The Lagotto Romagnolo: Italy’s Ancient Truffle-Hunting Treasure

Few dog breeds carry a heritage as rich and deeply rooted in Italian culture as the Lagotto Romagnolo, the world’s only purebred truffle-hunting dog. At Golden Truffle Lagotto, we are more than breeders—we are passionate guardians of a centuries-old lineage. Our mission is to honor and preserve the traits that have made the Lagotto a trusted working partner across the fields, forests, and farmlands of Italy.

A Breed Born of Italian Marshland

Ancient Origins in Romagna

The story of the Lagotto begins in the vast marshlands and lagoons of northeastern Italy, in the region of Romagna, where hunters relied on a small, resilient, curly-coated water dog.
Its name comes from lago (“lake”), a reference to its early purpose as a water retriever, skilled at retrieving waterfowl in the cold wetlands of Comacchio and Ravenna.

Renaissance Roots and Early Evidence

The Lagotto appears in Renaissance art, including a fresco by Andrea Mantegna (1465–1474) in the Camera degli Sposi at the Ducal Palace of Mantova—a powerful indication of how long this breed has lived alongside Italian families and hunters.

From Water Dog to Truffle Hunter

When the Marshlands Disappeared

In the 1800s, as agriculture expanded and the marshlands were drained, the Lagotto lost its job as a water retriever. But the breed’s story was far from over.

The Birth of the Truffle Dog

Local truffle hunters soon realized that Lagottos had an exceptional scenting ability, natural digging instincts, and calm focus—three traits that perfectly suited truffle searching.
Their waterproof coat and loyal temperament made them ideal partners for the long days spent searching for prized truffles beneath the forest floor.

Near Extinction and Remarkable Revival

The Crisis of the 1970s

By the 1970s, the Lagotto Romagnolo was at serious risk of extinction due to crossbreeding and declining demand.

A Passionate Effort to Save the Breed

Dedicated Italian breeders studied historical records, located the remaining pure dogs, and launched reconstruction programs that restored the breed’s authenticity.

Truffle Hunters: Unexpected Saviors

As truffles grew in value, truffle hunters recognized the Lagotto’s unparalleled ability to detect them without causing damage. Their reliance on the breed became a turning point in its revival.

Official Recognition and Modern Status

International Recognition Timeline

• 1988: Club Italiano Lagotto founded

• 1993: Recognized by the Italian Kennel Club

• 1995: Recognized by FCI

• 2001: Recognized by The Kennel Club (UK)

• 2015: Recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC)

The Only Purebred Truffle-Hunting Dog

The Lagotto Romagnolo remains the only dog breed specifically developed and recognized for truffle hunting.

The Modern Lagotto Romagnolo

Preserving a Working Heritage

Today’s Lagotto still carries its ancestors’ signature traits:

• exceptional sense of smell

• natural digging instinct

• intelligence and focus

• waterproof, non-shedding coat

More Than a Truffle Dog

Modern Lagottos also serve as family pets, therapy dogs, agility competitors, and scent-detection partners.

A Growing International Following

From near extinction to worldwide admiration, the Lagotto is now appreciated for its intelligence, sensitivity, and versatility.

Our Role at Golden Truffle Lagotto

At Golden Truffle Lagotto, we proudly carry forward this remarkable history. Each puppy we raise reflects the finest qualities passed down through generations—sharp scent detection, intelligence, athleticism, and a loving, stable temperament.

Bringing a Lagotto puppy from our kennel into your home means joining a living tradition that spans centuries, from Renaissance Italy to the forests and kitchens of the modern world.