Our Lagotto Romagnolo Breeding Dogs and Upcoming Litters

The Parents Behind Every Golden Truffle Puppy

There is a question every serious buyer should ask before choosing a breeder, and it is not about the puppies. It is about the dogs that produced them.

At Golden Truffle Lagotto, we believe that transparency about our breeding dogs is not optional. It is the foundation of everything we do. The temperament your puppy inherits, the health conditions they will or will not develop, the quality of their coat, the depth of their scenting instinct, the way they handle stress at two years old, all of it traces directly back to the genetic foundation laid by the sire and dam. This is why we invest so heavily in our adult dogs long before a single puppy is born, and why we share everything about them openly.

What follows is a complete picture of our breeding program: who our dogs are, what they carry, and why this particular pairing consistently produces some of the finest Lagotto Romagnolo puppies available in the United States.

Sir Montoro del Bosco — Sire

At a Glance

Health Certifications

Who Montoro Is

Montoro is the kind of dog that stops people in their tracks, not because he demands attention, but because of the quiet confidence he carries. Inside the home, he is calm, deeply affectionate, and remarkably patient with children. He settles into the rhythm of family life without drama, content to be present, to be close, to be part of things.

The moment you take him into a field or introduce a scent-work exercise, something shifts. He becomes entirely focused, methodical, deliberate, driven by a kind of quiet urgency that centuries of truffle-hunting genetics have built into the breed. Watching him work is genuinely remarkable. He does not rush. He reads the ground, adjusts, and solves the problem with a confidence that is entirely his own.

He is the ideal Lagotto in the truest sense: a working dog that is also a companion, and a companion that never loses its instinct to work.

Working Titles and Accomplishments

AKC Scent Work, Novice Container (SCN) AKC Scent Work, Novice Buried (SBN) AKC Scent Work, Novice Handler Discrimination (SHDN) Title ribbon, 2023 Summerset Scent Detection Trial

Bloodlines and Italian Heritage

Montoro descends from two of the most historically significant Lagotto Romagnolo lines in Italy. The Del Bosco line is recognized across Europe for outstanding truffle-hunting ability, exceptional field performance, and a working drive that has remained consistent across generations. The Romagnolo Antico Kennel line is celebrated for producing dogs with correct conformation, excellent scenting aptitude, and the kind of stable, people-oriented temperament that makes the Lagotto such a remarkable family dog. His pedigree includes documented ENCI and FCI champions.

What He Passes to His Puppies

Montoro’s offspring are consistently recognized by their families for strong natural scent instincts that show up early, high trainability with very little resistance, stable and affectionate temperaments, excellent tight-curled coats with minimal shedding, and a compact, well-proportioned build with fluid, balanced movement. Whether a puppy from Montoro ends up in a truffle-hunting program, an AKC scent work ring, a therapy dog certification track, or simply a loving home, his contribution gives that puppy an exceptional starting point.

Bella Luna di Golden Truffle — Dam

At a Glance

Health Certifications

Who Bella Luna Is

Bella Luna came into our lives and made everything feel more settled. That is the best way to describe her. She has a warmth that is immediate: strangers relax around her, children gravitate toward her, and she meets all of it with a calm, unhurried grace that seems entirely effortless.

Outdoors, she becomes a different version of herself. Not a harder version, just a more focused one. Her nose goes down, her energy sharpens, and she works with the kind of quiet intensity that tells you the drive is real and deep. She has exceptional scenting instincts and has passed that gift on to every litter she has produced.

As a mother, she is extraordinary. She whelps calmly, nurses attentively, and allows human handling of her puppies from the very first days, something that makes an enormous difference in how those puppies develop socially. She is the reason our litters have such a strong start.

Bloodlines and Italian Heritage

Bella Luna’s pedigree combines traditional Italian truffle-working lines with successful European show lines, a combination that produces dogs of genuine versatility. Her ancestors are recognized across Europe for excellent scenting ability, strong breed-standard conformation, stable temperament, and the kind of trainability that makes the Lagotto so rewarding to work with. She brings intelligence, classical structure, and working drive in equal measure.

Her Track Record as a Dam

Her previous litters have been consistent in ways that matter. Puppies from Bella Luna regularly show strong natural scent-tracking instinct within the first weeks of life. Their temperaments are balanced, confident, and friendly without anxiety. Their coats are dense and tightly curled. Their structure is correct. And they settle into new homes with an ease that their families consistently remark on. Several of her offspring have gone on to become certified therapy dogs, AKC scent work competitors, and early truffle-training prospects.

Why This Pairing Works

Every breeding decision we make is deliberate. The pairing of Montoro del Bosco and Bella Luna di Golden Truffle was selected for specific, complementary reasons, and the results have consistently validated that choice.

Montoro brings elite working titles, exceptional scenting drive, OFA Excellent hips, and the prestigious Del Bosco and Romagnolo Antico bloodlines. Bella Luna brings outstanding maternal genetics, a complementary coat pattern, OFA Good hips, LRCA membership credentials, and a proven history of producing stable, well-structured, beautifully socialized puppies.

Together, their offspring consistently inherit the following qualities.

Health: Both parents carry zero copies of any known Lagotto hereditary disease variant. Their puppies cannot be affected by LSD, BFJE, JE, or HUU, the four primary genetic concerns in the breed. This is not a claim. It is documented.

Temperament: The combination of Montoro’s confident, driven character and Bella Luna’s calm, nurturing nature produces puppies that are genuinely balanced. Energetic and capable when working. Gentle and affectionate at home. Neither anxious nor hyperactive. Just good dogs.

Scenting ability: With Montoro’s titled scent-work record and Bella Luna’s strong natural olfactory drive, their puppies consistently show early interest in scent-based activities and respond exceptionally well to introductory truffle training.

Structure: Compact, well-proportioned bodies with correct Lagotto conformation, fluid movement, and the breed’s characteristic square build.

Coat: Dense, tightly curled, hypoallergenic coats with beautiful color variation across the litter, including brown roan and brown-and-white parti expressions.

Upcoming Litters and Reservations

Golden Truffle Lagotto plans 2 to 3 carefully spaced litters per year. This is intentional. Fewer litters means more attention per litter, and more attention produces better dogs. We do not breed for volume.

Our next planned litter from Montoro del Bosco and Bella Luna di Golden Truffle is expected in September 2026. Reservations are now open.

How the Reservation Process Works

We want families to feel informed and comfortable at every step, so here is exactly what the process looks like from first contact to homecoming.

Step 1, Application: You submit our puppy application and tell us about your home, your lifestyle, your experience with dogs, and what you are hoping for in a Lagotto. This helps us make sure the breed is truly the right fit, and it helps us match you with the right puppy when the time comes.

Step 2, Consultation: We have a real conversation. No scripts, no sales pressure. We want to know your family, and we want you to know us. If we feel this is the right match on both sides, we move forward.

Step 3, Deposit: A $1,500 deposit secures your place in the selection order. The deposit is 80% refundable if you change your mind for any reason. It is also fully transferable to the next litter if no puppy in the current litter feels like the right match.

Step 4, Pregnancy Updates: Once breeding is confirmed, you receive updates throughout the pregnancy including ultrasound results and expected litter size.

Step 5, Birth Announcement: When the litter arrives, you are notified immediately with photos, gender details, and an early look at the puppies.

Step 6, Weekly Updates: From birth through placement, we send you regular photos and videos showing how your puppy is growing, playing, and developing. Families consistently tell us these updates are one of their favorite parts of the experience.

Step 7, Puppy Selection: At 6 to 7 weeks, you choose your puppy based on your deposit order and your preferences for gender, color, and temperament. We guide you through this process and share our honest observations about each puppy’s personality.

Step 8, Final Preparation: You pay your balance, review our care guidelines, and arrange pickup or delivery. We handle the logistics and make sure everything is in place.

Step 9, Welcome Home: Your puppy arrives healthy, well-socialized, and ready to begin life with your family.

2027 Priority Waitlist

For families planning further ahead, our 2027 priority waitlist is now open. Early placement guarantees first access to upcoming pairings and any future additions to our breeding program.

What Comes With Your Puppy

Every Golden Truffle Lagotto puppy leaves with the following.

Complete health records and full vaccination history. Microchip registration information. AKC registration paperwork. A written health guarantee. A detailed care guide written specifically for the Lagotto Romagnolo. Professional grooming instructions. Training resources including a basic truffle introduction guide. A puppy starter kit with food, toys, and a blanket carrying the scent of their littermates. And lifetime breeder support, meaning we are available to you not just in the first weeks, but for the life of your dog.

Pricing

Our Lagotto Romagnolo puppies are priced between $2,500 and $6,500 depending on bloodlines, temperament profile, and whether the puppy is placed as a companion, a breeding prospect, or a working dog candidate. We are always transparent about pricing and will never present you with hidden fees. If you have questions about what determines placement pricing for a specific puppy, ask us directly.

We encourage every prospective buyer to be cautious of breeders offering Lagottos at significantly lower prices. Ethical breeding at this level requires substantial investment in health testing, veterinary care, socialization, and the time it takes to do all of it properly. A puppy priced well below market is almost always a signal that something important was cut.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is the deposit and is it refundable? The deposit is $1,500. It is 80% refundable if you change your mind for any reason. A non-refundable option of $700 is also available. The deposit is fully transferable to the next litter if no puppy in the current litter feels like the right fit.

Can I choose the gender and coat color? Yes. We do our best to honor preferences based on deposit order and what is available in each litter. We discuss your preferences during the consultation so we can set realistic expectations early.

Can I request a puppy specifically for truffle hunting or scent work? Absolutely. We assess each puppy’s scent drive and working aptitude starting in the early weeks. We can help identify the puppy in the litter best suited for that path and provide resources to support your training goals.

When can I visit? In-person visits are welcomed once puppies are 5 to 6 weeks old and have received their first vaccinations. We schedule appointments carefully to keep both the mother and puppies comfortable during this critical developmental period.

How often do you have litters? We plan 2 to 3 litters per year. This intentionally limited frequency allows us to give every litter and every adult dog the full attention they deserve.

Do you ship puppies? Yes. We offer several delivery options including VIP door-to-door van service, in-cabin flight nanny service, and IATA-certified air cargo. We serve families across the United States and internationally. Visit our Delivery page for full details.

What health tests do the parents receive? Both Montoro and Bella Luna have completed comprehensive health testing before entering our breeding program. This includes OFA evaluations for hips, elbows, and patellas, a CAER eye examination by a board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist, and a full Embark DNA panel screening for all known Lagotto-specific hereditary conditions including LSD, BFJE, JE, and HUU. Only dogs who pass every required test enter our program.

Why does knowing the parents matter so much? When you choose a puppy without knowing the parents, you are making a significant investment without the most important piece of information available to you. The parents carry the genetic blueprint for everything your puppy will become: their health trajectory, their personality under stress, their coat quality, their working aptitude, and their capacity for the deep human bonds that make Lagottos so exceptional. We publish everything about our dogs because we believe you deserve to make this decision with full information.

Ready to Reserve Your Place?

If you are serious about welcoming a Golden Truffle Lagotto puppy into your life, the best time to start the conversation is now. Most of our litters are reserved before the puppies are born, and waitlist spots fill early.

Reach out today and tell us about your family. We will take it from there.

Start Your Application or  View Available Puppies.