Can a Lagotto Romagnolo Be Left Alone All Day?

The Lagotto Romagnolo’s soulful eyes and clever quirks make them a dream companion—but what happens when you’re at work all day? At Northwest Lagotto, we’ve raised these dogs long enough to know they crave connection more than solitude. Their truffle-hunting roots bred them to work alongside people, not to clock solo hours. Can they be left alone all day? Not happily. We’ve found their limit tops out at short stretches—two hours max at a time—and even then, prep is key. Here’s why, plus tips for working owners to make it work.

Lagottos aren’t loners. In Italy, they shadowed hunters through marshes, relying on teamwork to sniff out truffles. That bond sticks—our dogs thrive on interaction, whether it’s a walk, a game, or just your presence. They’re not clingy to a fault, but they’re not independent like a cat or a guard breed built to patrol alone. Leave them too long, and boredom creeps in. We’ve seen it in our litters: a pup left isolated starts pacing or chewing, not out of spite, but because their sharp mind needs a job. Full days alone—8-10 hours—push past their comfort zone, risking stress or mischief.

Our take? Two hours is the ceiling for alone time, and even that’s stretching it without setup. We’ve tested it with our dogs—four to six hours total in a day, broken into chunks with breaks, is their max before they get antsy. A client in Boise tried longer early on; their Lagotto shredded a couch cushion by hour five. Another in Portland caps it at two-hour stints with a dog walker midday—peace reigns. Puppies under a year can’t even handle that—think one hour, tops. Age and training nudge the limit up, but never to “all day” territory. They’re bred for partnership, not isolation.

For working owners, prep makes it doable. Start with exercise: a 30-minute sniffing walk before you go. We tell clients to let them meander—nose work tires them more than a sprint. Leave a puzzle toy—stuff a Kong with frozen yoghurt and treats—or a safe chew like Yak Cheese or Bully stick to keep their brain busy. Crate training helps; our pups start young, so a crate feels like a den, not a jail, for those two-hour windows. Midday relief is non-negotiable—a walker, a neighbor, or a quick home visit to reset them. We’ve had owners rig cameras; one caught their Lagotto napping after a morning routine, content til the two-hour mark.

Can a Lagotto be left alone all day? Not without fallout. Northwest Lagotto dogs show us daily: they’ll handle two hours—maybe three with age—if you stack the deck with activity and check-ins. Beyond that, their need for you kicks in. Working owners can swing it with a tight plan—exercise, toys, a midday break—but 9-to-5 solo isn’t their jam. They’re not fragile; they’re social. Give them your time, even in pieces, and they’ll reward you with calm, not chaos. Anything more, and you’re asking a team player to go it alone.

If you would like to meet our dogs or discuss our upcoing summer 2025 litter we are now taking applciations. contact us at: NWLagotto@gmail.com