Health

The health of the dog Lagotto Romagnolo. From Genesis, think mates only among certified reproducers as healthy.  The search for healthy puppies grown with the care and attention necessary to their proper development. Nutrition and health certificates. The dangers for the dog up to the hygiene of the puppies and Lagotto romagnolo adults.

Sterilizing your own female

Lagotto Romagnolo female sterilization

 

A few years ago spaying the female dog was always recommended by veterinarians. It could be debated whether to do it before or after, but on whether to do it the collected opinions were always in favor of sterilization.

In our article a few years ago we had already given our views on sterilization. We had tried to provide useful information for an informed decision.

One of the main topics was on when to spay one’s dog. Our concern was mainly due to early sterilization being proposed to some of our puppy owners.

The topic is still current, in fact many of our Lagotto owners ask us for our views. I invite them to read that article.

Instead, today we wanted to write about some different indications we are getting from veterinarians.

There seems to be a real diatribe between the old school of thought and the more modern school of thought on the necessity of spaying.

In addition, it is important to choose how to spay our dog.

Should I sterilize my dog?

A few years ago, as precisely stated in the introduction, the answer was trivially YES!

Today the guidance we get from the veterinary hospital at which we serve has changed somewhat. In fact, there is no particular reason not to do it. Especially if we use modern technologies that have virtually no risk and are minimally invasive.

However, the main reason for female dog owners to have spay/neuter is somewhat dropped. That is, the risk of cancer in a female who does not reproduce regularly.

Today the guideline from veterinarians fresher than recent studies is:

The risk of tumor is really high in females who have hysterical pregnancies after heat.

The risk of cancer is virtually zero in females that do not have hysterical pregnancies.

According to this new guidance, the answer to the question of whether I should spay my dog becomes open and arguable.

Sterilization with Laparoscopy

To proceed with laparoscopic sterilization, we need to go to a Veterinary Hospital. Hardly a veterinary clinic or veterinary practice will have the equipment, which is very expensive, to do this type of surgery.

By ultrasound, it is checked if the uterus is in good condition and has no tears

If so, it does not need to be removed, one can proceed with cin laparoscopic surgery to remove the ovaries. The result for the purposes of cancer risk and cessation of heat and hysterical pregnancy is the same.

Laparoscopic surgery is generally somewhat more expensive than classical surgery. The advantages in our opinion are enormous.

Two very small cuts are made for the insertion of the probe. In contrast we will have a cut with about 13 stitches all along the abdomen.

 

Our last females who arrived at the end of their breeding career, 5 litters maximum in life as per code of ethics, had laparoscopic surgery.

Truly a joy. The last one was Mocha. Taken by the nurse at 2 p.m. and returned at 4 p.m. She was jumping and playing. She was happy to see me.

The dog after surgery is like she did nothing.

Do you want tocompare with Elizabethan collar, days off, difficulty in movement?!

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Pregnancy and Hysterical Pregnancy

Dog pregnancy

The dog’s pregnancy lasts 63 days from the day of ovulation. This is a very precise figure. It is all about identifying the day of ovulation. Blood tests carried out in laboratories are able within a few hours to provide the level of Progesterone and thus the exact day of ovulation.

Proceeding with the help of science allows us to plan mating correctly and, more importantly, to know the date of birth. We can then be ready for any eventuality.

There is also additional information that can be gathered in the days leading up to the calving, so that we know how best to assist in the happy event.

Breeding is our profession, and as in all professions experience and preparation are essential for the end result. In our case, being up to the mark is very important because our mistakes are paid for by our animals, our Lagottos and their puppies.

For this reason we are necessarily strongly opposed to improvised and do-it-yourself litters. There are many sad testimonies of those who have ventured into this experience in ignorance.

A pregnant dog will have to be handled differently. Diet, walks, supplements, games, everything changes during this period.

Childbirth marks the end of the pregnancy. An event full of emotion and adrenaline that must be followed personally with the utmost attention. Sometimes obstetrical manoeuvres or medicines are required to help our canine and her puppies. At other times, moving in time and reading every signal, we must necessarily ask for the help of the vet to proceed to a caesarean section.

Benefits of reproduction

A female who has had her litter has a remarkable change, also character-wise.

Becoming a mother is an experience that completes and matures.

The self-denial of the bitches near their puppies is surprising in the first days. The care and attention they have for their creatures. A process that is repeated with renewed wonder.

Reproduction is a request from Mother Nature that is repeated every 6 months. Man’s intervention is sometimes necessary to counter some merciless rules. Mothers must not be put at risk and weaker pups must be helped to live through and overcome the great physical stress of childbirth.

A series of virtuous acts must be performed during the dog’s pregnancy and during the birth.

With a slight twist, the sterilisation of non-breeding bitches should also be considered a virtuous act.

The consequences of repeated calving without resulting in pregnancy, as Mother Nature mercilessly demands, are the cause of probable tumours of the udder or serious uterine problems.

Hysterical pregnancy

Hysterical pregnancy in dogs can have mild or even severe symptoms. Psychological setbacks and mental stress undoubtedly add to the physical symptoms.

In correspondence with the heat and the hormonal peak, our dog can develop this desire to be a mother to the point of having all the symptoms.

What is most noticeable are the swellings of the udders which can even lead to the production of milk.

Fetishistic behaviour towards objects that are associated with puppies. The whole situation is unfortunate and a veterinary visit to rule out serious complications is always recommended.

Sterilisation also solves the problem in this case. Its benefits are manifold and extend the life of our dog.

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Lagotto Romagnolo Nutrition: Notions and Practical Tips

alimentazione lagotto romagnolo

Feeding your puppy: How and what.

sacco monge cuccioli lagotto

Puppy feeding Monge bag

In our kennel both for adult dogs but also for puppies we are using Monge or Royal Canin croquettes. For the feeding and weaning of puppies the product is Puppy and Junior Medium. In the picture on the right you can see the Monge bag with its colours so that it is easily recognizable. Monge has more tastes for puppies too, you can be wrong. Royal Canin has only Medium Puppy chicken nuggets. The prices are virtually identical per kilo of product, although obviously the larger bags significantly lower the price per kilogram.

It’s not a frequent occurrence but sometimes it happens that a weaning litter is not so enticing on a type of croquette and then we change, generally things get much better.

For those who want to stock up on croquettes in advance, simply ask us what brand of croquette we are using at that time.

We want the puppies to continue with this diet.

It is a certainty if the puppy loses some appetite due to the stress of insertion. Knowing for certain that the food is to his liking is an element of security. Changing food also leads to further discomfort for the dog. Changing food is not recommended during insertion.

For the quantities we should refer to the table on the back of the bag.

tabella alimentazione cuccioli crocchette monge

Monge rations table puppy feeding

In the picture beside I have put a zoom.

The first thing to look at is the adult dog’s weight. In the case of the Lagotto Romagnolo I have coloured in pink the column to follow for the females and in blue that of the males.

At this point the game is done! The rations we read are in grams and refer to the daily ration based on the months of the puppy’s life.

Up to the age of 6 months the ration will be divided into three meals with the convenient dispenser that is delivered at the farm. Better if moistened with water.

After six months the ration will be divided into two meals.

After 12 months we will switch to adult croquettes.

The above mentioned doses are a fairly precise reference. However, they do not take into account physical activity, season and metabolism, which can be different from puppy to puppy.

Usually the rations in winter are more abundant. The cold makes them consume more. In summer they are slightly reduced.

Weight control of the Lagotto puppy

Palpate the puppy along the hips. The fantastic curly hair of the Lagotto can be deceiving. Evaluating the shape of a shaved dog is quite simple. For the Lagotto, no! Especially when it is a puppy with fur.

We’ll weigh the puppy to see if growth is progressing regularly. He won’t have to gain weight too quickly. Even touch control is a good way to assess excesses.

Let’s try to see a normal weight gain for the Lagotto Romagnolo.

Theoretical considerations that can serve as a reference to evaluate the growth of the puppy or remove some doubts.

The puppy is given to the 10th week and its weight will be about 5 kilograms.

Until the 24th week the weekly weight increase will be almost constant.

It will reach 80% of its adult weight (around 500 grams per week for a Lagotto that will weigh 15 Kg when adult).

After the 24th week until the end of the year the weekly weight gain will still be constant but much less noticeable.

Just to give a reference we are in the order of 80 gr per week.

Foods forbidden for the Dog

There are foods that are harmful to dogs. It seems appropriate to report them:

  • Chocolate is extremely dangerous
  • Salt as it accumulates in the dog’s body due to the absence of sweating
  • Sweets in general are to be avoided.

Last recommendation are the delicacies, biscuits and hyper-points that we could use as prizes.

We must not satiate the Dog with these… I don’t get the term!

We risk providing him with an unbalanced excess of food. Different digestion times so that either the dog skips the meal or even worse, doubles it.

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Intestinal worms and parasites in dogs

Intestinal worms in the puppy

A few weeks after the birth of the litter we are inevitably confronted with the problem of worming. The mother’s milk is the medium by which the puppies are infested with roundworms or coccidia or tapeworms. The mother has been regularly treated but this is not enough.

All puppies will soon become infested just by suckling.

For a healthy growth already from the second week of life both the puppies and the bitch will follow a worming prophylaxis.

In the first few weeks the mother is completely responsible for the hygiene of the puppies, and in doing so inevitably enters the breeding cycle of these parasites.

The first three weeks of the puppies’ life are very demanding for the mother. The kittens need to be fed every two hours and all the nutrients come from the mother. It is a very stressful period. Little rest and lots of energy to raise the offspring.

No room for parasites and intestinal worms!

Worming the puppies and the mother is essential for raising healthy and strong puppies. These treatments are repeated throughout the breeding period of the young Lagotti.

The evaluation of the consistency of the faeces and the daily growth in weight are the first indicators of the work we are doing.

As the time for the first vaccinations approaches, stool examination becomes indispensable.

Puppy vaccines, like the multivalent vaccines, are based on the immune response. A healthy, strong puppy that does not waste its defences fighting unnecessary parasites will have a better chance of responding to the vaccine.

Vaccinating puppies with intestinal worms is theoretically useless. So not to be done in practice.

This is the main reason why special attention should be paid to worming and only vaccinate after a laboratory examination of the faeces.

A vaccinated puppy that has failed to create antibodies will still be vulnerable.

Lagotto Romagnolo intestinal parasites

Once the puppy leaves the kennel it will have had its first vaccine and a prophylaxis against worms and intestinal parasites.

The puppies have not been suckling for several weeks now. However, both puppies and adult dogs can still be infected with intestinal worms.

The vehicle by which parasites enter the dog’s intestines is faeces from other dogs or wild animals.

It is again the consistency of the faeces that tells us that an examination of the faeces is necessary.

The most suitable treatment and medication can then be identified. With a stool sample the vet can determine what kind of microscopic organism is present.

Diarrhoea and the presence of mucus in the faeces should alert us. Unjustified weight loss or vomiting becomes almost a certainty.

The moment when the Lagotto comes into contact with the parasites is not always so obvious. A dog that has not ingested infected faeces may still have soiled its paws while walking. It is the subsequent actions of scratching or cleaning the curly coat that leads to the mouth and ingestion……..

Sometimes in adult Lagotto the presence of intestinal worms is asymptomatic.

We have recently equipped ourselves with a machine to produce ozonated water. We have noticed great benefits in terms of sanitation and sterilisation of the environment.

A few days before the annual vaccine booster, you should always take a stool sample to your vet. This will avoid unnecessary vaccination of the dog.

Giardia

Giardia is a protozoan that lives in water. Dogs can be infected not only through the faeces of other animals, but also by drinking from puddles or by contact with infected urine.

Once giardia has been diagnosed, treatment is based on a deworming agent given over a longer period.

The most troublesome part is preventing the dog from coming into contact with the parasite again.

It will be necessary to:

  • Sanitise the environment where your Lagotto lives using bleach-based products.
  • Avoid frequenting contaminated environments where your dog is likely to have contracted giardia for the first time. Areas frequented by many dogs, for example, can pose a risk.

Unfortunately, the giardia parasite has a rather long life cycle, which requires special care to eradicate it.

Giardia can also affect humans. The treatment of Giardia for dogs is with Panacur tablets repeated over several days. ext

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Dandelions a danger to dogs and frequent with Lagotto

pericoli cane lagotto romagnolo forasacchi

Dandelions are the torture of spring and summer, in the countryside as well as in the city

The forasacs are those little spikes we see growing between the longest blades of grass. They are a real nuisance in the period from spring to summer.

We find them everywhere, in the countryside in meadows and woods, by the roadside as well as in gardens or flowerbeds in the city. They grow in places where the grass is not well cut, between nets or near pavements.

As long as they are green, the dandelions are not a danger.

The problem starts in hot weather. When they dry out and become stiff.

The forasacs split like a thousand-headed monster. As you try to destroy one of these spikes, it multiplies into other smaller spikes. All with the same characteristic.

They are tapered like a spear and with hard, tough little teeth they stick to the dog’s fur. They range in size from 1 to 3 centimetres.

It is their shape and teeth that allow the hairpin to advance. Very dangerous and frequent are the bores that enter the auricle. They also nest easily between the toes of the paws and can enter very quickly.

With the dog’s movement they continue forward until they pierce the flesh.

When Camilla, our vet, told me this, I didn’t want to believe it. It’s not frequent, but it happens that the forasacs manage to penetrate as far as the liver, the lungs, they advance inexorably.

All dogs are at risk from dandruff, and the Lagotto Romagnolo dog with its curly, woolly coat seems to be a real magnet for dandruff.

The most frequently affected areas are the ears, between the toes, under the armpits and generally where there is a flush.

The nose is a frequent risk area for many dogs. My Lagottos have never had to inhale a dandruff, so I’ve never had to worry about that!

As far as the ears are concerned, it is easy to tell when the dog has picked up a dandruff. He starts to shake his head or walks with it turned to one side.

We have equipped ourselves with a gima otoscope and special veterinary forceps so that we can remove the bores from the ear as soon as we notice them. Without these instruments it is not possible to remove the spikes from our dog’s ear. If the dog is used to being handled and stays still when we try to intervene, we have a good chance of success, even without sedatives. On the other hand, we will need the help of our vet.

The presence of boils between the toes or in other parts of the body is indicated by the dog licking or scratching himself repeatedly.

Unfortunately, I did not immediately notice the presence of a dandelion between the toes of one of my Lagotto’s legs. It is amazing how quickly the ear penetrates deep inside.

The dog licks itself repeatedly and will even try with its teeth to remove the ear. These behaviours indicate that something is wrong. The ear should be removed and the hole disinfected.

If you keep your Lagotto’s coat very short, there will be far fewer dandruff sticking to the hair that is no longer curly because of shearing. It will be easier to detect foreign bodies and remove them.

As soon as you have finished your walk, it is a good idea to check your four-legged friend for forbs.

The only defence we have against dandruff is to stay away from it. Check the coat of your Lagot after returning from a potentially dangerous walk.

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Treatments against dog parasites

Dog parasites: a danger for the Lagotto Romagnolo

Ticks, fleas, mosquitoes and parasites. These are the parasites that mainly infest our Lagotto Romagnolo in the period from spring to early autumn.

The last years are characterised by very long autumns and mild winters. The presence of these parasites and insects in many regions of Italy is now constant throughout the year. This means that prevention of diseases carried by parasites and mosquitoes must be constant.

Insects and parasites come into contact with the blood of our Lagotto Romagnolo, carrying diseases that are dangerous even for the life of our dog. Despite its thick, curly coat, the Lagotto Romagnolo is not immune.

Which diseases and complications are carried by parasites and insects.

Ticks and fleas can cause minor complications such as itching and inflammation. But also serious diseases such as anaemia and weight loss.

Mosquitoes and parasites carry terrible diseases. Diseases which, if not treated in time, have deadly consequences, such as Filariasis and Leishmaniasis.

Filariasis

It can occur months after the triggering event, a mosquito bite. The larvae settle in the dog’s skin. Through the circulatory system they travel up to the pulmonary artery and then to the heart.  The consequences can be lethal. It affects the heart and the respiratory system. Extremely expensive treatment does not always guarantee that our dog will be saved. There is a prophylaxis to protect your dog if it is bitten by an insect carrying the disease.

Leishmaniasis

It can take months before it is diagnosed. The earlier it is detected, the greater the chances of saving your dog. For Leishmaniasis there is NO specific prophylaxis to protect our dog once it has been affected. There are areas in Italy identified as being at risk of leishmaniasis. The only defence is to avoid our dog coming into contact with carrier insects. This is done through the constant use of repellents. If we live in areas where the disease is widespread, we must be even more careful. A vaccine has recently been released, the use of which is still under discussion among vets. The advisability of using these vaccines also depends on the size of the dog and should be assessed in consultation with your vet.

Antiparasitics for dogs: what and when

The stakes are too high on this subject. We must not be light-hearted and use the necessary preventive products regularly.

Specific pesticides and repellents for ticks, fleas and mosquitoes.

These are dosage or collar products. There are various brands. Collars provide longer coverage. They are preferable to avoid forgetting to repeat the treatment. However, it is not always possible to use them if your dog can take off the collar. Dosed products are generally monthly treatments.

Not all metered products are equally effective. You should always check for ticks or fleas and change the product if necessary. Make sure that the product you choose protects you against parasites and insects alike. Frontline or Advantix drops and the Serestro collar are the most commonly used products.

Ivermectin-based prophylaxis

These are monthly treatments.  They protect our dog from filariasis and other parasites that may have infested our dog. These are meat-based treats to be given monthly in quantities proportional to the dog’s weight. One of the most widely used products is Cardotek.

The treatment is able to eliminate the larvae of Filariasis present on our Lagotto Romagnolo before they develop. Before starting these treatments it is recommended to carry out tests. The tests are indicated by the manufacturers themselves to avoid complications. If you interrupt or decide for the first time to carry out filariasis treatments on an adult dog, you should always seek the advice of your vet.

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Processionary moth a danger to dogs

processionaria cane lagotto romagnolo

The processionary moth

The processionary moth is an insect which as an adult becomes a nocturnal butterfly, the famous moths. They move in rows across the ground up the trees where they form their nests.

The name is due to the typical movement in a line, like a procession.

Processionary moth nests are white hanks that we often see on pine trees and from which it is difficult to free themselves.

Their activity begins in March and mostly at night, when they reach the ground and bury themselves.

In July and August, when the temperature is higher, it is very easy to encounter them. In this season, when temperatures are high, they come out of the ground and with their typical single file movement climb up into the trees. Mainly pines, but not only.

The processionary moth is dangerous for all animals and also for humans. The stinging hairs of the processionary moth cause severe inflammation in contact areas.

The processionary moth and the dog

The matter becomes much more complicated when it comes to our four-legged friends. If a dog comes into contact with them, it is because it sniffs or tries to ingest these insects.

The areas that typically affect dogs are the mouth and nose. Two extremely sensitive areas that can have fatal consequences.

The tongue swells exaggeratedly, even to the point of asphyxiation. Salivation becomes exaggerated.

Stinging hairs can reach the oesophagus. Depending on the extent of the contact, the dog shows a whole series of symptoms, from exhaustion to fever, lack of appetite to diarrhoea.

If you notice the contact immediately, you should wash the affected area with plenty of water.

This will not be easy as the dog will be in great pain and will not be very willing.

If possible, the affected area should not be extended, and the oral cavity should be kept clean.

Veterinary care is urgently needed.

The danger of the hairy bristles of these caterpillars is also very high for humans and children in particular. The consequences always depend on the affected areas. Eyes, mouth and respiratory tracts also lead to serious consequences for humans.

Where and when we find the processionary moth

Getting rid of these insects once they are established near your home is not easy. It is the presence mainly in pines and pine forests that will make them difficult to eradicate. With great care and in the winter period the branches containing the nests must be cut and burnt.

From March to October it is possible to find these insects. In the presence of pine trees, but above all their nests are easy to spot.

It is the climatic conditions that favour the spread of these insects.

In Florence in March 2017 the problem had reached alert levels. The municipalities in the surrounding areas also intervened with extraordinary plans to rid the city of a veritable processionary moth invasion. It had already happened in October 2015.

A proliferation that also involved other municipalities in Emilia Romagna, Lombardy, Umbria, Veneto, Liguria and Trentino in the same period. A bit of all of northern Italy and part of the centre.

We always hope that our Lagottos do not have to experience this kind of thing. So much depends on us and our behaviour.

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The vaccines of the dog. Vaccinating a Lagotto puppy

Dog Vaccines and Socializing go hand in hand

The dog vaccines begin at our breeding farm and continue at the home of the new families. The timing of the vaccination protocol is one of the first questions that we are asked by the families who decide to welcome one of our puppy Lagotto Romagnolo.

The prophylaxis is not just one. Under the indications of our veterinarian we follow the prophylaxis recommended by WSAVA, World Veterinary Association for small animals, said in English sounds better.

The vaccination prophylaxis provides:

  • First Vaccine carried out on the kennel around 45-50 days
  • First Pentavalent vaccine carried out in the farm around 60-65 days
  • First Recall after 3-4 weeks
  • Second Recall 3-4 weeks after first Recall
  • Annual Recall

The first vaccination is carried out after 60 days.

The puppies in Tuscany, by regional law, can only be given after 60 days. More or less now is so in almost all regions. For a correct socialization it is important for us to keep the puppies in the breeding, close to the Mother, about ten more days.

It happens that we have to resist the pressure of the new families of puppies who would like their puppy from Lagotto Romagnolo as soon as possible.

Vaccinating the puppies before 60 days is impossible for us. We will have to change veterinarian.

Surely there are protocols to anticipate vaccines. It may not be the need to give up the puppies or pressure from the owners. In fact we, both to conclude the socialization and to follow the WSAVA guidelines, we respect the protocol.

Dog Vaccines and Health

A future mother should be vaccinated before she even goes into heat. In this case, during gestation and lactation antibodies are provided to her puppies.

This is the main reason why we should never anticipate the first vaccine. We risk a bleaching effect that will cancel the antibodies provided by the mother.

Before the vaccines, the puppies are wormed and faeces are tested to ensure the absence of worms. Periods of stress, such as leaving our farm in the next 4-5 days after vaccination, must be avoided. We are trying to vaccinate the puppy when his immune system is efficient.

Once the puppy has left our farm, it will have already carried out the first vaccine.

The new owner will have to make the first booster according to the above mentioned timing. This information is included in the health booklet that is delivered with the puppy.

How to behave after the first recall of the vaccine

Once the first recall has been made, the puppy will be able to freely attend other dogs.

We will be able to take him with us, everywhere and without any pathology.

Remains to avoid those situations that could lower the immune system.

To make our Puppy swim in the sea or in lakes or rivers, such as bathing him with complete hygiene without drying him thoroughly, can still be dangerous for the respect of the vaccination protocol. Cough or cold could lower the immune system and we should skip the last booster.

The prophylaxis would have to be repeated from the beginning. Do not give up!

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Allergy to the dog: Lagotto Romagnolo is a breed hypo-allergenic

Allergy to the dog hypoallergenic or anallergic?

Allergy sufferers to dogs are intolerant to allergens found on the dog’s skin or allergens found in the dog’s splitle. Its are two different allergies conveyed through the hair of the dog. In practice, close and prolonged contact should be avoided. The level of intolerance is decisive in understanding whether living with a dog is sustainable.

The symptoms and the level of reaction are completely subjective. The choice of having a dog must be assessed conscientiously by the direct concerned, preferably with the advice of a physician.

We often hear about breeds of dogs that are not-allergenic or hypoallergenic as if the two terms were synonymous, but it is not so! Hypoallergenic dogs. The suffix hypo means a lesser amount of allergens. In the case of mild forms of allergy with moderate symptoms, coexistence with a pet is sustainable and the resulting benefits can justify some little inconvenience. The difference between a dog that does not give allergies and one that disperdes a lesser amount of allergens may seem subtle, it is instead decisive for those who suffer from allergies. For this reason the opinion of a doctor and to know well ours subjective reactions is fundamental for those who decide to make the choice of a furry friend.

There are no allergy-free dog breeds.

The breeds of hypoallergenic dogs

It happens with a certain frequency that ask us if really the Lagotto Romagnolo does not lose hairs and does not molt. That’s right! It is often a great convenience if we live in the apartment. Other times it is a necessity. The desire to have a dog is strong right in the allergic people or in their cohabitants. We try to reconcile the desire to have a dog with intolerance and the consequent symptoms due to a generally mild allergy. Our lagotto attend our house, our living room and the couch. They lay down on our carpets and live our car. With certainty we can affirm the Lagotto Romagnolo is a dog does not lose hair. They are generally the curly-haired breeds that have this characteristic. They do not leave fur and have a lower flaking of the skin. Is it enough? Only the person concerned can know. The choice of having a dog pointing towards the hypoallergenic breeds is clearly personal and to be done on the basis of their own experiences and reactions.

When the allergy is due to allergens present in the saliva of the dog the matter is complicated.

The accommodation and availability of spaces can affect the final decision. Having a garden and the possibility to extensive spaces to the permanence of our dog can reduce the contact to make the coexistence between the person and the dog completely normal or acceptable. The pedigree in these situations is as much as ever recommended since we are looking for a morphological aspect typical of the breed.

Importance of the dog-man relationship

The dog needs the relationship with human and in particular with the people of the family who adopts him. It becomes difficult to encourage and in the same time discourage people with allergies to the dog to welcome one. On one side the reactions of allergic people are subjective. On the other side, our lagotto will need a lot of attention and pampering, as a puppy but also as an adult. A thorough assessment should be made on this point.

The family and the people who live the house will have to ensure the conditions to give the dog the behavioral serenity and the freedom he needs.

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Fur care: Grooming and shearing

Cura del pelo del Lagotto Romagnolo Toelettare e Tosare

The Lagotto Romagnolo does not lose hair. His cloak is one of the strengths of this breed. Who has a Lagotto Romagnolo does not find annoying hairs around the house, couch or car. Who has a Lagotto Romagnolo for truffles, with the management of shearing will have a dog suitable for all seasons. The Lagotto Romagnolo should not be brushed for any reason. Using combs with steel teeth not too sparse. The breed standard provides a curly coat and a rustic look.

The combing is targeted to keeping the hair clean and free of knots.

Behind the ears and under the armpits are the points where the hair felts more easily. Grooming should never be excessive. We must not confuse our Lagotto Romagnolo with a Poodle, I want not offend the owners of the Poodles. A small video that helps you understand how the main grooming operations take place. Operations we will however go below to describe specifically for the Lagotto Romagnolo.

Care of the mantle of a pet Lagotto

With the arrival of the heat and to renew the mantle an annual shearing it is necessary. The period generally coincides with the arrival of the heat may-June. With a short hair the Lagotto can walk and run for meadows without filling with annoying and dangerous pellets of grasses.

The fur on the head and on the legs grows slower. In these two areas the hair is kept slightly longer.

The tools needed for the management of the mantle are the shearer, the scissors and a comb.

  • The shearer must necessarily be professional otherwise after three shearing we have to throw it and we will never do a good job. The blades must be well oiled and usually 3mm high. An alternative it is to turn to dog grooming. Only a recommendation: give him a picture of the head lagotto, too often Lagotto exit as Poodles, but the Lagotto is another dog breed . The number of annual shearing is limited then it’snt so expensive.
  • The scissors can also be common scissors if we have no intentions to participate in shows. Sometimes it may be necessary to make small finishes. The grooming from shows is very complex and not all groomer know how to groom a Lagotto Romagnolo for show.
  • The comb as mentioned is a teeth not too sparse and steel. The purpose is to keep the hair clean and the hedgehog in order without knots.

If we exclude particular situations that have dirtied our dog indecently, the complete bath can be limited to once for year. When it must be evalueted according to the season. The conditions of the mantle particularly full of knots can induce us to an extraordinary bath. A conditioner can help to better untangle the knots. Then we can proceed with a slight lowering of the length of the hair.

Due to a different PH of the pet’s skin compared to humans, its should be used Dog products.

Care of the mantle of lagotto used for hunting truffles

The fur of the Lagotto Romagnolo is an important protection against water and cold.

With a thick coat, the lagotto enters in the stain to recover the most cramped truffles and easily exceeds the shrubs in the woods.

Usually we proceed with a couple of shearing for year. The first with the start of the warm season for the renewal of the mantle. It is then repeated in order to go in search of truffles in the summer. The short hair , let feel less the heat, its also are not filled with annoying and dangerous grasses and other seeds of the season.
In Tuscany from September begins the search for the white truffle. The arrival of autumn open all the regions to the white truffle, the Magnatum Pico. To be ready, the coat of the lagotto must be left growand not sheared for a couple of months. Conversely we will see our lagotto stop in front of the barrier of stain which typically protects the terrain where is the white truffle.

A truffle hunter who loves his lagotto will take care of the mantle weekly. After each exit check the need to wash the lagotto or a nice combed. Often he proceeds manually to remove grass or other seeds present in the fur

When the first grooming to a puppy of Lagotto Romagnolo

When it is the opportune time to have the first snip to the fur of the puppy of Lagotto it’s a controversial issue. Somebady believes grooming too early it can make the hedgehog lose. Others think a nice grooming strengthens the fur.
I do not think the hedgehog depends on when we cut for the first time the fur of our puppy. It depends on nature and how we will keep it in order with constancy. Around three months old we can strìart to shorten the length of the mantle. We remove the necessarily felted hair that the puppy has been wearing from birth. How much shortening depends substantially from circumstances.

The outside temperature, the climate and where the puppy spends most of the time are the elements to be assessed to decide how much to shorten the length of the mantle. He lives in the house or in the garden..

Grooming our Lagotto Romagnolo puppy with constancy accustomed him to this moment. Starting soonly he will get used to being handled being quiet.

Cleaning the ears of the Lagotto

The control and cleaning of the ears of Lagotto Romagnolo are operations to always keep in mind.

The curly hair around the ear can be a vehicle of infections and dirt responsible of otitis. The hair may form progressing towards the ear canal and be a vehicle for external bodies such as dangerous grass which can also cause serious damage.

The hair that forms on the ear-piece and near the ear canal must be removed.

The hair on the ear-piece and close to the ear canal must be removed. In the first few times the Lagotto will feel this practice strange and not be so available. Then, he will get used to it and will see benefits. Depending on the subjects we will also notice his inclination to get cleaned. In any case the cleaning of the ears does not cause pain. There are specific products for ear cleaning. Once product has been introduced into the auditory duct it must be massaged and then dried with cotton.

Internal cleaning with detergents is not a substitute for the removal of the hair which is still necessary.

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