in the wetlands and marshes of Romagna. It is thus quite probable that the Canis acquaticus of which Linneo spoke, defining it as having “been around for some time” in the Mediterranean Basin, is none other than our Lagotto Romagnolo. In its morphology, the drawing made by Linneo bears a striking resemblance to the curl-coated dog of Romagna.

Another painting from the 1600s shows an almost perfectly conformed Lagotto Romagnolo as the subject of a painting by il Guercino” Giovanni Francesco Barbieri.

Following the disappearance of the Etruscan civilization water dogs continued to flourish, remaining a common sight throughout Roman and medieval times, especially along the tract of coast that runs from Ravenna, through the Comacchio and Veneto lowlands to Friuli and the Istrian peninsula.

In the frescoes of the Bridal Suite of Palazzo Ducale dei Gonzaga di Mantova, created by Andrea Mantegna in 1456 there is, in the scene representing the “meeting”, at the feet of the marquis Ludovico III Gonzaga, a dog which is apparently the same as today’s Lagotto Romagnolo. From the 16th century onwards books on folklore, local culture, customs and hunting are full of citations that mention the utilization of a small curly-coated dog used to retrieve water game.

These dogs carried out a number of activities, providing support for the vallaroli (or “lagotti”), picturesque folk who, prior to the sweeping land reclamation of the late 19th century, were the real soul of those game-rich lagoons. The vallaroli, who were granted use of the famous “tinelle” or “botti” (marshland hides made from barrels) for lowland hunting, generally accompanied the local gentry in the fascinating, yet difficult practice of hunting.

The vallaroli were also trained to find truffles: back then far less was known about truffles and they were far more abundant. The inseparable companions of the vallaroli were the small Lagotto Romagnolos, guardians of boat and house, and excellent retrievers (especially of coots) way back when hundreds of small boats would “beat” the hunting ground and surround and kill flocks numbering thousands. The Lagotto Romagnolo would, often for hours on end, dive into the water whatever the season, even breaking through ice to swim under it and drag the fallen birds back onto the shore (an activity made possible by the animal’s compactly crimped coat and thick undercoat which forms a water-repellent layer that keeps the water off the skin.

The name Lagotto Romagnolo derives, then, from its original “career” as a water dog. In the local dialect of the Romagna “Càn Lagòt” is synonymous with “water dog” or “wetland hunting dog with crimped, curly coat”. A sharp aptitude for searching, a steep learning curve and an unbeatable sense of smell, would, in time, make the Lagotto Romagnolo an efficient truffle-finder. Following the cleansings which, during several decades, constantly reduced the immense marsh of Comacchio and of Romagna, while making disappear almost completely the “Vallaroli”, Lagotto Romagnolo also gradually lost its function of water dog andspecialized gradually as a truffle dog.

The transition between these two functions ranges between 1840 and 1890. One can even affirm that during the time between the two world wars, almost all of the truffle dogs of the truffle hunters of Romagna and the adjacent areas were Lagotto Romagnolo. In subsequent decades the use of concrete pylons to support grapevines and the steady disappearance of woodland has made the truffle a somewhat rarer find, especially on the plain. The Lagotto Romagnolo then turned out to be the perfect choice for searching in hilly woodland and thorny scrub during the autumn-winter period on account of its tightly-knit coat.

Even as far back as 1920, the Lagotto Romagnolo was well known in the valleys of the Romagnolo Apennines, in the Valle del Senio, Valle del Lamone and especially in the Valle di Santerno. It should be born in mind that back then no-one was interested in the Lagotto Romagnolo as a pure breed: the existing breeds were considered to be more than sufficient and the cross-breeds were often even more appreciated on account of their robustness, character and resistance to disease. Truffle hunters have always bred their dogs on an entirely empirical basis (outside of any genetic rules), taking into account only the immediate, practical outcome: a brilliant truffling dog, whether Lagotto Romagnolo or not.

In this manner, Lagotto Romagnolo, which had arrived in the valleys of Romagna “fixed” by the continuous couplings in narrow consanguinity carried out by the “Vallaroli” of the marshes of Comacchio started “to be polluted” by constant and unjustified introductions of foreign blood. However, merit where merit is due: the truffle hunters of that period did not let our Lagotto Romagnolo fall by the wayside, allowing it to survive—almost by miracle—to the present day in near-perfect phenotype and genotype form.

Towards the mid 1970s a group of Romagna-based dog lovers decided to save the breed, which was risking extinction as a result of the incompetence, ignorance and negligence of owners: The group was led by the gentlemanly Quintino Toschi, President of the local dog society and the E.N.C.I. breeder and judge Prof. Francesco Ballotta (who still remembered the Lagotti Romagnolo of his youth perfectly).

They were supported by dog expert, judge and world-famous breeder Dr. Antonio Morsiani and Lodovico Babini, a Romagna-born dog lover with extensive experience. They were to set a genetic reconstruction program in motion that would save the Lagotto Romagnolo from the one-way tunnel to extinction. The reunification of the two parallel stories of the Lagotto Romagnolo – the one that took place in the wetlands and the one that took place on the Apennine hills—were to lay the basis for the renewed purity of the breed.

With the founding of the Club Italiano Lagotto (C.I.L.) in Imola in 1988, which now has 300 members all over the world, a firm foundation for official acknowledgement of the breed on the part of E.N.C.I. and F.C.I. was created. Official recognition by E.N.C.I., with approval of the morphological Standard drawn up by Dr. Antonio Morsiani (following years of biometric measurements on hundreds of subjects), was achieved in 1992. In 1995, thanks to the constant dedication of the Club and its technical bodies, provisional international recognition by F.C.I. was won.

In the meantime the breed has enjoyed European and even worldwide success and the number of pups registered at the various F.C.I., British and American Kennel Clubs is constantly growing. For example, in Italy, 545 pups were registered in 1994 and nearly 900 in 2002—a near-doubling of births in just 9 years. In countries such as Switzerland, Finland, Sweden, Great Britain the number of registered pups has increased tenfold—and in some cases a hundredfold. The rapid international diffusion of the breed is highlighted by the constantly increasing number of pup registrations in countries such as Switzerland, Holland, Germany, France, Finland, Great Britain, Australia, and The United States.

In order to safeguard and coordinate proper morpho-functional selection at international level 1997 saw the establishment of U.M.LAG (World Union of Lagotto Clubs—Unione Mondiale dei Club Lagotto Romagnolo), the president of which is Dr. Giovanni Morsiani. Lagotto Clubs in all the above-mentioned countries are members of this association and there is a constant stream of affiliation applications from new clubs all over the world. To safeguard the breed against hereditary pathologies, the Italian Lagotto Club has, since 1992, been involved in the official control of hip dysplasia in collaboration with the Centro di Lettura (Analysis Centre) directed by Dr. Cesare Pareschi of Ferrara.

The C.I.L. recently acknowledged E.N.C.I. directives vis-à-vis hereditary genetic disease control, providing the Centro di Lettura with the support of the F.S.A. (Animal Health Foundation) of Cremona, directed by Dr. Aldo Vezzoni. The Club’s Technical and Health Commission has, for years now, been carrying out careful in-the-field checks and controls as regards the most common hereditary diseases affecting water dogs with continuously-growing curly coats. Other checks are regarding the main hereditary eye diseases and some heart conditions.

In order to maintain the original working capacity of the Lagotto Romagnolo, the “Quintino Toschi” Italian Lagotto Club has, for some years now, organized truffle-finding (working) aptitude tests and trials throughout Italy and has obtained excellent results in terms of both quantity and the perfecting of the breed’s functional qualities. This allowed us to draw up a Working Standards Proposal for the breed (together with Working Trial Regulations) that the Club sent to E.N.C.I. in 1999.

Over recent years we have also trained Club judges to carry out the above Working Trials. At the annual C.I.L. Working Championships, disputed since 1999 in those Italian regions with good truffle terrain, a good number of dogs—from both Italy and abroad – participate in the skills section and are also entered in the “aesthetic” exhibitions. We believe this to be a clear sign of appreciation of our desire to maintain the original working characteristics of the breed. The skills tests allow the Clubs to monitor not only the morpho-functional characteristics of the breed, but also character, which has always been one of the Lagotto Romagnolo’s strong points.

From a morphological viewpoint the Lagotto Romagnolo has, over recent years, been consolidated even further. Our frequent, in-depth biometric checks made at conventions, rallies and Club meetings have highlighted that the breed’s morpho-functional characteristics are perfectly in line with the official morphological standard drawn up in 1991 by Dr. Antonio Morsiani. For some time now, the Lagotto Romagnolo has shown good overall homogeneity, with constant transmission of characteristics down through the bloodline.

A few years ago we contacted E.N.C.I.,suggesting that the morphological standard be clarified by two additional observations vis-à-vis grooming and color of the coat. This has become necessary to prevent dangerous deviations from the breed’s true rustic nature which can be induced by exaggerated, non-functional grooming by professional handlers both Italian and foreign. Otherwise, the original Italian Standard is—and remains—the ideal portrait of our breed.

The Lagotto Romagnolo: History and the Future – Showsight Magazine January 2020 Issue

Lagotto Romagnolo Dog Breed Magazine

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Interview with Owner Handler, Erin Fogg

Where do I live? How many years have you been an Owner Handler?

Erin Fogg: I live in Portland, Oregon, and I have been an Owner Handler for four years.

How did I get my start in my breed? In the sport?

Erin Fogg: My start in the sport came before my start in Lagotti [Lagotto Romagnolo]. I am a groomer by trade. A gentleman walked into my salon with a 12-week-old Portuguese Water Dog, CH Cold Iron’s Warm Heart, and said, “This is my first dog and he has a show contract. I want him groomed every two weeks; can you help?” I was not taking any new clients, but you just don’t turn that opportunity away!

At some point, I met Wilson’s breeder, Robin Huested of Cold Iron PWDs. I mentioned I was interested in showing and she encouraged me to show him. I only did so a few times, but I got the bug! I will always be grateful to Robin for her encouragement and willingness to let me try. About the same time that I was catching the dog show bug, I also started to groom competitively. My wife and mentor in the grooming world, Michell Evans, encouraged me to seek out breeders and handlers to help me learn show grooming, which is similar to competitive grooming. Michell also introduced me to Irish Water Spaniels, which I would say is my original breed.

I met an Irish Water Spaniel breeder, Melissa (Missy) McMunn, on the East Coast who gave me an opportunity to help her show her dogs at the Maryland Sporting Dog show. I fell in love with one of her bitches, GCH CH All Green Wi’Envy V Alpha Nordic CD RE RATN DS CGCA TKN (Jade). Missy agreed to let me take “Jade” to the West Coast for the IWS National Specialty in 2019. Jade ended up staying with us for about five months and I had the privilege of showing her most of that time. The dog show bug had gotten a lot stronger!

Somewhere in all of this, my mother, Pam Fogg, lost her Yellow Lab, and about six months later, decided to get a new dog. She really wanted a non-shedding “mix breed.” I asked her to please consider a purebred dog. Mom took the AKC breed finder test and sent me a text in the middle of the night which read, “Lagotto Romagnolo.” She then discovered that it would be a two year wait!

We did some networking, and a friend of mine, Faith Langford, told me to contact Lynn Looper, a Border Terrier breeder, AKC judge, and past AKC Gazette columnist. Lynn was about to have her first Lagotti litter. I reached out to Lynn and told her how I really wanted to show dogs and would she consider my Mom and I for a show quality Lagotto? Well, Lynn took a leap of faith. Mom picked “Picasso” up in August and I began showing him in January of 2019!

Have I always loved to show dogs? Have I always been a dog person?

Erin Fogg: I did not even know about the dog show world until my early forties, but I have loved it since I discovered it! As far as being a dog person, I only remember a few times in my life without a dog by my side. I wasn’t happy. As a groomer, owner handler, and hopefully someday, a breeder, I can say unequivocally that dogs are my passion.

Is there a story behind my decision to show my own dog?

Erin Fogg: I wouldn’t have it any other way! At least not with Picasso. He is the first champion I finished myself. No one else has ever walked in the ring with him. There are a few times my mentor and friend, Stacy Duncan, and I almost chose for her to take him in because the struggle to finish him was “real.” But every time, Stacy would ask, “Will you regret it as soon as it is done?” I am so thankful that I listened to her, and to my heart, and finished Picasso myself! I had to learn a ton about how to present my dog, and have my hopes dashed over and over, but I am a better handler and human for the experience!

We lacked majors in the Pacific Northwest while I was showing Picasso to his championship. I had to travel to California and Florida to try to finish him. Every time we traveled to an opportunity for a major it would require him to go Best of Breed or Best of Opposite Sex at shows like Woofstock, the Northern California Sporting Dog show, or The National Championship cluster. Stacy kept teaching me and telling me that as soon as he gets out of the classes, you two will do great. Stacy was right!

At the National Specialty in 2022, Picasso finished his championship at the first supported entry as Best of Winners. He was awarded Select Dog his first day in the ring as a Special, and on his second day as a Special he was the first Owner-Handled Lagotto to win a National Specialty! Can you imagine the journey I would be missing if I had let someone else show him?

What makes showing my own dog so special to me?

Erin Fogg: Picasso is the culmination of my journey in the dog world today and the first step in my journey going forward. I have learned so much and been supported by so many people while learning and growing with him. He just loves to show and I love being at the end of his lead. He absolutely makes my heart sing. And to share him with my mother and have this journey with her, well, that has made it divine!

In my opinion, is there a secret to having a great dog/handler partnership?

Erin Fogg: Great mentors! People you respect and can receive constructive criticism from. Even the best pros have mentors they rely on to help them tweak their dogs. I have watched it. When you think you have nothing more to learn is when you lose. Most of all, though, have a good time!

Do I compete in the National Owner Handler Series? If so, for how many years?

Erin Fogg: I do and I have, ever since I started showing Picasso in 2019.

What goals did I set for myself and my dog in 2022? What about 2023?

Erin Fogg: I left Orlando last year heartbroken that Picasso was not a champion and had not won the NOHS Finals in our breed, but it’s the best thing that ever happened to me. Stacy offered to teach me how to show Picasso, and I grabbed that and ran. My goal was to finish his championship and to return to Orlando as the No. 1 Owner-Handled Lagotto. We did that and more!

I don’t have goals yet for 2023. We still have business to finish in 2022. Orlando, here we come!

Am I going to Orlando? If so, what’s it like to have a top NOHS dog this year?

Erin Fogg: We are Orlando bound! It has been an amazing ride this year. The NOHS Group ring kept me driven when I was discouraged. I will always be grateful for a playing field to learn in.

Just for laughs, do I have a funny story that I can share about my experiences as an Owner Handler?

Erin Fogg: I have too many to pick just one! I want to thank my Mom for sharing Picasso with me and letting me travel the world with her best buddy! I want to thank Michell for always doing Picasso’s show grooming, and Stacy for never accepting anything but our best and knowing when our best could be better! I am so grateful for everyone who has cheered us on! The sky is the limit!

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