Grooming 101: How to Trim, Clean & Maintain Your Lagotto Romagnolo

Our Champion Lagotto Romagnolo shown in Italy

As a Lagotto Romagnolo breeder in the USA, I understand the unique grooming needs of this intelligent and affectionate breed. The Lagotto's distinctive curly, woolly coat is not just charming; it's a functional marvel, designed to protect them during their truffle-hunting endeavors. Unlike many other breeds, the Lagotto Romagnolo has a non-shedding coat, which makes them an excellent choice for allergy sufferers. However, this also means their coat requires specific attention to prevent matting and maintain its health and appearance.

This guide will delve into the essential aspects of Lagotto Romagnolo grooming, covering everything from proper trimming techniques to ear cleaning and seasonal maintenance. We'll address common questions and provide expert insights to help you keep your Lagotto looking their best, all while preserving the natural integrity of their beautiful coat. One crucial point to remember: we do not brush Lagotto Romagnolo coats when dry. This can damage their unique curl structure and lead to matting. Instead, we'll explore alternative methods for maintaining their beautiful, rustic coat.

Trimming Your Lagotto's Curly Coat: Beyond the Basics

The Lagotto Romagnolo's curly coat is a defining characteristic, offering both protection and a charming aesthetic. Proper trimming is essential to maintain its health, prevent matting, and ensure your Lagotto's comfort. Unlike many other breeds, the Lagotto's coat is not meant to be styled into elaborate cuts; rather, the goal is to preserve its natural, rustic appearance while keeping it at a manageable length. The ideal coat length for a Lagotto is typically between 1 to 1.5 inches [1].

Understanding the Lagotto's Coat Texture

The Lagotto's coat is a double coat of very curly, woolly hair. It's designed to be water-resistant and to protect them from brambles and harsh weather during their work. This unique texture means that traditional brushing, especially when dry, can damage the curls, lead to frizz, and paradoxically, encourage matting [2]. Instead, the curls should be allowed to form and harden naturally, which provides the protective qualities of their coat [3].

Essential Trimming Tools

To effectively trim your Lagotto's coat, you'll need a few key tools:

•Blunt-nosed scissors: These are crucial for safely trimming around sensitive areas like the face, ears, and paws.

•Clippers: For body trimming, clippers with various guard comb lengths will help you achieve an even and consistent cut. A 1 to 1.5-inch guard comb is often recommended for maintaining the breed's natural look.

•Thinning shears: These can be useful for blending and softening lines, especially on the head and legs, to maintain a natural appearance.

•Metal comb: While dry brushing is avoided, a metal comb can be used gently to check for mats, particularly after bathing and before drying, or to carefully work through any tangles that may form [4].

Trimming Techniques for a Natural Look

When trimming your Lagotto, the aim is to follow the natural lines of their body, creating a neat but not overly sculpted appearance. Here’s a general approach:

1.Body: Use clippers with your chosen guard comb length to trim the body. The coat should appear uniform but not excessively short. Remember, the Lagotto is a rustic breed, and their coat should reflect that [5].

2.Head: The coat on the head should be left slightly longer than the body, framing their expressive face. Use blunt-nosed scissors to carefully trim around the eyes to ensure clear vision and to neaten the beard and mustache area. The goal is a rounded, natural look, not a poodle-like topknot [6].

3.Legs: The coat on the legs should appear longer and columnar, blending seamlessly with the body. Scissors are often preferred for the legs and feet, as many Lagottos may not tolerate clippers in these areas [7]. Trim around the paws to prevent debris accumulation and to maintain a tidy appearance.

4.Tail: The tail should be trimmed like a carrot, tapering from the base to a neat, blunt tip [8].

5.Sanitary Trim: This is a crucial part of grooming. Thoroughly clip a wide sanitary trim on the groin area and around the rectum to maintain hygiene [9]. Also, trim the hair in the armpit areas.

The Importance of Wetting and Air Drying

After trimming and bathing, it's vital to allow your Lagotto's coat to air dry naturally. This allows the curls to reform and harden, which is essential for the coat's protective qualities and to prevent matting [3]. If you need to re-curl the coat, you can re-wet it and allow it to air dry again [10]. Avoid blow-drying, as this can straighten the curls and make the coat more prone to matting [2].

Addressing the 'No Brushing' Rule

The instruction to

avoid brushing a dry Lagotto coat is paramount. While it might seem counterintuitive for a curly-coated breed, brushing a dry Lagotto coat can break the natural curl, leading to a frizzy texture that is more susceptible to matting and felting [2, 6]. The Lagotto's coat is designed to be rustic and self-maintaining to a degree, relying on its natural curl to shed debris and prevent tangles. If you encounter small tangles or debris, a gentle finger-combing or careful use of a metal comb when the coat is damp or wet can help [4]. The key is to work with the natural curl, not against it.

Cleaning Your Lagotto: Bathing and Beyond

Regular cleaning is an important part of your Lagotto's grooming routine, but it doesn't need to be overly frequent. Typically, a Lagotto Romagnolo requires bathing about once a month, or as needed depending on their activities [1]. Over-bathing can strip the coat of its natural oils, leading to dry skin and a less healthy coat.

Bathing Your Lagotto

1.Pre-Bath Preparation: Before bathing, it's crucial to check for any mats. While we don't brush dry, any existing mats should be carefully worked out before the bath, as water can tighten mats and make them nearly impossible to remove [4]. You can use your fingers to gently separate any matted areas. If necessary, a metal comb can be used very carefully on damp hair to work through tangles.

2.Shampoo Selection: Use a gentle, dog-specific shampoo that won't strip the coat of its natural oils [11]. Avoid harsh detergents or human shampoos, which can irritate your dog's skin. A good quality conditioner can also help maintain coat health and manageability.

3.Washing Technique: Thoroughly wet your Lagotto's coat with lukewarm water. Apply shampoo, working it gently into the coat, paying attention to areas that tend to get dirtier, like the paws, belly, and around the mouth. Rinse thoroughly until all shampoo residue is gone. Residue can cause skin irritation and dull the coat.

4.Drying: As mentioned, air drying is preferred for Lagottos. After rinsing, gently squeeze excess water from the coat with your hands. You can use a towel to blot the coat, but avoid vigorous rubbing, which can disrupt the curls. Allow your Lagotto to air dry in a warm, draft-free area. If you must use a dryer, use a low-heat setting and avoid direct blowing, which can straighten the curls [2]. A damp towel rubbed into the coat after a bath can also help encourage the curls to reform as it air dries [12].

Maintaining Corded Coats (If Applicable)

While most Lagottos are kept in a trimmed, curly coat, some owners may choose to maintain a corded coat, similar to a Puli or Komondor. This is a specialized grooming technique that requires significant dedication and is not typical for the breed. If you are considering a corded coat for your Lagotto, it's essential to consult with an experienced groomer or breeder who specializes in corded breeds. The process involves careful separation of the cords and meticulous cleaning to prevent odor and skin issues. It is a long-term commitment and requires a different approach to bathing and drying to ensure the cords remain clean and healthy.

Ear Cleaning: A Vital Part of Lagotto Care

The Lagotto Romagnolo's ears, with their characteristic floppy shape and hair growth within the ear canal, require regular attention to prevent infections. The hair inside their ears can trap moisture and debris, creating a breeding ground for bacteria and yeast [13].

How to Clean Your Lagotto's Ears

1.Gather Supplies: You will need a veterinarian-recommended ear cleaning solution, cotton balls or gauze, and a clean, dry towel [14]. Avoid using cotton swabs, as they can push debris further into the ear canal.

2.Remove Excess Hair: Gently remove any excess hair around the ear canal. Some owners choose to pluck the hair from the ear canal, while others prefer to trim it. If plucking, be very careful not to cause irritation or injury [15]. Some sources suggest that excessive plucking can create wounds that lead to infection, so it's a practice that should be approached with caution and ideally under the guidance of a vet or experienced groomer [16].

3.Apply Cleaner: Hold your Lagotto's ear flap up and apply the ear cleaning solution into the ear canal as directed by the product instructions. Gently massage the base of the ear for about 30 seconds to help break up wax and debris.

4.Wipe Clean: Allow your Lagotto to shake their head (this helps dislodge debris). Then, use a cotton ball or gauze to wipe away any visible dirt or discharge from the outer ear flap and the entrance of the ear canal [17]. Do not poke deep into the ear canal. Repeat with fresh cotton balls until no more dirt is visible.

5.Check for Issues: Regularly inspect your Lagotto's ears for any signs of redness, swelling, foul odor, or excessive discharge, which could indicate an infection. If you notice any of these symptoms, consult your veterinarian.

Nail Trimming: Keeping Paws Healthy

Regular nail trimming is crucial for your Lagotto's comfort and overall paw health. Overgrown nails can cause pain, lead to splayed toes, and even affect their gait, potentially leading to orthopedic issues. For an active breed like the Lagotto, healthy paws are essential.

How to Trim Your Lagotto's Nails

1.Tools: You will need a good quality dog nail clipper (scissor-style or guillotine-style) and a styptic powder in case you accidentally cut too short and cause bleeding [18].

2.Frequency: Lagotto nails should be trimmed regularly, typically every two weeks [19]. Starting this practice from puppyhood can help desensitize them to the process [20].

3.Technique: Hold your Lagotto's paw firmly. Identify the quick, which is the pink part of the nail containing blood vessels and nerves. If your Lagotto has dark nails, the quick can be harder to see; you may need to trim small amounts at a time. Cut the tip of the nail at a slight angle, just before the quick. If you accidentally cut the quick, apply styptic powder to stop the bleeding.

4.Dewclaws: Don't forget to trim the dewclaws, if your Lagotto has them. These nails do not touch the ground and can grow into the paw pad if not trimmed regularly.

5.Positive Reinforcement: Make nail trimming a positive experience with treats and praise. If your Lagotto is resistant, consider doing a few nails at a time rather than trying to do all of them at once.

Seasonal Shedding: What to Expect

While Lagotto Romagnolos are considered a non-shedding breed, it's important to understand what that truly means. They have hair, not fur, and their coat continuously grows, similar to human hair. This is why they are often recommended for people with allergies [21]. However,

they do experience some minimal shedding, often in small tufts of hair, and may have seasonal changes in their coat [22, 23].

Understanding Lagotto Shedding

Unlike breeds with fur that shed heavily seasonally, Lagottos do not

blow their coat in large amounts. The minimal shedding they do experience is often due to loose hairs getting caught in their curly coat rather than falling out. This is why regular grooming, even if it's just checking for mats, is important. During certain times of the year, particularly in spring and fall, you might notice a slight increase in the amount of hair that comes out during bathing or when you are working through their coat with your fingers [24]. This is a natural process as their coat adjusts to temperature changes.

Managing Minimal Shedding

Since Lagottos don't shed like other breeds, the key to managing their coat is consistent grooming to prevent matting. The loose hairs that would typically fall out in a shedding breed get trapped in the Lagotto's curls. If not removed, these trapped hairs can contribute to mat formation. Regular bathing and careful drying, as described above, will help release these loose hairs and keep the coat healthy. While you won't be dealing with copious amounts of fur around your home, a quick check of their coat after outdoor activities can help remove any loose debris or hairs before they become an issue.

Conclusion: A Well-Groomed Lagotto is a Happy Lagotto

Grooming your Lagotto Romagnolo is an essential part of responsible pet ownership and a wonderful way to bond with your dog. By understanding their unique coat type and implementing a consistent grooming routine that includes proper trimming, regular cleaning, diligent ear care, and routine nail trims, you can ensure your Lagotto remains healthy, comfortable, and looking their best. Remember, the goal is to maintain their natural, rustic charm, not to transform them into something they're not. With the right tools and techniques, you'll be well-equipped to provide your Lagotto with the care they deserve, ensuring they continue to thrive as your beloved companion and, perhaps, even a champion truffle hunter.

References

[1] Lagotto Romagnolo Club of America. Grooming. Available at: https://www.lagottous.com/grooming [2] YouTube. This is PERFECT Lagotto Romagnolo Haircut (Step by Step Grooming). Available at: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=4oy3rT-0phw [3] Groomer to Groomer. A Brief History and Grooming Guide for the Lagotto Romagnolo. Available at: https://www.groomertogroomer.com/a-brief-history-and-grooming-guide-for-the-lagotto-romagnolo/ [4] Lagotto Lady. GROOMING THE LAGOTTO ROMAGNOLO. Available at: https://www.lagottolady.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Grooming-the-Lagotto_LL-2016.pdf [5] Radamia. Grooming Lagotto Romagnolo. Available at: https://www.radamia.com/grooming-lagotto-romagnolo [6] Allevamento Valle dei Medici. The curly coat of the Lagotto Romagnolo: Care of the mantle Grooming. Available at: https://www.allevamentovalledeimedici.it/en/recommendations/cure-fur-lagotto-romagnolo/ [7] Lagotto Romagnolo Association. A Beginner's Guide by Lynne Harvey. Available at: https://www.lagottoromagnoloassociation.co.uk/a-beginners-guide-by-lynne-harvey.html [8] Lagotto Romagnolo Club of Great Britain. Grooming Lagotto Romagnolo. Available at: http://www.lagottoromagnoloclubofgb.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Grooming-notes-Jan-2019.pdf [9] Groomwise. SmartStyling: Grooming The Lagotto Romagnolo. Available at: https://groomwise.typepad.com/smartstyling/2015/03/grooming-the-lagotto-romagnolo.html [10] YouTube. How to Re-Curl Curly and Wavy Coated Dogs w/ Michell Evans. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5MIeJrb6o0 [11] Northwest Lagotto. Luscious Locks: Lagotto Romagnolo Coat Care 101. Available at: https://www.northwestlagotto.com/post/luscious-locks-lagotto-romagnolo-coat-care-101 [12] Reddit. Looking for tips from other groomers who have dealt with Lagottos. Available at: https://www.reddit.com/r/doggrooming/comments/113dab2/looking_for_tips_from_other_groomers_who_have/ [13] Allevamento Valle dei Medici. Cleaning the ears - Lagotto Romagnolo Valle dei Medici. Available at: https://www.allevamentovalledeimedici.it/en/health/cleaning-ears-lagotto/ [14] Premier Truffles. Lagotto Romagnolo Grooming Tips. Available at: https://www.premiertruffles.com/grooming [15] Lagotto Romagnolo New Zealand. Ear Care. Available at: https://lagotto.org.nz/ear-care/ [16] Reddit. Any tips on plucking a lagotto puppy's ears?. Available at: https://www.reddit.com/r/LagottoRomagnolo/comments/xhh3d2/any_tips_on_plucking_a_lagotto_puppys_ears/ [17] American Kennel Club. How to Clean a Dog's Ears. Available at: https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/how-to-clean-dogs-ears/ [18] Amazon.com. Nail Trimmers & Clipper for Lagotto Romagnolo and Other Medium Size Sporting Dogs. Available at: https://www.amazon.com/Trimmers-Clipper-Lagotto-Romagnolo-Sporting/dp/B09WYK6N2Q [19] Lagotto Lady. GROOMING THE LAGOTTO ROMAGNOLO. Available at: https://www.lagottolady.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Grooming-the-Lagotto_LL-2016.pdf [20] Radamia. Grooming Lagotto Romagnolo. Available at: https://www.radamia.com/grooming-lagotto-romagnolo [21] American Kennel Club. Lagotto Romagnolo Dog Breed Information. Available at: https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/lagotto-romagnolo/ [22] Puppy List. Shedding Characteristics of the Lagotto Romagnolo. Available at: https://puppylist.com.au/breeds/lagotto-romagnolo/shedding/ [23] Orvis. Lagotti Romagnoli - All About Dogs. Available at: https://www.orvis.com/lagotti-romagnoli.html?srsltid=AfmBOoqH38jq14MdtNSR70OtofRJQ4BXXq3fMrnlEz8tzlBL3Z8k0DEk [24] AKC. Dog Shedding: What to Expect And How to Manage It. Available at: