MEET THE BREEDER – MY JOURNEY INTO THE LAGOTTO ROMAGNOLO

My name is Don Meyer, and my path to becoming a Lagotto Romagnolo breeder is deeply personal shaped by resilience, purpose, and a genuine respect for the working dogs that have guided me through some of the most difficult chapters of my life.

My story begins long before I discovered the Lagotto Romagnolo. In 2003, while serving in the U.S. Navy, I suffered a life-changing injury that left me with 80% hearing loss and placed me in a coma for two months. Waking up to a quieter world forced me to rebuild my life piece by piece. It also reshaped how I communicate and how I experience the world around me.
This is why today, I handle all communication exclusively through email and text messages—not by phone. It’s not only a matter of accessibility, but also accuracy, organization, and making sure every family receives clear, detailed guidance throughout their adoption process.

Discovering the Lagotto Romagnolo – An Italian Turning Point

Years later, during a trip through northern Italy, I came across something that would spark a new passion. While exploring the Piedmont and Romagna regions, I had the opportunity to join local truffle hunters and their Lagotto Romagnolo dogs in the forest. Watching these dogs work—focused, alert, joyful, and deeply connected to their handlers—left a lasting impact on me.

These were not ordinary dogs.
They were living fragments of Italian heritage, shaped by centuries of work in marshlands and truffle orchards. I learned how close the breed once came to disappearing, and how dedicated breeders worked tirelessly to preserve its authenticity.

I returned home with one thought that never left me:
I want to be part of protecting this incredible breed.

Falling in Love With the Breed

Once back in the United States, I researched everything I could find about the Lagotto Romagnolo. I spoke with breeders in Italy, Europe, and North America, studied bloodlines, and eventually welcomed my first Lagotto from authentic Italian lineage.

That first dog changed everything.

Her intelligence, her sweetness, her remarkable nose, her love for water, and her natural instinct to work—it was unlike anything I had experienced before. She wasn’t just a companion; she was a teacher who revealed the soul of the Lagotto Romagnolo.

I knew I had found something rare, something worth preserving.

Why I Became a Lagotto Romagnolo Breeder

As I connected with Lagotto owners and enthusiasts in the United States, I realized that the breed was growing in popularity yet very few breeders were focusing on authentic bloodlines, working ability, and ethical breeding practices. Families wanted healthy Lagotto Romagnolo puppies, but trustworthy breeders were difficult to find.

That is when I founded Golden Truffle Lagotto.

My mission is simple, but serious:

• Preserve authentic Italian and European Lagotto bloodlines

• Raise puppies ethically and responsibly

• Maintain the working heritage of the world’s only truffle-hunting breed

• Promote health testing, temperament, and genetic integrity

• Provide families with healthy, well-socialized Lagotto Romagnolo puppies for sale

This is not a high-volume kennel.
I raise very few litters each year, because quality and intention will always matter more than numbers.

My Breeding Philosophy

Every pairing is planned with purpose. I only breed Lagotti who have passed:

• OFA or equivalent hip and elbow evaluations

• CAER eye exams

• Complete DNA panels for LSD, JE, and other breed-specific issues

• Temperament assessments

• Working aptitude evaluations

I am not interested in doing the minimum.
I am committed to raising Lagotti that are healthy, intelligent, affectionate, and true to their Italian roots whether they become family companions, truffle dogs, or therapy dogs.

Life at Golden Truffle Lagotto

My days revolve around my dogs. They receive:

• Daily exercise and enrichment

• Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS)

• Early Scent Introduction (ESI)

• Puppy socialization with household noises, surfaces, car rides, and grooming

• Exposure to water and foundational scent-work games

• Early crate conditioning

All puppies are raised inside my home, never in kennels so they grow up confident, curious, and well-prepared for family life.

My Commitment to You

Choosing a Lagotto Romagnolo is an important decision. I take the time to match each family with the right puppy based on temperament, structure, lifestyle, and goals. This is not just business; it is a partnership.

Because of my hearing impairment, I handle everything by email or text only to ensure clear communication and proper organization. Families appreciate this system, it avoids misunderstandings and helps maintain transparency at every step.

When you adopt a puppy from Golden Truffle Lagotto, you are not just buying a dog you are joining a community. I remain available long after your puppy goes home to offer guidance, answer questions, and celebrate milestones with you.

Looking Ahead

My goal is for Golden Truffle Lagotto to contribute to the long-term preservation of this extraordinary breed in the United States. I want to see more Lagotti working in truffle orchards, thriving in loving homes, and remaining true to the heritage that makes them so special.

Every litter I raise is a small but meaningful step toward that vision.

Thank You

Thank you for taking the time to learn my story. If you believe the Lagotto Romagnolo might be the right breed for you, I would be honored to help you find the perfect puppy to welcome into your home.