It is one of the first questions people ask after deciding they want a Lagotto Romagnolo, and one of the last questions that gets a genuinely useful answer. Should you get a male or a female? The internet will tell you that females are more independent and males are more affectionate, or the reverse, depending on who you ask. Most of what you will read is a combination of breed-level generalizations that may or may not apply to the Lagotto specifically, and individual anecdotes that people have mistakenly applied to the entire sex.
This article is different. We are going to talk about what actually tends to differentiate male and female Lagottos, what matters for your specific situation, and what factors have nothing to do with sex at all.
The Physical Differences — Size and Build
Male Lagottos are generally larger than females, though the difference is not dramatic in this breed. Males typically stand between 17 and 19 inches at the shoulder and weigh between 28 and 35 pounds. Females are usually between 16 and 18 inches and weigh between 24 and 31 pounds.
In practical terms, this means a male Lagotto will likely feel slightly more substantial when he sits on your lap or leans against you, which he will absolutely do. The difference is not the kind that changes how you live with the dog day to day, but it does matter if you have a strong preference for a smaller dog or if someone in your household has difficulty handling a heavier animal.
The build also differs slightly. Males tend to have a more square, robust frame, while females are typically a bit more refined in structure. Both are solidly built, athletic dogs. Neither sex is fragile.
The Behavioral Tendencies — What the Research Actually Shows
Here is where things get more nuanced, because behavioral differences between male and female dogs are real but often overstated, and they vary significantly depending on whether the dog is intact or neutered and spayed.
In intact males, you will encounter marking behavior, which is the instinct to urinate on vertical surfaces to establish territory. This is manageable with consistent training from puppyhood, but it is worth knowing about if you are not planning to neuter. Intact males can also become more distracted and difficult to focus during training if there is an intact female nearby or if they detect a female in heat in the neighborhood. This is not a character flaw. It is hormonal biology.
After neutering, most of these behaviors reduce significantly, though some dogs that were neutered later in life retain habits they developed during their intact period. Early neutering tends to produce the cleanest behavioral slate.
In intact females, the primary behavioral event is the heat cycle, which occurs roughly every six months. During heat, females can become more vocal, restless, and attention-seeking. There may also be behavioral changes including mood shifts and increased clinginess or, conversely, increased irritability with other dogs. Managing an intact female through heat cycles requires attention and some adjustment to your routine. Spaying eliminates this entirely.
What tends to remain true regardless of reproductive status is that female Lagottos often have a slightly more independent streak. They are deeply affectionate, but they may be more selective about when and how they initiate contact. Many female Lagotto owners describe their dogs as affectionate on their own terms. Males, in contrast, are often described as more overtly demonstrative. More likely to follow you from room to room, more likely to initiate physical contact, and sometimes more obviously emotionally dependent on their people.
Neither tendency is better or worse. It depends entirely on what you are looking for in a companion.
With Children — Does Sex Make a Difference
In the Lagotto, both sexes are generally excellent with children. The breed’s gentle, non-aggressive temperament and medium size make them well-suited to family life regardless of whether you choose a male or female.
If anything, females may be slightly more patient in tolerating the unpredictable energy of very young children, but this is an individual trait as much as a sex-linked one. A well-socialized male from a stable lineage will be just as good with a toddler as a well-socialized female.
What matters far more than sex when it comes to behavior around children is early socialization, the temperament of the parents, and the quality of the upbringing. A puppy raised in a home environment with consistent exposure to children from the first weeks of life, the way [our puppies are raised at Golden Truffle Lagotto], will almost always be more reliable with kids than a puppy of any sex raised in isolation.
With Other Dogs — Same-Sex Considerations
If you already have a dog at home, sex compatibility is worth thinking about. The general principle is that dogs of opposite sexes tend to integrate more easily than two dogs of the same sex, particularly two intact dogs of the same sex. Same-sex pairings are absolutely workable, but they may require more careful management during the introduction period and sometimes throughout the relationship.
Two female Lagottos can sometimes develop tension, particularly as they reach social maturity around eighteen months to two years. This is not universal, and many households have two or more females living harmoniously. But it is a factor to be aware of.
Two males can coexist well when both are neutered and introduced thoughtfully. Intact males are more likely to develop competitive dynamics, particularly around resources or attention.
If you are adding a Lagotto to a household with an existing dog, the sex of your current dog is one variable to factor into your decision. [Reaching out to us directly] is a good way to talk through the specific combination that makes sense for your situation.
Training — Are Males or Females Easier
This is where the generalization gap is widest between what people claim and what experience actually shows.
Some trainers will tell you females are easier to train because they mature faster. Others will tell you males are more motivated by food rewards. Both of these things can be true, and neither consistently determines training success in the Lagotto.
What does consistently determine training success is consistency of approach, timing of rewards, and the individual dog’s temperament. A food-motivated male who is somewhat easily distracted may actually be easier to train than a more independent female who decides she would rather investigate something in the yard.
In the Lagotto specifically, both sexes are intelligent, engaged, and responsive to positive reinforcement. The breed’s truffle-hunting heritage created dogs that are motivated to search, to work with a handler, and to earn a reward. This applies equally to males and females.
If training is a priority for you, particularly if you are interested in scent work or truffle training foundations, focus on the individual puppy’s temperament and drive rather than defaulting to a sex-based preference.
Lifespan and Long-Term Health
Lagottos of both sexes typically live between fifteen and seventeen years, making them one of the longer-lived medium-breed dogs. There are no significant lifespan differences between males and females in this breed.
In terms of health conditions, spaying females eliminates the risk of pyometra, a serious uterine infection that can be life-threatening in intact females. It also significantly reduces the risk of mammary tumors if done before the first or second heat. Neutering males eliminates testicular cancer and reduces prostate issues.
Both sexes carry the same genetic health risks related to the breed, including Lagotto Storage Disease (LSD), Juvenile Epilepsy (JE), and hip and elbow dysplasia. These are determined by genetics, not sex, which is why health testing of both parents is essential regardless of which sex you choose. Our breeding program provides full DNA clearances and OFA certifications for every breeding pair.
So Which Should You Choose
If you have spent the last few minutes expecting a definitive answer, here it is: choose based on what you actually want in a companion, not on generalizations about sex.
If you want a dog that is overtly demonstrative, tends to follow you everywhere, and wears its heart on its sleeve, a male often fits that description well. If you want a dog that is deeply affectionate but has a bit more self-possession and tends to initiate connection on its own schedule, many female Lagottos embody that quality.
If you have an existing female dog at home, a male may integrate more smoothly. If you want a smaller, slightly lighter dog, a female is the more likely fit. If you are particularly interested in truffle training or competitive scent work, observe the individual puppy’s drive and focus rather than defaulting to a sex preference.
The single most important variable in how your Lagotto turns out is not their sex. It is where they come from, how they were raised, and how consistently you engage with them throughout their life. A well-bred, well-socialized Lagotto of either sex will be an extraordinary companion.
Browse our available puppies to see who is currently available, including both males and females with full personality notes. If you are not sure which individual is the right match, [contact us] and we will help you figure it out.
